Thin Lens Image Sensor with Scatterers for Compact 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3-dimensional image sensors are complex and difficult to manufacture for use in small devices like mobiles and Internet of Things due to their optical lens systems, making it challenging to achieve a compact and efficient 3D imaging solution.
Innovation Solution
The development of an image sensor with thin lenses and light-sensing cells on a substrate, where thin lenses with scatterers concentrate light of different wavelengths onto light-sensing cells, allowing for compact size and efficient 3D information capture, including multi-color and stereo image generation with depth information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical lenses are used in 3-dimensional image sensors, then light concentration and focusing capability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential light concentration function from conventional complex optical lenses and implements it using simple thin lens structures with scatterers. This removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the core functionality of focusing light onto photodetectors for 3D imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical system by using extremely thin lenses (much thinner than conventional lenses) with specific scatterer configurations. This parameter change enables light concentration capability while dramatically reducing device complexity and enabling fabrication using standard semiconductor processes.
2Measurement precision
If conventional optical lenses are used in image sensors, then imaging quality is improved, but the thickness and size of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential light focusing function from conventional thick optical lenses and implements it using thin lens structures with scatterers positioned at specific depths. This maintains imaging quality while reducing the optical path length and overall device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional three-dimensional optical lens structures to thin lens structures where the scattering elements are positioned at specific depths within the substrate. This dimensional reorganization enables effective light concentration with minimal thickness, suitable for compact mobile devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If thin lenses with scatterers are used, then device size and manufacturing simplicity are improved, but light concentration precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters such as scatterer size, shape, material composition, and depth positioning to achieve precise light concentration. By carefully controlling these parameters, the thin lens structures with scatterers can focus light accurately onto photodetectors while remaining compatible with standard semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs scatterers with specific local properties (material composition, size, shape, and positioning) tailored to achieve the desired light concentration precision. Different scatterer configurations can be used in different regions to optimize performance for specific wavelength ranges or imaging requirements.
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 enables the creation of a small-sized image sensor capable of capturing 3D information, producing multi-color images and depth maps, while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the thickness and complexity of optical components.
Implementation Method 1
thin lenses disposed on a first surface of the substrate and configured to concentrate lights incident on the first surface
Implementation Method 2
Each of the thin lenses may include scatterers, and each of the scatterers may have a pillar structure
Implementation Method 3
light-sensing cells being configured to sense lights passing through the thin lenses, and generate electrical signals based on the sensed lights
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a substrate, thin lenses disposed on a first surface of the substrate and configured to concentrate lights incident on the first surface, and light-sensing cells disposed on a second surface of the substrate, the second surface facing the first surface, and the light-sensing cells being configured to sense lights passing through the thin lenses, and generate electrical signals based on the sensed lights. A first thin lens and second thin lens of the thin lenses are configured to concentrate a first light and a second light, respectively, of the incident lights onto the light-sensing cells, the first light having a different wavelength than the second light.