Imaging device having first, second and third electrodes with an insulating material and a photoelectric conversion layer and driving method for imaging device having the same, and electronic apparatus

An electronic apparatus, comprising:

• an imaging device including:
• a substrate including a first photoelectric conversion unit;
• and
• a second photoelectric conversion unit at a light-incident side of the substrate, the second photoelectric conversion unit including:
• a photoelectric conversion layer;
• a first electrode;
• a second electrode above the photoelectric conversion layer;
• a third electrode;
• and
• an insulating material between the third electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer,
• wherein a portion of the insulating material is between the first electrode and the third electrode,
• wherein at least a portion of the first electrode is in contact with the photoelectric conversion layer, and
• wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a first width in a lateral direction of a portion of the photoelectric conversion layer in contact with the first electrode is smaller than a second width in the lateral direction of a portion of the photoelectric conversion layer at a same level as an upper surface of the insulating material;
• a lens configured to direct light onto a surface of the imaging device;
• and
• circuitry configured to control output signals from the imaging device.

A method of driving an imaging device, the method comprising:

• applying a first potential to a third electrode during a charging period;
• applying a second potential to a first electrode during the charging period, wherein the first potential is greater than the second potential;
• applying a third potential to the third electrode during a charge transfer period;
• and
• applying a fourth potential to the first electrode during the charge transfer period, wherein the fourth potential is greater than the third potential, and
• wherein the imaging device includes:
• a substrate including a first photoelectric conversion unit;
• and
• a second photoelectric conversion unit at a light-incident side of the substrate, the second photoelectric conversion unit including:
• a photoelectric conversion layer;
• the first electrode;
• a second electrode above the photoelectric conversion layer;
• the third electrode;
• and
• an insulating material between the third electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer,
• wherein a portion of the insulating material is between the first electrode and the third electrode,
• wherein at least a portion of the insulating material is disposed between the first electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, and
• wherein, in a cross-sectional view, a first width in a lateral direction of a portion of the photoelectric conversion layer in contact with the first electrode is smaller than a second width in the lateral direction of a portion of the photoelectric conversion layer at a same level as an upper surface of the insulating material.