Color-Separating Lens Array for Low-Loss Image Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image sensors using color filters suffer from low light utilization efficiency due to significant light absorption, resulting in approximately ⅔ of incident light being absorbed, leading to substantial light loss.

Innovation Solution

An image sensor employing a color separating lens array that separates incident light by wavelength using a spacer layer and a color separating lens array with multiple lens layers and etch prevention layers to condense light onto specific pixels, enhancing light utilization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a color filter is used to sense light color, then color discrimination is achieved, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates due to absorption of 2/3 of incident light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor discriminationVSAvoidlight utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the color filtering function from the traditional color filter layer and relocates it to the lens layer. The lens now performs both focusing and color separation functions, eliminating the need for a separate color filter that absorbs light. This is achieved by forming different lens materials with different refractive indexes at different regions of the lens, enabling wavelength-dependent light routing without absorption-based filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a focusing element and a color-separating element. By integrating the color separation function into the lens structure through region-specific refractive indexes, the lens becomes a multi-functional component that directs different wavelengths to different pixels while maintaining focusing capability, thereby eliminating the need for separate color filter layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If a color filter absorbs light to achieve color separation, then color information is obtained, but light loss increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor information acquisitionVSAvoidlight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the absorption-based color filtering mechanism with a refraction-based optical routing mechanism. Instead of using a color filter that absorbs unwanted wavelengths, the invention uses lenses with spatially varying refractive indexes to bend and direct different wavelengths to their corresponding pixels. This substitution of the underlying physical mechanism eliminates light absorption losses while maintaining color separation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the lens by implementing region-specific refractive indexes. Different regions of the lens are formed with different refractive indexes tailored to specific wavelength ranges, enabling wavelength-dependent light routing. This parameter variation allows the lens to selectively guide blue, green, and red light to appropriate pixels without absorption-based filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The color separating lens array improves light utilization efficiency and color reproduction by effectively directing different wavelengths of light to corresponding pixels, reducing light loss and enhancing image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a color separating lens array on the spacer layer, the color separating lens array being configured to condense the light of the first wavelength incident on the color separating lens array toward the first pixel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the color separating lens array being configured to condense the light of the first wavelength incident on the color separating lens array toward the first pixel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentUS20260003104A1Image sensor including color separating lens array and electronic apparatus including the image sensor

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an image sensor including a color separating lens array. The image sensor includes: a sensor substrate including a first pixel configured to sense light of a first wavelength and a second pixel configured to sense light of a second wavelength; a transparent spacer layer on the sensor substrate; and a color separating lens array on the spacer layer, wherein the color separating lens array condenses the light of the first wavelength toward the first pixel, and includes a first lens layer on the spacer layer, a second lens layer on the first lens layer, and an etch prevention layer between the first lens layer and the second lens layer.