Solid-State Imaging Device Light Collection with Segmented Refractive Index
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-state imaging devices struggle to effectively guide both wide-angle and telecentric light rays into their light receiving elements, leading to inadequate light collection efficiency, especially in digital cameras with short focus and wide-angle lenses.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state imaging device with a multi-structural light collecting element comprising a first and second light-transmissive film group, each with different effective refractive index distributions, arranged adjacent to each other, and sharing a straight-line boundary orthogonal to the connection between the imaging region center and unit pixel center, allowing for efficient guidance of both wide-angle and telecentric light rays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional gradient index lens with symmetrical effective refractive index is used in the center part of the imaging region, then wide-angle incident light can be guided to the light receiving element, but telecentric incident light cannot be properly guided
Solution Approach 1:
The light collecting element is divided into multiple regions with different effective refractive index distributions. The first region has a symmetrical distribution for wide-angle light, while the second region has an asymmetrical distribution for telecentric light. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific light type, resolving the contradiction between wide-angle light guidance and telecentric light guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the light collecting element are assigned different effective refractive index distributions according to the local light incident characteristics. The first region (corresponding to wide-angle lens area) has symmetrical distribution, while the second region (corresponding to telescopic lens area) has asymmetrical distribution. This local quality differentiation enables each region to efficiently guide its corresponding light type.
2Illumination intensity
If a gradient index lens with asymmetrical effective refractive index is used in the marginal part of the imaging region, then telecentric incident light can be guided, but wide-angle incident light guidance becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The light collecting element is divided into multiple regions with different effective refractive index distributions. The first region has a symmetrical distribution for wide-angle light, while the second region has an asymmetrical distribution for telecentric light. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific light type, resolving the contradiction between wide-angle light guidance and telecentric light guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the light collecting element are assigned different effective refractive index distributions according to the local light incident characteristics. The first region (corresponding to wide-angle lens area) has symmetrical distribution, while the second region (corresponding to telescopic lens area) has asymmetrical distribution. This local quality differentiation enables each region to efficiently guide its corresponding light type.
3Device complexity
If a single-structural light collecting element is used, then the device structure remains simple, but it cannot guide both wide-angle and telecentric light rays effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light collecting elements with different effective refractive index distributions into a single integrated light collecting element. This merged structure contains both the first region (symmetrical) and second region (asymmetrical), allowing it to simultaneously guide both wide-angle and telecentric light rays while maintaining structural simplicity as a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The light collecting element is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple regions with different effective refractive index distributions. This single element can simultaneously perform the function of guiding wide-angle light (through the first region) and telecentric light (through the second region), eliminating the need for multiple separate elements.
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 enables the solid-state imaging device to capture bright images even at the marginal parts by efficiently guiding both types of light rays, improving light collection efficiency and overall sensitivity, and allowing for miniaturization of camera systems.
Implementation Method 1
The first light-transmissive film group and the second light-transmissive film group have mutually different effective refractive index distributions for guiding at least two types of incident light rays which make up the incident light to the light receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
The solid-state imaging device includes light collecting elements each of which includes a first light-transmissive film group and a second light transmissive film group adjacent to each other. The first light-transmissive film group and the second light transmissive film group have mutually different effective refractive index distributions for guiding at least two types of incident light rays to the light receiving element.