Not only is the graphene sensor 1,000 times more sensitive to light than current imaging sensors found in today's cameras, it also uses 10 times less energy as it operates at lower voltages. When mass produced, graphene sensors are estimated to cost at least five times cheaper.

How the Graphene nanostructure works Asst Prof Wang came up with an innovative idea to create nanostructures on graphene which will "trap" light-generated electron particles for a much longer time, resulting in a much stronger electric signal. Such electric signals can then be processed into an image, such as a photograph captured by a digital camera.

The "trapped electrons" is the key to achieving high photoresponse in graphene, which makes it far more effective than the normal CMOS or CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensors, said Asst Prof Wang. Essentially, the stronger the electric signals generated, the clearer and sharper the photos. "The performance of our graphene sensor can be further improved, such as the response speed, through nanostructure engineering of graphene, and preliminary results already verified the feasibility of our concept," Asst Prof Wang added.

via ScienceDaily

I have tried a blower to remove the dust and also swabbed the sensor with a cleaning kit which removed all the dust etc. but this mark remains!!!

So what does it look like to you and has anyone encountered something similar?

Thanks in advance all!

Panasonic says its technology increases camera sensitivity by one whole stop. This means its cameras will theoretically produce the same level of noise at ISO 1600 as Bayer sensor-equipped cameras do at ISO 800

http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/2013/02/en130204-6/en130204-6.html

Sounds very promising...

The sensor pixel size is 19um, more than 7.5-times the surface area of the pixels on the CMOS sensor incorporated in Canon's top-of-the-line EOS-1D X and other digital SLR cameras. In addition, the sensor's pixels and readout circuitry are said to employ new technologies that reduce noise, which tends to increase as pixel size increases. Thanks to these technologies, the sensor facilitates the shooting of clearly visible video images even in dimly lit environments with as little as 0.03 lux of illumination, or approximately the brightness of a crescent moon—a level of brightness in which it is difficult for the naked eye to perceive objects. When recording video of astral bodies, while an electron-multiplying CCD, which realizes approximately the same level of perception as the naked eye, can capture magnitude-6 stars, Canon's newly developed sensor is capable of recording faint stars with a magnitude of 8.5 and above.

Using a prototype camera employing the newly developed sensor, Canon successfully captured a wide range of test video, such as footage recorded in a room illuminated only by the light from burning incense sticks (approximately 0.05–0.01 lux) and video of the Geminid meteor shower. The company is looking to such future applications for the new sensor as astronomical and natural observation, support for medical research, and use in surveillance and security equipment.

Via: http://image-sensors-world.blogspot.ru/

Here’s how sensitive the new sensor is: it will reportedly be able to see meteor shows, rooms lit with incense sticks, and scenes lit only by moonlight.

Panasonic Corp developed a 2.1-Mpixel CMOS image sensor for camera systems capable of taking 3D movie with a single lens and announced it at ISSCC 2013

For taking 3D video, it is necessary to separate light into light entering the left eye and light entering the right eye and to make sure that the two types of lights come to different pixels of the CMOS sensor. To realize this, Panasonic employed a structure that combines a lenticular lens and mirror elements (digital micro lenses: DMLs) made by forming patterns whose size is smaller than light wavelength with a lithography technology.

Via: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20130223/267691/

I have a problem with my GH2.

Made several photos, Tried different lenses, different subjects and even different SD cards (just to cancel out all the variables). In every photo though, these strange purple dots pop up in the right corner of the image. My conclusion: the problem must be with the sensor. Visually checked the sensor, could not see anything on the surface. Tried sensor cleaning out of the menu: did not help. After that I tried very carefully with a dust blower to blow any possible dust particles of the sensor: did not help either. Forgot to mention that I also cancelled out the possibility of dead pixels. On a photo with the lens cap on, nothing is seen...

So I guess, (sticky) dust? Or can anyone with more experience in this field give me an idea of what is causing this problem.

Thanks a lot in forward,

Ruben

Truesense Imaging announced its first CMOS image sensor specifically targeting applied imaging markets such as machine vision, intelligent transportation systems, and surveillance.

The 12 million pixel KAC-12040 Image Sensor combines high resolution with very high frame rate, flexible readout, and excellent near-IR sensitivity – features that address the critical requirements of many current and emerging imaging applications. The new device will be shown as part of Truesense Imaging’s display at the 25th annual VISION Trade Fair, held November 6 – 8 in Stuttgart, Germany.

“The KAC-12040 leverages our extensive background and broad expertise in pixel design, system-on-a-chip architectures, and sensor manufacturing to bring an exciting new combination of features to camera manufacturers and their end markets,” said Chris McNiffe, CEO of Truesense Imaging, Inc. “This device clearly supports our strategy to be the leading provider of both CCD and CMOS sensors for high performance applications, and to provide our customers with the very best image sensor products regardless of their underlying technology.”

The KAC-12040 Image Sensor is the first in a planned family of CMOS devices that complement Truesense Imaging’s expansive CCD portfolio by providing the functionality and flexibility available uniquely from CMOS technology. Based on an advanced 4.7-micron pixel, the new CMOS platform provides both global and rolling shutter for versatile image capture, very high frame rate, and excellent near-IR sensitivity – features required by a growing set of applied imaging applications such as machine vision, intelligent transportation systems, and surveillance. The platform also includes a flexible read-out architecture that supports programmable, multiple regions of interest, enabling full speed, interspersed video streams for simultaneous monitoring of both full field of view and multiple localized zones.

With 12 million pixels (4000 x 3000) in a 4/3 optical format, the KAC-12040 supports 8, 10, 12, and14-bit output, providing 10-bit full resolution readout at up to 60 frames per second. Higher frame rates are possible through image cropping, including a pre-programmed Quad Full HD (3840 x 2160, 8.3 MPix) mode that supports 10-bit readout at 100 fps. The architecture of the device enables 2, 4, or the full set of 8 output banks to be selected during readout, allowing power to be conserved when very fast throughput is not required.

The KAC-12040 Image Sensor is available in monochrome and Bayer color configurations, and is sampling today with production planned for Q2, 2013. An evaluation system that allows detailed analysis of the sensor’s performance is also available for purchase, with availability expected in Q4, 2012. , a leading provider of high-performance CCD image sensors for the world’s most demanding applications, today announced its first CMOS image sensor specifically targeting applied imaging markets such as machine vision, intelligent transportation systems, and surveillance.

The 12 million pixel KAC-12040 Image Sensor combines high resolution with very high frame rate, flexible readout, and excellent near-IR sensitivity – features that address the critical requirements of many current and emerging imaging applications. The new device will be shown as part of Truesense Imaging’s display at the 25th annual VISION Trade Fair, held November 6 – 8 in Stuttgart, Germany.

“The KAC-12040 leverages our extensive background and broad expertise in pixel design, system-on-a-chip architectures, and sensor manufacturing to bring an exciting new combination of features to camera manufacturers and their end markets,” said Chris McNiffe, CEO of Truesense Imaging, Inc. “This device clearly supports our strategy to be the leading provider of both CCD and CMOS sensors for high performance applications, and to provide our customers with the very best image sensor products regardless of their underlying technology.”

The KAC-12040 Image Sensor is the first in a planned family of CMOS devices that complement Truesense Imaging’s expansive CCD portfolio by providing the functionality and flexibility available uniquely from CMOS technology. Based on an advanced 4.7-micron pixel, the new CMOS platform provides both global and rolling shutter for versatile image capture, very high frame rate, and excellent near-IR sensitivity – features required by a growing set of applied imaging applications such as machine vision, intelligent transportation systems, and surveillance. The platform also includes a flexible read-out architecture that supports programmable, multiple regions of interest, enabling full speed, interspersed video streams for simultaneous monitoring of both full field of view and multiple localized zones.

With 12 million pixels (4000 x 3000) in a 4/3 optical format, the KAC-12040 supports 8, 10, 12, and14-bit output, providing 10-bit full resolution readout at up to 60 frames per second. Higher frame rates are possible through image cropping, including a pre-programmed Quad Full HD (3840 x 2160, 8.3 MPix) mode that supports 10-bit readout at 100 fps. The architecture of the device enables 2, 4, or the full set of 8 output banks to be selected during readout, allowing power to be conserved when very fast throughput is not required.

The KAC-12040 Image Sensor is available in monochrome and Bayer color configurations, and is sampling today with production planned for Q2, 2013. An evaluation system that allows detailed analysis of the sensor’s performance is also available for purchase, with availability expected in Q4, 2012.

Via: http://www.truesenseimaging.com/products/cmos/73-KAC-12040

Pdf: http://www.truesenseimaging.com/all/download/file?fid=11.73

My near three years old GF1 collected some dust on the sensor that I'm not able to blow out with my Giotto blower. I have searched the web for viable solutions (other than sending the camera for service) and learned something about the so called "Wet method" sensor cleaning technique based on Eclipse, swabs and PEC-PADs.

But during my research I have read somewhere that in the Panasonic bodies there is a dust protective membrane (part of the anti dust system) placed over the low pass filter of the sensor, preventing the direct access to the low pass filter surface and I don't know if this is true or not.

I guess that you, by dismantling some panasonic body, looked at the sensor many times and coud give me some advice regarding this issue: do you ever noticed that the exposed sensor is covered by a sort of dust membrane or something else? Because if there is such a membrane I think that it is not possible to directly clean the sensor without damaging the membrane and/or the sensor. And more in general, do you have some experience regarding this issue?

Any comment/suggestion is welcome and will be highly appreciated. Many thanks in advance for the attention.

Ciao :)

Via: http://www.manufacturingnewsletter.com/docs/automate2011-advanced-camera-image-sensor-technology.pdf

http://www.semicon.panasonic.co.jp/en/catalog/cat/pdf/T12013CE.pdf

It is GH2 sensor, btw:

https://chipworks.secure.force.com/catalog/ProductDetails?sku=PAN-DMC-GH2-K_Pri-Camera&viewState=DetailView

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GXBOEazeIn0#!

is it real solution for vertical color line (banding) problem?