Image Sensor Color Separation Element Light Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Color filters in image sensors have low light use efficiency due to absorption of unwanted light wavelengths, resulting in significant light loss, which affects the quality of color display and image detection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a color separation element that uses diffraction or refraction characteristics to separate incident light by wavelength, allowing specific wavelength bands to travel to corresponding pixels, potentially reducing the need for color filters and enhancing light use efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a color filter is used to detect color in image sensors, then color detection capability is achieved, but light use efficiency deteriorates due to absorption of unwanted wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional color filter system (which absorbs unwanted light) with a diffraction grating system that separates wavelengths through diffraction. This substitution changes the fundamental mechanism from absorption-based color separation to diffraction-based wavelength routing, directing different wavelengths to different pixel types without absorbing light.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffraction grating acts as an intermediary element positioned between the lens and the pixel array. It mediates the interaction between incident light and the pixel array by spatially separating wavelengths before they reach the pixels, enabling wavelength-specific detection without direct absorption by filters.
2Loss of energy
If a color separation element is used to improve light use efficiency, then light use efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The diffraction grating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates wavelengths, directs different wavelengths to appropriate pixel types, and maintains the Bayer pattern structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate optical elements that would otherwise be required to achieve the same effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing a diffraction grating with specific groove densities and patterns. This parameter change enables wavelength separation through diffraction angles rather than requiring multiple discrete optical components, thereby improving light efficiency while controlling complexity.
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 solution achieves improved light use efficiency and superior color purity in image sensors, maintaining the Bayer pattern structure and image processing algorithms, thus providing high-quality images without severe light loss.
Implementation Method 1
The color separation element may separate the color of an incident light by using the diffraction or refraction characteristics of light that vary according to a wavelength of the light
Implementation Method 2
The color separation element may separate the color of an incident light by using the diffraction or refraction characteristics of light that vary according to a wavelength of the light
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
An image sensor includes a pixel array having a Bayer pattern structure including a first pixel row in which first pixels and second pixels are alternately provided and a second pixel row in which additional ones of the second pixels and third pixels are alternately provided, a first element to control light of a first wavelength band to travel in directions toward left and right sides of the first element and to control light of a second wavelength band of the incident light to travel in a direction directly under the first element, and a second element to control light of a third wavelength band to travel in the directions toward the left and right sides of the second element and to control the light of the second wavelength band to travel in a direction directly under the second element.