Imaging Element Pixel Wall Layout for Reduced Color Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
In imaging systems with large and small pixels of different sensitivities, light leakage between adjacent pixels leads to color mixture, affecting image quality, especially when large pixels handle high light and small pixels handle low light.
Innovation Solution
An imaging element with a first photoelectric converter of larger light-receiving area and a second photoelectric converter of smaller area, along with a light-blocking wall provided between adjacent pixels in a spaced-apart shape to prevent light leakage, ensuring uniform depth processing and reduced color mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If light-blocking walls are provided continuously between adjacent pixels, then light leakage prevention is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to depth uniformity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The light-blocking wall is divided into multiple segments with gaps between them, transforming a continuous structure into a segmented one. This segmentation allows each segment to be formed at uniform depth while collectively providing light-blocking functionality, resolving the contradiction between light leakage prevention and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-blocking structure transitions from uniform continuous coverage to localized segmented coverage. Each segment is optimized for uniform depth formation while the gaps allow manufacturing precision to be maintained, achieving local quality optimization that resolves the depth uniformity issue while still preventing light leakage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous light-blocking walls are used, then light leakage is reduced, but processing complexity increases due to depth uniformity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light-blocking wall into multiple discontinuous portions, the processing complexity is reduced. Each segment can be formed independently at uniform depth without requiring complex continuous depth control, simplifying the overall processing while maintaining light-blocking effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pixels of different sizes are adjacent, then sensitivity range is improved, but color mixture increases due to light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented light-blocking wall structure effectively separates adjacent pixels of different sizes, preventing light from larger pixels from leaking into smaller adjacent pixels. This segmentation maintains the sensitivity range benefits of mixed pixel sizes while eliminating the color mixture problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented light-blocking wall acts as an intermediary structure between adjacent pixels of different sizes. It provides the necessary separation to prevent color mixture while allowing both large and small pixels to function at their optimal sensitivity levels.
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 effectively reduces light leakage between pixels, improving image quality by preventing color mixture and allowing for uniform depth processing of light-blocking walls, even when large and small pixels are adjacent.
Implementation Method 1
a light-blocking wall provided between adjacent pixels
Implementation Method 2
a first photoelectric converter that generates a charge corresponding to an amount of light
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to an imaging element and an electronic apparatus that can suppress color mixture. The imaging element includes a first photoelectric converter that generates a charge corresponding to an amount of light, a second photoelectric converter that has a smaller light-receiving area than the first photoelectric converter, and a light-blocking wall provided between adjacent pixels. The light-blocking wall is provided in a shape having a spaced-apart region. The region is a region where light-blocking walls intersect in a case where the light-blocking walls are provided. The light-blocking wall is provided on each side of the first photoelectric converter, one end of the light-blocking wall serves as a region, and the other end is connected to another light-blocking wall. The present technology can be applied to an imaging element that acquires an image having an expanded dynamic range by using large pixels and small pixels.