The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image sensor, an electronic apparatus and an imaging method by which specific processing other than normal processing can be sped up with reduced power consumption. The solid-state image sensor includes a pixel outputting a pixel signal used to construct an image and a logic circuit driving the pixel, and is configured of a stacked structure in which a first semiconductor substrate including a plurality of the pixels and a second semiconductor substrate including the logic circuit are joined together. In addition, among the plurality of pixels, a specific pixel is connected to the logic circuit independently of a normal pixel, the specific pixel being the pixel that outputs the pixel signal used in the specific processing other than imaging processing in which the image is imaged. The present technology can be applied to a stacked solid-state image sensor, for example.

An imaging device with excellent imaging performance is provided. The imaging device has a first circuit including a first photoelectric conversion element and a second circuit including a second photoelectric conversion element. The second circuit is shielded from light. In the imaging device, a current mirror circuit in which a transistor connected to the second photoelectric conversion element serves as an input transistor and a transistor connected to the first photoelectric conversion element serves as an output transistor is formed. With such a configuration, the amount of photocurrent in the first circuit from which the contribution of the dark current of the first photoelectric conversion element has been excluded can be detected.

Provided is a solid-state image pickup device that makes it possible to enhance image quality, and a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic apparatus. A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel section that includes a plurality of pixels, the pixels each including one or more organic photoelectric conversion sections, wherein the pixel section includes an effective pixel region and an optical black region, and the organic photoelectric conversion sections of the optical black region include a light-shielding film and a buffer film on a light-incidence side.

According to one embodiment, a photoelectric conversion device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a first layer provided between the second electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, the first layer including a phenyl pyridine derivative. The phenyl pyridine derivative is represented by formula (1) below,

##STR00001##

Rings A, B, C, and D in the formula (1) are pyridine rings. Each of R1 to R11 in the formula (1) is one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight-chain alkyl group, a branched alkyl group, an aryl group, and an electron-withdrawing heteroaryl group.

A photoelectric conversion device includes a semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer provided on the semiconductor substrate, an electrode provided on the insulating layer, a photoelectric conversion film provided on the electrode for converting received light to charges, a line connected between the electrode and the semiconductor substrate, a first planar electrode provided in the insulating layer and connected to the electrode, and a second planar electrode provided in the insulating layer between the first planar electrode and the semiconductor substrate.

There is provided a photodetector, comprising a semiconductor heterostructure having in sequence: a first collection layer having substantially uniform doping of a first doping type; a radiation-absorbing layer having substantially uniform doping of the first doping type and having a band gap less than or equal to that of the first collection layer; and a barrier layer having a band gap greater than that of the radiation-absorbing layer, the top of the valence band of the barrier layer being substantially equal in energy to that of the radiation-absorbing layer where the first doping type is n-type or the bottom of the conduction band of the barrier layer being substantially equal in energy to that of the radiation-absorbing layer where the first doping type is p-type; wherein a first portion of the barrier layer is of the first doping type and a second portion of the barrier layer is of a second doping type, the first portion of the barrier layer being adjacent to the radiation-absorbing layer, forming a heterojunction within the barrier layer which gives rise to a depletion region within each portion of the barrier layer.

A method of detecting a change in current is provided which includes irradiating light on at least one photoelectric conversion material layer, and detecting an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer. A photoelectric conversion apparatus is also provided and includes a photoelectric conversion element including a photoelectric conversion material layer, and a current detection circuit electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, the current detection circuit detects an increased change in current generated in the photoelectric conversion material layer.

A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a primary surface and having a sensor therein, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type having a circuit element formed therein. The second semiconductor layer is formed at a same side of the primary surface of the first semiconductor layer. The device further includes an insulating layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The insulating layer is disposed on the primary surface of the first semiconductor layer and surrounds the circuit element, and includes a charge-attracting semiconductor pattern of the first conductivity type that is disposed near the circuit element so as to attract electrical charges generated in the insulating layer.

Provided is an imaging apparatus includes: a substrate; a photoelectric conversion unit configured to generate a signal charge by photoelectric conversion; a contact wiring of a conductor electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion unit; a transistor including a control electrode, a first main electrode electrically connected to the contact wiring, and a second main electrode; a charge accumulating unit provided in the substrate and electrically connected to the second main electrode of the transistor; and a first switching unit configured to switch connection and disconnection between the control electrode and the first main electrode of the transistor.

A photoconductor includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer, a first electrode connected to a first lateral side of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and a second electrode connected to a second lateral side of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, where the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer form a type II junction or a quasi-type-II junction.