Spectrum-Shaping Lens Array for Low-Loss Color Image Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image sensors using color filters suffer from low light utilization efficiency due to significant light absorption, resulting in approximately ⅔ of incident light being absorbed, leading to substantial light loss.

Innovation Solution

Employing a color separating lens array and a spectrum shaping layer that separates incident light by wavelength and shapes the spectral profile, enhancing light utilization efficiency and color reproducibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a color filter is used to sense light color, then color detection is achieved, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates because 2/3 of incident light is absorbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor detectionVSAvoidlight utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the color filtering function from the traditional color filter layer and relocates it to the lens array layer. By integrating color-separating microlenses that selectively focus different wavelengths to corresponding photosensitive cells, the system eliminates the need for a separate color filter, thereby allowing most incident light to reach the sensor while maintaining color detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens array is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it focuses light onto photosensitive cells and separates colors by wavelength. Each microlens in the array is configured with specific optical properties to direct different wavelength ranges to appropriate photosensitive cells, combining focusing and color separation into a single component that serves both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a color filter absorbs light to achieve color separation, then color reproduction is improved, but light loss increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor reproductionVSAvoidlight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the absorptive mechanism of traditional color filters with an optical focusing mechanism. Instead of absorbing unwanted wavelengths, the color-separating microlenses physically direct different wavelengths to different photosensitive cells through controlled light propagation, achieving color separation through optical path differentiation rather than absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the lens array, specifically designing microlenses with wavelength-dependent focusing characteristics. By adjusting the focal length and numerical aperture of each microlens based on its position in the array, the system achieves spectral separation through parameter variation across the lens array rather than through material absorption properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves light utilization efficiency, allowing over 85% of light at specific wavelengths to be sensed by the appropriate photosensitive cells, thereby reducing light loss and enhancing color reproduction.

Implementation Method 1

a color separating lens array configured to change a phase of first wavelength light and a phase of second wavelength light different from each other such that the first wavelength light included in light incident on the color separating lens array travels to the first photosensitive cell and the second wavelength light included in the light incident on the color separating lens array travels to the second photosensitive cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change:

Implementation Method 2

the spectrum shaping layer is provided between the sensor substrate and the color separating lens array and configured to shape a spectral profile of the light incident on the sensor substrate by reflecting and/or absorbing portion of light passing through the color separating lens array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

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

Data Source

PatentUS12541113B2Image sensor including color separating lens array and electronic device including the image sensor

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an image sensor including a sensor substrate including a first photosensitive cell and a second photosensitive cell which are configured to sense light incident on the sensor substrate, a color separating lens array configured to change a phase of first wavelength light and a phase of second wavelength light such that the first wavelength light travels to the first photosensitive cell and the second wavelength light travels to the second photosensitive cell, and a spectrum shaping layer including a plurality of nanostructures respectively having a first refractive index, and a dielectric material provided between the plurality of nanostructures and having a second refractive index, the spectrum shaping layer being provided between the sensor substrate and the color separating lens array and configured to shape a spectral profile of the light incident on the sensor substrate by reflecting and/or absorbing portion of light passing through the color separating lens array.