Absolute charge difference detection method and structure for a charge coupled device

摘要

Two unknown charge packets are stored in adjacent potential wells of equal depth in a charge coupled device. The charge packets are then merged by changing the potential on an intermediate merge electrode to remove a potential barrier between the two wells. The potential barrier is then re-established, and a current is induced through one of the electrodes which established the two wells of equal depth, and that current is integrated as a measure of the original absolute difference between the two charge packets.