Image sensors with phase detection auto-focus pixels

Abstract

The invention relates to an image sensor with phase detection autofocus pixels. The pixel array of the image sensor comprises a plurality of image pixel units to gather image information and a plurality of phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) pixel units to gather phase information. Each of the PDAF pixel units includes two of first image sensor pixels covered by a shared micro-lens. Each of the image pixel units includes four of second image sensor pixels adjacent to each other, wherein each of the second image sensor pixels is covered by an individual micro-lens. A coating layer is disposed onthe micro-lenses and forms a flattened surface across the whole image sensor pixel array to receive incident light.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to semiconductor image sensors, and particularly, but not exclusively, to image sensors having microlens (ML) phase detection autofocus (PDAF) pixels. Background technique [0002] Image sensors have become ubiquitous. They are widely used in digital still cameras, cellular phones, security cameras, as well as in medical, automotive and other applications. Some applications, such as autofocus and three-dimensional (3D) imaging, may require electronic devices to provide stereo and / or depth sensing capabilities. Such image sensor devices typically include both image pixels and phase detection autofocus (PDAF) pixels in a single image sensor. With this type of arrangement, the camera can use the on-chip PDAF pixels to focus the image without the need for a separate phase detection sensor. In a typical arrangement, the PDAF pixels are all of the same color and are arranged consecutively in rows in the pixel array....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Optical crosstalk becomes problematic when PDAF pixels are arranged in this manner

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