The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 06, 2026
Filed:
Nov. 09, 2022
Fei Company, Hillsboro, OR (US);
Gerrit Cornelis Van Hoften, Veldhoven, NL;
FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR (US);
Abstract
Pixel elements and associated methods are disclosed herein. A pixel element can comprise a radiation-sensitive element configured to generate an electric charge, a floating diffusion node, a charge storage device, and an output stage configured to generate a charge signal. The pixel element is configured to operate in a high-gain mode and a low-gain mode and can have a total dynamic range that is at least 100,000:1. A method of operating a pixel element can comprise reading out a high-gain charge signal with the pixel element in a high-gain mode and reading out a low-gain charge signal with the pixel element in a low-gain mode. The reading out the low-gain charge signal comprises configuring a low-gain channel charge capacity of the pixel element such that a ratio of the low-gain channel charge capacity to a high-gain channel charge capacity is at least 30:1.