Abstract: A six-phase charge coupled device (CCD) pixel includes a pixel pair, with each pixel having two adjacent control gates overlying corresponding variable potential wells, where voltages applied to the control gates enable charge to be accumulated into and transferred out of the wells. A clear window region overlies a fixed potential gradient region, decreasing in potential away from the control gates. This region enables a wide band of photons to be sensed by the photosensitive silicon of the CCD. The decreasing potential levels facilitate high charge transfer efficiency (i.e., high CTE) from pixel to pixel via the control or transfer gates. By applying particular voltages to the control gates, charge can be quickly and efficiently transferred between pixels.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor cell array in which a partial transimpedance amplifier amplifies the output of each cell. The pixel sensor cell array comprises a plurality of pixel sensor cells and a second part of the amplifier. Each pixel sensor cell comprises a photo-sensitive element, a capacitor and a first part of an amplifier. The capacitor is coupled between a terminal of the photo-sensitive element and an output line of the cell. The capacitor is operable to provide a capacitive feedback in the pixel sensor cell. The second part of the amplifier is coupled to the output lines of a plurality of pixel sensor cells. The amplifier is configured to amplify an output signal from a cell.