Patterned Electrode Structure for Image Sensor Light Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors have complex manufacturing processes and higher package costs due to separate electrode structures, color filters, and polarization arrays, which are not integrated effectively.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electrode structure with a top electrode and a bottom electrode, where the top electrode includes inner electrodes and an outer electrode connected to filter light by wavelength range and polarize it, also serving as a color filter, and an intermediate layer to smooth potential energy differences, allowing for improved carrier transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate electrode structure, color filter, and polarization array are used, then light filtering and polarization functions are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and package cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrode structure, color filter, and polarization array into a single integrated top electrode. The top electrode includes patterned metal structures that simultaneously serve as electrodes, color filters with specific wavelength ranges, and polarization arrays with specific polarization directions. This merging eliminates the need for separate layers and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The top electrode is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple roles: it acts as an electrical electrode for charge collection, as a color filter for wavelength selection, and as a polarization array for polarization direction control. Each inner electrode region is configured with specific metal pattern geometry to provide tailored wavelength range and polarization direction for different color channels, achieving universal functionality in a single structure.
2Reliability
If separate electrode structure, color filter, and polarization array are used, then light filtering and polarization functions are achieved, but package cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrode structure, color filter, and polarization array into a single integrated top electrode. The top electrode includes patterned metal structures that simultaneously serve as electrodes, color filters with specific wavelength ranges, and polarization arrays with specific polarization directions. This merging eliminates the need for separate layers and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining all required functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrode structure is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but light filtering and polarization efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different regions of the top electrode with specific metal pattern geometries tailored to each color channel's requirements. Each inner electrode region has optimized pitch, width, and orientation to achieve the desired wavelength range and polarization direction for that specific color (e.g., red, green, blue channels have different geometries). This localized optimization ensures high light filtering and polarization efficiency for each channel while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility.
4Reliability
If integrated electrode structure with patterned inner electrodes is used, then light filtering and polarization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrode structure, color filter, and polarization array into a single integrated top electrode. The top electrode includes patterned metal structures that simultaneously serve as electrodes, color filters with specific wavelength ranges, and polarization arrays with specific polarization directions. This merging eliminates the need for separate layers and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining all required functions.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and enhances image quality by efficiently filtering light into polarized light, acting as both a color filter and polarizer, thus eliminating the need for separate layers.
Implementation Method 1
The inner electrodes are configured to filter a light by wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
filter the light into a polarized light
Implementation Method 3
a photoelectric conversion layer (PCL) configured to convert the light into electric signals
Implementation Method 4
an intermediate layer located between the metal structure and the photoelectric conversion layer and configured to smoothen a potential energy difference between the metal structure and the photoelectric conversion layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode structure including a top electrode and a bottom electrode located below the top electrode. The top electrode includes a plurality of inner electrodes and an outer electrode connected with the inner electrodes. The inner electrodes are configured to filter a light by wavelength range and filter the light into a polarized light. The inner electrodes extend along a first direction. Each of the inner electrodes includes a metal structure having a first portion and a second portion and a dielectric structure located between the first portion and the second portion of the metal structure. The first portion, the dielectric structure, and the second portion are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.