TOSHIBA 1.12 Micrometer Pixel CMOS Image Sensor Launched

Toshiba has launched a new 1.12 micrometer pixel CMOS image sensor that boasts industry's smallest level pixel size. The new sensor offers improved stability, imaging performance of back-side illumination technology aka BSI. The mass production of the image sensor is expected to begin by the end of this year.

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TOSHIBA Image Sensor

Today's high-end smart-phones are getting smaller and thinner in size while their image sensors are expected to offer higher image resolution from 5-8 megapixels. Toshiba is addressing the problem of smaller pixels where miniaturization can result in in degraded image performance. The BSI can tackle this problem and bring a greater level of responsiveness to CMOS imaging. BSI employs the lenses behind the sensor, on its silicon substrate. Typically, mounting the lenses on the front of the sensor limits the light because of wiring. The rear side positioning boosts light sensitivity and absorption which results in capturing of smaller, finer image pixels. Toshiba has made full use of the advantages of BSI to realize image pixels with a pitch of 1.12 micrometers, and to pack 8.08 million of them into a 1/4-inch sensor.

Toshiba expects the BSI technology to be adapted in the mainstream portable devices like digital cameras, mobile phones and tablets.

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