High Sensitivity Graphene Camera Sensors

<p>Nano structured grapheme image sensor technology may make it into consumer cameras in the next few years (I am guessing at least 5 years) enabling 1000x increase in sensitivity vs conventional CMOS sensor technology, lower power requirements as well<br>

http://www.opli.net/opli_magazine/imaging/2013/clear-photos-in-dim-light.aspx?goback=%2Egde_106965_member_246073339</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/off-topic-forum/00bh31</p>

<p>The abstract of the article says the new sensor generates about 1000x times as much current per incident power than<em> previous published monolayer graphene sensors,</em> but it doesn't say how the quantum efficiency relates to that of existing silicone sensors used in real-world cameras today. Thus nothing can be concluded about signal to noise ratio based on the abstract.</p>

<p>Some follow up articles of the popular internet press have suggested that the new sensor is 1000x more sensitive than existing camera sensors which is totally misleading.</p>

<p>Current camera sensors are estimated to detect about 50-60% of the incident photons. The proportion of incident photons detected is a key parameter that dictates signal to noise. At most in theory this could be increased closer to 100%, but because photons are not arriving all perpendicularly to the sensor, some are lost undetected, and others are absorbed by the color filter array. There really isn't much room for improvement in this area. Some improvement might occur, but the fact that the four-year old 12MP D3s is still the best camera when it comes to SNR per image area at high ISO (according to DXOMark tests) suggests that manufacturers are now focusing on other areas for improvement, having hit the wall in high ISO. </p>

<p>I will carry this conversation to the original thread, that Siegfried pointed out<br>

<a href="/off-topic-forum/00bh31" rel="nofollow">http://www.photo.net/off-topic-forum/00bh31</a></p>

<p>I've seen a million articles like this one, and then nothing happens. Until and unless it's an actual product on the market, it's just writing. Sounds interesting, but.... </p>