Time-Binning Image Sensor Layout for Portable Sample Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instruments for massively-parallel sample analysis are limited to laboratory settings due to their large size, lack of portability, requirement of skilled technicians, and high power needs, leading to long wait times for results.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a photodetection region and drain region configured to induce an intrinsic electric field, combined with optical components to block excitation photons and time-binning pixels to control charge carrier transfer, allowing for compact, portable, and efficient sample analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional massively-parallel analysis instruments are used, then sample analysis capability is achieved, but device size and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (photodetection region, charge storage region, drain region, optical components) into a single integrated circuit device. This consolidation enables the instrument to perform massively-parallel analysis of tens of thousands of samples while maintaining a compact form factor that allows portability, directly resolving the contradiction between analysis capability and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the photodetection region, charge storage region, and drain region are positioned in close proximity with shared boundaries. The charge storage region is electrically coupled to both the photodetection region and drain region, creating a compact nested arrangement that maximizes functional density while minimizing overall device volume.
2Productivity
If traditional laboratory instruments are used, then sample analysis is performed, but wait time for results increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-binning detection where charge carriers are sorted into different storage regions based on their arrival times at the photodetection region. This preliminary sorting of charge carriers by time of flight enables rapid parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously, reducing the overall wait time for results while maintaining high analysis speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pulsed laser excitation to periodically illuminate the samples, creating time-resolved detection windows. This periodic excitation allows the system to process multiple samples in parallel during each pulse cycle, significantly increasing analysis speed and reducing wait time compared to sequential processing methods.
3Measurement precision
If photodetection region receives all incident photons, then detection sensitivity is improved, but noise from excitation photons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sorting of charge carriers based on their time of flight before they reach the charge storage region. By using time-binning detection, the system separates signal photons (which arrive at specific times) from excitation photons (which arrive at different times), thereby maintaining detection sensitivity while reducing noise from excitation photons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time-resolved detection mechanism as an intermediary between photon detection and signal readout. This time-binning approach acts as a temporal filter that allows the photodetection region to receive all incident photons while selectively storing only those charge carriers that correspond to signal photons in the charge storage region, effectively reducing excitation photon noise.
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 rapid, portable, and efficient analysis of tens of thousands of samples simultaneously, reducing noise and complexity, and enabling point-of-care genetic sequencing and personalized medicine applications.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetection region configured to receive incident photons and to generate a plurality of charge carriers in response to the incident photons
Implementation Method 2
the photodetection region is configured to induce an intrinsic electric field in a direction from the photodetection region to the one or more drain regions
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to improved semiconductor-based image sensor designs. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may comprise a photodetection region and a drain region electrically coupled to the photodetection region, and the photodetection region may be configured to induce an intrinsic electric field in a direction from the photodetection region to the drain region(s). In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may comprise a plurality of pixels and a control circuit configured to control a transfer of charge carriers in a plurality of time-binning pixels. In some embodiments, an optical component for optical rejection is provided in between a waveguide and the time-binning pixel and configured to block at least some excitation photons in a pulsed light stream from arriving at the photodetection region. In some embodiments, the time-binning pixel does not comprise a time-gated transistor for electronic rejection configured to block a transfer of charge carriers associated with excitation photons in the pulsed light stream.