The folks at Panasonic have created a
new technology that they say can double the sensitivity of their
sensors. They’re able to do this by using micro color splitters that
separate color by diffraction instead of by absorption. This means
that the filters currently in use can be done away with and more
light can pass through.
“This development makes color
filters unnecessary by using the micro color splitters that control
the diffraction of light at a microscopic level,” says
Panasonic. “Panasonic has achieved approximately double the
color sensitivity in comparison with conventional sensors that use
color filters.”
There’s much to be done before the new
tech can be put into cameras, including determining cost and
production capabilities, but Panasonic says that the splitters can be
made with the current semiconductor fabrication process.
Panasonic has more details.