Today, world-wide leader in advanced semiconductor solutions Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., announced the launch of two new 1.4 micron CMOS imagers, the S5K4E5 and S5K2N1, both of which come with back side illuminated (BSI) pixel technology.

The new solutions are meant to offer impressive performance levels even when in low light scenarios, being optimized for use in various applications, including smartphones for the S5K4E5.

“The demand for higher quality images and video with ever shrinking pixel size has pushed the new technology innovation curve in CMOS imagers,” said Dojun Rhee, vice president of Marketing, System LSI Division, Samsung Electronics.

“A small pixel size combined with best-in-class sensitivity under low light for still and video capture makes Samsung’s newest imagers ideal for traditional handheld cameras as well as smartphones.”

The phone maker explains that the backside illumination is meant to collect photons from the backside of the pixel.

“The reversed structure moves the photodiode to the top maximizing photoelectric efficiency as the light is not scattered through the metal wiring and dielectric layers, which cause the loss of photons,” Samsung announced.

Through the adoption of the BSI technology, the problem of low light sensitivity that most CMOS image sensors share can be addressed.

The new BSI imagers are able to deliver an enhancement of around 30 percent in low light sensitivity when compared to front side illumination imagers.

The S5K4E5 is a quarter-inch optical format 1.4 micron 5-megapixel (Mp) CMOS image sensor which has been developed so as to support full resolution real-time video.

The solution delivers 30 frames per second (fps) full resolution frame rates and can reduce the shot to shot lag time through taking the picture when the button is pressed.

“The 5Mp imager has a wider chief ray angle that reduces the height of the imager package making it attractive for slim, small form factor smartphones with demanding z-height requirements,” the company concluded.

Samsung also announced that the 5Mp S5K4E5 is set to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of the ongoing year.