Regenerator circuit for CCD arrangements in a multi-layer metallization structure

A method for removing leakage current produced charges and echo signals produced by incomplete transfer of charge between storage areas in a charge coupled device loop for conveying a signal charge and being formed of first and second shift channels with a connecting electrode connecting the channels to each other at one end, comprising the steps of:

• (a) removing leakage current produced charges created by charge carrier leakage into storage zones of the first shift channel by:
• (i) providing a first regenerator electrode and an adjacent diffusion zone in a substrate of the first shift channel alongside a first electrode of the first shift channel, a first conductivity type of the diffusion zone being opposite a second conductivity type of the substrate;
• (ii) creating a potential barrier for leakage current produced charge but not the signal charge by connecting a potential to a second electrode sequentially adjacent the first electrode in a direction of charge shift;
• (iii) connecting a potential to the first regenerator electrode to shift the leakage current produced charge into the diffusion zone;
• (b) removing an echo signal produced by incomplete transfer of signal charge between storage areas of the first shift channel by:
• (i) providing a second regenerator electrode between a third electrode of the first shift channel and a first electrode of the second shift channel;
• (ii) creating a potential barrier for a quantity of charge corresponding to the echo signal but allowing remaining signal charge to pass by connecting a potential to a fourth electrode sequentially adjacent the third electrode in the direction of charge shift;
• and
• (iii) connecting a potential to the second regenerator electrode to shift the quantity of charge corresponding to the echo signal from the first shift channel third electrode to the second shift channel first electrode.

A method for removing echo signals in a charge coupled device loop for conveying a signal charge and being formed of first and second shift channels with a connecting electrode connecting the channels to each other at one end, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first regenerator electrode between a first electrode of the first shift channel and a first electrode of the second shift channel;
• (b) creating a potential barrier for a quantity of charge corresponding to the echo signal but allowing remaining signal charge to pass by connecting a potential to a second electrode sequentially adjacent the first shift channel first electrode in the direction of charge shift;
• and
• (c) connecting a potential to the first regenerator electrode to shift the quantity of charge corresponding to the echo signal from the first shift channel first electrode to the second shift channel first electrode.