Microsphere Lens Optical Sensor for Weak Light Concentration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sensors have poor light sensitivity and inefficiency in concentrating light onto the active area of the photodiode, especially for weak light signals.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor with a microsphere structure that includes a substrate, a light-permeable layer with microsphere support structures and lenses, and a photoelectronic unit, where the microsphere lenses are disposed on the substrate and the photoelectronic unit is connected to the substrate, configured to receive light through the microsphere lenses, enhancing light focusing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical sensors are used, then the device structure is simple, but the light sensitivity is poor and light concentration efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The microsphere lens is integrated within the optical sensor structure, with the lens positioned above the photodiode's active area. The microsphere support structure is embedded in the substrate, creating a nested configuration where the lens system is contained within the sensor housing, improving light concentration without requiring a completely separate external lens system
Solution Approach 2:
A microsphere lens with a spherical geometry is employed to focus incident light onto the photodiode's active area. The spherical shape of the microsphere lens provides optimal light concentration through its curved surface, which refracts and focuses light more effectively than flat or angular surfaces, thereby improving light sensitivity
2Measurement precision
If conventional optical sensors are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the light concentration onto active area is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is divided into distinct functional layers: a substrate layer, a light-permeable layer containing the microsphere lens, and a photoelectronic unit with the photodiode. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the microsphere lens for light focusing and the photodiode for light detection - while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
A light-permeable layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the incident light and the photodiode's active area. This layer contains the microsphere lens and is positioned to allow light to pass through while enabling effective light concentration onto the active area, thereby improving light concentration efficiency without directly modifying the photodiode structure
3Measurement precision
If conventional optical sensors are used, then the device is simple, but detection sensitivity for weak light signals is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The microsphere lens utilizes its spherical curvature to concentrate weak incident light signals onto the photodiode's active area. The curved surface of the microsphere refracts light rays and focuses them to a point, increasing the light intensity at the detection point and thereby improving the sensor's ability to detect weak light signals
Solution Approach 2:
The light concentration function is extracted from the photodiode structure itself and implemented through a separate microsphere lens component. This extraction allows the photodiode to be optimized purely for light detection while the microsphere lens handles the light concentration function, improving detection sensitivity without complicating the photodiode structure
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 microsphere structure effectively directs more light onto the photoelectronic unit, improving detection efficiency and sensitivity, and allowing for better light collection and calculation of distance based on light intensity.
Implementation Method 1
The microsphere lens is disposed on the microsphere support structure... configured to receive a light that travels through the microsphere lens
Implementation Method 2
If the light signal incident to the optical sensor can be highly concentrated onto an active area of the photodiode, the optical sensor is able to more accurately detect light intensity
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor having a microsphere structure includes a light-permeable layer, a photoelectronic unit and a substrate. The light-permeable layer includes a microsphere support structure and a plurality of microsphere lenses. The microsphere support structure is disposed on the substrate. The plurality of microsphere lenses are disposed on the microsphere support structure. Each of the plurality of microsphere lenses has a radius and a height that is less than or equal to the radius. The photoelectronic unit is electronically connected to the substrate. The photoelectronic unit is configured to receive a light that travels through at least one of the plurality of microsphere lenses or the microsphere support structure.