Solid-State Imaging Device Color Filter Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-state imaging devices experience reduced luminous sensitivity due to increased area occupation by wiring lines and electronic circuits, leading to color mixing and decreased light reception by photoelectric transducers, especially for white color segments.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state imaging device with a color filter comprising partitions of lower refractive index than the filter segments, where each partition is strategically placed between adjacent color filter segments, and the upper portion of each segment features an inclined surface to enhance light sensitivity, particularly for white pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of pixels is increased to reach millions, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the area occupied by wiring lines and electronic circuits increases, reducing the area available for photoelectric transducers and decreasing luminous sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The color filter is divided into multiple color filter segments (red, green, blue, white) separated by partitions. This segmentation allows for optimized light reception in each segment while maintaining high pixel density, thereby preserving luminous sensitivity despite increased pixel count and associated wiring/circuit area.
2Device complexity
If conventional color filter portions are disposed adjacent together without gaps, then the device complexity is reduced, but color mixing occurs when light obliquely enters the light-receiving surface
Solution Approach 1:
The color filter is segmented into multiple color filter portions (red, green, blue, white) separated by partitions. This segmentation prevents color mixing when light obliquely enters by physically isolating adjacent color portions, while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Partitions are introduced as intermediary structures between adjacent color filter segments. These partitions act as barriers that prevent obliquely traveling light from mixing between adjacent color portions, thereby maintaining color accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If partitions are introduced to prevent color mixing, then color accuracy is improved, but the area available for light reception is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The partition height is designed to be lower than the height of color filter segments, creating different local qualities: the partitions provide sufficient separation to prevent color mixing at their level, while the taller color filter segments maintain adequate light reception area. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between preventing color mixing and preserving light reception area.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the color filter segments are made taller to increase light reception area, then luminous sensitivity is improved, but the partitions must also be taller to maintain separation, increasing device height
Solution Approach 1:
The color filter segments are designed with different heights compared to partitions: color filter segments are taller to maximize light reception area and luminous sensitivity, while partitions are shorter to provide sufficient separation without unnecessarily increasing overall device height. This height differentiation optimizes both light reception and color separation.
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 significantly enhances luminance sensitivity, improves white pixel sensitivity, and improves performance in low-luminance environments by minimizing color mixing and optimizing light reception.
Implementation Method 1
The partition has a refractive index lower than those of the first and second color filter segments
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate containing a plurality of image sensors. A color filter including a plurality of color filter segments is disposed above the semiconductor substrate. Each of the color filter segments corresponds to one of the image sensors. Further, a plurality of partitions is disposed between the color filter segments. Each of the partitions is disposed between any two adjacent color filter segments. The partition has a height smaller than the height of the color filter segment, wherein the height of the partition is based on the bottom of the color filter segment to the top of the partition, and the height of the color filter segment is based on the bottom of the color filter segment to the top of the color filter segment.