Low energy photon detection with cmos imagers
AssigneeSemiconductor Components Industries, LLC
InventorsJon DALEY, Swarnal BORTHAKUR, Kevin Lloyd BEAMAN
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Abstract
Image sensor, imaging systems, and methods for imaging low energy photons. The image sensor includes an upconversion layer, an energy emitter, and a plurality of silicon photodetectors. The upconversion layer is configured to emit visible light in response to infrared light when electrons in the upconversion layer are charged to a metastable state. The energy emitter is configured to charge the electrons in the upconversion layer to the metastable state. The plurality of silicon photodetectors are positioned behind the upconversion layer and configured to detect the visible light emitted by the upconversion layer.
Claims20
An image sensor, comprising:
- an upconversion layer configured to emit visible light in response to infrared light when electrons in the upconversion layer are charged to a metastable state;
- an energy emitter configured to charge the electrons in the upconversion layer to the metastable state;
- and
- a plurality of silicon photodetectors positioned behind the upconversion layer and configured to detect the visible light emitted by the upconversion layer.
An imaging system, comprising:
- an upconversion layer configured to emit visible light in response to infrared light when electrons in the upconversion layer are charged to a metastable state;
- a controller configured to charge the electrons in the upconversion layer to the metastable state;
- and
- a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor configured to detect the visible light emitted by the upconversion layer.
A method for imaging low energy photons, the method comprising:
- charging electrons in an upconversion layer to a metastable state;
- emitting visible light with the upconversion layer in response to infrared light;
- and
- detecting the visible light emitted by the upconversion layer with a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.