Patent Description:
Image sensors generally sense the color of incident light by using a color filter. However, a color filter may have low light utilization efficiency because the color filter absorbs light of colors other than the intended color of light. For example, when an RGB color filter is used, only <NUM>/<NUM> of the incident light is transmitted therethrough and the other part of the incident light, that is, <NUM>/<NUM> of the incident light, is absorbed. Thus, the light utilization efficiency is only about <NUM>%. Thus, in a color display apparatus or a color image sensor, most light loss occurs in the color filter. Also, an image sensor includes multiple layers having different refractive indices from one another, and incident light may be reflected by an interfacial layer. In order to improve the light utilization efficiency of the image sensor, the image sensor needs to have a low reflectivity with respect to the incident light.

<CIT> describes an image sensor including a color separating lens array. The image sensor includes a sensor substrate including a plurality of first photosensitive cells.

<CIT> describes an image sensor including a semiconductor substrate having a light receiving surface thereon and a plurality of spaced-apart semiconductor photoelectric conversion regions.

One or more example embodiments include an image sensor having a low reflectivity and an improved quantum efficiency and an electronic apparatus including the image sensor.

One or more example embodiments include an image sensor manufactured at low costs and an electronic apparatus including the image sensor.

However, the objectives are not limited to the above disclosure.

According to an aspect of an example embodiment, there is provided an image sensor according to claim <NUM>.

A thickness of the high-refractive index layer may be in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The sensor substrate may include a first region on which light is incident at a first chief ray angle (CRA), and a second region on which light is incident at a second CRA that is greater than the first CRA, an arrangement period and a fill factor of the plurality of low-refractive index patterns on the second region are greater than an arrangement period and a fill factor of the plurality of low-refractive index patterns on the first region, respectively, and the fill factor of the plurality of low-refractive index patterns is defined as a ratio of a width of the low-refractive index pattern to the arrangement period of the plurality of low-refractive index patterns.

The color separating lens array may include a plurality of nanoposts and a peripheral material layer surrounding the plurality of nanoposts, and the plurality of nanoposts and the plurality of low-refractive index patterns may be aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the sensor substrate.

The color separating lens array may include a plurality of nanoposts and a peripheral material layer surrounding the plurality of nanoposts, and the plurality of nanoposts and the plurality of low-refractive index patterns may be arranged to be deviated from each other in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the sensor substrate.

The color separating lens array may include a lower array and an upper array provided on the lower array, and each of the lower array and the upper array may include a plurality of nanoposts and a peripheral material layer surrounding the plurality of nanoposts.

The plurality of nanoposts of the upper array and the plurality of low-refractive index patterns may be aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the sensor substrate.

The plurality of low-refractive index patterns may include SiO<NUM>, and the high-refractive index layer may include at least one from AlO, SiN, and HfO.

The image sensor may further include a plurality of cell isolation films provided on each of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels.

The cell isolation films provided on corresponding first pixels or second pixels, which are at a center portion of the sensor substrate, may be respectively on centers of corresponding pixels, and the cell isolation films provided on corresponding first pixels or second pixels, which are at an edge portion of the sensor substrate, may be respectively shifted toward the center portion of the sensor substrate from centers of corresponding pixels.

According to another embodiment, an image sensor includes: a sensor substrate including a plurality of first pixels sensing light of a first wavelength and a plurality of second pixels sensing light of a second wavelength; and an anti-reflection element provided on the sensor substrate, wherein the anti-reflection element includes a low-refractive index layer having a plurality of anti-reflection holes, and a high-refractive index layer provided between the low-refractive index layer and the sensor substrate.

The sensor substrate may include a first region on which light is incident at a first chief ray angle (CRA), and a second region on which light is incident at a second CRA that is greater than the first CRA, an arrangement period and a fill factor of the plurality of anti-reflection holes in the second region are greater than an arrangement period and a fill factor of the plurality of anti-reflection holes in the first region, respectively, and the fill factor of the plurality of anti-reflection holes may be defined as a ratio of a width of the anti-reflection hole to the arrangement period of the plurality of anti-reflection holes.

According to another embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes: an image sensor for converting an optical image into an electrical signal; a processor configured to control operations of the image sensor and to store and output a signal generated by the image sensor; and a lens assembly for providing light to the image sensor, wherein the image sensor includes: a sensor substrate including a plurality of first pixels sensing light of a first wavelength and a plurality of second pixels sensing light of a second wavelength; and an anti-reflection element provided on the sensor substrate, and the anti-reflection element includes a plurality of low-refractive index patterns and a high-refractive index layer provided between the plurality of low-refractive index patterns and the sensor substrate.

Accordingly, the example embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, one or more example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like components, and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation. The embodiments of the disclosure are capable of various modifications and may be embodied in many different forms.

Hereinafter, it will be understood that when a layer, region, or component is referred to as being "above" or "on" another layer, region, or component, it may be in contact with and directly on the other layer, region, or component, and intervening layers, regions, or components may be present.

It will be further understood that when a portion is referred to as "comprises" another component, the portion may not exclude another component but may further comprise another component unless the context states otherwise.

In addition, the terms such as ". unit", etc. provided herein indicates a unit performing at least one function or operation.

Hereinafter, "at least one of a, b, and c" includes 'only a', 'only b', 'only c', 'a and b', 'a and c', 'b and c', or 'a, b, and c'.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an image sensor <NUM> according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a pixel arrangement in a pixel array <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the image sensor <NUM> may include a pixel array <NUM>, a timing controller <NUM>, a row decoder <NUM>, and an output circuit <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may include, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

The pixel array <NUM> includes pixels that are two-dimensionally arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The row decoder <NUM> selects one of the rows in the pixel array <NUM> in response to a row address signal output from the timing controller <NUM>. The output circuit <NUM> outputs a photosensitive signal, in a column unit, from a plurality of pixels arranged in the selected row. To this end, the output circuit <NUM> may include a column decoder and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). For example, the output circuit <NUM> may include a column decoder and a plurality of ADCs disposed respectively for the columns in the pixel array <NUM> or one ADC disposed at an output end of the column decoder. The timing controller <NUM>, the row decoder <NUM>, and the output circuit <NUM> may be implemented as one chip or in separate chips. A processor for processing an image signal output from the output circuit <NUM> may be implemented as one chip with the timing controller <NUM>, the row decoder <NUM>, and/or the output circuit <NUM>.

The pixel array <NUM> may include a plurality of pixels that sense light of different wavelengths. The pixel arrangement may be implemented in various ways. Hereinafter, an example of the pixel arrangement will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a Bayer pattern that is generally adopted in the image sensor <NUM>. One unit pattern includes four quadrant regions, and first through fourth quadrants may be a blue pixel B, a green pixel G, a red pixel R, and another green pixel G, respectively. The unit patterns may be repeatedly and two-dimensionally arranged in a first direction (X direction) and a second direction (Y direction). In other words, two green pixels G are arranged in one diagonal direction and one blue pixel B and one red pixel R are arranged in another diagonal direction in a unit pattern of a <NUM>×<NUM> array. In the entire arrangement of pixels, a first row in which a plurality of green pixels G and a plurality of blue pixels B are alternately arranged in the first direction and a second row in which a plurality of red pixels R and a plurality of green pixels G are alternately arranged in the first direction are repeatedly arranged in a second direction. Hereinafter, for illustrative purposes, it will be described that the pixel array <NUM> of the image sensor <NUM> has a Bayer pattern, but the operating principles may be applied to other patterns of pixel arrangement than the Bayer pattern.

<FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views of the pixel array <NUM> in the image sensor <NUM> according to an example embodiment. <FIG> and <FIG> are plan views showing examples of an anti-reflection element of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pixel array <NUM> of the image sensor <NUM> includes a sensor substrate <NUM> including a plurality of pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for sensing light, a color filter array <NUM> provided on the sensor substrate <NUM>, a spacer layer <NUM> that is transparent and disposed on the color filter array <NUM>, a color separating lens array <NUM> on the spacer layer <NUM>, and an anti-reflection element <NUM> provided on the color separating lens array <NUM>.

The sensor substrate <NUM> may include a first pixel <NUM>, a second pixel <NUM>, a third pixel <NUM>, a fourth pixel <NUM> that convert light into electrical signals, and pixel isolation films <NUM> provided between the first to fourth pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first pixel <NUM> and the second pixel <NUM> may be alternately arranged in the first direction (X direction). In a cross-section as shown in <FIG>, which is cut along at a location different from <FIG>, the third pixel <NUM> and the fourth pixel <NUM> may be alternately arranged in the first direction (X direction). The third pixel <NUM> and the first pixel <NUM> may be sequentially arranged in the second direction (Y direction). The fourth pixel <NUM> and the second pixel <NUM> may be sequentially arranged in the second direction (Y direction). In an example embodiment, the first to fourth photosensitive cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be arranged in the Bayer pattern as shown in <FIG>. For example, the first and fourth pixels <NUM> and <NUM> may sense green light, the second pixel <NUM> may sense blue light, and the third pixel <NUM> may sense red light. Two green pixels, e.g., the first pixel <NUM> and the fourth pixel <NUM>, are arranged in one diagonal direction, and the blue pixel and the red pixel, e.g., the second pixel <NUM> and the third pixel <NUM>, may be arranged in another diagonal direction in a unit pattern of a <NUM>×<NUM> array.

The pixel isolation films <NUM> separate the first to fourth photosensitive cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> from one another to prevent generation of cross talk among the first to fourth photosensitive cells <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The pixel isolation film <NUM> may extend from an upper surface of the sensor substrate <NUM> to a lower surface of the sensor substrate <NUM> in a third direction (Z direction).

The color filter array <NUM> may be on the sensor substrate <NUM>. The color filter array <NUM> may include a first color filter <NUM> on the first pixel <NUM>, a second color filter <NUM> on the second pixel <NUM>, a third color filter <NUM> on the third pixel <NUM>, and a fourth color filter <NUM> on the fourth pixel <NUM>. For example, the first color filter <NUM> and the fourth color filter <NUM> may be green color filters that transmit only the green light, the second color filter <NUM> may be a blue color filter that transmit only the blue light, and the third color filter <NUM> may be a red color filter that transmit only the red light. The light is then substantially color-separated by the color separating lens array <NUM> and proceed toward the first to fourth pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which will be described later. Accordingly, there may be a little light loss even when the color filter array <NUM> is used. When the color filter array <NUM> is used, a color purity of the image sensor <NUM> may be further improved. However, the color filter array <NUM> is not an essential element, and may be omitted provided that a color separating efficiency of the color separating lens array <NUM> is sufficiently high.

The spacer layer <NUM> is disposed between the sensor substrate <NUM> and the color separating lens array <NUM> to maintain a distance between the sensor substrate <NUM> and the color separating lens array <NUM> constant. The spacer layer <NUM> may include a material transparent with respect to the visible ray, for example, a dielectric material having a lower refractive index than that of nanoposts NP of the color separating lens array <NUM> that will be described later and having a low absorption coefficient in the visible ray band, e.g., SiO<NUM>, siloxane-based spin on glass (SOG), etc. A thickness <NUM> of the spacer layer <NUM> may be determined based on a focal distance of the light condensed by the color separating lens array <NUM>, for example, may be about <NUM>/<NUM> of a focal distance of the light of a reference wavelength λ<NUM>. A focal distance f of the reference wavelength light λ<NUM> condensed by the color separating lens array <NUM> may be expressed by equation <NUM> below, wherein n denotes a refractive index of the spacer layer <NUM> with respect to the reference wavelength λ<NUM> and p denotes a pitch between pixels.

Assuming that the reference wavelength λ<NUM> is <NUM>, e.g., green light, the pitch of the pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is <NUM>, and a refractive index n of the spacer layer <NUM> at the wavelength of <NUM> is <NUM>, the focal distance f of the green light, that is, a distance between a lower surface of the color separating lens array <NUM> and a point where the green light is converged, is about <NUM> and a thickness <NUM> of the spacer layer <NUM> may be about <NUM>. In another example, assuming that the reference wavelength λ<NUM> is <NUM>, e.g., green light, the pitch of the pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is <NUM>, and a refractive index n of the spacer layer <NUM> at the wavelength of <NUM> is <NUM>, the focal distance f of the green light is about <NUM> and the thickness <NUM> of the spacer layer <NUM> may be about <NUM>. In other words, the thickness <NUM> of the spacer layer <NUM> described above may be about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the pixel pitch when the pixel pitch is about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and may be about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the pixel pitch when the pixel pitch is about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The color separating lens array <NUM> is supported by the spacer layer <NUM>, and may include nanoposts NP that change a phase of incident light and a peripheral material layer PM surrounding the nanoposts NP. The peripheral material layer PM may include a dielectric material having a lower refractive index than that of the nanoposts NP, e.g., air or SiO<NUM>. The color separating lens array <NUM> will be described later.

The anti-reflection element <NUM> is provided on the color separating lens array <NUM>. The anti-reflection element <NUM> includes a high-refractive index film <NUM> and low-refractive index patterns <NUM> on the high-refractive index film <NUM>. The high-refractive index film <NUM> may include a material having a higher refractive index than that of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. For example, the high-refractive index film <NUM> may include at least one of AlO, SiN, and HfO, and the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may include SiO<NUM>. In an example embodiment, the high-refractive index film <NUM> may function as an etch stop layer during the process of forming the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. In detail, when the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> are formed by patterning a low-refractive index material film deposited on the high-refractive index film <NUM>, the high-refractive index film <NUM> may function as an etch stop layer in the patterning process on the low-refractive index material film.

A thickness of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be greater than that of the high-refractive index film <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the thickness of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the thickness of the high-refractive index film <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>. For example, the thickness of the high-refractive index film <NUM> may be about <NUM>, and the thickness of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be about <NUM>. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be arranged on the high-refractive index film <NUM>. For example, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be arranged in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). However, one or more embodiments are not limited to the above example. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be variously arranged. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a column shape. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a square column shape or a circular column shape. However, one or more embodiments are not limited to the above example. In another example, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a polygonal column shape (e.g., a triangular column shape or a pentagonal column shape), rather than the square column shape.

An effective refractive index of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be substantially equal to a square root of the effective refractive index of the color separating lens array <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the effective refractive index of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be defined by a fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. The fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may denote a ratio of a width 152w of the low-refractive index pattern <NUM> to an arrangement period 152p of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. For example, when the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> are in contact with one another, the fill factor is <NUM>. For example, when the width 152w of the low-refractive index pattern <NUM> is half the arrangement period 152p of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>, the fill factor is <NUM>.

The effective refractive index of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be less than an effective refractive index of a low-refractive index material layer that is not patterned. As described above, the effective refractive index of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be determined by the fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. For example, the effective refractive index of the color separating lens array <NUM> may be about <NUM>. In this case, the fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be determined as about <NUM> that is the square root of the effective refractive index, e.g., <NUM>, of the low-refractive index material layer that is not patterned. For example, when the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> are SiO<NUM> patterns, a SiO<NUM> layer that has an effective refractive index of about <NUM> and is not patterned may be patterned to form the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> having the fill factor of about <NUM> (that is, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> remaining after removing about half of an SiO<NUM> layer that is not patterned). However, in an example embodiment, the fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may vary depending on its position, as described later.

<FIG> is a graph for describing an effect of an anti-reflection element according to an example embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, first, second, third, and fourth graphs with respect to reflectivity of an anti-reflection element are shown. The first graph (reference) denotes a reflectivity when, instead of using the spacer layer <NUM>, the color separating lens array <NUM>, and the anti-reflection element <NUM>, a micro-lens array is applied on the color filter array <NUM> in the pixel array <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The second graph (No AR) denotes a reflectivity when the anti-reflection element <NUM> is not provided in the pixel array <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The third graph (<NUM> flat layer) denotes a reflectivity when the anti-reflection element <NUM> includes a low-refractive index material film stacked on the high-refractive index film <NUM>, instead of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>, in the pixel array <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Here, the high-refractive index film <NUM> was an AlO layer of a <NUM> thickness and the low-refractive index material film was a SiO<NUM> layer of a <NUM> thickness. The fourth graph (2D patterned) denotes a reflectivity when the high-refractive index film <NUM> has a thickness of <NUM> and the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> have a thickness of <NUM> in the pixel array <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In a wavelength band of <NUM> to <NUM>, average reflectivities of the first to fourth graphs were <NUM> %, <NUM> %, <NUM> %, and <NUM> %. Therefore, according to the disclosure, the pixel array <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> having the low reflectivity and improved quantum efficiency in the visible ray band may be provided.

Hereinafter, the color separating lens array <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a plan view showing an arrangement of pixels in a pixel array according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a plan view showing an example of arrangement of a plurality of nanoposts in a plurality of regions of a color separating lens array according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a plan view showing a partially enlarged view of <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> are plan views showing examples of other various types of a color separating lens array according to example embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the color separating lens array <NUM> may be partitioned into four pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> corresponding to the pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, a first pixel corresponding region <NUM> corresponds to the first pixel <NUM> and may be on the first pixel <NUM> in the third direction (Z direction), a second pixel corresponding region <NUM> corresponds to the second pixel <NUM> and may be on the second pixel <NUM> in the third direction (Z direction), a third pixel corresponding region <NUM> corresponds to the third pixel <NUM> and may be on the third pixel <NUM> in the third direction (Z direction), and a fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> corresponds to the fourth pixel <NUM> and may be on the fourth pixel <NUM> in the third direction (Z direction). That is, the first to fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the color separating lens array <NUM> may be arranged to face the corresponding first to fourth pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the sensor substrate <NUM> in the third direction (Z direction). The first to fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be two-dimensionally arranged such that a first row in which the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> are alternately arranged in the first direction (X direction) and a second row in which the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> are alternately arranged in the first direction (X direction) are alternately repeated in the second direction (Y direction). The color separating lens array <NUM> includes a plurality of unit patterns that are two-dimensionally arranged like the pixel array of the sensor substrate <NUM>, and each of the unit patterns includes the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> arranged in a 2x2 array.

In an example, the color separating lens array <NUM> may be partitioned as a green light condensing region for condensing the green light, a blue light condensing region for condensing the blue light, and a red light condensing region for condensing the red light. For example, the color separating lens array <NUM> may include the nanoposts NP, of which sizes, shapes, intervals, and/or arrangements are defined, such that the green light is separately condensed to the first and fourth pixels <NUM> and <NUM>, the blue light is separately condensed to the second pixel <NUM>, and the red light is separately condensed to the third pixel <NUM>. In addition, a thickness of the color separating lens array <NUM> in a third direction (Z direction) may be similar to heights of the nanoposts NP, and may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The first to fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include the nanoposts NP having cylindrical shapes each having a circular cross-section. In a center portion of each region, the nanoposts NP having different cross-sectional areas are arranged, and the nanoposts NP may be also arranged at the center on a boundary between pixels and a crossing point between the pixel boundaries.

<FIG> shows the arrangement of the nanoposts NP included in partial regions of <FIG>, that is, the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the unit pattern. In <FIG>, the nanoposts NP are indicated by <NUM> to <NUM> according to sizes of the cross-section of the unit pattern. Referring to <FIG>, from among the nanoposts NP, a nanopost <NUM> having the largest cross-sectional area is at the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM>, and a nanopost <NUM> having the smallest cross-sectional area may be arranged around the nanopost <NUM> and a nanopost <NUM> in the second and third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> and at centers of the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM>. However, one or more embodiments are not limited to the above example, and depending on an embodiment, the nanoposts NP having various shapes, sizes, and arrangement may be applied.

The nanoposts NP included in the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> may have different distribution rules in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). For example, the nanoposts NP arranged in the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> may have different size arrangement in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). As shown in <FIG>, from among the nanoposts NP, a cross-sectional area of a nanopost <NUM> located at a boundary between the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> that is adjacent to the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) may be different (e.g., different in size) from that of the nanopost <NUM> located at a boundary between the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> that is adjacent to the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the second direction (Y direction). Likewise, a cross-sectional area of the nanopost <NUM> located at a boundary between the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> that is adjacent to the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) may be different from that of the nanopost <NUM> located at a boundary between the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> that is adjacent to the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the second direction (Y direction).

On the other hand, the nanoposts NP arranged in the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> may have symmetrical arrangement rules along the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). As shown in <FIG>, from among the nanoposts NP, the cross-sectional areas of the nanoposts <NUM> at a boundary between the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> and adjacent pixels in the first direction (X direction) and the cross-sectional areas of the nanoposts <NUM> at a boundary between the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the adjacent pixels in the second direction (Y direction) may be the same (e.g., the same size) as each other, and in the third pixel corresponding region <NUM>, the cross-sectional areas of the nanoposts <NUM> at a boundary between adjacent pixels in the first direction (X direction) and the cross-sectional areas of the nanoposts <NUM> at a boundary between the adjacent pixels in the second direction (Y direction) may be the same as each other.

The above distribution is based on the pixel arrangement in the Bayer pattern. Pixels adjacent to the second pixel <NUM> and the third pixel <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction) are the same, e.g., the green pixels. However, a pixel adjacent to the first pixel <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) is a blue pixel and a pixel adjacent to the first pixel <NUM> in the second direction (Y direction) is a red pixel, and a pixel adjacent to the fourth pixel <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) is a red pixel and a pixel adjacent to the fourth pixel <NUM> in the second direction (Y direction) is a blue pixel. In addition, adjacent pixels to the first and fourth pixels <NUM> and <NUM> in two diagonal directions are green pixels, adjacent pixels to the second pixel <NUM> in the two diagonal directions are the red pixels, and adjacent pixels to the third pixel <NUM> in the two diagonal directions are the blue pixels. Therefore, in the second and third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM>, the nanoposts NP are arranged in a four-fold symmetry, and in the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM>, the nanoposts NP may be arranged in a two-fold symmetry. In particular, the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> are rotated by <NUM>° angle with respect to each other.

The nanoposts NP may be arranged in other various arrangements than those of <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, <FIG> shows another arrangement of the nanoposts NP in the first to fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the color separating lens array <NUM>. The principles of arranging the nanoposts NP described above may be also applied to the first to fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the color separating lens array <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The plurality of nanoposts NP have symmetrical circular cross-sectional shapes in <FIG>. However, some nanoposts having asymmetrical cross-sectional shapes or polygonal cross-sectional shapes may be included. For example, the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> may adopt the nanoposts having asymmetrical cross-sections, each of which has different widths in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction), and the second and third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> may adopt the nanoposts having symmetrical cross-sections, each of which has the same widths in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). The arrangement rule of the nanoposts NP is an example, and is not limited thereto.

The color separating lens array <NUM> shown in <FIG> is an example, and the color separating lens arrays of various shapes may be obtained through the above-described optimized design according to the size and thickness of the color separating lens array, a color characteristic, the pixel pitch of the image sensor to which the color separating lens array is to be applied, a distance between the color separating lens array and the image sensor, an incident angle of the incident light, etc. Also, the color separating lens array may be implemented by other various patterns, instead of the nanoposts.

<FIG> and <FIG> are plan views showing examples of various types of a color separating lens array according to example embodiments. For example, each of first to fourth pixel corresponding regions 131a, 132a, 133a, and 134a in a color separating lens array 130a shown in <FIG> is optimized in a digitalized binary form of 16x16 rectangular arrays, and the unit pattern of <FIG> has a shape of 32x32 rectangular arrays. As another example, each of first to fourth pixel corresponding regions 131b, 132b, 133b, and 134b in a color separating lens array 130b shown in <FIG> may be optimized in a non-digitalized continuous curve shape.

<FIG> is a diagram showing phase profiles of green light and blue light that have passed through a color separating lens array <NUM> along line I-I' of <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram showing phases of green light at centers of the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the green light passing through the color separating lens array <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing phases of blue light at centers of the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the blue light passing through the color separating lens array <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the green light that has passed through the color separating lens array <NUM> may have a first green light phase profile PPG1 that is the largest at the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and is reduced away from the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM>. In detail, immediately after passing through the color separating lens array <NUM>, that is, at a lower surface of the color separating lens array <NUM> or an upper surface of the spacer layer <NUM>, the phase of the green light is the largest at the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and reduced as a concentric circle away from the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM>. Thus, the phase is the smallest at the centers of the second and third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> in the X and Y directions, and at contact points between the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the diagonal direction.

When a phase of the green light is set as 2π based on the phase of light emitted from the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM>, the light having a phase of about <NUM>. 9π to about <NUM>. 1π may be emitted from the centers of the second and third corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM>, and the green light having a phase of about <NUM>. 1π to about <NUM>. 5π may be emitted from a contact point between the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM>. Therefore, a difference between the phase of the green light that has passed through the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the phase of the green light that has passed through the centers of the second and third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> may be about <NUM>. 9π to about <NUM>.

In addition, the first green light phase profile PPG1 does not denote that the phase delay amount of the light that has passed through the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> is the largest, but when the phase of light that has passed through the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> is set to 2π and a phase delay amount of the light that has passed through another point is greater and has a phase value of 2π or greater, the first green light phase profile PPG1 may denote a value remaining after subtracting 2nπ, that is, wrapped phase profile. For example, when the phase of light that has passed through the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> is 2π and the phase of light that has passed through the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> is 3π, the phase in the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> may be remaining π after subtracting 2π (n=<NUM>) from 3π.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the blue light that has passed through the color separating lens array <NUM> may have a blue light phase profile PPB that is the largest at the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> and is reduced away from the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM>. In detail, immediately after passing through the color separating lens array <NUM>, the phase of the blue light is the largest at the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> and reduced as a concentric circle away from the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM>, the phase is the smallest at the centers of the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction) and the smallest at the center of the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the diagonal direction. When the phase of the blue light at the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> is 2π, the phase at the centers of the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> may be about, for example, about <NUM>. 9π to about <NUM>. 1π, and the phase at the center of the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> may be less than that at the centers of the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, about <NUM>. 5π to about <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a proceeding direction of green light incident on a first green light condensing region according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram showing an array of a first green light condensing region according to an example embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the green light incident on the vicinity of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> is condensed to the first pixel <NUM> by the color separating lens array <NUM>, and the green light from the second and third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM>, in addition to the first pixel corresponding region <NUM>, is also incident on the first pixel <NUM>. That is, according to the phase profile of the green light described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the green light that has passed through a first green light condensing region GL1 that is obtained by connecting centers of two second pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and two third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> that are adjacent to the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> is condensed onto the first pixel <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the color separating lens array <NUM> may operate as a first green light condensing region GL1 array for condensing the green light onto the first pixel <NUM>. The first green light condensing region GL1 may have a greater area than that of the corresponding first pixel <NUM>, e.g., may be <NUM> times to two times greater than that of the first pixel <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a proceeding direction of blue light incident on a blue light condensing region according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram showing an array of a blue light condensing region according to an example embodiment.

The blue light is condensed onto the second pixel <NUM> by the color separating lens array <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and the blue light from the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is incident on the second pixel <NUM>. In the phase profile of the blue light described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the blue light that has passed through a blue light condensing region BL that is obtained by connecting centers of four third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> adjacent to the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> at apexes is condensed onto the second pixel <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the color separating lens array <NUM> may operate as a blue light condensing region array for condensing the blue light to the second pixel <NUM>. The blue light condensing region BL has an area greater than that of the second pixel <NUM>, e.g., may be <NUM> to <NUM> times greater. The blue light condensing region BL may partially overlap the first green light condensing region GL1 described above, and a second green light condensing region GL2 and a red light condensing region RL.

<FIG> is a diagram showing phase profiles of red light and green light that have passed through a color separating lens array <NUM> along line II-II' of <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram showing phases of red light at centers of the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the red light passing through the color separating lens array <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing phases of green light at centers of the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the green light passing through the color separating lens array <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the red light that has passed through the color separating lens array <NUM> may have a red light phase profile PPR that is the largest at the center of the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> and is reduced away from the center of the third pixel corresponding region <NUM>. In detail, immediately after passing through the color separating lens array <NUM>, the phase of the red light is the largest at the center of the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> and reduced as a concentric circle away from the center of the third pixel corresponding region <NUM>, the phase is the smallest at the centers of the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction) and the smallest at the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the diagonal direction. When the phase of the red light at the center of the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> is 2π, the phase at the centers of the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> may be about, for example, about <NUM>. 9π to about <NUM>. 1π, and the phase at the center of the second pixel corresponding region <NUM> may be less than that at the centers of the first and fourth pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, about <NUM>. 6π to about <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the green light that has passed through the color separating lens array <NUM> may have a second green light phase profile PPG2 that is the largest at the center of the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> and is reduced away from the center of the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM>. When comparing the first green light phase profile PPG1 of <FIG> with the second green light phase profile PPG2 of <FIG>, the second green light phase profile PPG2 is obtained by moving the first green light phase profile PPG1 by one-pixel pitch in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). That is, the first green light phase profile PPG1 has the largest phase at the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM>, but the second green light phase profile PPG2 has the largest phase at the center of the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> that is apart by one-pixel pitch from the center of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). The phase profiles in <FIG> and <FIG> showing the phases at the centers of the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be the same as each other. Regarding the phase profile of the green light based on the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM>, when the phase of the green light emitted from the center of the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> is set as 2π, the light having the phase of about <NUM>. 9π to about <NUM>. 1π may be emitted from the centers of the second and third pixel corresponding regions <NUM> and <NUM> and the light having the phase of about <NUM>. 1π to about <NUM>. 5π may be emitted from the contact point between the first pixel corresponding region <NUM> and the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a proceeding direction of red light incident on a red light condensing region according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram showing an array of a red light condensing region. <FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a proceeding direction of green light incident on a second green light condensing region according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram showing an array of a second green light condensing region according to an example embodiment.

The red light is condensed onto the third pixel <NUM> by the color separating lens array <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and the red light from the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is incident on the third pixel <NUM>. In the phase profile of the red light described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the red light that has passed through a red light condensing region RL that is obtained by connecting centers of four second pixel corresponding regions <NUM> adjacent to the third pixel corresponding region <NUM> at apexes is condensed onto the third pixel <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the color separating lens array <NUM> may operate as a red light condensing region array for condensing the red light to the third pixel <NUM>. The red light condensing region RL has an area greater than that of the third pixel <NUM>, e.g., may be <NUM> to <NUM> times greater. The red light condensing region RL may partially overlap the first and second green light condensing regions GL1 and GL2 and the blue light condensing region BL.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the green light incident on the vicinity of the fourth pixel corresponding region <NUM> proceeds similarly to the green light incident on the vicinity of the first pixel corresponding region <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, the green light is condensed onto the fourth pixel <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the color separating lens array <NUM> may operate as a second green light condensing region array for condensing the green light onto the fourth pixel <NUM>. The second green light condensing region GL2 may have a greater area than that of the corresponding fourth pixel <NUM>, e.g., may be <NUM> times to twice greater.

The color separating lens array <NUM> satisfying the above phase profile and performance described above may be automatically designed through various types of computer simulations. For example, the structures of the pixel corresponding regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be optimized through a nature-inspired algorithm such as a genetic algorithm, a particle swarm optimization algorithm, an ant colony optimization algorithm, etc., or a reverse design based on an adjoint optimization algorithm.

The structures of the green, blue, and red pixel corresponding regions may be optimized while evaluating performances of a plurality of candidate color separating lens arrays based on evaluation factors such as color separation spectrum, optical efficiency, signal-to-noise ratio, etc. when designing the color separating lens array. For example, the structures of the green, blue, and red pixel corresponding regions may be optimized in a manner such that a target numerical value of each evaluation factor is determined in advance and the sum of the differences between the target numerical values of a plurality of evaluation factors is reduced. Alternatively, the performance may be indexed for each evaluation factor, and the structures of the green, blue, and red pixel corresponding regions may be optimized in a manner such that a value representing the performance may be maximized.

In addition, at least one or all of the first to fourth pixels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the pixel array <NUM> may include two or more independent photosensitive cells, and two or more photosensitive cells included in one pixel may share the condensing region of the color separating lens array <NUM>. When a plurality of photosensitive cells that may independently sense light are included in one pixel, a resolution of the image sensor <NUM> may be improved. In addition, an auto-focusing function of the image sensor <NUM> and/or a camera device including the image sensor <NUM> may be implemented by using differences among signals obtained from the photosensitive cells.

For example, a phase-detection auto-focusing method implements an auto-focusing function by using a difference between intensities of light respectively incident on two independent photosensitive cells in one pixel. For example, when a focus of a lens assembly of a camera is exactly located on a surface of the pixel array <NUM>, light beams that respectively pass through opposite edges of the lens assembly are collected on one point on the surface of the pixel array <NUM>. Then, the intensities of the light respectively incident on the two independent photosensitive cells in one pixel are equal to each other. However, when the focus of the lens assembly of the camera is not located on the surface of the pixel array <NUM>, the light beam that has passed through one edge of the lens assembly is incident on each pixel in the pixel array <NUM>, more than the light beam that has passed through another edge. Also, in this case, the incident angle of the light beam incident on each pixel in the pixel array <NUM> may be more inclined than a chief ray angle (CRA). Then, the intensities of the light respectively incident on the two independent photosensitive cells in one pixel are different from each other. Therefore, the auto-focusing function may be implemented by comparing two focusing signals obtained respectively from two independent photosensitive cells in one pixel.

In the above phase difference-detection auto-focusing method, the auto-focusing performance may be improved as a contrast ratio between two focusing signals increases. To improve the auto-focusing performance in the image sensor <NUM> including the color separating lens array <NUM>, a direction in which the photosensitive cells are arranged may be optimized to increase the contrast ratio of the auto-focusing signals with respect to each pixel.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing an example structure of a pixel array at a center portion of a pixel array according to an example embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing an example structure of a pixel array at a boundary portion of a pixel array according to an example embodiment. For the brevity of description, differences from the pixel array described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> will be described below.

Referring to <FIG>, at the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>, the light is perpendicularly incident on a surface of the pixel array <NUM> at a CRA of <NUM>°. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a first width 152w. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> are arranged with a first period 152p and may have a first fill factor.

Referring to <FIG>, at the edge portion of the image sensor <NUM>, the light may be obliquely incident on the surface of the pixel array <NUM> at the CRA that is greater than <NUM>°. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a second width 152w. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> are arranged with a second period 152p that is greater than the first period 152p and may have a second fill factor that is greater than the first fill factor.

<FIG> are reflectivity graphs according to a period of low-refractive index patterns and a fill factor described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a reflectivity graph when the CRA is <NUM>° (<FIG>), a reflectivity graph when the CRA is <NUM>° (<FIG>), and a reflectivity graph when the CRA is <NUM>° (<FIG>) are shown. A circle with dashed line denotes a portion having the lowest reflectivity. When the CRA is <NUM>°, for example, the incident light may be incident on the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>. When the CRA is <NUM>°, for example, the incident light may be incident on a first edge of the pixel array <NUM>. When the CRA is <NUM>°, for example, the incident light may be incident on a second edge of the pixel array <NUM>, which is farther from the center portion than the first edge of the pixel array <NUM> is.

The arrangement period and the fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> which allow the reflectivity to be the lowest when the CRA is <NUM>° may be greater than those of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> which allow the reflectivity to be the lowest when the CRA is <NUM>°. The arrangement period and the fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> which allow the reflectivity to be the lowest when the CRA is <NUM>° may be greater than those of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> which allow the reflectivity to be the lowest when the CRA is <NUM>°. That is, as the CRA is increased, the period and the fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>, which make the reflectivity to be the lowest, may be increased.

In an example embodiment, the CRA at the center portion of the pixel array <NUM> is <NUM>°, and the CRA may increase away from the center portion. Therefore, the arrangement period and the fill factor of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> are set to be increased away from the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>, and thus, the pixel array <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> having low reflectivity and improved quantum efficiency may be provided.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a pixel array in an image sensor according to an example embodiment. For the brevity of description, differences from the pixel array described above with reference to <FIG> will be described below.

Referring to <FIG>, unlike the example shown in <FIG>, the anti-reflection element <NUM> may be provided between the color filter array <NUM> and the spacer layer <NUM>. The anti-reflection element <NUM> may further include gap-fill patterns <NUM> filled among the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. The refractive index of the gap-fill patterns <NUM> may have a value between the refractive index of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> and the refractive index of the high-refractive index film <NUM>.

The anti-reflection element <NUM> of the present embodiment may be also applied to the pixel array <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

According to the disclosure, the pixel array <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> having the low reflectivity and improved quantum efficiency may be provided.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a pixel array in an image sensor according to an example embodiment. <FIG> and <FIG> are plan views showing examples of an anti-reflection element of <FIG>. For the brevity of description, differences from the pixel array described above with reference to <FIG> will be described below.

Referring to <FIG>, unlike the example shown in <FIG>, the anti-reflection element <NUM> may include a low-refractive index layer <NUM> including anti-reflection holes <NUM>, instead of the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. The low-refractive index layer <NUM> may include a material having a lower refractive index than that of the high-refractive index film <NUM>. For example, the low-refractive index layer <NUM> may include SiO<NUM>. A thickness of the low-refractive index layer <NUM> may be greater than that of the high-refractive index film <NUM>. For example, the thickness of the high-refractive index film <NUM> may be about <NUM>, and the thickness of the low-refractive index layer <NUM> may be about <NUM>.

The anti-reflection holes <NUM> may penetrate through the low-refractive index layer <NUM>. The anti-reflection holes <NUM> may expose the high-refractive index film <NUM>. The anti-reflection holes <NUM> may be arranged on the high-refractive index film <NUM>. The anti-reflection holes <NUM> may be arranged in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). However, one or more embodiments are not limited to the above example. The arrangement type of the anti-reflection holes <NUM> may be determined as appropriate. The anti-reflection holes <NUM> may each have a column shape. For example, the anti-reflection holes <NUM> may each have a square column shape as shown in <FIG> or a circular column shape as shown in <FIG>. However, one or more embodiments are not limited to the above example. In another example embodiment, the anti-reflection holes <NUM> may each have a polygonal column shape (e.g., a triangular column shape or a pentagonal column shape), rather than the square column shape.

An effective refractive index of the low-refractive index layer <NUM> may be substantially equal to a square root of the effective refractive index of the color separating lens array <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the effective refractive index of the low-refractive index layer <NUM> may be defined by the fill factor of the anti-reflection holes <NUM>. The fill factor of the anti-reflection holes <NUM> may denote a ratio of a width 154w of the anti-reflection hole <NUM> to the arrangement period 154p of the anti-reflection holes <NUM>. As an area occupied by the anti-reflection holes <NUM> in the low-refractive index layer <NUM> increases, the fill factor of the anti-reflection holes <NUM> may increase.

The effective refractive index of the low-refractive index layer <NUM> may be less than an effective refractive index of the low-refractive index material layer that is not patterned. As described above, the effective refractive index of the low-refractive index layer <NUM> may be determined by the fill factor of the anti-reflection holes <NUM>. For example, the effective refractive index of the color separating lens array <NUM> may be about <NUM>. In this case, the fill factor of the anti-reflection holes <NUM> may be determined as about <NUM> that is the square root of the effective refractive index, e.g., <NUM>, of the low-refractive index material layer that is not patterned. For example, when the low-refractive index layer <NUM> includes SiO<NUM>, a SiO<NUM> layer having an effective refractive index of about <NUM> is patterned to form the anti-reflection holes <NUM> having the fill factor of about <NUM> (that is, the low-refractive index layer <NUM> remaining after removing about half the SiO<NUM> layer that is not patterned). However, in an example embodiment, the fill factor of the anti-reflection holes <NUM> may vary depending on the position thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, unlike the example of <FIG>, low-refractive index patterns <NUM> of the anti-reflection element <NUM> may be aligned with adjacent nanoposts NP in the third direction (Z direction), respectively. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may have substantially the same shapes as those of the nanoposts NP. For example, when the nanoposts NP have the circular column shapes, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a circular column shape having the same cross-sectional area as that of a corresponding nanopost NP. In an example embodiment, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be formed by using an etching mask that is used in the process of forming the nanoposts NP. When the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> and the nanoposts NP are formed by using the same etching mask, processing costs (or processing unit price) required when an additional etching mask is used may be reduced. The anti-reflection element <NUM> of the present embodiment may be also applied to the pixel array <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, unlike the example of <FIG>, low-refractive index patterns <NUM> of the anti-reflection element <NUM> may be aligned with adjacent nanoposts NP in the third direction (Z direction), respectively. The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may have substantially the same shapes as those of the nanoposts NP. For example, when the nanoposts NP have the circular column shapes, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a circular column shape having the same cross-sectional area as that of a corresponding nanopost NP. In an example embodiment, the nanoposts NP may be formed by using an etching mask that is used in the process of forming the low-refractive index patterns <NUM>. When the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> and the nanoposts NP are formed by using the same etching mask, processing costs (or processing unit price) required when an additional etching mask is used may be reduced.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, unlike the example shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the color separating lens array <NUM> may include a lower array 130a and an upper array 130b that is provided on the lower array 130a. Each of the lower array 130a and the upper array 130b may include the nanoposts NP that change the phase of incident light and a peripheral material layer PM surrounding the nanoposts NP. The peripheral material layer PM may include a dielectric material having a lower refractive index than that of the nanoposts NP, e.g., air or SiO<NUM>. In an example embodiment, the lower array 130a and the upper array 130b may be equal to each other. In an example embodiment, each of the lower array 130a and the lower array 130b may be substantially the same as the color separating lens array <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the nanoposts NP of the lower array 130a and the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b may be aligned with each other in the third direction (Z direction) in the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>. The nanoposts NP of the lower array 130a and the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b may have substantially the same shapes. For example, when the nanoposts NP of the lower array 130a have the circular column shapes, the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b may each have the circular column shape having the same cross-sectional area as that of corresponding nanopost NP of the lower array 130a. Color filters <NUM> and <NUM> and corresponding pixels <NUM> and <NUM> may be aligned with each other in the third direction (Z direction) on the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>. In other words, the first color filter <NUM> and the second color filter <NUM> may be respectively aligned with the first pixel <NUM> and the second pixel <NUM> in the third direction (Z direction). Although not shown in the drawings, a third color filter <NUM> and a fourth color filter <NUM> may be aligned with the third pixel <NUM> and the fourth pixel <NUM> corresponding thereto in the third direction (Z direction), on the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the lower array 130a and the upper array 130b may be shifted toward the center portion of the pixel array <NUM> at the edge of the pixel array <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the upper array 130b may be further shifted toward the center portion of the pixel array <NUM> than the lower array 130a. Accordingly, the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130a and the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b may be arranged in the third direction (Z direction) to be deviated from each other. In other words, the nanoposts NP of the lower array 130a and the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b may not be aligned with each other in the third direction (Z direction). The color filter array <NUM> may be shifted toward the center portion of the pixel array <NUM> at the edge of the pixel array <NUM>. Accordingly, the color filters <NUM> and <NUM> and the corresponding pixels <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged in the third direction (Z direction) to be deviated from each other. In other words, the color filters <NUM> and <NUM> and the corresponding pixels <NUM> and <NUM> may not be aligned with each other in the third direction (Z direction).

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, unlike the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, the anti-reflection element <NUM> and the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be aligned with the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b in the third direction (Z direction). The low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may have substantially the same shapes as those of the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b. For example, when the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b have the circular column shapes, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may each have a circular column shape having the same cross-sectional area as that of a corresponding nanopost NP. In an example embodiment, the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> may be formed by using an etching mask that is used in the process of forming the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b. When the low-refractive index patterns <NUM> and the nanoposts NP of the upper array 130b are formed by using the same etching mask, processing costs (or processing unit price) required when an additional etching mask is used may be reduced.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, unlike the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, the sensor substrate <NUM> may further include cell isolation films <NUM> for separating adjacent photosensitive cells from each other. The cell isolation film <NUM> may have a height that is less than that of the pixel isolation layer <NUM>. For example, the height of the cell isolation film <NUM> may be about <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> of the height of the pixel isolation layer <NUM>. The cell isolation film <NUM> may extend in the third direction (Z direction) from the upper surface of the sensor substrate <NUM> to an intermediate portion in a light transferring layer <NUM> of the sensor substrate <NUM>. The cell isolation film <NUM> may further improve a contrast ratio of an automatic focusing signal by reducing the crosstalk between adjacent photosensitive cells. However, the cell isolation film <NUM> may absorb and/or reflect the light and generate loss of light, and thus, may be omitted in an embodiment. For example, in the third pixel <NUM> that is the red pixel having a relatively low quantum efficiency, the cell isolation film <NUM> may not be arranged.

As shown in <FIG>, the cell isolation film <NUM> may be located at the center of each pixel on the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>. For example, in the first pixel <NUM> located at the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>, the cell isolation film <NUM> may be located to pass through the center of the first pixel <NUM>, and in the second pixel <NUM> located at the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>, the cell isolation film <NUM> may be located to pass through the center of the second pixel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cell isolation film <NUM> in each pixel located at the edge of the pixel array <NUM> may be shifted toward the center portion of the pixel array <NUM>. Accordingly, the cell isolation film <NUM> may be located at the edge of each pixel, on the edge portion of the pixel array <NUM>. In an example embodiment, a degree of deviating the cell isolation film <NUM> from the center of each pixel at the edge portion of the pixel array <NUM> may be increased as the CRA increases.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of an electronic apparatus ED01 including the image sensor <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, in a network environment ED00, the electronic apparatus ED01 may communicate with another electronic apparatus ED02 via a first network ED98 (short-range wireless communication network, etc.), or may communicate with another electronic apparatus ED04 and/or a server ED08 via a second network ED99 (long-range wireless communication network, etc.) The electronic apparatus ED01 may communicate with the electronic apparatus ED04 via the server ED08. The electronic apparatus ED01 may include a processor ED20, a memory ED30, an input device ED50, a sound output device ED55, a display device ED60, an audio module ED70, a sensor module ED76, an interface ED77, a haptic module ED79, a camera module ED80, a power management module ED88, a battery ED89, a communication module ED90, a subscriber identification module ED96, and/or an antenna module ED97. In the electronic apparatus ED01, some (display device ED60, etc.) of the elements may be omitted or another element may be added. Some of the elements may be configured as one integrated circuit. For example, the sensor module ED76 (a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc.) may be embedded and implemented in the display device ED60 (display, etc.).

The processor ED20 may control one or more elements (hardware, software elements, etc.) of the electronic apparatus ED01 connected to the processor ED20 by executing software (program ED40, etc.), and may perform various data processes or operations. As a part of the data processing or operations, the processor ED20 may load a command and/or data received from another element (sensor module ED76, communication module ED90, etc.) to a volatile memory ED32, may process the command and/or data stored in the volatile memory ED32, and may store result data in a non-volatile memory ED34. The processor ED20 may include a main processor ED21 (central processing unit, application processor, etc.) and an auxiliary processor ED23 (graphic processing unit, image signal processor, sensor hub processor, communication processor, etc.) that may be operated independently from or along with the main processor ED21. The auxiliary processor ED23 may use less power than that of the main processor ED21, and may perform specified functions.

The auxiliary processor ED23, on behalf of the main processor ED21 while the main processor ED21 is in an inactive state (sleep state) or along with the main processor ED21 while the main processor ED21 is in an active state (application executed state), may control functions and/or states related to some (display device ED60, sensor module ED76, communication module ED90, etc.) of the elements in the electronic apparatus ED01. The auxiliary processor ED23 (image signal processor, communication processor, etc.) may be implemented as a part of another element (camera module ED80, communication module ED90, etc.) that is functionally related thereto.

The memory ED30 may store various data required by the elements (processor ED20, sensor module ED76, etc.) of the electronic apparatus ED01. The data may include, for example, input data and/or output data about software (program ED40, etc.) and commands related thereto. The memory ED30 may include the volatile memory ED32 and/or the non-volatile memory ED34. The non-volatile memory ED34 may include an internal memory ED36 fixedly installed in the electronic apparatus ED01, and an external memory ED38 that is detachable.

The program ED40 may be stored as software in the memory ED30, and may include an operation system ED42, middle ware ED44, and/or an application ED46.

The input device ED50 may receive commands and/or data to be used in the elements (processor ED20, etc.) of the electronic apparatus ED01, from outside (user, etc.) of the electronic apparatus ED01. The input device ED50 may include a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or a digital pen (stylus pen).

The sound output device ED55 may output a sound signal to outside of the electronic apparatus ED01. The sound output device ED55 may include a speaker and/or a receiver. The speaker may be used for a general purpose such as multimedia reproduction or record play, and the receiver may be used to receive a call. The receiver may be coupled as a part of the speaker or may be implemented as an independent device.

The display device ED60 may provide visual information to outside of the electronic apparatus ED01. The display device ED60 may include a display, a hologram device, or a projector, and a control circuit for controlling the corresponding device. The display device ED60 may include a touch circuitry set to sense a touch, and/or a sensor circuit (pressure sensor, etc.) that is set to measure a strength of a force generated by the touch.

The audio module ED70 may convert sound into an electrical signal or vice versa. The audio module ED <NUM> may acquire sound through the input device ED50, or may output sound via the sound output device ED55 and/or a speaker and/or a headphone of another electronic apparatus (electronic apparatus ED02, etc.) connected directly or wirelessly to the electronic apparatus ED01.

The sensor module ED76 may sense an operating state (power, temperature, etc.) of the electronic apparatus ED01, or an outer environmental state (user state, etc.), and may generate an electrical signal and/or data value corresponding to the sensed state. The sensor module ED76 may include a gesture sensor, a gyro-sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) ray sensor, a vivo sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and/or an illuminance sensor.

The interface ED77 may support one or more designated protocols that may be used in order for the electronic apparatus ED01 to be directly or wirelessly connected to another electronic apparatus (electronic apparatus ED02, etc.) The interface ED77 may include a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface.

The connection terminal ED78 may include a connector by which the electronic apparatus ED01 may be physically connected to another electronic apparatus (electronic apparatus ED02, etc.). The connection terminal ED78 may include an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, and/or an audio connector (headphone connector, etc.).

The haptic module ED79 may convert the electrical signal into a mechanical stimulation (vibration, motion, etc.) or an electric stimulation that the user may sense through a tactile or motion sensation. The haptic module ED79 may include a motor, a piezoelectric device, and/or an electric stimulus device.

The camera module ED80 may capture a still image and a video. The camera module ED80 may include a lens assembly including one or more lenses, the image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>, image signal processors, and/or flashes. The lens assembly included in the camera module ED80 may collect light emitted from an object that is an object to be captured.

The power management module ED88 may manage the power supplied to the electronic apparatus ED01. The power management module ED88 may be implemented as a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery ED89 may supply electric power to components of the electronic apparatus ED01. The battery ED89 may include a primary battery that is not rechargeable, a secondary battery that is rechargeable, and/or a fuel cell.

The communication module ED90 may support the establishment of a direct (wired) communication channel and/or a wireless communication channel between the electronic apparatus ED01 and another electronic apparatus (electronic apparatus ED02, electronic apparatus ED04, server ED08, etc.), and execution of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module ED90 may be operated independently from the processor ED20 (application processor, etc.), and may include one or more communication processors that support the direct communication and/or the wireless communication. The communication module ED90 may include a wireless communication module ED92 (cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) and/or a wired communication module ED94 (local area network (LAN) communication module, a power line communication module, etc.). From among the communication modules, a corresponding communication module may communicate with another electronic apparatus via a first network ED09 (short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, WiFi direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network ED99 (long-range communication network such as a cellular network, Internet, or computer network (LAN, WAN, etc.)). Such above various kinds of communication modules may be integrated as one element (single chip, etc.) or may be implemented as a plurality of elements (a plurality of chips) separately from one another. The wireless communication module ED92 may identify and authenticate the electronic apparatus ED01 in a communication network such as the first network ED98 and/or the second network ED99 by using subscriber information (international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI), etc.) stored in the subscriber identification module ED96.

The antenna module ED97 may transmit or receive the signal and/or power to and/or from outside (another electronic apparatus, etc.). An antenna may include a radiator formed as a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (PCB, etc.). The antenna module ED97 may include one or more antennas. When the antenna module ED97 includes a plurality of antennas, from among the plurality of antennas, an antenna that is suitable for the communication type used in the communication network such as the first network ED98 and/or the second network ED99 may be selected by the communication module ED90. The signal and/or the power may be transmitted between the communication module ED90 and another electronic apparatus via the selected antenna. Another component (RFIC, etc.) other than the antenna may be included as a part of the antenna module ED97.

Some of the elements may be connected to one another via the communication method among the peripheral devices (bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), etc.) and may exchange signals (commands, data, etc.).

The command or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic apparatus ED01 and the external electronic apparatus ED04 via the server ED08 connected to the second network ED99. Other electronic apparatuses ED02 and ED04 may be the devices that are the same as or different kinds from the electronic apparatus ED01. All or some of the operations executed in the electronic apparatus ED01 may be executed in one or more devices among the other electronic apparatuses ED02, ED04, and ED08. For example, when the electronic apparatus ED01 has to perform a certain function or service, the electronic apparatus ED01 may request one or more other electronic apparatuses to perform some or entire function or service, instead of executing the function or service by itself. One or more electronic apparatuses receiving the request execute an additional function or service related to the request and may transfer a result of the execution to the electronic apparatus ED01. To do this, for example, a cloud computing, a distributed computing, or a client-server computing technique may be used.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing the camera module ED80 of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module ED80 may include a lens assembly CM10, a flash CM20, an image sensor <NUM> (the image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>), an image stabilizer CM40, a memory CM50 (buffer memory, etc.), and/or an image signal processor CM60. The lens assembly CM10 may collect light emitted from an object, that is, an object to be captured. The camera module ED80 may include a plurality of lens assemblies CM10, and in this case, the camera module ED80 may include a dual camera module, a <NUM>-degree camera, or a spherical camera. Some of the plurality of lens assemblies CM10 may have the same lens properties (viewing angle, focal distance, auto-focus, F number, optical zoom, etc.) or different lens properties. The lens assembly CM10 may include a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens.

The flash CM20 may emit light that is used to strengthen the light emitted or reflected from the object. The flash CM20 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (red-green-blue (RGB) LED, white LED, infrared LED, ultraviolet LED, etc.), and/or a Xenon lamp. The image sensor <NUM> may be the image sensor described above with reference to <FIG>, and converts the light emitted or reflected from the object and transferred through the lens assembly CM10 into an electrical signal to obtain an image corresponding to the object. The image sensor <NUM> may include one or more selected sensors from among image sensors having different properties such as an RGB sensor, a black-and-white (BW) sensor, an IR sensor, and a UV sensor. Each of the sensors included in the image sensor <NUM> may be implemented as a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor and/or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.

The image stabilizer CM40, in response to a motion of the camera module ED80 or the electronic apparatus ED01 including the camera module ED80, moves one or more lenses included in the lens assembly CM10 or the image sensor <NUM> in a certain direction or controls the operating characteristics of the image sensor <NUM> (adjusting of a read-out timing, etc.) to compensate for a negative influence of the motion. The image stabilizer CM40 may sense the movement of the camera module ED80 or the electronic apparatus ED01 by using a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor arranged in or out of the camera module ED80. The image stabilizer CM40 may be implemented as an optical type.

The memory CM50 may store some or entire data of the image obtained through the image sensor <NUM> for next image processing operation. For example, when a plurality of images are obtained at a high speed, obtained original data (Bayer-patterned data, high resolution data, etc.) is stored in the memory CM50, and a low resolution image is only displayed. Then, original data of a selected image (user selection, etc.) may be transferred to the image signal processor CM60. The memory CM50 may be integrated with the memory ED30 of the electronic apparatus ED01, or may include an additional memory that is operated independently.

The image signal processor CM60 may perform image treatment on the image obtained through the image sensor <NUM> or the image data stored in the memory CM50. The image treatments may include a depth map generation, a three-dimensional modeling, a panorama generation, extraction of features, an image combination, and/or an image compensation (noise reduction, resolution adjustment, brightness adjustment, blurring, sharpening, softening, etc.). The image signal processor CM60 may perform controlling (exposure time control, read-out timing control, etc.) of the elements (image sensor <NUM>, etc.) included in the camera module ED80. The image processed by the image signal processor CM60 may be stored again in the memory CM50 for additional process, or may be provided to an external element of the camera module ED80 (e.g., the memory ED30, the display device ED60, the electronic apparatus ED02, the electronic apparatus ED04, the server ED08, etc.). The image signal processor CM60 may be integrated with the processor ED20, or may be configured as an additional processor that is independently operated from the processor ED20. When the image signal processor CM60 is configured as an additional processor separately from the processor ED20, the image processed by the image signal processor CM60 undergoes through an additional image treatment by the processor ED20 and then may be displayed on the display device ED60.

Also, the image signal processor CM60 may receive two focusing signals independently from each of the pixels in the image sensor <NUM>, and may generate an auto-focusing signal from a difference between the two focusing signals in the phase-detection auto-focusing method. The image signal processor CM60 may control the lens assembly CM10 so that the focus of the lens assembly CM10 may be accurately formed on the surface of the image sensor <NUM> based on the auto-focusing signal.

The electronic apparatus ED01 may include a plurality of camera modules ED80 having different properties or functions. In this case, one of the plurality of camera modules ED80 may include a wide-angle camera and another camera module ED80 may include a telephoto camera. Similarly, one of the plurality of camera modules ED80 may include a front camera and another camera module ED80 may include a rear camera.

<FIG> are diagrams showing various examples of an electronic apparatus including an image sensor according to one or more embodiments.

The image sensor <NUM> according to the embodiments may be applied to a mobile phone or a smartphone <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a tablet or a smart tablet <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a digital camera or a camcorder <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a laptop computer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, or a television or a smart television <NUM> shown in <FIG>. For example, the smartphone <NUM> or the smart tablet <NUM> may include a plurality of high-resolution cameras each including a high-resolution image sensor. Depth information of objects in an image may be extracted, out focusing of the image may be adjusted, or objects in the image may be automatically identified by using the high-resolution cameras.

Also, the image sensor <NUM> may be applied to a smart refrigerator <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a surveillance camera <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a robot <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a medical camera <NUM> shown in <FIG>, etc. For example, the smart refrigerator <NUM> may automatically recognize food in the refrigerator by using the image sensor, and may notify the user of an existence of a certain kind of food, kinds of food put into or taken out, etc. through a smartphone. Also, the surveillance camera <NUM> may provide an ultra-high-resolution image and may allow the user to recognize an object or a person in the image even in dark environment by using high sensitivity. The robot <NUM> may be input to a disaster or industrial site that a person may not directly access, to provide the user with high-resolution images. The medical camera <NUM> may provide high-resolution images for diagnosis or surgery, and may dynamically adjust a field of view.

Also, the image sensor <NUM> may be applied to a vehicle <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The vehicle <NUM> may include a plurality of vehicle cameras <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> at various locations. Each of the vehicle cameras <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include the image sensor according to the one or more example embodiments. The vehicle <NUM> may provide a driver with various information about the interior of the vehicle <NUM> or the periphery of the vehicle <NUM> by using the plurality of vehicle cameras <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and may provide the driver with the information related to the autonomous travel by automatically recognizing an object or a person in the image.

The disclosure may provide an image sensor having a low reflectivity and an improved quantum efficiency and an electronic apparatus including the image sensor.

The disclosure may provide an image sensor manufactured at low costs and an electronic apparatus including the image sensor.

However, effects of the disclosure are not limited to the above disclosure.

Claim 1:
An image sensor comprising:
An image sensor comprising: a sensor substrate (<NUM>) including a plurality of first pixels (<NUM>), configured to sense light of a first wavelength, and a plurality of second pixels (<NUM>), configured to sense light of a second wavelength; and an anti-reflection element (<NUM>) provided on the sensor substrate (<NUM>); a color separating lens array (<NUM>) provided between the sensor substrate (<NUM>) and the anti-reflection element (<NUM>); characterised in that:
the anti-reflection element (<NUM>) includes:
a plurality of low-refractive index patterns (<NUM>) and a high-refractive index layer (<NUM>) provided between the plurality of low-refractive index patterns (<NUM>) and the color separating lens array (<NUM>) ;
and the color separating lens array (<NUM>) is configured to condense the light of the first wavelength on the plurality of first pixels (<NUM>) after changing a phase of the light of the first wavelength and condense the light of the second wavelength on the plurality of second pixels (<NUM>) after changing a phase of the light of the second wavelength.