Overview

Polarsens is a CMOS Image Sensor pixel technology that has several different angle polarizer formed on chip during the semiconductor process allowing highly accurate alignment with pixel. This allows it to solve issues faced in various industrial areas.

*) *Polarsens and logo are trademarks of Sony Group Corporation.

Polarizer image

Polarizer image
Source: Sony, IEDM2016, Lecture number 8.7

Polarsens "lntroduction Part" (With Sound)

Polarsens "Application Part" (With Sound)

Technical Features

Four directional polarizer is formed on the image sensor

Sony’s polarization sensor can capture a four directional polarization image in one shot by the four directional polarizer (Fig.1). It can calculate the direction and degree of polarization (DoP) based on the intensity of each directional polarization. Together with subsequent signal processing, it can capture the polarization information*1 in real time*2.

*1) Degree of Polarization and Direction of Polarization
*2) Subject to subsequent signal processing power.

Fig.1 Structure

Fig.1. Structure - Polarizer is formed under the On-Chip Lens.

Polarizer is formed on chip under the on-chip lens layer

With conventional types of polarization sensors, the polarizer is attached on top of the on-chip lens layer (Fig.2, left), however with Sony’s polarization sensor, the polarizer is formed on chip under the on-chip lens layer (Fig.2, right). A shorter distance between the polarizer and the photodiode improves the extinction ratio*3 and the incident angle dependence.

Since the polarizer is formed during the semiconductor process, form and formulation of polarizer, uniformity, mass productivity and durability are excellent compared to conventional polarization sensors. Furthermore, Sony’s Polarization sensor is covered with an anti-reflection layer which helps to reduce reflectance and avoids poor flare and ghost characteristics.

*3) Extinction ratio is a specification to measure polarization. The extinction ratio of polarization image sensor is the ratio between the sensitivity of transmission axis light and the sensitivity of extinction axis light (the sensitivity of transmission axis light / the sensitivity of extinction axis light). The higher the number, the better the specification and performance.

Fig.2 Structure Comparison

Structure of Conventional Polarization sensor, Structure of Sony's Polarization sensor

Structure of Conventional
Polarization sensor

Structure of Sony's
Polarization sensor

Fig.2 Structure Comparison

Structure of Conventional Polarization sensor, Structure of Sony's Polarization sensor

Structure of Conventional
Polarization sensor

Structure of Sony's Polarization sensor

Reference Zoom Zoom

What is polarization?

Light has physical elements : brightness (amplitude), color (wavelength) and polarization (vibration direction). Lights from the Sun or fluorescent lamps vibrate in various directions and is called unpolarized light.

Sony’s polarization sensor has wire-grid polarizers. Parallel light against polarizer passes through it, while perpendicular light is cut off at the polarizer.

Fig.3 Polarization mechanism

Figure of polarized light - When unpolarized light is transmitted through a polarizing filter, it emerges as polarized light.
Reference Zoom Zoom

Fig.3 Polarization mechanism

Figure of polarized light - When unpolarized light is transmitted through a polarizing filter, it emerges as polarized light.

Degree of Polarization and Polarization Direction

Polarization has two physical information, which are the degree of polarization and the direction of polarization. This information can be used for various applications such as surface scratch detection, particle inspection, distortion and shape recognition which has traditional been difficult to detect.

Example of Degree of Polarization (DoP)

The light is reflected by the surface of the object in polarized and unpolarized lights. The DoP of the reflected light depends on the surface condition (material, color, roughness etc.) and the angle of reflection.

Normal image

Normal image

Degree of Polarization image

Degree of Polarization image

In the Degree of Polarization image (right) the white is high polarization and black is low polarization.
As example, the stitch is easily visible due to the difference in the degree of polarization of the thread and leather.

Example of Polarization Direction

Polarization direction provides the direction information of reflected plane of an object.

Normal image

Normal image

Polarization Direction image

Polarization Direction image

The direction of polarization image (upper right) shows the angle of the polarization direction in color using HSV color mapping (left below).
In this example, the upper side of the cube is highlighted in light blue meaning that the angle of the polarization direction is 90 degree.

HSV color mapping

HSV color mapping

Applications

Plane surface fine scratch detection

To detect fine scratches on plane surfaces which are completely uniform like glass at manufacturing sites, it is necessary to distinguish between scratches and stains. Since scratches differ from stains in that they have a specific orientation, polarization image sensors can be applied to focus on those properties.
Polarization image sensors can reliably identify differences in the degree of polarization between uneven areas, accurately perceiving scratches with a specific direction and detecting them while distinguishing them from stains which have random irregularities.

Detection of scratches and stains on glass

Normal image

Normal image

Degree of Polarization image

Degree of Polarization image

These examples show dents and dust on a homogenous glass plane.(Left/Right) We can easily find scratches and stains (fingerprint and dust) due to differences in the degree of polarization. (Right)

Related sectors

Electronics Manufacturing

Container content inspections

Differences in the degree of polarization can be utilized at manufacturing sites to detect container content. For example, in picking work for LSI chips they can be used to confirm whether chips have been placed to fit in the correct position. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, differences in the degree of polarization between tablets and aluminum sheets can be applied to confirm tablet container content.

Example of visualization of polarization difference between aluminum sheet and tablets

Normal image

Normal image

Degree of Polarization image

Degree of Polarization image

Thanks to the difference in the degree of polarization between the tablet and the aluminum package, it is easy to identify whether the tablets are filled in or not. (Right)

Related sectors

Food/Medicine/Cosmetic Manufacturing

Distortion inspection

Polarization image sensors can be used for distortion inspections in various manufacturing industries. They can accurately detect the presence of distortion without becoming confused by color or reflections, and can even detect the direction of distortions.

Warping in eyeglass frame

Normal image

Normal image

Polarization Direction image

Polarization Direction image

With the information of direction of polarization, we can identify both distortions and the direction of distortion of the plane. (Right)

Related sectors

Research and Investigation

Confirmation of number of individuals in vehicles (reflection removal)

In observations conducted by fixed-point cameras for the enforcement of traffic regulations, light can be reflected by vehicle windshields depending on the time period and angle, making it impossible to identify individuals in the vehicle. By setting polarization image sensors as appropriate, this reflected light can be reduced or removed, allowing the number of individuals in the vehicle to be detected.

Without polarizing filter

Without polarizing filter

Interference from reflected light makes it difficult to see the vehicle interior.

With polarizing filter

With polarizing filter

A polarizing filter can be used to remove the reflected light. However, reflected light may remain depending on the vehicle type (window angle).

Polarization image sensor (Polarsens)

Polarization image sensor (Polarsens)

Using a polarization image sensor can remove the reflected light regardless of the vehicle type, improving the accuracy of face recognition.

Related sectors

Traffic and Transportation (ITS)

Download

"The Principle of Reflection Removal Utilizing Polarization and Features of Polarization Image Sensor"

Introducing the details of polarization Image Sensor Technology Polarsens.

Polarization Image Sensors Overview

2-page summary of Sony's polarization image sensors

A List of Cameras with Polarization Image Sensors

Download a list of cameras that incorporate Sony's polarization image sensors

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