Patent ID: 8581174
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An image sensor, comprising: a first imaging pixel for a first color having a photosensitive region disposed within a substrate of the image sensor; a second imaging pixel for a second color that is different from the first color having a photosensitive region disposed within the substrate; a third imaging pixel for a third color that is different from the first and second colors having a photosensitive region disposed within the substrate, wherein the first, second, and third imaging pixels are arranged in a single row, and wherein each of the first, second, and third imaging pixels has an individual footprint that is elongated such that collectively the first, second, and third imaging pixels have a collective footprint that is substantially square; a prismatic refraction element disposed adjacent to the substrate to separate different colors of incident light towards different directions, the prismatic refraction element refracting light of the first color to the photosensitive region of the first imaging pixel, refracting light of the second color to the photosensitive region of the second imaging pixel, and refracting light of the third color to the photosensitive region of the third imaging pixel, wherein the prismatic refraction element de-multiplexes the incident light into the first, second, and third colors in directions extending along the single row including the first, second, and third imaging pixels; and a layer disposed between the prismatic refraction element and the substrate, the layer having a thickness to permit light of the first color to spread towards the first imaging pixel without a first lens disposed between the prismatic refraction element and the first imaging pixel and to permit light of the second color to spread towards the second imaging pixel without a second lens disposed between the prismatic refraction element and the second imaging pixel, wherein a portion of the prismatic refraction element that refracts the light that is directed to the first, second, and third imaging pixels also overlays the same first, second, and third imaging pixels, wherein the layer is disposed on the substrate, supports the prismatic refraction element, and has an index of refraction higher than a refractive index of air.