Optical Sensor Filter Sidewalls for Stray Light Blocking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light sensing devices using bandpass filters suffer from poor wave filtering, leading to false signals and reduced sensing accuracy due to unwanted light entering the device.

Innovation Solution

The optical sensing device incorporates a bandpass filter layer and a carbonized sidewall to selectively allow specific wavelengths of light to pass through while blocking other wavelengths, thereby enhancing filtering efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a bandpass filter layer is used to selectively allow specific wavelengths to pass through, then the filtering capability for specific wavelengths is improved, but unwanted light can still enter through the sidewalls of the substrate causing false signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength filtering accuracyVSAvoidfalse signals from unwanted light
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the filtering function from the top surface (where the bandpass filter operates) to the sidewalls of the substrate by forming carbonized sidewalls. This dimensional extension blocks unwanted light from entering through the sidewalls, complementing the top-surface filter and eliminating false signals while maintaining wavelength-selective detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the substrate thickness is increased to block unwanted light, then the blocking capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwanted light blockingVSAvoidsubstrate structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the entire substrate thickness, the patent segments the light-blocking function: the main substrate remains thin for ease of manufacturing, while carbonized sidewalls are selectively formed only at the peripheral regions where light infiltration occurs. This localized approach achieves unwanted light blocking without the complexity and cost of thickening the entire substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a carbonized sidewall is formed by laser irradiation to block unwanted light, then the light blocking effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesidewall light infiltrationVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or chemical sidewall modification methods with laser irradiation. The laser directly carbonizes the sidewall material in a controlled manner, achieving effective light blocking without complex mechanical machining or chemical treatment processes. This substitution simplifies the overall manufacturing workflow while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively reduces interference from external light, improving the accuracy of light detection by ensuring only the intended wavelength reaches the optical active area.

Implementation Method 1

The working principle of an optical bandpass filter is based on the interference and reflection of light... interference between multi-layer thin film structures will cause the phases of light with certain wavelengths to be additive and enhanced, while the phases of light with other wavelengths to be destructive and weakened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

The working principle of an optical bandpass filter is based on the interference and reflection of light... light will interfere and reflect at the material interface between the multi-layer film structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The carbonized sidewall covers the sidewall of the filter layer and a portion of the sidewall of the substrate to prevent the light beams with the other wavelengths other than the specific wavelength from being received by the optical acting area through the sidewall of the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

the carbonized sidewall is formed by irradiating the sidewall of the filter layer and the portion of the sidewall of the substrate with a high-energy laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4542184A1Optical sensing device and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 TAIWAN ASIA SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
  • EP4542184A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4542184A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4542184A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical sensing device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The optical sensing device comprises a substrate, an optical acting area, a filter layer and a carbonized sidewall. The optical acting area is disposed on the substrate. The filter layer covers the optical acting area and selectively allows only a light beam with a specific wavelength to pass therethrough and be received by the optical acting area while blocking the light beams with other wavelengths. The carbonized sidewall covers the sidewall of the filter layer and a portion of the sidewall of the substrate to prevent the light beams with the other wavelengths from being received by the optical acting area through the sidewall of the substrate.