Microlens Shift Calculation for Solid-State Image Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid-state image capturing apparatuses face issues with color shading and luminance shading due to varying output angles of image capturing optical systems, requiring frequent redesign of microlens arrangements and increasing design time and cost.
Innovation Solution
The shift amount of microlenses relative to light receiving elements is calculated using Snell's law based on the incident angle and refractive indices of layers, allowing for continuous arrangement and reuse across different image capturing optical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If microlens arrangement is optimized for specific output angles, then image quality is improved, but design time and cost increase due to frequent redesign
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by deriving a mathematical relationship between microlens shift amount and incident angle using Snell's law. This allows the microlens arrangement to be optimized for different output angles by simply changing the incident angle parameter in the calculation, rather than redesigning the entire arrangement. The formula shift_amount = f(incident_angle, refractive_index, layer_thickness) enables quick adaptation to different optical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal solution by developing a general mathematical model that can be applied to various image capturing optical systems regardless of their specific output angle characteristics. The derived formula using Snell's law is universally applicable to any system where light passes through multiple layers with different refractive indices, making the microlens arrangement design methodology transferable across different applications and optical systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If microlens arrangement is optimized for specific output angles, then color shading is reduced, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces design complexity by transforming a complex optimization problem into a straightforward parameter calculation. By using Snell's law to derive the shift amount as a function of incident angle, refractive index, and layer thickness, designers can obtain the optimal microlens arrangement by simply inputting the relevant parameters rather than performing complex iterative optimizations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex iterative design methodologies with a direct mathematical calculation approach. Instead of using trial-and-error or complex optimization algorithms, the invention substitutes a closed-form mathematical solution based on Snell's law, which provides the optimal microlens shift amount through direct calculation from known optical parameters.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional microlens arrangement methods are used, then design process is simple, but color shading and luminance shading occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains design process simplicity while improving image quality by introducing a clear parameter-based calculation method. The design process remains straightforward - designers input the incident angle, refractive indices, and layer thicknesses, and the formula automatically provides the correct microlens shift amount. This preserves ease of manufacture while eliminating the trial-and-error nature of conventional approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and determining the optimal microlens shift amount before the actual microlens fabrication process. By using the derived formula to pre-calculate the exact shift amount needed based on the specific optical system parameters, the design is finalized in advance, preventing shading artifacts from the outset rather than requiring post-processing corrections.
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 approach prevents color and luminance shading, enabling continuous microlens arrangement and reducing design time and cost by expressing the shift amount as a function applicable to various image capturing optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a shift amount of at least any of the openings of the electrode wiring layers, the color filters and the microlenses is calculated by Snell's law based on an incident angle θ0 of a light flux entering a light receiving region to a surface of a solid-state image capturing device, a refractive index nk and a film thickness tk of each layer above the light receiving elements
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state image capturing device is provided. In the solid-state image capturing device, at least any of openings of electrode wiring layers, color filters and microlenses are provided on a light incident side above light receiving elements as a light receiving region in which the plurality of light receiving elements are disposed on a semiconductor substrate or a semiconductor region provided on a substrate, wherein a shift amount of at least any of the openings of the electrode wiring layers, the color filters and the microlenses in relation to the light receiving elements or in relation to a standard position where a light flux is desired to pass through is calculated by Snell's law based on an incident angle θ0 of a light flux entering the light receiving region to a surface of the solid-state image capturing device.