Image Sensor Color Filter Height Layout to Prevent Color Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensing devices face challenges in preventing color mixing, particularly with white color filters, which affects the accuracy and quality of optical image conversion into electrical signals in various electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a grid structure between color filters, where white color filters are formed to have a lower height than the grid structure, and other color filters are formed to have a higher height, effectively blocking light from one color filter to another and preventing color mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If color filters are arranged adjacent to each other on the semiconductor substrate, then the device area is reduced and integration is improved, but color mixing occurs between adjacent color filters which degrades image sensing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the color filter array into distinct height levels, creating a segmented structure where some color filters are at a first height and others are at a second height. This segmentation prevents color mixing by ensuring that color filters at the same height are not adjacent, while still maintaining high integration by arranging multiple color filters within the device area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a height dimension to solve the color mixing problem. By varying the height of color filters rather than only arranging them in a planar grid, the invention creates a three-dimensional structure where the height difference prevents optical interference between adjacent filters, thus improving image sensing accuracy without sacrificing device area efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If a grid structure is introduced to block light between color filters, then color mixing is prevented, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a grid structure to block light between color filters, the patent inverts the approach by using height differences to naturally prevent light from reaching adjacent color filters. This eliminates the need for additional grid structures, maintaining color filtering accuracy while reducing device complexity and manufacturing difficulty.
3Ease of manufacture
If all color filters are formed at the same height, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but color mixing occurs between adjacent color filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different heights to different color filters based on their position and function. Rather than uniform height across all filters, the invention creates specific height variations at critical locations to prevent color mixing, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through selective height adjustment rather than complete process redesign.
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 configuration enhances the prevention of color mixing, improving the accuracy and quality of image sensing by ensuring that red, green, and blue color filters are not adjacent, thereby maintaining the integrity of the image signal conversion process.
Implementation Method 1
a grid structure disposed between the first to fourth color filters and structured to block light from one color filter to another color filter
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of first color filters configured to transmit light corresponding to a first color, a plurality of second color filters configured to transmit light corresponding to a second color
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions structured to detect incident light and generate photocharge corresponding to an intensity of the incident light
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensing device includes a plurality of first color filters configured to transmit light corresponding to a first color, a plurality of second color filters configured to transmit light corresponding to a second color, a plurality of third color filters configured to transmit light corresponding to a third color, a plurality of fourth color filters configured to transmit light corresponding to a fourth color, and a grid structure disposed between the first to fourth color filters and structured to block light from one color filter to another color filter. Some color filters from among the first to fourth color filters are formed to have a lower height than the grid structure, and the remaining color filters are formed to have a higher height than the grid structure.