Apr 21 2015
TowerJazz, the global specialty foundry leader, and Gpixel, Inc., a fast-growing CMOS image sensor (CIS) provider focusing on professional applications, announced today the world’s first backside illuminated (BSI) scientific CMOS image sensor, Gpixel’s GSENSE400-BSI, manufactured using TowerJazz’s TS18IS process.
GSENSE400-BSI, with an optimized anti-reflective coating for either UV sensitivity or visible light (VIS) sensitivity, features extremely low dark current of below 0.03 e-/p/s at -50°C. Gpixel’s BSI scientific CMOS image sensor is well-suited for spectrometry, biometric, fluorescence, surveillance, industrial inspection, forensic, and astronomy applications.
In a report on the machine vision market published by MarketsandMarkets, the total value of the machine vision market is expected to reach $9.5 billion by 2020 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.51% from 2014 to 2020.
Gpixel’s GSENSE400-BSI was tested against other leading CMOS- and charge-coupled device (CCD)-based sensors, showing much improved Quantum Efficiency (QE) in UV range and extremely low read noise as compared to any of its competitors. Gpixel’s GSENSE400-BSI CMOS sensor is well-suited for professional imaging applications which demand image sensors with high sensitivity, low-noise, and high dynamic range, in particular when sensitivity to the ultraviolet spectrum is desired.
Gpixel’s BSI scientific CMOS sensor features very high sensitivity from 270nm – 300nm for its UV-optimized version, and from 300nm – 400nm for its VIS-optimized version. In addition, the scientific grade sensor features a read noise as low as 1.3e-, linear full well charge as high as 91Ke-, and dynamic range of 96dB. With deep cooling at -50°C degrees, the sensor dark current can be reduced to below 0.03 e-/p/s. These combinations make the backside illuminated GSENSE400 suitable for many applications which are still dominated by BSI CCDs, yet offering much higher frame rate and less power consumption.
TowerJazz’s advanced and proven CMOS image sensor technology is intended to meet the established growing demand for optical sensors used in consumer, industrial, medical and automotive applications. TowerJazz’s lengthy experience in the imaging field, combined with its own technology developed in-house, enables best-in-class customized designs. TowerJazz’s skilled experts support the customization of pixels per project and specific customer needs and its superior performance (dark current, low noise and dynamic range) enables a rich offering for various digital imaging applications. BSI is also provided by TowerJazz through subcontracting services.
“We have been working with TowerJazz since the start of Gpixel, because of its unprecedented leadership in CMOS image sensor technology. TowerJazz enables us to design imaging sensors with optimal electrical-optical performance, which is essential for professional applications.” said Dr. Xinyang Wang, Founder & CEO, Gpixel, Inc. “This latest BSI sensor’s performance has exceeded my expectation. I believe this is one of the most unique CMOS products currently available in the market and will create very serious competition with many existing BSI CCD sensors.”
“We are very pleased to see the success of Gpixel in the market. We have known Dr. Wang for many years and have full confidence in his ability to grow his company to become a major high end CMOS image sensor supplier,” said Dr. Avi Strum, Vice President and General Manager, CMOS Image Sensor Business Unit, TowerJazz. “Gpixel is unique in the Chinese market as it concentrates on the high end market which fits very well with our strategy.”