Imaging Element with Organic-Inorganic Photoelectric Layers for Polarization Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polarization cameras are limited in the information they can acquire due to their reliance on polarizing filters, restricting their application areas, despite being useful for recognizing objects and detecting foreign matters through planar orientation information.
Innovation Solution
An imaging element comprising a first light detecting layer with an organic photoelectric conversion film oriented in a specific direction and a second light detecting layer with an inorganic photoelectric conversion element, arranged in a matrix pattern to capture and process polarization information along with other optical data, allowing for the acquisition of various types of information including polarization data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a polarizing filter is used to selectively detect optical components, then polarization information can be acquired, but the type of information that can be acquired is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines organic photoelectric conversion elements with inorganic photoelectric conversion elements in a single imaging device. The organic elements detect polarized light components while the inorganic elements detect other optical components, merging multiple detection capabilities into one system to overcome the limitation of information type variety
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: detecting polarization information, detecting general optical components, and providing data for various image processing applications. This multi-functionality expands the adaptability and application areas beyond what a single polarizing filter system can achieve
2Loss of information
If a polarizing filter with a specific polarization axis is used, then polarization information in that direction can be detected, but information in other directions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device segments the detection function across multiple types of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix. Organic elements are configured to detect polarized light in specific directions while inorganic elements detect other components, dividing the detection task to capture comprehensive polarization information without requiring multiple physical filters
Solution Approach 2:
The organic photoelectric conversion elements act as intermediaries that selectively respond to polarized light components based on their molecular orientation. By arranging these elements with different orientation directions, the system mediates the detection of polarization information across multiple directions simultaneously through a single imaging plane
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
Enables the easy acquisition of diverse information about objects, including polarization information, enhancing the camera's application range by combining organic and inorganic photoelectric conversion technologies to improve image processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first light detecting layer configured to contain an organic photoelectric conversion film which is capable of passing light and is oriented in a prescribed axial direction
Implementation Method 2
a second light detecting layer disposed under the first light detecting layer and configured to contain an inorganic photoelectric conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
In an imaging element 28, a first light detecting layer 12 includes organic photoelectric conversion films 38a and 38b oriented in a prescribed axial direction so that it detects a polarized component of incident light which is directed parallel to the orientation axis. The first light detecting layer 12 also has an organic photoelectric conversion film oriented in another axial direction which is arranged in a prescribed pattern on a two-dimensional plane. A second light detecting layer 16 disposed under the first light detecting layer 12 includes photoelectric conversion elements 54a and 54b and detects a polarized component which has passed through the first light detecting layer 12 and which is directed perpendicularly to the orientation axis of the organic photoelectric conversion films 38a and 38b.