Image sensor

An image sensor, comprising:

• a substrate having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface;
• a trench formed in the top surface of the substrate;
• a transfer gate filling the trench;
• a first charge storage region formed in the substrate on a first side of the transfer gate;
• a second charge storage region formed in the substrate on a second side of the transfer gate;
• and
• a floating diffusion region exposed through the top surface of the substrate,
• wherein the transfer gate controls transfer of charge stored in the first charge storage region to the second charge storage region in response to a first voltage, and transfer of charge stored in the second storage region to the floating diffusion region in response to a second voltage different from the first voltage.

An image sensor, comprising:

• a sensor array including pixels that respectively convert an optical signal into a corresponding electrical output;
• and
• a timing generator controlling the sensor array,
• wherein each of the pixels includes a light-sensing element that generates charge in response to the optical signal, a storage diode formed in a substrate that stores the charge generated by the light-sensing element, a floating diffusion region formed in the substrate and spaced apart from the storage diode in a first direction, and a transfer gate buried in the substrate in the first direction, and
• the transfer gate controls the transfer of charge from the light-sensing element to the storage diode in response to a first transfer signal provided by the timing generator, and the transfer of charge from the storage diode to the floating diffusion region in response to a second transfer signal provided by the timing generator.