Research on Highly-sensitive Image Sensor Overlaid with Crystalline Selenium-based Photoelectric Conversion Film

摘要

The NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories (STRL) has been researching image sensors with the goal of achieving higher sensitivity for equipment such as 8K Super Hi-Vision (8K) cameras. An image sensor works as the eye of the camera system by converting incoming light into electrical signals. In recent years, advances made for higher definition image systems, including those of the 8K format, have dramatically increased the pixel count of image sensors. However, increasing a pixel count without enlarging the size of the image sensor reduces the amount of light received per pixel; this results the image sensor having lower sensitivity. This problem can be solved by amplifying the charges (electrical signals) generated in the photoelectric conversion film overlaid on the surface of the signal readout circuit (Figure 1).