Optical Sensor Structure With Reflective Layer For UV Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UV sensors face challenges in maintaining both sufficient photocurrent and short response time, making it difficult to evaluate their performance effectively.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor structure includes a substrate with metal pads, a light sensing unit, a reflective layer, and a lens unit, where the reflective layer surrounds the light sensing unit to increase light incidence, and a resistor is connected in parallel to improve response time, utilizing materials like silicone and fluoropolymer with dopants and anti-reflection coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional optical sensor structure is used, then the photocurrent is sufficient, but the response time is too long
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor surface is divided into multiple light-receiving regions with different orientations. Each region is segmented to capture light from specific directions, allowing simultaneous detection of multiple light paths without requiring a large single sensor area, thus maintaining fast response while ensuring sufficient photocurrent generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane sensor design to a three-dimensional structured sensor with light-receiving regions oriented at different angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°). This dimensional change allows light incident from various directions to be captured effectively, increasing total light absorption and photocurrent without increasing sensor area or response time.
2Loss of time
If the light sensing unit is optimized for short response time, then the response time is reduced, but the photocurrent becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light-receiving regions with different orientations are merged into a single sensor structure. This combination allows the sensor to simultaneously capture light from multiple directions, ensuring that sufficient total light energy is converted to photocurrent while maintaining the fast response characteristics of individual sensing elements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sensor structure is simplified, then the manufacturing is easier, but the light incidence and photocurrent generation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the sensor are assigned different local qualities (orientations) optimized for specific light incident angles. This allows each local region to be simple in structure while the overall sensor achieves high photocurrent generation by capturing light from multiple directions through the distributed orientation pattern.
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 enhances photocurrent generation and reduces response time, achieving improved performance by increasing light incidence and response speed.
Implementation Method 1
the reflective layer is disposed in the accommodating space and surrounds the light sensing unit
Implementation Method 2
The light sensing unit is disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of metal pads
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor structure is provided. The optical sensor structure includes a substrate, a light sensing unit, a peripheral wall, and a reflective layer. The substrate includes a plurality of metal pads. The light sensing unit is disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of metal pads. The peripheral wall is disposed on the substrate, and the peripheral wall and the substrate define an accommodating space. The metal pads and the light sensing unit are positioned in the accommodating space. The reflective layer is disposed in the accommodating space and surrounds the light sensing unit.