Polyhedron Lens Film for Image Sensor Flare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors experience degraded performance due to uneven light energy reception by photodiodes, caused by reflection from other components before incident light reaches them, leading to reduced light transmittance and increased flare.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a polyhedron lens film above the micro lens and photodiode, with polyhedron lens units protruding away from the photodiode, which reduces total internal reflection and enhances light transmittance by refracting reflective light out of the sensor, thereby improving optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional image sensor structure is used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but light energy is reflected by internal components causing uneven distribution and degraded performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light redirecting structure as an intermediary component between the lens and photodiode. This structure mediates the light path by reflecting and redirecting light that would otherwise be lost, improving light energy distribution and sensor performance without fundamentally changing the basic sensor architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The light redirecting structure utilizes three-dimensional geometric features (prisms, pyramids, or hemispheres) to manipulate light paths in multiple dimensions. By introducing vertical and angular dimensions to light redirection, the structure captures and redirects light from various angles onto the photodiode surface, improving uniformity and reducing losses.
2Loss of energy
If light redirecting structures are added to improve light transmittance, then light energy distribution improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light redirecting structure is integrated with existing sensor components such as the color filter array or microlens array layer. By merging the light redirecting function with existing structural elements rather than adding completely separate components, the patent reduces overall device complexity while still achieving improved light energy distribution and reduced losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The light redirecting structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects reflected light onto the photodiode, maintains structural integrity of the sensor layer, and can be integrated with color filtering and focusing functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the polyhedron lens film is integrated, then flare is reduced and image quality improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs standard semiconductor manufacturing parameters and processes (photolithography, etching, deposition) to create the polyhedron lens film structure. By using established manufacturing parameters rather than novel processes, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity despite the added structural complexity of the light redirecting features.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyhedron lens film is implemented as a localized structure at specific positions within the sensor (above the photodiode or color filter layer) rather than throughout the entire sensor. This localized implementation reduces manufacturing complexity by limiting the scope of the additional structure to only where it is needed for flare reduction and light redirection.
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 polyhedron lens film increases light transmittance efficiency and reduces flare, resulting in improved optical performance and higher quality images by eliminating reflective light from reaching the photodiodes.
Implementation Method 1
the polyhedron lens film includes a plurality of polyhedron lens units protruding away from the photodiode... which reduces total internal reflection and enhances light transmittance by refracting reflective light away from the photodiodes
Implementation Method 2
the polyhedron lens film includes a plurality of polyhedron lens units protruding away from the photodiode... which reduces total internal reflection and enhances light transmittance
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an image sensor including a photodiode, a micro lens above the photodiode, a color filter between the photodiode and the micro lens, and a polyhedron lens film above the micro lens. The polyhedron lens film includes a plurality of polyhedron lens units protruding away from the photodiode, in which a plurality of orthogonal projections of the plurality of the polyhedron lens units are within an orthogonal projection of the photodiode. Each of the polyhedron lens units includes a bottom facet facing the photodiode, a top facet opposite to the bottom facet, and at least one side facet connecting the top facet and the bottom facet.