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Monday, March 22, 2010

"CHIPS: Quantum film threatens to replace CMOS image chips"

Film was replaced by silicon imaging chips, but now CMOS imagers could be replaced by film--this time "quantum film" which looks like a traditional polymer-based film, but reacts to light like a chip. Look for quantum film to lower the cost and widen the applications for digital cameras. R.C.J.


Just as photographic film was mostly replaced by silicon image chips, now quantum film threats to replace the conventional CMOS image sensors in digital cameras. Made from materials similar to conventional film—a polymer with embedded particles—instead of silver grains like photographic film the embedded particles are quantum dots. Quantum films can image scenes with more pixel resolution, according to their inventors, InVisage Inc., offering four-times better sensitivity for ultra-high resolution sensors that are cheaper to manufacture.
Full Text: http://bit.ly/b730OX