CCD charge-splitter adjustment by static charge gradient
AssigneeKenet, Inc.
InventorsMichael P. Anthony, Edward Kohler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A charge splitter for separating an incoming charge packet into two outgoing packets while the charge is in a static state, i.e., not while it is flowing down a channel or over a barrier. A splitting gate may have a biasing charge impressed upon it, such as via the application of voltage or current sources to opposite ends thereof, applying a bias to a semiconductor body portion of the gate structure, or by physically separate the splitting gate into multiple sections that each have different applied voltages or currents When discharge barrier gates are operated, different amounts of charge will thus flow to different output storage gates.
Claims10
An apparatus for splitting an input charge in a charge coupled device comprising:
- a splitting gate, for transferring an input charge, or storing an input charge, according to the state of an applied control clock signal;
- a gradient applicator, for developing a charge gradient across the splitting gate at least while the input charge is stored therein in a static mode;
- and
- a control signal generator, for applying a clock signal to the splitting gate to operate it between the static mode wherein charge is held therein, and a transfer mode, wherein charge is transferred.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.