Solid-state imaging apparatus

A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of pixels arranged two dimensionally, each pixel including a photoelectric conversion element;
• amplifier circuits, each arranged correspondingly to each of the columns of the pixels, configured to amplify a signal from the pixel;
• a reference signal generating circuit configured to generate a reference signal that changes monotonously with time;
• and
• an A/D conversion circuit configured to perform an analog-to-digital conversion the signal from the pixel, based on a signal outputted from the amplifier circuit and on the reference signal generated by the reference signal generating circuit,
• wherein the amplifier circuit has a first capacitor element and a first amplifier, the first amplifier has an input portion and an output portion coupled through the first capacitor element,
• the reference signal generating circuit has a second capacitor element and a second amplifier, the second amplifier has an input portion and an output portion coupled through the second capacitor element,
• each of the first and second capacitor elements has a first electrode provided in a semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer provided on the first electrode, and a second electrode provided on the insulating layer, and
• wherein the first electrode of the first capacitor element is connected electrically to the input portion of the first amplifier, the second electrode of the first capacitor element is connected electrically to the output portion of the first amplifier, and the first electrode of the second capacitor element is connected electrically to the input portion of the second amplifier, the second electrode of the second capacitor element is connected electrically to the output portion of the second amplifier, or
• wherein the first electrode of the first capacitor element is connected electrically to the output portion of the first amplifier, the second electrode of the first capacitor element is connected electrically to the input portion of the first amplifier, and the first electrode of the second capacitor element is connected electrically to the output portion of the second amplifier, the second electrode of the second capacitor element is connected electrically to the input portion of the second amplifier.