18101578. METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LIGHT ABSORPTION ENHANCEMENT IN PHOTODIODES USING ON-CHIP PHASE MODULATING THIN-FILM OPTICS, RESONANT STRUCTURES AND METASURFACES simplified abstract (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LIGHT ABSORPTION ENHANCEMENT IN PHOTODIODES USING ON-CHIP PHASE MODULATING THIN-FILM OPTICS, RESONANT STRUCTURES AND METASURFACES

Organization Name

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor(s)

Radwanul Hasan Siddique of Monrovia CA (US)

Yibing Michelle Wang of Temple City CA (US)

Mahsa Torfeh of Los Angeles CA (US)

Tze-Ching Fung of Diamond Bar CA (US)

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LIGHT ABSORPTION ENHANCEMENT IN PHOTODIODES USING ON-CHIP PHASE MODULATING THIN-FILM OPTICS, RESONANT STRUCTURES AND METASURFACES - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18101578 titled 'METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LIGHT ABSORPTION ENHANCEMENT IN PHOTODIODES USING ON-CHIP PHASE MODULATING THIN-FILM OPTICS, RESONANT STRUCTURES AND METASURFACES

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a pixel for an image sensor that includes a photodiode, a thin-film layer, and a reflective layer. The photodiode receives incident light on one side and has a thin-film layer on the other side that provides a unidirectional phase-shift to the light passing through. The thin-film layer has a lower refractive index than the material forming the photodiode. The reflective layer is on the opposite side of the photodiode and reflects light back towards the photodiode.

• Photodiode with a thin-film layer and a reflective layer
• Thin-film layer provides a unidirectional phase-shift to light passing through
• Reflective layer reflects light back towards the photodiode

Potential Applications

This technology could be used in:

• Digital cameras
• Smartphone cameras
• Surveillance cameras

Problems Solved

This technology helps in:

• Improving image quality
• Enhancing light sensitivity
• Reducing noise in images

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

• Higher quality images
• Improved low-light performance
• Enhanced overall image sensor performance

Potential Commercial Applications

This technology could be applied in:

• Consumer electronics
• Security systems
• Medical imaging devices

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be:

• Traditional image sensor designs without the thin-film layer and reflective layer

Unanswered Questions

How does this technology compare to existing image sensor technologies in terms of cost?

The article does not provide information on the cost implications of implementing this technology compared to traditional image sensor designs.

What impact does the unidirectional phase-shift have on image quality?

The article does not delve into the specific effects of the unidirectional phase-shift on the final image quality captured by the image sensor.

Original Abstract Submitted

A pixel for an image sensor is disclosed that includes a photodiode, a thin-film layer and a reflective layer. The photodiode includes a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side, and receives incident light on the first side. The thin-film layer is formed on the first side of the photodiode and provides a unidirectional phase-shift to light passing from the photodiode to the thin-film layer. The thin-film layer has a refractive index that less than a refractive index of material forming the photodiode. The unidirectional phase-shift may be a unidirectional it phase shift at a target near-infrared light wavelength. The reflective layer is formed on the second side of the photodiode and reflects light passing from the photodiode to the reflective layer toward the first side of the photodiode. The reflective layer may be a thin-film layer, a Distributed Bragg Reflector layer, or a metal.