Image Sensor Color Separation Elements Light Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current color display and image sensors suffer from low light utilization efficiency due to absorption-type color filters, which absorb two-thirds of incident light, limiting the clarity and efficiency of color separation.
Innovation Solution
The use of color separation elements in conjunction with blue and red color filters, and cyan, yellow, and green color filters, to separate incident light by diffraction or refraction characteristics, allowing for increased transmission and improved light utilization efficiency by altering the spectrum distribution of light to enhance color purity and reduce absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absorption-type color filters are used to separate colors of incident light, then color separation is achieved, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates because two-thirds of incident light is absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the working principle of color separation from absorption-based to diffraction/refraction-based. By altering the physical mechanism parameter (from absorption to diffraction/refraction), the system achieves color separation while dramatically reducing light loss, as diffraction and refraction separate light through wavelength-dependent path differences rather than absorbing photons
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical absorption mechanism with a diffraction/refraction mechanism. Instead of using materials that absorb specific wavelengths, the invention uses structural optical elements that separate light through wave interference and refraction, fundamentally substituting the physical mechanism to achieve both color separation and high light transmission
2Loss of energy
If color separation elements are used instead of color filters, then light utilization efficiency improves, but image clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both approaches by combining color separation elements (for high light transmission) with color filters (for sharp color separation). This hybrid structure allows light to be first separated by diffraction/refraction to maintain high efficiency, then further refined by filters to ensure clear, precise color differentiation and image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the color separation function into two distinct stages: first, coarse separation by diffraction/refraction to direct different wavelengths to different regions, and second, fine separation by color filters to ensure pure color selection. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function while working together to achieve both high efficiency and clear images
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 increases light transmission through blue and red color filters to over 50%, improving light utilization efficiency and achieving high color purity, while also reducing absorption losses, thereby enhancing image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
A color separation element may separate colors of incident light by using a diffraction characteristic or a refraction characteristic that differs based on wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
A color separation element may separate colors of incident light by using a diffraction characteristic or a refraction characteristic that differs based on wavelengths
Data Source
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AI summary
An image sensor (100) includes a first pixel row (110a) including a plurality of first pixels (110G) configured to sense first wavelength light, the first wavelength light having a first wavelength, a second pixel row (110b) adjacent to the first pixel row, the second pixel row including a plurality of second pixels (110B) configured to sense second wavelength light and a plurality of third pixels (110R) configured to sense third wavelength light, the plurality of second pixels and the plurality of third pixels being alternately arranged, the second wavelength light having a second wavelength and the third wavelength light having a third wavelength and a plurality of color separation elements (140) in the plurality of second pixels, respectively, the plurality of color separation elements configured to change a spectrum distribution of incident light.