An innovative complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor has been developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (IMS) in Duisburg, Germany.
A new manufacturing process enables the chips in the sensors to see colour through the integration of a colour filter system.
IMS deputy director professor Holger Vogt explains that filters need to be inserted in front of the sensors so that they can detect colour - in much the same way as the human eye needs hue-specific cone types.
Each pixel on the sensors is coated with one of the primary colours (red, blue and green), using UV light and a mask that permits only the desired pixels to be covered.
Microlenses also help the sensor to receive and measure light more effectively, creating a separate lens for individual pixels.
This news comes after All Sensors recently announced the launch of the new Basic Dual Sensor Series Pressure Sensor, which has been described as an industry first [say by who if possible].