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Samsung patents image sensor using tiny nanoposts to sort light colors

Samsung describes an image sensor that uses a layer of microscopic pillars, called nanoposts, to separate incoming light into different colors. These pillars change how the light bends, directing specific wavelengths to the correct pixels on the sensor chip.

Why it mattersThis design could help cameras capture clearer images by improving how efficiently light is sorted onto the sensor.

In the filing’s own words

An image sensor includes a sensor substrate includes first, second, and third pixels respectively sensing first, second and third wavelengths of light, A color separating lens array changes phase of light of the first, second, and third wavelengths, and condenses the phase-changed light onto the first, second and third pixels, respectively. The color separating lens array includes first to third pixel corresponding regions respectively facing the first to third pixels. The first pixel corresponding region includes a plurality of first nanoposts, the second pixel corresponding region includes a plurality of second nanoposts, and the third pixel corresponding region includes a plurality of third nanoposts, a second center nanopost having a greatest cross-sectional width among the second nanoposts overlaps a center of the second pixel, and a third center nanopost having a greatest cross-sectional width among the third nanoposts does not overlap a center of the third pixel.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An image sensor comprising: a sensor substrate comprising a first pixel sensing light of a first wavelength, a second pixel sensing light of a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength, and a third pixel sensing light of a third wavelength longer than the first wavelength, wherein each of the first to third pixels comprises a plurality of light sensing cells; and a color separating lens array changing phase of light of the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength and condensing the phase-changed light of the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength onto the first pixel, the second pixel, and the third pixel respectively, wherein the color separating lens array comprises a first pixel corresponding region, a second pixel corresponding region, and a third pixel corresponding region respectively facing the first pixel, the second pixel and the third pixel, wherein the first pixel corresponding region comprises a plurality of first nanoposts, the second pixel corresponding region comprises a plurality of second nanoposts, and the third pixel corresponding region comprises a plurality of third nanoposts, a second center nanopost having a greatest cross-sectional width among the plurality of second nanoposts is arranged at a position overlapping a center of the second pixel, and a third center nanopost having a greatest cross-sectional width among the plurality of third nanoposts is arranged at a position not overlapping a center of the third pixel.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Image sensor and electronic apparatus including the same
Patent number
US12733280B2
Application number
18236122
Filed
Aug 21, 2023
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
8
Claims
20

Classified under

H10F 39/8063 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/182 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8053 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/807 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.