Imaging Device Metallic Thin Film Color Filter Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image sensors face challenges in selectively extracting specific electromagnetic wavelengths in a physically and chemically stable manner while maintaining low costs, as their color filters, including organic and inorganic materials, deteriorate under high-energy light exposure, affecting color reproduction in images.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an imaging device with a combination of metallic thin film filters and color filters, where the metallic thin film filters transmit light in a specific frequency band and the color filters transmit light in a wider frequency band, allowing for selective wavelength extraction and improved color imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If organic material color filters are used, then color imaging is achieved, but the transmission characteristics deteriorate due to ultraviolet ray exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor imaging capabilityVSAvoidtransmission characteristics stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is segmented into multiple functional layers: an inorganic color filter layer for wavelength selection and an organic dye layer for enhancing color saturation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while protecting the organic material from direct ultraviolet exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inorganic color filter acts as an intermediary between the incoming light and the organic dye layer. It selectively transmits specific wavelength bands to the organic dye, preventing direct exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays while still enabling the organic material to perform its color enhancement function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If inorganic material color filters are used, then stability under ultraviolet exposure is improved, but color saturation and manufacturing flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability under ultraviolet exposureVSAvoidcolor saturation and manufacturing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the advantages of inorganic materials (stability, ultraviolet resistance) with the advantages of organic materials (color saturation, manufacturing flexibility). The inorganic color filter provides structural stability and wavelength selection, while the organic dye layer adds color saturation and allows for easy adjustment of color characteristics through chemical composition changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If metallic thin film filters are used, then selective wavelength extraction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective wavelength extractionVSAvoidfilter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameters of conventional color filters by combining inorganic and organic materials with specific optical properties. The inorganic color filter uses specific crystal structures and compositions to achieve wavelength selectivity, while the organic dye layer uses molecular structure parameters to enhance color saturation, together achieving precise wavelength extraction without requiring complex multi-layer metallic film structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enables stable and cost-effective selective extraction of specific electromagnetic wavelengths, enhancing the generation of images with multiple colors and improving color reproduction by reducing the impact of high-energy light exposure on filter characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

a first pixel including a metallic thin film filter configured to transmit a light in a first frequency band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective electromagnetic wave transmission: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

a second pixel including a color filter configured to transmit a light in a second frequency band wider than the first frequency band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective electromagnetic wave transmission: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS11483525B2Imaging device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

The present technology relates to an imaging device capable of selectively taking out only a specific electromagnetic wavelength and generating a signal with an enhanced wavelength resolution, and an electronic apparatus.There are provided a first pixel including a metallic thin film filter configured to transmit a light in a first frequency band and a second pixel including a color filter configured to transmit a light in a second frequency band wider than the first frequency band. A signal in a third frequency band is generated from the respective signals of a plurality of first pixels each including a metallic thin film filter configured to transmit a light in the different first frequency bands. The present technology can be applied to a CMOS image sensor of backside irradiation type or surface irradiation type, for example.