Imaging systems with improved microlenses

Abstract

An imaging device may include one or more photosensitive regions in a pixel formed as part of an image pixel array. Microlenses and color filter structures may be formed over the pixel. Each microlens may be formed from a microlens seed and one or more deposition microlens layers formed over the microlens seed. The deposition microlens layer(s) as deposited may already define the curvature of the microlens. As such, no further etching or smoothing process is need for the microlens layer(s) formed over the microlens seed. If desired, the microlens seed may have a planar top surface and planar sides, a planar top surface and slanted planar sides, or a nonplanar top surface and planar sides. The microlens seed may define microlens characteristics of the microlens such as the radius of curvature, the height, and/or the number and type of microlens lobes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.