Image sensor and electronic apparatus including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors face low light utilization efficiency due to the absorption of unwanted light colors by color filters, leading to significant light loss and performance variations with changing chief ray angles.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor design incorporating a color separation lens array that separates incident light by wavelengths and condenses it onto specific pixels, using nanoposts arranged in a Bayer pattern with varying positional relationships to optimize light utilization and reduce performance variations across different chief ray angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a color filter is used to sense light color, then color separation is achieved, but light utilization efficiency decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the color filter component from the optical path and extracts only the necessary wavelength separation function, implementing it through a lens array that directs different wavelengths to different pixel types without absorbing light
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical filtering mechanism (color filter) with a geometric optics-based wavelength separation mechanism (lens array), substituting a system that absorbs light with one that redirects light
2Loss of energy
If a color separation lens array is used to improve light utilization, then performance variation according to chief ray angle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different lens designs to different regions of the image sensor, with the lens array configured to account for varying chief ray angles at different positions, optimizing local performance for each region
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a lens array configuration that dynamically adapts to different chief ray angles by varying the lens parameters across the array, allowing the system to maintain consistent performance despite changes in incident light angle
3Reliability
If nanoposts are arranged with varying positional relationships in peripheral groups, then performance variation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric variations in nanopost positions within pixel corresponding regions, specifically in peripheral groups, to compensate for chief ray angle effects and maintain consistent optical performance across the sensor
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances light utilization efficiency and maintains consistent performance across different angles, reducing channel differences and improving image quality by effectively separating and condensing light without the need for color filters.
Implementation Method 1
a color separating lens array configured to separate incident light according to wavelengths and condense the light onto each of the first pixel, the second pixel, the third pixel and the fourth pixel
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a sensor substrate including a plurality of unit pixel groups each including a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel arranged in a Bayer pattern, and a color separating lens array which separates incident light according to wavelengths and condenses the light on each of the first to fourth pixels, wherein the color separating lens array a plurality of pixel corresponding groups respectively corresponding to the plurality of unit pixel groups, and the plurality of pixel corresponding groups each include first to fourth pixel corresponding regions corresponding to the first to fourth pixels and a plurality of nanoposts. From among the plurality of pixel corresponding groups, relative positional relationships between the nanoposts of the first to fourth pixel corresponding regions in each of the plurality of peripheral groups that are located out of the center of the color separating lens array may be different from each other.