US 4,345,011 A · Color imaging devices and color filter arrays using photo-bleachable dyes

Abstract

Color filter arrays for color imaging devices are disclosed. The arrays are formed in a single layer of a transparent binder containing at least one cationic photo-bleachable dye. The layer has a thickness less than 10 microns, and the dye is present in the layer in an amount sufficient to impart a density to the layer of at least about 0.5 in that portion of the spectrum in which it selectively absorbs. A method of making the arrays is also disclosed which includes the steps of (1) forming a layer of a transparent binder containing the photo-bleachable dye or dyes and a sensitizer; (2) exposing the layer to a pattern which represents a set of filter elements so as to photo-bleach the photo-bleachable dye; and (3) fixing the layer by leaching the sensitizer from the layer. In particularly preferred embodiments, the dyes are chosen so that those which absorb at longer wavelengths have a lower bleaching efficiency than those which absorb at shorter wavelengths.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of producing a planar array of filter elements comprising the steps of:

(1) forming a layer having a thickness less than 10 microns comprising a transparent binder, a cationic photo-bleachable dye which selectively absorbs radiation in at least one portion of the spectrum, and a sensitizer said dye being present in said layer in an amount sufficient to impart a density to said layer of about 0.5 in that portion of the spectrum in which it selectively absorbs;
(2) exposing said layer to a pattern representing said filter elements so as to photo-bleach said photo-bleachable dye;
(3) fixing said layer by leaching said sensitizer from said layer.

A method of producing a planar array of filter elements comprising three sets of filter elements in an interlaid pattern, a first set having elements containing yellow and magenta dyes, a second set having yellow and cyan dyes, and a third set having magenta and cyan dyes, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) forming a layer having a thickness less than 10 microns comprising a transparent binder and a cyan, a magenta and a yellow dye and a sensitizer wherein:
(a) each of said dyes is a cationic photo-bleachable dye, and wherein:
(b) each of said cyan, magenta and yellow dyes is present, in said layer, in an amount sufficient to impart a density to said layer of about 0.5 in the red, green and blue portion of the spectrum, respectively, and wherein:
(c) the bleaching efficiency of said yellow dye and of said magenta dye is greater than the bleaching efficiency of said cyan dye;
(2) exposing said layer to a pattern representing said first set of filter elements so as to selectively photo-bleach said cyan dye;
(3) exposing the layer to a pattern representing said second set of filter elements so as to selectively photo-bleach said magenta dye;
(4) exposing said layer to a pattern representing said third set of filter elements so as to selectively photo-bleach said yellow dye;
and
(5) fixing said layer by leaching said sensitizer from said layer.

6 more elements

A method of producing a color imaging device comprising:

(i) a planar array of charge-handling semiconductive photosensors and superimposed in micro-registration therewith,
(ii) a single layer of a transparent binder containing a planar array of filter elements comprising three sets of filter elements lying in an interlaid pattern, a first set having elements containing yellow and magenta dyes, a second set having elements containing yellow and cyan dyes, and a third set having elements containing magenta and cyan dyes, said method comprising the steps of:
(1) producing said planar array of filter elements by a method comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a layer having a thickness less than 10 microns comprising a transparent binder and a cyan, a magenta and a yellow dye and a sensitizer wherein:
(I) each of said dyes is a cationic photo-bleachable dye and wherein:
(II) each of said cyan, magenta and yellow dyes is present in said layer in an amount sufficient to impart a density to said layer of about 0.5 in the red, green and blue portion of the spectrum, respectively, and wherein:
(III) the bleaching efficiency of said yellow dye and of said magenta dye is greater than the bleaching efficiency of said cyan dye;
(b) exposing said layer to a pattern representing said first set of filter elements so as to selectively photo-bleach said cyan dye;
(c) exposing said layer to a pattern representing said second set of filter elements so as to selectively photo-bleach said magenta dye;
(d) exposing said layer to a pattern representing said third set of filter elements so as to selectively photo-bleach said yellow dye;
and
(e) fixing said layer by leaching said sensitizer from said layer;
and
(2) superimposing said planar array of filter elements in micro-registration with said planar array of photosensors.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Color imaging devices and color filter arrays using photo-bleachable dyes

Life of this patent

Color imaging devices and color filter arrays using photo-bleachable dyes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18