Samsung patents image sensor grids with air gaps to improve camera quality
Samsung describes an image sensor design that places a grid structure with small air gaps between the color filters and the light-sensing parts. The grids are arranged in alternating rows and columns, with some sections offset to create a specific pattern. This setup is covered by a protective layer to shield the components.
In the filing’s own words
An image sensor includes color filters disposed on a substrate and a separation structure, grids disposed between the color filters and including air gaps, and an upper capping layer covering upper surfaces of the color filters and the grids. The grids include first grids extending in a first horizontal direction and arranged in a plurality of rows, and second grids extending in a second horizontal direction, intersecting the first horizontal direction, and arranged in a plurality of columns. The first grids and the second grids are disposed alternately in the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction. The first grids include a first grid group disposed in a first row, and a second grid group disposed in a second row, adjacent to the first row, and the first grid group is disposed to be offset from the second grid group in the first horizontal direction.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An image sensor comprising: photodiodes disposed in a substrate; a separation structure disposed in the substrate and between the photodiodes; color filters disposed on the substrate and the separation structure; grids disposed between the color filters and including air gaps, wherein the grids include first grids extending in a first horizontal direction and arranged in a plurality of rows, and second grids extending in a second horizontal direction, intersecting the first horizontal direction, and arranged in a plurality of columns; and an upper capping layer covering upper surfaces of the color filters and the grids, wherein the first grids and the second grids are alternately disposed in the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction, the first grids include a first grid group disposed in a first row, and a second grid group disposed in a second row, adjacent to the first row, the second grids include a third grid group disposed in a first column, intersecting the first row and the second row, and a fourth grid group disposed in a second column, adjacent to the first column, and the first grid group is disposed to be offset from the second grid group in the first horizontal direction.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- IMAGE SENSORS HAVING GRIDS
- Publication number
- US20260333918A1
- Application number
- 19648288
- Filed
- Apr 15, 2026
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H10F 39/807 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8053 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung in Cameras & imaging
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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.