Photoelectric conversion device having expanded dynamic range and transfer electrodes

A photoelectric conversion device comprising:

• a first photoelectric conversion circuit having a first sensitivity;
• a second photoelectric conversion circuit having a second sensitivity lower than the first sensitivity;
• a floating diffusion portion to which charges generated in the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit are transferred;
• a first transfer electrode configured to transfer charges from the first photoelectric conversion circuit to the floating diffusion portion;
• a second transfer electrode configured to transfer charges from the second photoelectric conversion circuit to the floating diffusion portion;
• and
• a first control electrode configured to control a potential between the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit so that charges are movable between the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit,
• wherein in a state in which charges are movable between the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit, transfer of charges from the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit to the floating diffusion portion is performed only by the first transfer electrode.

An photoelectric conversion device comprising:

• a first photoelectric conversion circuit having a first sensitivity;
• a second photoelectric conversion circuit having a second sensitivity lower than the first sensitivity;
• a floating diffusion portion to which charges generated in the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit are transferred;
• a first transfer electrode configured to transfer charges from the first photoelectric conversion circuit to the floating diffusion portion;
• a second transfer electrode configured to transfer charges from the second photoelectric conversion circuit to the floating diffusion portion;
• a first control electrode configured to control a potential between the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit so that charges are movable between the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the second photoelectric conversion circuit;
• a third photoelectric conversion circuit having a third sensitivity lower than the first sensitivity;
• a third transfer electrode configured to transfer charges from the third photoelectric conversion circuit to the floating diffusion portion;
• and
• a second control electrode configured to control a potential between the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the third photoelectric conversion circuit so that charges are movable between the first photoelectric conversion circuit and the third photoelectric conversion circuit.