Amplifying type solid-state imaging apparatus and method for driving the

Abstract

An amplifying type solid-state imaging apparatus includes an amplifying type photoelectric conversion device. The device including a transistor for accumulating a charge generated by incident light as a signal charge in a charge accumulation region proximate to the surface of the semiconductor substrate and for outputting a signal in accordance with the accumulated signal charge, and a resetting section provided adjacent to the transistor for performing a resetting operation. The signal charge accumulated in the transistor is discharged from the charge accumulation region based on an applied voltage. The device further includes a signal line for carrying a signal output from the transistor, a clamp circuit for clamping the voltage of the signal line at a first voltage, a sample hold circuit for sample-holding a difference signal representing a difference between the first voltage and a second voltage output from the transistor after the resetting operation, an output line connected to the sample hold circuit, and a controlling circuit for controlling the clamp circuit and the sample hold circuit and for reading out the difference signal held in the sample hold circuit to the output line.