Optical Element Array With Subwavelength Columns for Pixel Light Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-chip lenses in imaging apparatuses fail to effectively condense light incident outside the lens aperture regions, leading to limited light-receiving efficiency due to gaps between lenses.
Innovation Solution
An optical element with a transparent layer and columnar structures on its surface, guiding incident light to photoelectric conversion elements, where the structures are formed at intervals shorter than the wavelength of the light, allowing for improved light guidance and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional on-chip lenses are used with gaps between them, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but light-receiving efficiency deteriorates because light incident outside the lens aperture regions cannot be effectively condensed
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is segmented into multiple columnar structures arranged in an array, where each columnar structure acts as an independent light-guiding unit. This segmentation allows the system to cover the entire surface including gap regions, capturing light that would otherwise be lost while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through repetitive modular structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional lens-based light condensation to columnar structures that guide light through a different dimensional approach - using vertical columnar geometries with specific aspect ratios to redirect light paths, thereby capturing oblique incident light in regions between traditional lenses.
2Loss of energy
If the intervals between columnar structures are made shorter than the wavelength of incident light, then light-receiving efficiency is improved by capturing all incident light, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes specific parameters of the columnar structures including their interval spacing (set to less than the wavelength of incident light), aspect ratios, and dimensions. These parameter changes enable effective light capture across the entire surface while maintaining manufacturability through carefully controlled geometric specifications.
3Loss of energy
If columnar structures are formed on the entire surface of the transparent layer, then light-receiving efficiency is improved by capturing light in gap regions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The columnar structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as light-guiding elements, fill the gap regions between traditional lenses, and collectively form an integrated optical element. This multi-functionality improves light capture efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural motif performs multiple optical roles.
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 solution enhances light-receiving efficiency by ensuring all incident light is captured, enabling the generation of an image signal with uniform luminance across the imaging element.
Implementation Method 1
columnar structures which are disposed on the transparent layer or in the transparent layer in a plane direction of the transparent layer and guide incident light to the corresponding photoelectric conversion element
Implementation Method 2
columnar structures which are disposed on the transparent layer or in the transparent layer in a plane direction of the transparent layer and guide incident light to the corresponding photoelectric conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element array (120) includes: a transparent layer (150) for covering a pixel (130) including a photoelectric conversion element; a plurality of columnar structures (160) which are disposed on the transparent layer (150) or in the transparent layer (150) in a plane direction of the transparent layer (150) and guide an incident light to the corresponding photoelectric conversion element, wherein the plurality of columnar structures (160) are formed on an entire surface of the transparent layer (150) at intervals shorter than a wavelength of the incident light.