Image Sensor Nano-Patterned Anti-Reflection Layer to Reduce Light Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors suffer from low light utilization efficiency due to light absorption by color filters and reflection at layer boundaries, leading to significant light loss.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor with a patterned anti-reflection layer comprising periodically arranged first and second nano patterns, where the first nano patterns have a greater width than the second, arranged on a nano optical lens array to minimize reflection and enhance light utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a color filter is used to sense colors of incident light, then color separation is achieved, but light utilization efficiency declines due to absorption of light of all other colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light sensing function into two separate components: color filters for color separation and a separate photodetector array for light detection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without the trade-off present in integrated color filter-photodetector structures, thereby improving light utilization efficiency while maintaining color separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reflective layer positioned between the color filters and the photodetectors. This reflective layer redirects light that passes through the color filters toward the photodetectors, ensuring that more incident light is effectively utilized for detection while preserving the color separation function of the filters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers with different refractive indexes are used in the image sensor, then optical functionality is enhanced, but reflection losses increase at layer boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful reflection effect into a beneficial one by designing a reflective layer that intentionally reflects light at layer boundaries. This reflective layer captures light that would otherwise be lost due to refraction and redirects it toward the photodetectors, transforming reflection losses into enhanced light utilization while maintaining the multi-layer optical structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If pixel size is reduced to achieve higher resolution, then sensor density increases, but light sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary light management measures before light reaches the photodetectors. Color filters are positioned above the photodetectors to pre-separate light by color, and a reflective layer is configured to pre-redirect light toward the photodetectors. This preliminary action ensures that even smaller photodetectors can capture sufficient light, maintaining sensitivity while enabling higher resolution through reduced pixel sizes.
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 improves light utilization efficiency by reducing reflection losses and maintaining uniform optical characteristics across the sensor, allowing for higher resolution and smaller pixel sizes without compromising sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of color separation nano structures configured to separate incident light based on wavelengths and condense the separated light at respective corresponding pixels
Implementation Method 2
an anti-reflection layer provided on a light incidence surface of the nano optical lens array, the anti-reflection layer including a plurality of first nano patterns and a plurality of second nano patterns
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an image sensor including a patterned anti-reflection layer and an electronic device including the image sensor. The image sensor includes a nano optical lens array including a plurality of color separation nano structures configured to separate incident light according to wavelengths and condense the separated light at respective corresponding pixels among a plurality of pixels and an anti-reflection layer arranged on a light incidence surface of the nano optical lens array and including a plurality of first nano patterns and a plurality of second nano patterns, which are cyclically arranged in a two-dimensional manner. The plurality of second nano patterns are arranged between the plurality of first nano patterns, and a width of each of the plurality of first nano patterns is greater than a width of each of the plurality of second nano patterns.