Dual Optical Microstructures for Wide-Angle CMOS Light Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
CMOS image sensors (CIS) experience inefficient light reception and poor color performance in low-light conditions due to wide chief ray angles, leading to degraded image quality.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates dual optical micro structures with distinct glass transition temperatures and refractive indices, arranged above photoelectric conversion elements, to enhance light guidance and reduce cross-talk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single optical micro structure is used above each photoelectric conversion element, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the light receiving efficiency is insufficient in low-light conditions with wide chief ray angles
Solution Approach 1:
The optical micro structure is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with a first glass transition temperature and a second portion with a second glass transition temperature. This segmentation allows each portion to perform different optical functions, improving overall light receiving efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through sequential formation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite optical micro structures made from materials with different glass transition temperatures. The first portion uses a material with higher thermal stability (higher Tg) while the second portion uses a material with lower Tg, creating a composite structure that optimizes both structural integrity and optical performance for capturing light at wide chief ray angles.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the first portion has a high glass transition temperature for structural stability, then the structural integrity is improved, but the light guidance capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the optical micro structure are assigned different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The first portion uses a material with higher glass transition temperature for structural stability, while the second portion uses a material with lower glass transition temperature optimized for light guidance. This local differentiation of material properties ensures both structural integrity and optimal optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the glass transition temperature parameter to differentiate the functional properties of various portions within the optical micro structure. By selecting materials with specific Tg values for different regions, the patent optimizes both structural stability and light guidance capability without compromising either function.
3Reliability
If dual optical micro structures with different glass transition temperatures are used, then light receiving efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first portion of the optical micro structure is formed before the second portion in a sequential manufacturing process. This preliminary action allows the first portion to establish the structural foundation with appropriate material properties, while the second portion is subsequently added to provide enhanced light guidance. This sequential approach simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to forming both portions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The first portion acts as an intermediary layer between the substrate and the second portion. This intermediate structure with its specific glass transition temperature serves as a bridge that connects the substrate to the light-guiding second portion, enabling a modular manufacturing approach that reduces process complexity while achieving the desired dual-function performance.
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 dual optical micro structures improve light receiving efficiency and reduce cross-talk in CMOS image sensors, enhancing image quality in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The second portion has an aspherical surface from a cross-sectional view... The second portion guides the incident light into the photoelectric conversion element
Implementation Method 2
Each optical structure includes a first portion and a second portion... The second portion guides the incident light into the photoelectric conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device is provided. The optical device includes a substrate and a plurality of optical structures. The substrate includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. The optical structures are disposed above the substrate. Each optical structure corresponds to one photoelectric conversion element. Each optical structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first glass transition temperature. The second portion has a second glass transition temperature. The second portion guides the incident light into the photoelectric conversion element. The first glass transition temperature is higher than the second glass transition temperature.