Hybrid image pixels for phase detection auto focus

An image sensor configured for Phase-Detection Auto Focus (PDAF), comprising:

• a pixel comprising a plurality of photodiodes disposed in a semiconductor material according to an arrangement, wherein the arrangement defines:
• a first image subpixel comprising a plurality of seven first photodiodes;
• a second image subpixel comprising seven second photodiodes;
• a third image subpixel comprising seven third photodiodes;
• and
• a phase detection subpixel comprising four photodiodes including a first photodiode, a second photodiode, or a third photodiode;
• a plurality of first micro-lenses disposed individually overlying at least a subset of the photodiodes of the first, second and third image subpixels;
• and
• a second micro-lens disposed overlying the phase detection subpixel, a first micro-lens of the first micro-lenses having a first radius less than a second radius of the second micro-lens,
• wherein the arrangement is a first arrangement, wherein the pixel array is divided into a central region and a peripheral region, and wherein the peripheral region comprises a peripheral pixel structure of the pixel array configured according to a second arrangement different from the first arrangement, the second arrangement defining:
• a fifth image subpixel comprising three first photodiodes;
• a sixth image subpixel comprising five second photodiodes;
• a seventh image subpixel comprising seven third photodiodes;
• and
• a second phase detection subpixel comprising four photodiodes.

An image sensor configured for Phase-Detection Auto Focus (PDAF), comprising:

• a pixel comprising a plurality of photodiodes disposed in a semiconductor material according to an arrangement, wherein the arrangement defines:
• a first image subpixel comprising fourteen first photodiodes;
• a second image subpixel comprising fourteen second photodiodes;
• a third image subpixel comprising fourteen third photodiodes;
• and
• a phase detection subpixel comprising a first photodiode, a second photodiode, or a third photodiode;
• a plurality of first micro-lenses disposed individually overlying at least a subset of the photodiodes of the first, second and third image subpixels;
• and
• a second micro-lens disposed overlying the phase detection subpixel, a first micro-lens of the first micro-lenses having a first radius less than a second radius of the second micro-lens,
• wherein the arrangement is a first arrangement, wherein the pixel array is divided into a central region and a peripheral region, and wherein the peripheral region comprises a peripheral pixel structure of the pixel array configured according to a second arrangement different from the first arrangement, the second arrangement defining:
• a fifth image subpixel comprising three first photodiodes;
• a sixth image subpixel comprising seven second photodiodes;
• a seventh image subpixel comprising fourteen third photodiodes;
• and
• a second phase detection subpixel comprising four photodiodes.