Multilayer Solid-State Imaging Element Infrared Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state imaging elements with extended infrared pixel configurations suffer from deterioration in color reproducibility due to the addition of infrared output to visible light pixels, leading to unnatural image colors.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state imaging element with a multilayer light receiver configuration, featuring shallow visible light receivers and deep infrared light receivers, where the infrared light receiver corrects the visible light signal output and the deep receiver enhances infrared sensitivity without using an infrared ray cut filter, allowing for high-quality simultaneous acquisition of visible and infrared light images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an infrared light receiver is extended below visible light pixels to improve infrared sensitivity, then infrared sensitivity is improved, but color reproducibility deteriorates due to infrared light being detected by both upper and lower light receivers
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiver is divided into two distinct segments: an upper visible light pixel and a lower infrared light receiver. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in detecting its target wavelength range, with the upper pixel capturing visible light and the lower receiver capturing infrared light, thereby preventing cross-contamination of signals and resolving the color reproducibility issue while maintaining high infrared sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement to a vertical multilayer structure by extending the infrared light receiver below the visible light pixels in the depth dimension. This three-dimensional configuration enables simultaneous detection of visible and infrared light without spatial interference, as each layer captures its designated wavelength range independently, thus improving infrared sensitivity without compromising color accuracy
2Measurement precision
If no infrared ray cut filter is used to enhance infrared sensitivity, then infrared sensitivity is improved, but visible light image quality deteriorates due to infrared contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the infrared detection function into a separate lower light receiver component, removing it from the visible light pixel structure. This extraction eliminates the need for infrared ray cut filters, as the infrared light receiver is positioned and configured to capture only infrared wavelengths, thereby enhancing infrared sensitivity while preserving visible light image quality through functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The lower infrared light receiver acts as an intermediary that selectively captures infrared light before it can contaminate the visible light pixel signals. This intermediary structure enables the system to detect infrared light effectively without requiring filtration, as the spatial separation and wavelength-selective detection prevent infrared light from interfering with visible light image quality
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 configuration prevents image deterioration by isolating infrared light components, enhancing infrared sensitivity while maintaining high-quality visible light images without the need for an infrared cut filter, thus improving color reproducibility and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a photodiode (a third light receiver) that photoelectrically converts infrared rays (IR)
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging element includes a plurality of shallow light receivers that are arrayed two-dimensionally in the vicinity of the surface of a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of deep light receivers that are arrayed two-dimensionally below the shallow light receivers. The shallow light receivers include visible light image light receivers that photoelectrically convert visible light and infrared light and output signals, and infrared light receivers that photoelectrically convert the infrared light. The infrared light receivers include a first infrared light receiver that is used to correct the signals output from the visible light image light receivers to provide signals of visible light components in the visible light image light receivers and a second infrared light receiver that is connected to the deep light receivers to form a multilayer light receiver.