Archives for February 2024

Canon’s twisted photodiodes improve autofocus

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IEEE Spectrum has a recent article discussing a 2023 IEDM paper from Canon.

Paper: Shirahige et al., "40-5. Cross Dual-Pixel Twisted-Photodiode Image Sensor for All-Directional Auto Focus", IEDM 2023.

Spectrum article: https://spectrum.ieee.org/autofocus-canon-twisted-diode

Diodes at Right Angles Double Autofocus Capacity: Canon twists photosensor rules to build new tech from familiar parts

Above are images of a rotating object using Canon's twisted photodiode autofocus [middle column] and a standard dual pixel autofocus [right column]. The gray column is the raw image and the top and bottom rows were taken at different times. Courtesy: Canon
 

In 2013, Canon introduced its first dual-pixel autofocus, a technology that allows almost every pixel in a photo sensor to help focus the image it takes. Now Canon researchers say they’ve developed a new improvement on their previous improvement to autofocus tech. And this new approach finds its focus faster, better, and in lower light—without requiring new components and technologies to be invented first. It simply involves one small twist.

Shirahige said they have developed a new image sensor whose photodiodes are perpendicular to each other. This “cross dual-pixel twisted-photodiode,” they note, performs better than autofocus sensors in the marketplace today [that place] two photodiodes under a shared lens, which allowed the sensor to detect when incoming light on both diodes was in phase, and therefore, in focus. [Even earlier technique was to] sample [a few image] pixels to adjust the camera lens based on the contrast in the image, a slower method. [In any case, the] focusing pixels could not record image data, so there was always a trade-off between autofocusing ability and image quality. Instead, the dual-pixel autofocus approach made it possible for almost every pixel in the sensor to contribute to focusing the lens ahead of shooting, and to then contribute information to the final photo. The advantages included speed, better focus in low-light situations, and better focus across a greater fraction of the image.

However, these multipixel photodiodes have a disadvantage: the arrangement of photodiodes favors light on one axis at the cost of the other. [...]Canon’s new structure, which they call a twisted-photodiode image sensor, stacks two identical photodiodes, one oriented to capture horizontal patterns and the other rotated ninety degrees to capture vertical patterns. Because the horizontally and vertically oriented photodiodes are the same type of components, the data each generates requires no more extra processing time or power than that of any other diode in the system. So the overall autofocus speed is higher. The orthogonal-diode arrangement, by virtue of is comparable simplicity, also achieves faster readouts than more complex quadruple or other elaborate photodiode structures.

Canon’s team reported that their system is also much faster at capturing the electrons transferred from the photodiodes, capturing as many as 121,000 electrons with the same lag as previous photodiodes, which is more than double the capacity of comparable earlier systems.

[Canon did] not provide an estimate of when the technology might appear in commercial systems.

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NONS SL660 instant SLR review

Cameralabs        Go to the original article...

The NONS SL660 is a fully analogue, manual SLR camera designed for instax Square film. In my review I'll show you how practical it is for those who want more control over their instant photography!…

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Canon Inc. announces director changes (Revised Announcement with additional information)

Newsroom | Canon Global        Go to the original article...

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Canon Inc. announces director changes (Revised Announcement with additional information)

Newsroom | Canon Global        Go to the original article...

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Job Postings – Week of 4 February 2024

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Ametek – Forza Silicon

Principal Pixel Architect

Pasadena, California, USA

Link

L3Harris

Operations Manager

Katowice, Poland

Link

L3Harris

Infrared Sensor Engineering Technician D

Mason, Ohio, USA

Link

National Research Council Canada

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Quantum Plasmonic Sensors

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Link

GlobalFoundries Fab8

Principal Metrology Process Engineer

Malta, New York, USA

Link

SICK AG

SICK Summer University (for teens)

Waldkirch, Germany

(webpage in German)

Link

Sandia National Laboratories

Integrated Photonics Postdoctoral Appointee (US citizen)

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Link

OPPO

Camera Image Quality Design and Evaluation Engineer

Yokohama, Japan

(webpage in Japanese)

Link

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Detector Development Scientist

Upton, New York, USA

Link

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Job Postings from Spain

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Qurv, in Barcelona, Spain, plans to expand its sensor design team with staff additions:

  • Process Integration Engineer
  • Wide-Spectrum Image Sensor CMOS Pixel Designer
  • Quantum Film Process Engineer

These openings and more are on the Qurv website.

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New Videos from onsemi, AI Storm, ST, EPFL

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Onsemi emphasizes its internal fab capabilities:

 

At CES, AI Storm describes the analog AI approach contained in its image sensor:
 


Also at CES, ST presents its new 3D sensing approach:
 

 

EPFL presents a combo of spiking neuron processor and  SPAD sensor:

EPFL also presents a burst SPAD imager:


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Sony Cyber-shot F717 retro review

Cameralabs        Go to the original article...

Back in 2002, Sony launched the Cyber-shot F717, the fourth model in the series to use an L-shaped design with a twisting body. It built on the earlier F707 to deliver one of the best in the series to date and gained later popularity for its infra-red capabilities. Find out how it performs 22 years later in my retro review!…

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NIT and INSP collaboration on quantum dot SWIR imager

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A video on the different stages in the development of sensors for infrared cameras from Institut des NanoSciences de Paris (INSP):

  

A press release from November 2023 related to this technology:

NIT and INSP will exhibit the world’s first HgTe CQD SWIR camera during the Forum Innovation Defense held in Paris on 23-28 November.

NIT (New Imaging Technologies) and INSP (Institute of Nanosciences of Paris) are proud to announce the debut of the world’s first Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) camera featuring an innovative HgTe (Mercury Telluride) Quantum Dot focal plane array sensor. This groundbreaking technological achievement will be showcased during the Forum Innovation Defense, taking place in Paris from November 23 to November 28, 2023.

The collaboration between NIT and INSP has resulted in a pioneering SWIR infrared camera, utilizing the advanced HgTe quantum dot sensor technology, which promises unprecedented capabilities in defense and security applications.

Selected by the French Ministry of Defense, NIT, and INSP will present the culmination of years of dedicated research and development efforts in this revolutionary camera. The development of the CQD (Colloidal Quantum Dot) sensor was made possible through funding provided by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) and the National Research Agency, part of a rigorous three-year R&D program.

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