Curved Solid-State Imaging Element for Optical Characteristic Improvement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to improve the optical characteristics of imaging devices with increasing pixel density and decreasing size, while minimizing manufacturing costs and avoiding the high design and production complexities associated with larger lens apertures and existing curvature techniques.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a solid-state imaging element featuring a two-dimensional lattice pattern light receiving surface, a protection member, and a curved portion on the opposite side of the light receiving surface, where the imaging element is curved using a pushing tool and pedestal to enhance optical performance without breaking the glass substrate, and the device is manufactured using a cavityless shape to reduce production time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lens aperture is increased to suppress small diaphragm diffraction, then optical characteristics are improved, but peripheral light amount decreases and field curvature occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The solid-state imaging element is curved to match the image plane curvature caused by the lens, transforming the flat imaging surface into a curved one. This curvature compensation allows the use of larger lens apertures while maintaining proper focus across the entire image area, thereby suppressing small diaphragm diffraction effects without suffering from field curvature or peripheral light amount decrease
2Reliability
If the solid-state imaging element is curved by suction to match the image plane, then optical characteristics are improved, but the suction process takes a long time and may crack the element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the suction-based curving method with a pressing method. A pressing member applies mechanical force to the back surface of the solid-state imaging element, causing it to curve and conform to the image plane. This mechanical pressing approach is faster than suction and reduces the risk of cracking the imaging element during the curving process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curving method from suction (negative pressure) to pressing (positive mechanical force). By altering the physical parameter applied to the imaging element, the process becomes faster and safer, reducing both the curving time and the risk of element damage while achieving the same curvature effect
3Reliability
If advanced digital signal processing and aspheric lens structures are used to eliminate optical characteristics, then image quality is improved, but design difficulty and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex aspheric lens structures or advanced digital signal processing, the patent curves the solid-state imaging element itself to match the image plane. This approach addresses the root cause of optical characteristics by geometrically adapting the imaging surface, thereby improving image quality while avoiding the high design and manufacturing complexity associated with aspheric lenses
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an imaging device having more superior optical characteristics, a method of manufacturing the imaging device, and an electronic device at a lower cost. An imaging device according to an embodiment includes: an imaging element (10) including a solid-state imaging element (100) on which a light receiving surface in which light receiving elements are arranged in a two-dimensional lattice shape is formed, and a protection member (101, 102) disposed on a side of the light receiving surface with respect to the solid-state imaging element, in which the imaging element includes a curved portion curved from the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging element toward a surface on an opposite side of the light receiving surface.