IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,412,777
Granted Patent B2
US 9,412,777 · App. 14/030,321 · Granted Aug 9, 2016

Image sensor and image capturing apparatus for satisfactory pupil division by a focus detection pixel in which a light guide is formed

Inventor: Koichi Fukuda (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
H01L27/14629H01L27/14625H04N5/2254H04N5/23212H04N5/3696
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,412,777
App. No.
14/030,321
Granted
Aug 9, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor including a plurality of image forming pixels and a lens which is arranged for the plurality of image forming pixels. Each of the image forming pixels includes a plurality of divided photo-electric conversion units, and the plurality of photo-electric conversion units have a function of photo-electrically converting a plurality of images having passed through different exit pupils of the imaging optical system, and outputting focus detection signals. Each of the image forming pixels includes a first light guide and a second light guide. The first light guide is arranged on a side of the lens, and the second light guide is arranged on a side of the photo-electric conversion unit, and a division count of the second light guide is larger than the division count of the first light guide.

Claims (17)

1. An image capturing apparatus comprising an image sensor including a plurality of image forming pixels which detect an object image formed by an imaging optical system and generate a captured image, and a lens which is arranged for the plurality of image forming pixels and converges incident light to the image forming pixels,

wherein each of the image forming pixels includes a plurality of divided photo-electric conversion units,

the plurality of photo-electric conversion units have a function of photo-electrically converting a plurality of images having passed through different exit pupils of the imaging optical system, and outputting focus detection signals for performing focus adjustment by a phase-difference detection method,

each of the image forming pixels includes a first light guide and a second light guide between the lens and the plurality of divided photo-electric conversion units,

the first light guide is arranged on a side of the lens, and the second light guide is arranged on a side of the photo-electric conversion unit,

a division count of the second light guide is larger than the division count of the first light guide, and

a distance between a convergence position of the lens and upper ends of the second light guides is set to be equal to or larger than a one-side focal depth of the lens so that light which passed through the lens enters at the upper ends of the second light guides while the light is spreading.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the convergence position of the lens is set in the first light guide.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an interconnection layer is interposed between the lens and the photo-electric conversion unit, and the upper end of the second light guide in an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system is positioned within a range of a width of the interconnection layer.

4. An image sensor comprising a plurality of image forming pixels each including a lens and a plurality of divided photo-electric conversion units,

wherein each of said image forming pixels includes a first light guide and a second light guide between the lens and the plurality of divided photo-electric conversion units,

the first light guide is arranged on a side of the lens,

the second light guide is arranged on a side of the photo-electric conversion unit,

a division count of the second light guide is larger than the division count of the first light guide, and

a distance between a convergence position of the lens and upper ends of the second light guides is set to be equal to or larger than a one-side focal depth of the lens so that light which passed through the lens enters at the upper ends of the second light guides while the light is spreading.

5. The sensor according to claim 4 , wherein the convergence position of the lens is set in the first light guide.

6. The sensor according to claim 4 , wherein an interconnection layer is interposed between the lens and the photo-electric conversion unit, and the upper end of the second light guide in an optical axis direction is positioned within a range of a width of the interconnection layer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2014
From: FUKUDA, KOICHI
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 032178/0722 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2012-232333 · Oct 19, 2012 · national
JP 2013-169927 · Aug 19, 2013 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140111677A1 · Apr 24, 2014