US5844289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid-state image sensor with microlens and optical fiber bundle
Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics KK
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Filing: 1997-05-21
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Granted: 1998-12-01
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Expires: 2017-05-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved solid-state image sensor is provided by having an image sensing element composed of photoelectric conversion parts, a microlens formed on the surface of the image sensing element corresponding to each photoelectric conversion part, and optical fiber bundle formed of optical fibers arranged in a two-dimensional shape and mounted on the microlens. The optical fiber bundle is also composed of a core and a clad portion. The refractive index of a filler which mounts the optical fiber bundle on the microlens is less than that of the microlens and greater than that of the clad portion of each of the optical fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobukazu Teranishi
- 👤 Akiyoshi Kohno
- 👤 Yasumitsu Komatsu
- 👤 Toshihiko Hino
- 👤 Kazuaki Okumura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:06
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/80; H10F39/805; H10F39/803; H10F39/806; H10F39/8063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A solid-state image sensor comprising: a solid-state sensing element having photoelectric conversion parts formed in a two-dimensional shape in the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, a microlens which corresponds to each of said photoelectric conversion parts and which is provided on the surface of said solid-state sensing element, and an optical fiber bundle which has optical fibers two-dimensionally arranged on said microlens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A solid-state image sensor comprising: a solid-state sensing element having photoelectric conversion parts formed in a two-dimensional shape in the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, a microlens which corresponds to each of said photoelectric conversion parts and which is provided on the surface of said solid-state sensing element, and an optical fiber bundle which has optical fibers two-dimensionally arranged on said microlens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A solid-state image sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refractive index of a filler which mounts said optical fiber bundle on said microlens is less than the refractive index of said microlens and greater than the refractive index of a clad portion of each optical fiber used for said optical fiber bundle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A solid-state image sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end face of said optical fiber bundle is pressed onto said microlens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A solid-state image sensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein a difference between the refractive index of said microlens and the refractive index of the cores of the optical fibers used for said optical fiber bundle is 0.3 or less, and the refractive index of a filler which mounts said optical fiber bundle on said microlens is less than the refractive index of said microlens and greater than the refractive index of the clad portion of each of said optical fibers used for said optical fiber bundle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A solid-state image sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein an array formed by said photoelectric conversion parts is the same as an array formed by said optical fibers, and a one-to-one correspondence exists between said photoelectric conversion parts and said optical fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A solid-state image sensor comprising: a solid-state sensing element having photoelectric conversion parts formed in a two-dimensional rectangular lattice shape in the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, a microlens corresponding to each of said photoelectric conversion parts provided on the surface of said element, and an optical fiber bundle comprising optical fibers arranged in a two-dimensional fine hexagonal close-packed structure mounted on said microlens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A solid-state image sensor comprising: a solid-state sensing element having photoelectric conversion parts formed in a two-dimensional rectangular lattice shape in the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, a microlens corresponding to each of said photoelectric conversion parts provided on the surface of said element, and an optical fiber bundle comprising optical fibers arranged in a two-dimensional fine hexagonal close-packed structure mounted on said microlens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A solid-state image sensor as claimed in claim 6, wherein an angle between the shape formed by said photoelectric conversion parts and the shape formed by said optical fibers is between 10° and 20°, in order that points of the array formed by said photoelectric conversion parts and the points of the shape formed by said optical fibers do not overlap with a fixed period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A solid-state image sensor comprising: a solid-state sensing element having photoelectric conversion parts formed in a two-dimensional shape in the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, a microlens corresponding to each of said photoelectric conversion parts provided on the surface of said element, and an optical fiber bundle composed of optical fibers arranged in a two-dimensional shape mounted on said microlens and having a period different from that of the shape of said photoelectric conversion parts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A solid-state image sensor comprising: a solid-state sensing element having photoelectric conversion parts formed in a two-dimensional shape in the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, a microlens corresponding to each of said photoelectric conversion parts provided on the surface of said element, and an optical fiber bundle composed of optical fibers arranged in a two-dimensional shape mounted on said microlens and having a period different from that of the shape of said photoelectric conversion parts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-30 | 2002-06-01 | 2002-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | 2006-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-30 | 2010-06-01 | 2010-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |