Color Separating Lens Array for Image Sensor Light Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors utilize color filters, which result in low light utilization efficiency due to absorption of unwanted light wavelengths, leading to significant light loss.
Innovation Solution
The use of a color separating lens array that disperses incident light according to its wavelengths, allowing for improved light utilization efficiency and color purity by directing specific wavelengths onto corresponding pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a color filter is used to sense light color, then color sensing is achieved, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates due to absorption of non-corresponding wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength selection function from the color filter and transfers it to the lens array. The lens array separates different wavelengths through refraction and directs them to corresponding pixels, eliminating the need for color filters that absorb unwanted wavelengths. This extraction of the filtering function to a refraction-based system resolves the contradiction by achieving color separation without light absorption losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical absorption mechanism of color filters with a refraction-based wavelength separation mechanism in the lens array. By substituting the absorption principle with refraction and focusing principles, the system achieves color discrimination while maintaining high light transmission efficiency, as refraction does not absorb light energy like color filters do.
2Measurement precision
If a color filter absorbs unwanted light wavelengths, then color separation is achieved, but significant light loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength discrimination function from the color filter and implements it in the lens array through refraction-based separation. Each lens in the array is designed to focus specific wavelength ranges onto corresponding pixels, achieving color separation without the light absorption inherent in filter-based systems. This maintains higher light intensity while preserving color separation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the lens array, specifically designing lenses with different refractive indices or focal lengths for different wavelength ranges. By adjusting these optical parameters, the system directs different colors to different pixels through refraction rather than absorption, preserving light intensity while achieving accurate color separation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional color filters are used, then color imaging is achieved, but light loss reduces overall image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the absorption-based color filtering mechanism with a refraction-based wavelength separation mechanism in the lens array. This mechanical substitution replaces light absorption with light bending and focusing, thereby maintaining higher illumination intensity while preserving color accuracy through precise wavelength-to-pixel mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the color separation function from the color filter layer and relocates it to the lens array. By taking out the filtering function and implementing it through refraction-based focusing, the system achieves color accuracy without the light transmission losses inherent in filter-based systems, thereby improving overall image quality.
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
This approach enhances light utilization efficiency and improves color purity in image sensors, reducing light loss and enhancing image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a color separating lens array capable of separating incident light into multiple color components or various wavelengths of the light
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of first pixel corresponding regions are configured to change a phase of the light of the first wavelength and condense the light of the first wavelength onto each of the plurality of first pixels
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of first pixel corresponding regions are configured to change a phase of the light of the first wavelength and condense the light of the first wavelength onto each of the plurality of first pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a color separating lens array including a plurality of first pixel corresponding regions respectively corresponding to a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixel corresponding regions respectively corresponding to a plurality of second pixels, wherein each of the plurality of first pixel corresponding regions and the plurality of second pixel corresponding regions includes a plurality of nanoposts, and at least one of a shape, a width, and an arrangement of the plurality of nanoposts of the plurality of first pixel corresponding regions changes according to an azimuth direction of the plurality of nanoposts in a peripheral portion surrounding a central portion of the color separating lens array.