Thin Lens Scatterer Array for Compact 3D Image Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3-dimensional image sensors are challenging to manufacture for small devices due to their complex optical lenses, making it difficult to achieve compact size and effective light pathway control, especially for applications in mobile and IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of an image sensor with thin lenses and light-sensing cells on a substrate, where the thin lenses, composed of scatterers with pillar structures, concentrate light of different wavelengths onto light-sensing cells, allowing for compact size and efficient light management, enabling the generation of 3D, multi-color, and depth map information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional 3-dimensional image sensors use complicated optical lenses to control light pathways, then light pathway control is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical lens into multiple scatterers arranged in specific patterns. Each scatterer is a simple structural element that redirects light, and collectively they perform the light pathway control function of a complex lens. This segmentation simplifies individual components while maintaining overall functionality through coordinated arrangement of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using scatterers with specific sizes, shapes, and spacing arrangements to achieve wavelength-selective light concentration. By adjusting parameters such as scatterer diameter, spacing distance, and refractive indices, the system controls light pathways without requiring complex lens structures. This parameter-based control replaces mechanical/optical complexity with tunable physical properties.
2Reliability
If conventional 3-dimensional image sensors use complicated optical lenses, then light pathway control is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical lens is divided into discrete scatterers that can be manufactured independently using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques. Each scatterer is a simple structure that is easier to manufacture than complex lens elements, and they can be produced in large arrays using photolithography and other conventional processes, significantly improving ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses repeated copies of identical or similar scatterer structures arranged in patterns to achieve the optical function. This replication approach allows manufacturing through standard patterning processes where the same scatterer design is copied across the substrate, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating unique complex lens elements.
3Volume of moving object
If the image sensor is made compact for small devices, then device size is reduced, but light pathway control capability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional lens structures to a two-dimensional array of scatterers on a flat substrate. This dimensional reduction allows the light pathway control function to be achieved in a planar configuration, significantly reducing the overall sensor thickness and volume while maintaining optical functionality through the spatial arrangement of scatterers in the x-y plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical functionality is segmented into multiple discrete scatterer elements distributed across the sensor surface. This segmentation allows compact integration of many light control functions in a small area, as each scatterer handles specific wavelength or angular ranges, and their collective arrangement provides comprehensive light pathway control in a minimized footprint.
4Ease of manufacture
If thin lenses with scatterers are used to concentrate light, then manufacturing ease is improved, but precision of light concentration may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves precise light concentration by carefully controlling parameters of the scatterers including their size, spacing, shape, and refractive index. By optimizing these parameters, the scatterers can concentrate light with high precision despite the simplicity of their individual structures. The collective effect of many precisely-parameterized scatterers achieves optical precision comparable to or exceeding traditional lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different scatterer configurations (sizes, shapes, spacing) at different locations across the substrate to optimize light concentration for specific wavelength ranges or incident angles. This local variation in scatterer quality allows precise control of light concentration characteristics in different regions, compensating for the simplicity of individual scatterer structures.
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 allows for the creation of compact image sensors that can produce 3D, multi-color images and depth maps, improving manufacturing ease and performance by controlling light pathways effectively, suitable for small devices like mobile and IoT applications.
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. An interval distance between a pair of the scatterers may be less than a respective wavelength of light concentrated by a respective one among the thin lenses.
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.