Sony’s latest smartphone camera collects twice as much light

Sony has uncovered a new type of CMOS sensor that uses “two-phase transistor pixels” that doubles the power to collect light. These types of sensors consist of light-sensitive photodiodes and pixel transistors that direct and amplify the signal at the same point. However, the new design puts photodiodes at the top and pixel transistors at the bottom, “almost double the technology,” Sony said.

Sony pioneered saturated sensors which puts faster memory and other electronic devices directly under the sensor, which allows for faster reading and faster shooting and reduced shutter (jello effect) cameras and mobile phones. This latest sensor uses the same concept, but carries pixel transistors at a different point under the photodiode layer.

This means that each component can be adjusted, allowing Sony to double the light sensor (well deep), or the amount of money that each pixel can hold. This results in twice as much drawing power.

Sony says that because the transistor pixels are in a different phase, it was able to encourage the transistors amplifier to grow. This allows for greater magnification of signatures, reducing noise when shooting at night or other images in dark areas. Adjustable enhancement will allow for “high-resolution, low-resolution images even in low light,” according to Sony.

Sony also said that the technology allows for the highest quality smartphone imaging. With dual magnetic field, it enhances light sensitivity even in small, high-resolution megapixel sensors. Sony has not said when the technology will turn into a cell phone or camera, but it plans to improve the design of large and small sensors.