Stacked Imaging Element With Wire Grid Polarizer for Polarization Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polarization cameras have limited information acquisition due to their reliance on light with a predetermined polarization axis, restricting their application in image analysis and object identification tasks.
Innovation Solution
An imaging element comprising a first light detecting layer, a wire grid polarizer layer with reflective members, and a second light detecting layer, allowing simultaneous detection of unpolarized and polarized light, with the polarizer layer reflecting light back to the first layer for absorption, enhancing detection efficiency and acquiring polarization information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a polarization filter with a predetermined polarization axis is used, then polarization information can be acquired, but the information acquisition is restricted and the application scope is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is divided into multiple light detecting layers (first and second light detecting layers) positioned at different depths, with a polarizer layer in between. Each layer detects different aspects of light (unpolarized and polarized components), enabling simultaneous acquisition of multiple types of information without restricting application scope
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging element achieves multi-functionality by integrating both unpolarized light detection (first light detecting layer) and polarized light detection (second light detecting layer with polarizer) into a single device, allowing it to serve both general imaging and polarization-specific applications simultaneously
2Productivity
If light is reflected back to the first light detecting layer for absorption, then detection efficiency is enhanced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer layer reflects unwanted polarized light components back toward the first light detecting layer instead of letting them be lost. This converts what would be wasted reflected light into useful detection signals, enhancing overall detection efficiency by utilizing all incident light
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging element employs a nested multi-layer structure where the first light detecting layer, polarizer layer, and second light detecting layer are stacked in sequence. This compact nested arrangement achieves enhanced detection efficiency through light reflection and absorption while maintaining a space-efficient design
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
Enables the acquisition of a wide variety of information, including polarization data, with high detection efficiency and sensitivity, facilitating advanced image analysis and object identification without the need for position alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizer layer that exists at a lower level relative to the first light detecting layer and includes a polarizer having reflective members formed in a stripe manner
Implementation Method 2
a first light detecting layer including a photoelectric conversion element having optical transmittivity
Data Source
AI summary
In an imaging element 28, a first light detecting layer 12 includes an organic photoelectric conversion film 38 that detects light of a predetermined wavelength band and carries out photoelectric conversion, and photoelectrically converts incident light on the imaging element and light reflected from a wire grid polarizer layer 14. The wire grid polarizer layer 14 includes polarizers 48 in which linear materials that do not allow transmission of light therethrough are arranged at intervals shorter than the wavelength of the incident light. A second light detecting layer 16 includes photoelectric conversion elements 54 that photoelectrically convert light transmitted through the polarizers 48.