Light Blocking Material Between Microlenses for Imager Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
CCD imagers are susceptible to radiation damage, exhibit destructive readout over time, require good light shielding to avoid image smear, and have high power dissipation, leading to issues with cross-talk and optical noise during image acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A light blocking material is applied between the lenses of a pixel array in imaging devices to absorb or reflect stray light, reducing cross-talk and optical noise by blocking light transmission between lenses while allowing the outer portion of each lens to remain uncovered for efficient focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If light blocking material is applied between lenses, then cross-talk and optical noise are reduced, but light transmission efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking material is applied selectively between the lenses while leaving the outer portions of the lenses uncovered. This local application blocks stray light in the inter-lens regions where it causes cross-talk, while preserving the light gathering and focusing capability of the outer lens surfaces. The material is deposited to a thickness that provides effective blocking without completely obscuring the lens structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens structure is effectively segmented into functional zones: the outer portions that remain uncovered for efficient light focusing, and the inner portions between lenses that are covered by the light blocking material. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.
2Measurement precision
If light blocking material is applied between lenses, then image quality is improved by reducing optical noise, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking material serves as an intermediary layer deposited between the lenses during the fabrication process. This material layer acts as a mediator that blocks stray light paths without requiring fundamental redesign of the lens structures or additional complex optical components. The material can be applied using standard deposition techniques integrated into the existing fabrication workflow.
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 light blocking material effectively minimizes cross-talk and optical noise, enhancing the image acquisition process by preventing unwanted light from entering the pixels and improving the overall performance of imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
The material provided can either absorb or reflect light to block light transmitted between the lenses from reaching the photosensors
Implementation Method 2
The material provided can either absorb or reflect light to block light transmitted between the lenses from reaching the photosensors
Data Source
AI summary
Imager devices are formed with light block material between microlenses to enhance the characteristics of image acquisition. The light block material may be deposited over the lenses, and then partially removed to expose central portions of the lenses. The invention is applicable to, among other things, imager devices having pixel arrays formed with the light block material and integrated with one or more processing components in a semiconductor device.