Patent Description:
Electronic devices including an image sensor that stores an image as an electrical signal, such as cell phone, digital camera, camcorders, and cameras, have been widely used.

Electronic devices may include an optical filter in order to reduce generation of an optical distortion by light in the other regions (e.g., other wavelength spectra) than a visible light region (e.g., visible wavelength spectrum) or improve visibility by light in the other regions than a visible light region.

Document <CIT> discloses a transparent solar film having a first film layer with metal nanostructures.

Some example embodiments provide an optical filter capable of realizing desired optical characteristics with respect to light outside a visible light region with a thin thickness.

Some example embodiments provide an image sensor including the optical filter.

Some example embodiments provide a camera module (e.g., camera) including the optical filter or the image sensor.

Some example embodiments provide an electronic device including the optical filter, the image sensor, or the camera module.

According to the invention, there is provided an optical filter according to claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments are defined by the features of the dependent claims.

According to some example embodiments, a camera including the optical filter is provided.

According to some example embodiments, an image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a plurality of photodiodes and the optical filter on the semiconductor substrate.

The image sensor may further include a color filter at a lower portion of the optical filter or an upper portion of the optical filter.

According to some example embodiments, a camera including the image sensor is provided.

According to some example embodiments, an electronic device including the camera is provided.

The optical filter may effectively increase the transmittance of the light in the visible light wavelength spectrum and effectively reduce the transmittance of the light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum with a thin thickness.

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present inventive concepts will be described in detail so that a person skilled in the art would understand the same. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and is not construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present such that the element and the other element are isolated from direct contact with each other by one or more interposing spaces and/or structures. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present such that the element and the other element are in direct contact with each other. As described herein, an element that is "on" another element may be above, beneath, and/or horizontally adjacent to the other element.

It will be understood that elements and/or properties thereof may be recited herein as being "the same" or "equal" as other elements, and/or properties thereof, and it will be further understood that elements and/or properties thereof recited herein as being "the same" as or "equal" to other elements and/or properties thereof may be "the same" as or "equal" to or "substantially the same" as or "substantially equal" to the other elements and/or properties thereof. Elements and/or properties thereof that are "substantially the same" as or "substantially equal" to other elements and/or properties thereof will be understood to include elements and/or properties thereof that are the same as or equal to the other elements and/or properties thereof within manufacturing tolerances and/or material tolerances. Elements and/or properties thereof that are the same or substantially the same as other elements and/or properties thereof may be structurally the same or substantially the same, functionally the same or substantially the same, and/or compositionally the same or substantially the same.

It will be understood that elements and/or properties thereof described herein as being the "substantially" the same encompasses elements and/or properties thereof that have a relative difference in magnitude that is equal to or less than <NUM> percentages (%). Further, regardless of whether elements and/or properties thereof are modified as "substantially," it will be understood that these elements and/or properties thereof should be construed as including a manufacturing or operational tolerance (e.g., ±<NUM>%) around the stated elements and/or properties thereof.

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, including "at least one," unless the content clearly indicates otherwise.

"About", "substantially" or "approximately" as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system).

Hereinafter, an optical filter according to some example embodiments is described with reference to the drawings.

The optical filter <NUM> according to some example embodiments may include a film or a thin film for filtering or blocking light in a particular (or, alternatively, predetermined) wavelength spectrum, for example, a film or a thin film for filtering or blocking at least a portion of light in a wavelength spectrum other than visible light, for example, a film or thin film for filtering or blocking at least some of the light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating an example of an optical filter according to some example embodiments, <FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion A of the optical filter of <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic view showing another example of an optical filter according to some example embodiments, <FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion A of the optical filter of <FIG>, <FIG> is a schematic view showing another example of an optical filter according to some example embodiments, <FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion A of the optical filter of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic view showing a metamaterial structure capped with a compensation layer in the optical filter of <FIG>.

The optical filter <NUM> according to some example embodiments includes a near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, metamaterial structures 102a, a compensation layer <NUM>, and a base layer <NUM>.

The near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> includes a first material configured to absorb light in at least a portion of the near-infrared wavelength spectrum. The first material may be configured to mainly absorb light in a particular (or, alternatively, predetermined) wavelength spectrum (hereinafter referred to as a "first wavelength spectrum") belonging to (also referred to herein interchangeably as being within) the near-infrared wavelength spectrum, and the first wavelength spectrum may, for example, belong to (e.g., may be within) a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. For example, the first material may be a near-infrared absorbing material configured to selectively absorb light in the first wavelength spectrum belonging to the near-infrared wavelength spectrum and transmit light in a visible light wavelength spectrum.

A transmission spectrum of the first material may have (e.g., may include) a first minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T1) belonging to (e.g., within) the first wavelength spectrum by absorption of light in the first wavelength spectrum, and the first minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T1) may, for example, belong to a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The first material may be one or more types, and may be, for example, an organic material, an inorganic material, an organic-inorganic material, or any combination thereof. The first material may include, for example, a quantum dot, a quinoid metal complex compound, a polymethine compound, a cyanine compound, a phthalocyanine compound, a merocyanine compound, a naphthalocyanine compound, an immonium compound, a diimmonium compound, a triarylmethane compound, a dipyrromethene compound, an anthraquinone compound, a diquinone compound, a naphthoquinone compound, a squarylium compound, a rylene compound, a perylene compound, a pyrylium compound, a squaraine compound, a thiopyrylium compound, a diketopyrrolopyrrole compound, a boron-dipyrromethene compound, a nickel-dithiol complex compound, a croconium compound, a derivative thereof, or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

A (average) refractive index in visible and near-infrared wavelength spectra (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>) of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> including the first material may be less than or equal to about <NUM> or less than or equal to about <NUM>, for example about <NUM> to about <NUM> or about <NUM> to about <NUM>. For example, a (average) refractive index of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> including the first material in a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>) may be less than or equal to about <NUM> or less than or equal to about <NUM>, for example about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

An (average) extinction coefficient in the visible and near-infrared wavelength spectrum (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>) of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> including the first material may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and for example, an (average) extinction coefficient of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> including the first material in a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>) may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Optical characteristics of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical characteristics of the first material, and that is to say, the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may be configured to selectively absorb light in a first wavelength spectrum belonging to, for example, a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> and may be configured to transmit light in a visible light wavelength spectrum.

A transmission spectrum of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may be substantially the same as a transmission spectrum of the first material, and may have a first minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T1) belonging to the first wavelength spectrum by absorption of light in the first wavelength spectrum. The first minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T1) may belong to a wavelength spectrum of, for example, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed from a composition including the first material. The composition may further include a binder and/or a solvent, in addition to the first material described above.

The binder may be a transparent polymer, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a material capable of mixing with the first material, dispersing the first material, or binding the first material. The binder may be a curable binder, for example a thermally curable binder, a photocurable binder, or any combination thereof.

The binder may be, for example, (meth)acrylate, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), a xanthan gum, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a cyclic olefin polymer (COP), carboxylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, epoxy, silicone, organic-inorganic hybrid materials, a copolymer thereof, or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

The first material may be included in an amount of, for example, about <NUM> to about <NUM> parts by weight, about <NUM> to about <NUM> parts by weight, about <NUM> to about <NUM> parts by weight, about <NUM> to about <NUM> parts by weight, or about <NUM> to <NUM> parts by weight, based on <NUM> parts by weight of the binder.

The near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may include a cured product of the first material and the binder.

The near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may have a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and within the above range, for example, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The plurality of metamaterial structures 102a may be periodically or randomly arranged, and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> at the lower, upper, and/or inner portions of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>.

For example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a may be disposed at the lower portion of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> by a compensation layer <NUM> that will be described later. Each metamaterial structure 102a is embedded in the compensation layer <NUM> and may be surrounded by the compensation layer <NUM>.

For example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a may be disposed at the upper portion (e.g., upper surface) of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and may be spaced apart from the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> by the compensation layer <NUM> that will be described later. Each metamaterial structure 102a may be embedded in the compensation layer <NUM> and may be surrounded by the compensation layer <NUM>.

For example, referring to <FIG>, the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a may be disposed in the inner portion of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, and may be spaced apart from the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> by a compensation layer <NUM> that will be described later. Each metamaterial structure 102a may be surrounded by the compensation layer <NUM>, and each metamaterial structure 102a surrounded by the compensation layer <NUM> may be embedded in the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>.

The metamaterial structures 102a are disk-shaped nanomaterials, and may be configured to absorb or scatter light of a particular (or, alternatively, predetermined) wavelength spectrum due to localized surface plasmon resonance. The metamaterial structures 102a may be for example metal nanodisks and may include for example gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), alloys thereof, or any combination thereof, but are not limited thereto.

For example, a wavelength spectrum (hereinafter referred to as a "second wavelength spectrum") that can cause localized surface plasmon resonance may at least partially overlap with the first wavelength spectrum, which is the absorption wavelength of the near-infrared absorbing material described above, and the metamaterial structures 102a may be configured to absorb, reflect, and/or scatter light in the second wavelength spectrum. For example, the second wavelength spectrum may belong to the near-infrared wavelength spectrum. For example, the second wavelength spectrum may be narrower than the first wavelength spectrum and may fall within (e.g., may be completely encompassed within) the first wavelength spectrum. In another example, the second wavelength spectrum may be wider than the first wavelength spectrum such that the first wavelength spectrum may fall within (e.g., may be completely encompassed within) the second wavelength spectrum. In another example, the second wavelength spectrum may partially overlap with the first wavelength spectrum, such that a portion of the second wavelength spectrum is outside the first wavelength spectrum.

The second wavelength spectrum may belong to, for example, a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, within the range, for example about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The metamaterial structures 102a may be configured to effectively block transmission of light in the second wavelength spectrum by absorbing or scattering light belonging to the second wavelength spectrum. The transmission spectrum of the metamaterial structures 102a may have a second minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T2) belonging to the second wavelength spectrum. The second minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T2) may belong to a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

For example, the first minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T1) of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the second minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T2) of the metamaterial structures 102a may both belong to a wavelength spectrum of, for example about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

For example, a difference between the first minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,T1) of near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the second minimum transmission wavelength (λmin,<NUM>) of the metamaterial structures 102a may be less than or equal to about <NUM>, for example less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, or less than or equal to about <NUM>, for example <NUM> to about <NUM>, <NUM> to about <NUM>, or the like.

The metamaterial structures 102a may be three-dimensional structures of any shape and dimension configured to absorb or reflect light in the second wavelength spectrum, wherein the dimension may be a diameter (d) and a thickness (t). A dimension of the metamaterial structure 102a may be a subwavelength that is smaller than a wavelength of light to be reflected or absorbed, that is, a wavelength belonging to the second wavelength spectrum.

For example, the metamaterial structures 102a may be a thin nanobody having a flat surface, and a ratio of the diameter (d) relative to the thickness (t) of the metamaterial structures 102a may be greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, or greater than or equal to about <NUM>, within the ranges, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

For example, the diameter (d) of the metamaterial structures 102a may be tens of nanometers to about hundreds of nanometers, for example greater than or equal to about <NUM>, within the ranges, for example about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

For example, the thickness (t) of the metamaterial structures 102a may be several nanometers to tens of nanometers, for example less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, or less than or equal to about <NUM>, within the ranges, for example about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The metamaterial structures 102a may have a surface coverage of less than or equal to about <NUM>% based on a total area of the optical filter <NUM>, within the range, for example about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. The surface coverage may be an area occupied by a plurality of metamaterial structures 102a based on a total area of the optical filter <NUM>, and may be measured by analyzing an image using an electron microscope, an atomic force microscope, or a surface analyzer.

The metamaterial structures 102a may be configured to strongly scatter light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum by a localized surface plasmon resonance, and the scattered light may be multi-absorbed by the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> to provide a high absorbing effect for light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum. An amount of light absorbed by the multi-absorption may be significantly higher than an amount of light absorbed when incident light from a structure without the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a, that is, a planar structure, passes through the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> once. Therefore, it is possible to produce a high light-absorbing synergy effect by a combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a.

The compensation layer <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, and may be, for example, disposed at a lower portion (e.g., lower surface) of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., may be beneath the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>), at an upper portion (e.g., upper surface) of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., may be above the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>), and/or at a side portion (e.g., side surface) of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., may be horizontally adjacent to the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>). The compensation layer <NUM> may be a thin film stacked with the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> or a coating layer or a passivation layer surrounding each metamaterial structure 102a.

The compensation layer <NUM> is disposed between the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a to separate the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a, and it is possible to prevent a direct contact between the metamaterial structures 102a and the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the metamaterial structures 102a may be at least partially in direct contact with the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> or may be not in direct contact with the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>. Accordingly, the metamaterial structures 102a may be understood to be at least partially spaced apart from the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, such that the metamaterial structures 102a may or may not be isolated from direct contact with the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> via the compensation layer <NUM>.

If, without the compensation layer <NUM>, the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a are in direct contact, a refractive index of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, in the main absorption wavelength spectrum, that is, the aforementioned first wavelength spectrum and the vicinity thereof may be rapidly decreased or increased by an electric field concentrated on the ends of the metamaterial structures 102a. The light-absorbing synergy effect caused by the combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a may be interfered by such a change of refractive index of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>.

Therefore, by disposing the compensation layer <NUM> between the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a, a direct contact between the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a may be prevented, the change of the refractive index of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> by the metamaterial structures 102a may be reduced or prevented, and the interference of the light-absorbing synergy effect by the combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a may be reduced or prevented.

The compensation layer <NUM> may include a second material different from the first material included in the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>. The second material may be, for example, a material that is not configured to substantially absorb light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum, for example, a material that is not configured to substantially absorb and/or is not configured to absorb light in the first wavelength spectrum that is mainly absorbed by the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>. For example, the second material may be a near-infrared transmission material, or a material configured to transmit light in a wavelength spectrum of at least about <NUM> to about <NUM> without substantially absorbing it.

For example, the maximum extinction coefficient (k) in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to <NUM> of the second material may be less than about <NUM>, and within the above range, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about 1x10-<NUM>, less than or equal to about 1x10-<NUM>, or less than or equal to about 1x10-<NUM>. For example, the maximum extinction coefficient (k) in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to <NUM> of the second material may be between about 1x10-<NUM> and about 1x10-<NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about 1x10-<NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about 1x10-<NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, or the like.

For example, the second material may be a transparent material that is not configured to substantially absorb light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum and visible wavelength spectrum. For example, the second material may be a visiblenear infrared transmission material, and a material that is not configured to substantially absorb and configured to transmit light in a wavelength spectrum of at least about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

For example, a maximum extinction coefficient (k) in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the second material may be less than about <NUM>, within the range of less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about 1x10-<NUM>, less than or equal to about 1x10-<NUM>, or less than or equal to about 1x10-<NUM>. For example, the maximum extinction coefficient (k) in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the second material may be between about 1x10-<NUM> and about 1x10-<NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about 1x10-<NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about 1x10-<NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, between about 1x10-<NUM> and about <NUM>, or the like.

The refractive index of the second material may be higher or lower than the refractive index of the first material included in the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>. For example, an average refractive index (n) in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the second material may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the refractive index of the second material may be higher than the refractive index of the first material included in the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, and the average refractive index (n) in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the second material may be about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times the average refractive index in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the first material.

For example, the refractive index of the second material may be lower than the refractive index of the first material included in the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, and the average refractive index (n) in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the second material may be about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times the average refractive index in the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the first material.

The second material may be selected from an inorganic material, an organic material, an organic-inorganic material, or any combination thereof which satisfy the aforementioned physical properties, such as an oxide, a nitride, an oxynitride, a halide, a sulfide, a chalcogenide, a semiconductor element, a semiconductor compound, a photocurable polymer, a thermosetting polymer, a high heat-resistant polymer, or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second material may be silicon oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, indium aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, borosilicate, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, barium fluoride (BaF<NUM>), calcium fluoride (CaF<NUM>), lithium fluoride (LiF), magnesium fluoride (MgF<NUM>), potassium chloride (KCI), potassium bromide (KBr), cesium iodide (CsI), zinc sulfide, chalcogenide, germanium, gallium arsenide, polyimide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

The optical characteristics of the compensation layer <NUM> may be substantially the same as the optical characteristics of the second material. That is, the compensation layer <NUM> may be configured to transmit light in the first wavelength spectrum belonging to, for example, the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, without absorbing it, and substantially transmit the light in the visibleinfrared wavelength spectrum of the wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, without absorbing it.

The compensation layer <NUM> may be formed from a composition comprising a second material. The composition may further include a binder and/or a solvent in addition to the second material described above. The binder is the same as described above.

A thickness of the compensation layer <NUM> may be greater than a thickness of the metamaterial structure 102a, for example, the thickness of the compensation layer <NUM> may be about <NUM> times or more, about <NUM> times or more, or about <NUM> times or more the thickness of the metamaterial structure 102a. For example, the thickness of the compensation layer <NUM> may be about <NUM> times to <NUM> times, about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times, or about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times the thickness of the metamaterial structure 102a, but is not limited thereto.

The thickness of the compensation layer <NUM> may be smaller than that of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, for example, a thickness ratio of the compensation layer <NUM> and the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may be about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>. For example, the thickness ratio of the thickness of the compensation layer <NUM> to the thickness of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> may be about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>, about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>, or about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

The base layer <NUM> may be disposed under the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, metamaterial structures 102a, and compensation layer <NUM>, so that it may support the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, metamaterial structures 102a, and compensation layer <NUM>. The base layer <NUM> may be a transparent base layer, and may have a transmittance of greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, or greater than or equal to about <NUM>% in a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The base layer <NUM> may include an organic material, an inorganic material, an organic-inorganic material or any combination thereof, for example oxide, nitride, sulfide, fluoride, polymer or any combination thereof, for example glass, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium fluoride, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

As described above, the optical filter <NUM> may exhibit high light absorption characteristics for light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum at a thin thickness by the combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a. Specifically, the optical filter <NUM> may be configured to scatter light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum by a localized surface plasmon resonance generated in the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a, and the scattered light may be multi-absorbed by the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> to exhibit a high absorbing effect for light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum. An amount of light absorbed by the multi-absorption may be significantly higher than an amount of light absorbed when incident light from a structure without the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a, that is, a planar structure, passes through the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> once. Therefore, it is possible to produce a high light-absorbing synergy effect by a combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a.

On the other hand, as described above, by disposing the compensation layer <NUM> between the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a, a direct contact between the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a may be prevented, and the change of the refractive index of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> by the metamaterial structures 102a may be prevented, thereby reducing or preventing hindrance of the light-absorbing synergy effect caused by the combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a.

A transmission spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> may have a wider wavelength spectrum width than the first wavelength spectrum absorbing in the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the second wavelength spectrum absorbing or scattering in the metamaterial structures 102a, respectively, while respectively overlapped with the first wavelength spectrum and the second wavelength spectrum. For example, the transmission spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> may have a wavelength spectrum width of greater than or equal to about <NUM> within the range, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, greater than or equal to about <NUM>, or greater than or equal to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, at a transmittance of <NUM>%. Accordingly, the optical filter <NUM> may exhibit high light absorption characteristics over a wide wavelength spectrum width in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum.

On the other hand, the optical filter <NUM> may increase a transmittance of light in the visible wavelength spectrum by combining the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> and the metamaterial structures 102a compared with a case of including the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> alone or the metamaterial structures 102a alone.

Accordingly, the optical filter <NUM> may increase a transmittance of light in the visible wavelength spectrum and absorbance in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum and thus much further increase an effect of selectively filtering the near-infrared wavelength spectrum.

For example, an average transmittance (TVIS) in the visible wavelength spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> (e.g., an average transmittance of the optical filter in a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to <NUM>) may be greater than about <NUM>%, and within the range, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, greater than or equal to about <NUM>%, or greater than or equal to about <NUM>%. Herein, the visible wavelength spectrum may be for example a particular wavelength spectrum belonging to a range of greater than or equal to about <NUM> and less than about <NUM> or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

For example, the average transmittance (TNIR) in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> (e.g., an average transmittance of the optical filter in a wavelength spectrum of about <NUM> to <NUM> or about <NUM> to <NUM>) may be lower than the case of having the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> alone or the metamaterial structures 102a alone, for example, may be lower about <NUM> times or more, about twice or more, about <NUM> times or more, about <NUM> times or more, or about <NUM> times or more, for example, about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times, about twice to about <NUM> times, about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times, about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times, or about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times. The average transmittance (TNIR) in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> may be for example less than about <NUM>%, and within the range, less than or equal to about <NUM>%, less than or equal to about <NUM>%, less than or equal to about <NUM>%, less than or equal to about <NUM>%, less than or equal to about <NUM>%, less than or equal to about <NUM>%, less than or equal to about <NUM>%, or less than or equal to about <NUM>%, and each of these ranges may be greater than or equal to about <NUM>%. Herein, the near-infrared wavelength spectrum is defined as the spectral range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

For example, a ratio (TNIR/TVIS) of the average transmittance in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> to the average transmittance in the visible-wavelength spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> may be lower compared with the case of having the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM> alone or the metamaterial structures 102a alone, respectively, for example, may be lower about <NUM> times or more, about twice or more, about <NUM> times or more, about <NUM> times or more, or about <NUM> times or more, for example, about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times, about twice to about <NUM> times, about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times, about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times, or about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times. The ratio (TNIR/TVIS) of the average transmittance in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum to the average transmittance in the visible-wavelength spectrum of the optical filter <NUM> may be, for example, less than or equal to about <NUM>, and within the range, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, or less than or equal to about <NUM>, and each of these ranges may be greater than or equal to about <NUM>.

The optical filter <NUM> may be applied to all applications for filtering light of a particular (or, alternatively, predetermined) wavelength spectrum, and may be effectively applied as a near-infrared cut filter to filter light in a near-infrared wavelength spectrum. The optical filter <NUM> may be usefully applied to an electronic device including for example an image sensor, a camera module, and the like. The electronic device may be a digital camera, a camcorder, a monitoring camera such as CCTV, an in-car camera, a robot camera, a medical camera, a cell phone having a built-in or external camera, a computer having a built-in or external camera, a laptop computer having a built-in or external camera, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, an example of a camera module (e.g., camera) provided with the aforementioned optical filter <NUM> is described.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing an example of a camera module according to some example embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a camera module <NUM> (also referred to herein as a camera) includes a lens barrel <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, an optical filter <NUM>, and an image sensor <NUM>.

The lens barrel <NUM> includes at least one lens imaging a subject, and the lens may be disposed along an optical axis direction. Herein, the optical axis direction may be a vertical direction of the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> is internally housed in the housing <NUM> and united with the housing <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> may be moved in optical axis direction inside the housing <NUM> for autofocusing.

The housing <NUM> supports and houses the lens barrel <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be open in the optical axis direction or may be designed vertically using prisms or the like. Accordingly, incident light entered into the housing <NUM> may reach the image sensor <NUM> through the lens barrel <NUM> and the optical filter <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may be equipped with an actuator for moving the lens barrel <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The actuator may include a voice coil motor (VCM) including a magnet and a coil. However, various methods such as a mechanical driving system or a piezoelectric driving system using a piezoelectric device except for the actuator may be adopted.

The optical filter <NUM> is the same as described above.

The image sensor <NUM> may concentrate an image of a subject and thus store it as data, and the stored data may be displayed as an image through a display media.

The image sensor <NUM> may be mounted in a substrate (not shown) and electrically connected to the substrate. The substrate may be, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) or electrically connected to a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The image sensor <NUM> may concentrate light passing the lens barrel <NUM> and the optical filter <NUM> and generate a video signal and may be a complementary metaloxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and/or a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing another example of a camera module according to some example embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a camera module <NUM> according to some example embodiments includes the lens barrel <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, the optical filter <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM>, like some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>.

However, in the camera module <NUM> according to some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, the optical filter <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> may be in contact with each other, for example the optical filter <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> may be integrally formed to provide an optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A, unlike some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>.

Hereinafter, an example of an optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A is described with reference to a drawing. As an example of an image sensor, a CMOS image sensor is described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an optical filter-integrated image sensor according to some example embodiments.

The optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A according to some example embodiments includes an image sensor <NUM> including a semiconductor substrate <NUM>, a lower insulation layer <NUM>, a color filter layer <NUM> and an upper insulation layer <NUM>; and an optical filter <NUM>.

The semiconductor substrate <NUM> may be a silicon substrate, and is integrated with (e.g., includes) the photo-sensing devices 50a, 50b, and 50c, and transmission transistor (not shown). The photo-sensing devices 50a, 50b, and 50c may be photodiodes. For example, the photo-sensing device 50a may be a blue photo-sensing device 50a configured to sense light in a blue wavelength spectrum which passes a blue filter 70a described later, the photo-sensing device 50b may be a green photo-sensing device 50b configured to sense light in a green wavelength spectrum which passes a green filter 70b described later, and the photo-sensing device 50c may be a red photo-sensing device 50c configured to sense light in a red wavelength spectrum passes a red filter 70c described later. The photo-sensing devices 50a, 50b, and 50c and the transmission transistor may be integrated in each pixel. The photo-sensing devices 50a, 50b, and 50c may sense light and the sensed information may be transferred by the transmission transistor.

A metal wire (not shown) and a pad (not shown) are formed on the semiconductor substrate <NUM>. In order to decrease signal delay, the metal wire and pad may be made of a metal having low resistivity, for example, aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and alloys thereof, but is not limited thereto. However, it is not limited to the structure, and the metal wire and pad may be disposed under the photo-sensing devices 50a, 50b, and 50c.

The lower insulation layer <NUM> is formed on the metal wire and the pad. The lower insulation layer <NUM> may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as a silicon oxide and/or a silicon nitride, or a low dielectric constant (low K) material such as SiC, SiCOH, SiCO, and SiOF.

A color filter layer <NUM> is formed on the lower insulation layer <NUM>. The color filter layer <NUM> includes a blue filter 70a formed in a blue pixel, a green filter 70b formed in a green pixel, and a red filter 70c formed in a red pixel. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but at least one of the blue filter 70a, the green filter 70b, or the red filter 70c may be replaced by a yellow filter, a cyan filter, or a magenta filter.

The upper insulation layer <NUM> is formed on the color filter layer <NUM>. The upper insulation layer <NUM> may provide a flat surface by reducing stepped portions formed by the color filter layer <NUM>. The upper insulation layer <NUM> may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride or an organic insulating material. The upper insulation layer <NUM> may be omitted as needed.

The optical filter <NUM> is formed on the upper insulation layer <NUM>. The optical filter <NUM> includes the near-infrared absorbing layer <NUM>, the plurality of metamaterial structures 102a, the compensation layer <NUM>, and the base layer <NUM> as described above, and may for example effectively transmit light in a visible wavelength spectrum and effectively filter or block light in the other regions than a visible light region, like a near-infrared wavelength spectrum. When the aforementioned upper insulation layer <NUM> is the same as the base layer <NUM> of the optical filter <NUM>, any one of the upper insulation layer <NUM> and the base layer <NUM> may be omitted. Detailed descriptions of the optical filter <NUM> are as described above.

Focusing lens (not shown) may be further formed on the optical filter <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the optical filter <NUM> may be disposed on the focusing lens. The focusing lens may control a direction of incident light and gather the light in one region. The focusing lens may have a shape of, for example, a cylinder or a hemisphere, but is not limited thereto.

A dual bandpass filter (not shown) may be disposed under the focusing lens. The dual bandpass filter may selectively transmit light in at least two wavelength spectra of incident light and may for example selectively transmit light in a visible wavelength spectrum and in a near-infrared wavelength spectrum.

As described above, the optical filter <NUM> may be configured to effectively transmit light in the visible light region and effectively block light in the near-infrared wavelength spectrum and thus transfer pure light in the visible light region to the image sensor and accordingly, reduce or prevent a crosstalk generated when a signal by light of the visible light region is crossed and mingled with another signal by light of the near-infrared wavelength spectrum.

Particularly, the optical filter <NUM> may have a thin thickness of less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, less than or equal to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and thus the optical filter <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> may be realized into an integrated image sensor 23A, and accordingly, may realize thinness of an image sensor, a camera module, and an electronic device equipped therewith.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an optical filter-integrated image sensor according to some example embodiments.

According to some example embodiments, an optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A includes an image sensor <NUM> including the semiconductor substrate <NUM> integrated with photo-sensing devices 50a, 50b, and 50c; the lower insulation layer <NUM>; and the color filter layer <NUM>; and the optical filter <NUM>, like some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>.

However, according to some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, in the integrated image sensor 23A, the optical filter <NUM> is disposed under the color filter layer <NUM>, unlike some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, in some example embodiments, the color filter layer <NUM>, including one or more color filters, may be at a lower portion or lower surface of the optical filter <NUM> such that the color filter layer <NUM> is between the optical filter <NUM> and the semiconductor substrate <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>) or may be at an upper portion or upper surface of the optical filter <NUM> such that the optical filter <NUM> is between the color filter layer <NUM> and the semiconductor substrate <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). In the drawing, the optical filter <NUM> is illustrated as an example with a structure in which the optical filter <NUM> is disposed between the lower insulation layer <NUM> and the color filter layer <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the optical filter <NUM> may be disposed between the semiconductor substrate <NUM> and the lower insulation layer <NUM>. When the lower insulation layer <NUM> is the same as the base layer <NUM> of the optical filter <NUM>, any one of the lower insulation layer <NUM> and the base layer <NUM> of the optical filter <NUM> may be omitted.

According to some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, an optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A includes an image sensor <NUM> including the semiconductor substrate <NUM> integrated with photo-sensing device 50a, 50b, and 50c; the lower insulation layer <NUM>; the color filter layer <NUM>; and the upper insulation layer <NUM>; and the optical filter <NUM>, like some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>.

However, according to some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, the optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A may include the photo-sensing device 50d for sensing light belonging to the infrared wavelength spectrum additionally integrated in the semiconductor substrate <NUM>, unlike some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>. The color filter layer <NUM> may include a visible light cut filter, a transparent filter or a white color filter (not shown) at the position corresponding to the photo-sensing device 50d or just have an empty space without a particular filter.

The optical filter <NUM> may be disposed either at an upper portion (e.g., upper surface) alone or a lower portion (e.g., lower surface) alone of the blue filter 70a, the green filter 70b, and the red filter 70c but neither at an upper portion nor lower portion (e.g., neither at an upper surface nor lower surface) of the transparent filter or the white color filter.

For example, the photo-sensing device 50d may be used as an auxiliary device for telephoto cameras to improve the sensitivity of the image sensor in lowillumination environments or to sharpen faint visible light images caused by fog or fine dust.

For example, the photo-sensing device 50d may be used as an infrared sensor configured to sense light in a near-infrared wavelength spectrum. The infrared sensor may extend a dynamic range specifically classifying a black/white contrast and thus increase sensing capability of a long distance <NUM>-dimensional image. The infrared sensor may be for example a biometric sensor, for example an iris sensor, a depth sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a blood vessel distribution sensor, but is not limited thereto.

According to some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, an optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A includes an image sensor <NUM> including the semiconductor substrate <NUM> integrated with photo-sensing devices 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, the lower insulation layer <NUM>, and the color filter layer <NUM>; and the optical filter <NUM>, like some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>.

However, according to some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>, in the optical filter-integrated image sensor 23A, the optical filter <NUM> is disposed under the color filter layer <NUM>, unlike some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown in <FIG>. In the drawing, the optical filter <NUM> is illustrated as an example with a structure in which the optical filter <NUM> is disposed between the lower insulation layer <NUM> and the color filter layer <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the optical filter <NUM> may be disposed between the semiconductor substrate <NUM> and the lower insulation layer <NUM>. When the lower insulation layer <NUM> is the same as the base layer <NUM> of the optical filter <NUM>, any one of the lower insulation layer <NUM> and the base layer <NUM> of the optical filter <NUM> may be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to some example embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, and a display device <NUM> electrically connected through a bus <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be any of the aforementioned various image sensors (e.g., <NUM>, 23A), cameras (e.g., <NUM>), any combination thereof, or the like, and may include any of the example embodiments of optical filters <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may perform a memory program and thus at least one function, including controlling the sensor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may additionally perform a memory program and thus display an image on the display device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may generate an output.

Hereinafter, some example embodiments are illustrated in more detail with reference to examples. However, the present scope of the inventive concepts is not limited to these examples.

A <NUM>-thick high refractive index layer (refractive index: <NUM>) is manufactured on a glass substrate, a plurality of Ag nanodisks having a diameter of <NUM> and a thickness of <NUM> are disposed thereon with a surface coverage of <NUM>%, and a <NUM>-thick high refractive index layer (refractive index: <NUM>) is manufactured thereon to form a <NUM>-thick compensation layer in which the plurality of Ag nanodisks are embedded. Subsequently, a composition in which <NUM> wt% of a near-infrared absorbing material (Epolin, EpolightTM <NUM>) and <NUM> wt% of a cycloolefin polymer (poly[[octahydro-<NUM>-(methoxycarbonyl)-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-methano-<NUM>-indene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diyl]-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediyl], <NPL>) are blended in chloroform is spin-coated (<NUM> rpm, <NUM> seconds) on the compensation layer to form an about <NUM>-thick near-infrared absorbing layer, designing an optical filter (structures of <FIG> and <FIG>).

The average refractive index (n) and the maximum extinction coefficient (k) in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range (<NUM> to <NUM>) of the compensation layer are <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

The average refractive index (n) and the maximum extinction coefficient (k) in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range (<NUM> to <NUM>) of the near-infrared absorption layer are <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

A refractive index and the extinction coefficient are obtained from a polarized light characteristic change (Delta, Psi) by using an Ellipsometry equipment (J. Woollam Co.

An optical filter is designed in the same manner as in Example <NUM>, except that the surface coverage of the plurality of Ag nanodisks is changed to <NUM>%.

a composition in which <NUM> wt% of a near-infrared absorbing material (Epolin, EpolightTM <NUM>) and <NUM> wt% of a cycloolefin polymer (poly[[octahydro-<NUM>-(methoxycarbonyl)-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-methano-<NUM>-indene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diyl]-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediyl], <NPL>) are blended in chloroform is spin-coated (<NUM> rpm, <NUM> seconds) on a glass substrate without a plurality of Ag nanodisks and a compensation layer to form an about <NUM>-thick near-infrared absorbing layer, designing an optical filter.

A plurality of Ag nanodisks having a diameter of <NUM> and a thickness of <NUM> are disposed on a glass substrate without a near-infrared absorbing layer and a compensation layer at a surface coverage of <NUM>%, and a cycloolefin polymer (poly[[octahydro-<NUM>-(methoxycarbonyl)-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-methano-<NUM>-indene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diyl]-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediyl], <NPL>) solution is spin-coated (<NUM> rpm, <NUM> seconds) to form an about <NUM>-thick polymer layer, designing an optical filter.

A plurality of Ag nanodisks having a diameter of <NUM> and a thickness of <NUM> are disposed on a glass substrate without a compensation layer, with a surface coverage of <NUM>%. A composition in which <NUM> wt% of a near-infrared absorbing material (Epolin, EpolightTM <NUM>) and a cycloolefin polymer (poly[[octahydro-<NUM>-(methoxycarbonyl)-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-methano-<NUM>-indene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diyl]-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediyl], <NPL>) are blended in chloroform is spin-coated (<NUM> rpm, <NUM> seconds) thereon to form an about <NUM>-thick near-infrared absorbing layer, designing an optical filter.

An optical simulation with respect to the optical filters according to Example, Comparative Example, and Reference Example is performed by using a FDTD (Finitedifferent time domain, Lumerical Inc. ) software.

The results are shown in Table <NUM>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a graph showing transmission spectra of the optical filters according to Example <NUM>, Comparative Example <NUM>, and Reference Example <NUM> and <FIG> is a graph showing transmission spectra of the optical filters according to Example <NUM>, Comparative Example <NUM>, and Reference Example <NUM>.

Referring to Table <NUM>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the optical filter according to the Example exhibits high transmittance for a visible light wavelength spectrum (e.g., greater than or equal to about <NUM> and less than about <NUM>, for example about <NUM> to <NUM>) and low transmittance for the near-infrared wavelength spectrum (for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>) compared with the optical filters according to the Comparative Example and the Reference Example. From these results, the optical filter according to the Example exhibits a great improvement effect of the optical characteristics due to the combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer and the metamaterial structures compared with the optical filter according to the Comparative Example and exhibits a greater improvement effect of such optical characteristics than the optical filter according to the Reference Example.

The optical filter is designed in the same manner as in Example <NUM>, except that the thickness of the compensation layer and the diameter of the Ag nanodisks are changed as shown in Table <NUM>.

An optical simulation with respect to the optical filters according to Example, Comparative Example, and Reference Example is performed by using a FDTD software.

Referring to Table <NUM>, the optical filter according to the Example exhibits high transmittance for a visible light wavelength spectrum (e.g., greater than or equal to about <NUM> and less than about <NUM>, for example about <NUM> to <NUM>) and low transmittance for the near-infrared wavelength spectrum (for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>) compared with the optical filters according to the Comparative Example and the Reference Example. From these results, the optical filter according to the Example exhibits a great improvement effect of the optical characteristics due to the combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer and the metamaterial structures compared with the optical filter according to the Comparative Example and exhibits a greater improvement effect of such optical characteristics than the optical filter according to the Reference Example.

Ag nanodisks having a diameter of <NUM> and a thickness of <NUM> are dipped into a high refractive index polymer solution having a refractive index of <NUM>, dried, and coated with a thickness of about <NUM> to prepare polymer-capped Ag nanodisks. Subsequently, the Ag nanodisks capped with the polymer are disposed on a glass substrate with a surface coverage of <NUM>%. A composition in which <NUM> wt% of a near-infrared absorbing material (Epolin, EpolightTM <NUM>) and a cycloolefin polymer (poly[[octahydro-<NUM>-(methoxycarbonyl)-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-methano-<NUM>-indene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diyl]-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediyl],<NPL>) are blended in chloroform is spin-coated (<NUM> rpm, <NUM> seconds) thereon to form an about <NUM>-thick near-infrared absorbing layer, designing an optical filter (structures of <FIG> and <FIG>).

An optical simulation is performed with respect to the optical filters according to Example, Comparative Example, and Reference Example by using a FDTD software.

The results are shown in Table <NUM> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a graph showing transmission spectra of the optical filters according to Example <NUM>, Comparative Example <NUM>, and Reference Example <NUM>.

Referring to Table <NUM> and <FIG>, the optical filter according to the Example exhibits high transmittance for a visible light wavelength spectrum (e.g., greater than or equal to about <NUM> and less than about <NUM>, for example about <NUM> to <NUM>) and low transmittance for the near-infrared wavelength spectrum (for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>) compared with the optical filters according to the Comparative example and the Reference example. From these results, the optical filter according to the Example exhibits a great improvement effect of the optical characteristics due to the combination of the near-infrared absorbing layer and the metamaterial structures compared with the optical filter according to the Comparative example and exhibits a greater improvement effect of such optical characteristics than the optical filter according to the Reference Example.

Claim 1:
An optical filter (<NUM>), comprising:
a near-infrared absorbing layer (<NUM>) including a first material, the first material being configured to absorb light in a first wavelength spectrum within a near-infrared wavelength spectrum extending from <NUM> to <NUM>,
a compensation layer (<NUM>) at a lower portion, an upper portion, or a side portion of the near-infrared absorbing layer, the compensation layer including a second material different from the first material, and
a metamaterial structure (102a) embedded in the compensation layer, spaced apart from the near-infrared absorbing layer via the compensation layer, the metamaterial structure being configured to absorb, reflect, and/or scatter light in a second wavelength spectrum at least partially overlapped with the first wavelength spectrum within the near-infrared wavelength spectrum.