Essential Principles of Image Sensors

Preface to English Version Preface to Japanese Version Editor Task of Imaging and Role of Image Sensors Factors Constructing Image Information Image Sensor Output and Structure of Image Signal Monochrome Still Images Color Still Images Color Moving Images Functional Elements of Image Sensors References Device Elements and Circuits for Image Sensors Device Element Components Foundation of Silicon Device Physics pn-Junction MOS Structure Buried MOS Structure Photogate Photodiode Buried Photodiode/Pinned Photodiode Silicon as a Photosensitive Material np Photodiode on p-Type Substrate npn Photodiode on p-Well Circuit Components Floating Diffusion Amplifier Source Follower Amplifier Correlated Double Sampling Circuit References Major Types of Noise in Image Sensors Amplitude of Noise Circuitry Noise (kTC Noise) Transistor Noise 1/f Noise Thermal Noise Random Telegraph Noise Shot Noise FDA Noise Reduction by CDS References Integration Period and Scanning Mode Progressive Mode Interlaced Mode Electronic Shutter Mode Types of Image Sensors CCD Sensors Principle of CCDs Pixel Technology of IT-CCD Vertical Overflow Drain Structure Depleted Photodiode and Transfer Mechanism Buried Photodiode/Pinned Photodiode Progress of CCD Sensor MOS Sensors Principle of MOS Sensors Pixel Technology of MOS Sensors Progress in MOS Sensors CMOS Sensors Principle of CMOS Sensors Pixel Technology of CMOS Sensors Progress in CMOS Sensors Noise Reduction Circuits in Analog Output Sensor Digital Output Sensors Sensitivity Improvement Technology Lightguide (Lightpipe) Backside Illuminated Sensors Front Side Illuminated Sensor Organic Sensors Electronic Shutter Electronic Shutter of CCD Sensors Electronic Shutter of MOS and CMOS Sensors Comparison of Situation and Prospects of Each Sensor Type References Impacts of Digitization by Built-In Coordinate Points on Image Information Quality Sampling and Sampling Theorem Sampling in Space Domain Sampling in Time Domain Sampling in Wavelength Domain and Color Information References Technologies to Improve Image Information Quality Light Intensity Information Sensitivity Dynamic Range Space Information Time Information Frame-Based Sensors Imaging Modes Event-Driven Sensor Color and Wavelength Information Single-Chip Color Camera System Multiband Camera System Hyperspectral Imaging System References Imaging Systems Deteriorating Elements of Image Information Quality Signal Processing Defect Correction, Brightness Correction White Balance Demosaicking Color Conversion Color and Tone Matching Noise Reduction Edge Enhancement Image Format Problem of DSP Correction Dependence Syndrome Three-Chip Color Camera System Reference Epilogue