Layered Image Sensor Pixel Spacing for Color Mixing and Shading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup elements face challenges in suppressing color mixing and shading, which affect image quality, particularly due to variations in light paths and sensor separation layers.
Innovation Solution
The image pickup element design features adjustable intervals between light receiving elements on the surface, with equal intervals on the pixel transistor side and varying intervals on the light incident side, along with silicon-epitaxial formation and pupil correction techniques, allowing for linear or nonlinear changes in intervals and inter-pixel light shielding film positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensor separation layers are formed at fixed positions, then manufacturing is simplified, but color mixing occurs between adjacent pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the positions of sensor separation layers according to the local light incident angles at different pixel locations. Pixels at the center of the sensor have separation layers at different positions compared to pixels at the edges, optimizing each local region for its specific light path characteristics while preventing color mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of sensor separation layers based on the pixel's location on the sensor array. By adjusting the separation layer position as a variable parameter rather than a fixed value, the design adapts to different light incident angles across the sensor surface, eliminating color mixing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pupil correction is applied to suppress color mixing, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pupil correction function from a separate optical component and integrates it directly into the sensor structure through strategically positioned sensor separation layers. This eliminates the need for additional pupil correction lenses or filters, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective color mixing suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of pixel isolation and pupil correction into a single structural element—the sensor separation layer. By combining these two functions that were previously implemented by separate components, the design reduces overall device complexity while achieving both color mixing suppression and improved image quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If equal intervals are used between light receiving elements, then manufacturing precision is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to color mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the interval between light receiving elements position-dependent rather than uniform. Pixels at the center maintain equal spacing for manufacturing simplicity, while pixels at the edges have adjusted spacing to account for oblique light incident angles, preventing color mixing in each local region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the spacing between light receiving elements based on their position on the sensor array. Rather than applying a symmetric equal-spacing pattern across all pixels, the design uses asymmetric spacing adjustments at the edges to compensate for the asymmetric light paths, eliminating color mixing while preserving manufacturing precision at the center.
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 enhances image quality by reducing color mixing and shading, improving sensitivity and freedom in lens and filter corrections, while maintaining optimal photodiode positioning and depth for better light handling.
Implementation Method 1
the light receiving elements are divided into pieces and silicon-epitaxially formed
Data Source
AI summary
Image quality is improved.In an image pickup element, an interval between adjacent light receiving elements on a light receiving surface is changed depending on a position on the light receiving surface. Further, the image pickup element is manufactured by a method of manufacturing the image pickup element including layering photodiodes by repeatedly performing a silicon epitaxial process and an ion injection process. Further, the image pickup element is manufactured by the method of manufacturing the image pickup element including changing an interval between the photodiodes adjacent on the light receiving surface of the image pickup element in each layer depending on a position on the light receiving surface in addition to the layering thereof.