Image Sensor Spectral Filter Nano-Structure Color Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensors struggle with improving color reproduction accuracy and object recognition performance due to constraints from relatively large volumes and high complexity levels of optical device components.
Innovation Solution
The development of an image sensor with a spectral filter that separates incident light into at least four different wavelength bands, utilizing a routing filter array with nano-structures to color-separate light and a spectral filter array with unit filters having different transmission spectrums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spectral filter with multiple wavelength bands is implemented using traditional optical components, then color reproduction accuracy and object recognition performance are improved, but device volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spectral filter is divided into multiple filter banks, where each filter bank contains multiple filters corresponding to different wavelength bands. Each filter is selectively coupled to pixel groups through optical paths, enabling spectral separation without requiring a single complex optical component. This segmentation approach distributes the spectral filtering function across multiple simpler units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by arranging filters and pixel groups in specific spatial relationships. Filters are positioned to receive light from different object regions and couple to different pixel groups through controlled optical paths. This spatial arrangement enables spectral separation in addition to spatial resolution, effectively adding a spectral dimension to the imaging capability.
2Measurement precision
If a spectral filter with multiple wavelength bands is implemented using traditional optical components, then color reproduction accuracy and object recognition performance are improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each filter in the filter banks serves multiple functions: it performs spectral filtering for its specific wavelength band, spatially directs light to appropriate pixel groups, and can be part of a modular filter bank structure that can be extended to additional wavelength bands. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each spectral function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hierarchical structure where filters are nested within filter banks, which are in turn arranged in arrays across the sensor. This nested organization allows compact packaging of multiple spectral filtering functions within a structured, space-efficient architecture.
3Device complexity
If traditional RGB filter arrays are used, then device complexity is kept low, but light utilization efficiency and spectral resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the spectral filtering capability beyond the traditional three RGB bands by implementing filter banks that cover additional wavelength bands. This parameter expansion from three to multiple wavelength bands enables finer spectral resolution and improved light utilization across the spectrum, while maintaining a modular filter structure that manages 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
This solution enhances color reproduction accuracy and object recognition performance by effectively separating and condensing light into multiple spectral channels, improving light utilization efficiency compared to traditional RGB filter arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a routing filter array including a plurality of nano-structures configured to color-separate the incident light into at least three different wavelength bands and to condense the separated incident light onto the plurality of pixels
Implementation Method 2
a spectral filter array between the sensor substrate and the routing filter array, and including a plurality of unit filters having different transmission spectrums
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an image sensor including a spectral filter and an electronic apparatus. An image sensor includes a sensor substrate including a plurality of pixels configured to sense light, and a spectral filter configured to separate incident light into at least four different wavelength bands and to provide the separated incident light to the plurality of pixels. The spectral filter includes a routing filter array including a plurality of nano-structures configured to color-separate the incident light into at least three different wavelength bands and to condense the light onto the plurality of pixels, and a spectral filter array between the sensor substrate and the routing filter array, and including a plurality of unit filters having different transmission spectrums, the plurality of unit filters respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixels.