US Patent 7830437 High fill factor multi-way shared pixel

A pixel cell array architecture having a multiple pixel cells with shared pixel cell components. The individual pixel cell architecture increases the fill factor and the quantum efficiency for the pixel cell. The common pixel cell components may be shared by a number of pixels in the array, and may include several components that are associated with the readout of a signal from the pixel cell. Other examples of the pixel array architecture having improved fill factor for pixels in the array include an angled transfer gate and an efficiently located, shared capacitor.