Color Separation Lens Array for Pixel Miniaturization Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensors face challenges in light utilization efficiency and spatial resolution due to pixel miniaturization, particularly in demosaicing processes where light components are not optimally utilized and noise is a concern.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition apparatus and method utilizing a color separation lens array that separates incident light by wavelength and condenses it onto specific photo-sensing cells using a nanostructure with a phase distribution, allowing for improved light utilization and spatial resolution through a processor that decouples sensing signals based on a point spread function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pixel miniaturization is implemented to increase the number of pixels, then the number of pixels increases, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The incident light is segmented by wavelength using a color separation lens array, which divides the light into different color components (red, green, blue) and directs each component to corresponding photo-sensing cells. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of incident light across the spectrum while maintaining high pixel density, resolving the contradiction between increasing pixel quantity and maintaining light utilization efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If pixel miniaturization is implemented to increase the number of pixels, then the number of pixels increases, but spatial resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A color separation lens array is introduced as an intermediary component between the incident light and the photo-sensing cells. This intermediary optically processes the light by separating wavelengths and condensing them onto appropriate pixels, enabling high spatial resolution even with miniaturized pixels. The lens array acts as a mediator that compensates for the resolution loss inherent in pixel miniaturization.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional demosaicing with micro lens and absorption color filter is used, then color image composition is achieved, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional absorption-type color filter system is replaced with a color separation lens array that uses optical refraction and condensation mechanisms. Instead of absorbing unwanted wavelengths (which wastes light energy), the new system refracts and directs different wavelengths to appropriate photo-sensing cells, significantly improving light utilization efficiency while maintaining color image composition capability.
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
Enhances light utilization efficiency and spatial resolution by effectively separating and condensing light of different wavelengths onto adjacent photo-sensing cells, improving image quality and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
a color separation lens array provided in front of the sensor substrate, the color separation lens array comprising a nanostructure configured to separate incident light by color
Implementation Method 2
the nanostructure is configured to form a phase distribution in a plurality of regions facing the plurality of photo-sensing cells, respectively
Implementation Method 3
the phase distribution is formed so as to condense light of different wavelengths onto photo-sensing cells adjacent to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquisition apparatus according to an example embodiment includes an image sensor including a sensor substrate including a plurality of photo-sensing cells for sensing light thereon, and a color separation lens array disposed in front of the sensor substrate and including a nanostructure to separate incident light by color, wherein the nanostructure forms a phase distribution in a plurality of regions facing the plurality of photo-sensing cells, respectively, and the phase distribution is formed so as to condense light of different wavelengths onto photo-sensing cells adjacent to each other, and a processor configured to process an image signal for each color obtained from the image sensor. The processor is further configured to perform decoupling with respect to sensing signals of the plurality of photo-sensing cells by using a kernel defined from a point spread function determined by the phase distribution.