Black Silicon

[Sarah C.]

I read this when news first came out... made me think of Red, especially again because the new M-X and Red Studios Hollywood. Maybe this is where you guys will be headed particularly if you can do it ahead of other manufacturers?

http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2008/...aterial-could-upend-solar-imaging-industries/

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/black-silicon-photography,6485.html


~s

 

[Stefan Christou]

One of the comments after that article is quite amusing: "I look forward to ISO 6400 cameras with the noise/grain level of the ISO 100 of today. I assume that it should come to market in about 8-10 years. But, what’s being developed with your approach will set up that possiblity.

"In the meantime, good luck with your development."

LMFAO

 

[Thomas Wright]

In sensors, processors and media we're approaching a tipping point where there's going to be a paradigm shift. We live in exciting times... I think that's a chinese curse: May you live in interesting times. But I like it.

 

[Sarah C.]

It's the "100x" more light idea that has me excited. Technology is always improving, and scientists typically understate works in progress.

Imagine: lighting as ONLY a creative tool, never again a necessity. Where ever you place a camera, it will "see" all the light that is available, and very possible into the reaches of the spectrum. It will only be your choice to create directionality and contrast. ISO will no longer be about GAIN.. instead it will be about SUPPRESSION. .. No more ND filters, no more noise under any light.. be it outdoor sun, or a match lighting a cave of black rock for a quarter mile...

I'm ready to see that now.

~s

 

[JD Holloway]

This board has turned this idea over for a few years now.
I'm not sure how long we will have to wait for cineized version of this technology.
We will see it in security applications first, and its not there yet, and wont be for some time.

 

[David Swan]

Just thinking.....black silicon and back illumination.
Not only would your efficiancy go through teh roof, but....with the wafer soaking up all the light there would be less bouncing around the dark-chamber and causing flare etc.
Just a thought
David

 

[Matthias Hutter]

Don't get too exited...
Quantum efficiency cannot improve much anymore, so don't expect huge improvements in photon shot noise.
The sensitivity increase means that black silicon needs less analog gain and so may have lower read noise,
but read noise is also quite low in the newest generation of cameras (1D mk iv, m-x). So don't expect a ISO 100 to 6400 jump.
Finally, Black Silicon has an increased infrared response, but whether this is advantage or not is another question.

Back Illumination has diminutive advantages in large sensors, and is mostly cost-prohibitive.

/Edit: If you have questions or further explanations, feel free to ask.

Regards, Matt

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Technology is always improving, and scientists typically understate works in progress.

I think a more accurate description is the line "We tend to overestimate the short term and under estimate the long term."

I've heard a lot of "We'll be flying in cars in 3 years!" in regards to sensors and processors.

While most scientists are conservative in their estimates--those tend not to be the ones who put out big press releases announcing the paradigm shift coming to a store near you in a couple of years. Because it's usually part of a venture capital search.

 

[jbeale]

Don't get too exited...
Quantum efficiency cannot improve much anymore, so don't expect huge improvements in photon shot noise.

My back-of-the-envelope calculation is that existing DSLR camera sensors are within about a factor of 4 of what is theoretically possible as far as converting light to usable images. 10x or more improvement is just not going to happen, regardless of the sensor type.

Not to say that you can't improve the overall camera beyond that, but it will be due to something besides the sensor, like advanced noise reduction image processing.

 

[Daniel Browning]

First of all, here are the existing threads for BS:


Ultra Sensitive Black Silicon Discovery

Hey, will this have any effect on new sensors?

Could Dec 3rd = Black Silicon?


Second, BS has already been abandoned by its creators because it could not be mass produced. They're giving up on one of the key BS characteristics (surface cones) and now they're calling it Pink Silicon.

Third, I agree with Matthias and John Beale.