Digital BW, The Print

Hi Paul,

> > Aren't all sensors monochrome? Surely they only 'see' color by putting
> > colored filters over them.
>
> The filters are physically deposited on the chip, not suspended over the
> chip or clamped onto it mechanically.

I'm not sure about what sensors you are specifically talking about, but the
sensor arrays I've designed and designed with, are purely monochromatic
sensors, and the Bayer pattern filter of the same "pitch" is simply placed
on top of the sensor array (and affixed by a mechanical means, or adhesive).

It certainly does make sense that the manufacturing process be done as you
say for sensors that have any decent volume, since the primary use today is
color w/ a Bayer pattern filter, so I don't doubt what you say about *some*
sensors, I've just not physically seen one.

Here is a decent overview of the color filter array:

http://www.fillfactory.com/htm/technology/htm/rgbfaq.htm

and they do clearly say:

"The most widespread method to give RGB color sensitivity to image sensors
is the application of a color filter mosaic array (CFA) on top of a
black&white imager."

Now, how the color filter mosaic array is "applied" to the top of the
black&white imager is left to question.

Regards,

Austin