Microlens Height Tuning for Image Sensor Chromatic Aberration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chromatic aberration occurs due to differences in refractive indices for various wavelengths of light passing through a lens, leading to focal length discrepancies and image distortion in image sensors.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor design with a color filter layer, microlens layer, and photosensitive element layer, where the microlenses have varying heights to match focal lengths based on chromatic aberration data, ensuring precise focusing for different color channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single microlens height is used for all color channels, then the lens structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but chromatic aberration occurs causing focal length discrepancies for different wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different heights to microlenses corresponding to different color channels (red, green, blue). Each microlens height is specifically optimized to compensate for chromatic aberration in its corresponding color channel, allowing precise focal length matching for each wavelength while maintaining the overall lens structure integrity.
2Reliability
If chromatic aberration is corrected by varying microlens heights, then image quality improves and focal lengths are matched for different color channels, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the height parameter of microlenses based on chromatic aberration characteristics of different color channels. The microlens heights are calculated using specific formulas that account for refractive indices and focal length requirements, enabling systematic correction of chromatic aberration through controlled parameter variation rather than complex structural redesign.
3Productivity
If different microlens heights are used for different color channels, then chromatic aberration is corrected and photosensitive efficiency is enhanced, but lens structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the microlens layer into distinct groups based on color channels, with each group having optimized heights specific to its wavelength. This segmentation allows independent optimization of photosensitive efficiency for each color channel while maintaining a unified microlens layer structure, balancing performance enhancement with structural manageability.
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 design corrects chromatic aberration, allowing for improved image quality and simplified lens structures by optimizing focal lengths for each color channel, enhancing photosensitive efficiency and reducing lens complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The light may have different refractive indices depending on the wavelength. The incident light may be refracted when passing through the lens, and chromatic aberration may occur due to a difference in refractive indices.
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of microlenses may be configured to have different heights so as to match focal lengths of the color channels of light corresponding to the color filters based on chromatic aberration data according to the color channels of light.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an image sensor for correcting chromatic aberration, a camera, and an electronic device. The image sensor comprises: a color filter layer that includes a plurality of color filters including at least one color channel and disposed on one plane of the image sensor; a microlens layer including a plurality of microlenses disposed on the upper end of the color filters; and a photosensitive element layer including a plurality of photosensitive elements corresponding to the plurality of color filters. The plurality of microlenses may be set to different heights to match the focal lengths of the color channels of light corresponding to the color filters on the basis of data on chromatic aberration according to the color channels of the light. Various other embodiments are possible.