Patterned Antireflection Layer for Low-Loss Image Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors face significant light loss due to the absorption and reflection issues in color filters and layer boundaries, resulting in low light use efficiency, which affects the performance of color display devices and image sensors.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor with a patterned antireflection layer and a nano-photonic lens array that includes a sensor substrate with pixels sensitive to different wavelengths, where the antireflection layer has periodically arranged holes to minimize reflection and enhance light condensation, improving light use efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a color filter is used to sense light wavelength, then color sensing capability is improved, but light use efficiency deteriorates due to absorption of non-corresponding light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the antireflection layer by creating periodic hole patterns with specific pitches and depths. This modifies the refractive index profile and reduces reflection losses across different wavelengths, allowing more light to reach the pixel sensors without requiring absorption-based color filtering.
Solution Approach 2:
The antireflection layer is designed with a porous structure containing periodic holes. This porous configuration creates a gradient refractive index effect that reduces reflection at the air-sensor interface, thereby improving light transmission efficiency to the pixels while maintaining color sensing capability.
2Reliability
If multiple layers with different refractive indices are stacked, then functional performance is improved, but light reflection increases at layer boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The antireflection layer acts as an intermediary between the air and the underlying optical layers. The periodic hole structure creates a gradual refractive index transition, serving as an optical mediator that reduces reflection at the air-layer boundary without compromising the functional performance of the underlying多层 structure.
Solution Approach 2:
By modifying the refractive index parameter through periodic hole patterning, the patent creates a gradual optical impedance transition. This parameter change reduces the abrupt refractive index mismatch at layer boundaries, thereby minimizing reflection losses while maintaining the necessary functional layers.
3Loss of energy
If antireflection layer with periodic holes is introduced, then light use efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antireflection layer is segmented into periodic hole patterns rather than being a continuous solid layer. This segmentation approach allows the complex optical function to be achieved through repeated simple unit cells, making the manufacturing process more manageable through standard photolithography and etching techniques.
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 significantly reduces reflectance and enhances light use efficiency, allowing for a higher resolution image sensor with improved performance in color display devices and image sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
an antireflection layer disposed on the light incident surface of the nano-photonic lens array and including a plurality of holes arranged periodically and two-dimensionally
Implementation Method 2
a nano-photonic lens array having a light incident surface and including a plurality of nanostructures configured to condense an incident light onto the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an image sensor including a patterned antireflection layer and an electronic apparatus including the image sensor. The image sensor includes a sensor substrate including a plurality of first pixels sensing light having a first wavelength and a plurality of second pixels sensing light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, a nano-photonic lens array including a plurality of nanostructures configured to condense an incident light onto the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels, and an antireflection layer disposed on a light incident surface of the nano-photonic lens array and including a plurality of holes arranged periodically and two-dimensionally, wherein the plurality of holes include a plurality of first holes arranged along a boundary between first and second pixels adjacent to each other and a plurality of second holes disposed to face an inner region of the first pixel or the second pixel.