Color Splitter Structure for Green-Light Deviation in Image Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensor technologies face challenges in effectively deviating color components, particularly green light, during image acquisition, as seen in the European patent application n°18305265, which lacks green deviation in dual material structures.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor design featuring a color splitter structure with three parallelepiped structures, where the first and third structures have the same dimensions and refractive index nH, and the second structure has a smaller height and refractive index nL, deviating specific color channels (red, green, or blue) towards respective pixels, optimizing refractive indices and dimensions to achieve efficient color splitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a dual material structure is used for color splitting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the green light deviation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric color splitter structures where different local regions have different refractive indexes. Specifically, the color splitter includes a first region with refractive index n1 and a second region with refractive index n2, where n1 ≠ n2. This local variation in optical properties enables the structure to selectively deviate green light while maintaining simplicity in the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing color splitter structures with unequal dimensions or material compositions in different regions. The asymmetric configuration of regions with different refractive indexes creates directional deviation for green light, allowing the sensor to achieve precise green color separation without requiring complex multi-layer structures.
2Device complexity
If conventional color filters are used, then the color acquisition is simplified, but the light intensity is reduced due to absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional absorptive color filters with a refractive index-based deviation mechanism. Instead of using materials that absorb specific wavelengths to achieve color separation, the invention uses structures with different refractive indexes to spatially deviate green light through refraction. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving light transmission efficiency, as refraction does not absorb light energy.
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 proposed solution enables precise deviation of color components, enhancing color separation and light intake efficiency while minimizing crosstalk, as demonstrated by the power density distribution and nanojet beam positioning, effectively addressing the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the color splitter structure comprises a first, a second and a third parallelepiped structures arranged so that the first and the third parallelepiped structures are side by side and in contact with the second parallelepiped structure, and wherein the first and the third parallelepiped structures have same dimensions, and are made of a same dielectric material, with a refractive index nH, and wherein said second parallelepiped structure being smaller in height compared to said first and third parallelepiped structures, and wherein said second parallelepiped structure being made of a dielectric material with a refractive index nL
Implementation Method 2
the color splitter structure is comprised or embedded in a host medium having a refractive index n, and the color splitter structure deviates only the green color component from said incoming visible light towards one of said three pixels
Implementation Method 3
the color splitter structure deviates only the red color component from said incoming visible light towards one of said three pixels
Data Source
AI summary
It is proposed an image sensor comprising pixels for acquiring color information from incoming visible light, wherein said image sensor comprising three pixels being partially covered by a color splitter structure for deviating only one color channel of said incoming visible light towards one of said three pixels, and for deviating other colors of said incoming visible light towards the other pixels among said three pixels. The color splitter structure comprises a first (101), a second (103) and a third (102) parallelepiped structures arranged so that the first and the third parallelepiped structures are side by side and in contact with the second parallelepiped structure, and wherein the first and the third parallelepiped structures have same dimensions, and are made of a same dielectric material, with a refractive index nH, and wherein said second parallelepiped structure being smaller in height (H2) compared to said first and third parallelepiped structures (H1), and wherein said second parallelepip ed structure being made of a dielectric material with a refractive index n L, and wherein the refractive index n H is greater than the refractive index n L.