From an article seen on DPReview.com. This new technology looks like it may have future applications for incredibly low noise, higher ISO detection. Imagine, image quality of 100 ISO at 25,600 ISO or more, as this material is said to have 100x light sensitivity to conventional silicon based sensors. Also, it is said, that this material can absorb light at a wider range, including infra-red, so you could switch to infrared mode as if putting in ir film (and no PS mucking about). Also, sensors could remain small (APS-C) and have many more pixels on them, as the sensitivity would be greater, and resolution, but with little/no image quality trade off. If you like grain - and digital grain - this could be the end of the road.
You saw it here (nearly) first...
Too early to shed light on Black Silicon say developers
Creators of the 'black silicon' that has been much discussed, following an article in the New York Times, have said it's too early to discuss what their material's benefits might be for digital photography. The novel, doped silicon technology holds out the promise of increased sensitivity but is still in development by SiOnyx, a Harvard University spin-off.
The company holds the rights to develop and commercialize a silicon doping technology that research has suggested absorbs light (including in the infrared region of the spectrum that can be detrimental in conventional photography), more readily than conventional silicon chips. Although initially believed to be a result of the conical structure formed when lasers impregnate the surface of the silicon with sulfur compounds, the company now believes it's these compounds' effect on the electronic behavior of this surface layer that is more significant. The company's patents are not restricted to the use of Sulfur however, and cover the doping technique itself.
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3 comments:
I read about this technology a while ago now and I think Kodak had developed it or had worked on it...
D
Not according to this - sounds like it's had no photo development yet. I think the Kodak thing is something else, as I have a memory of that too...
Ivan
Be careful not to get drawn into press release hype. The fact that a spinoff company is explicitly named should ring the alarm bells.
Two things come to mind: (i) pretty much all silicon used for transistors is doped, and (ii) a semiconductor whose bandgap is so low that it is sensitive to the infrared light will also be subject to thermal noise unless it is cooled externally. So either your batteries will be sucked dry by a peltier cooler, or you'll have to top your camera off with liquid nitrogen before heading out for a shoot.
So don't get too excited yet, kids. Believe it when you have it in your hands.
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