Albert Theuwissen gives a sneak preview of his workshop at IS2012
24 January 2012
Interview with Albert Theuwissen, Harvest Imaging
Q: I am sure most readers are aware of your comprehensive background in this sector, but what are your main activites at present?
A: Besides the fact that I still am part-time professor at the Delft University of Technology, I am spending 8 days/week on my own company Harvest Imaging. Harvest Imaging is a specialized company in the field of digital imaging. About half of the time goes into trainings, teaching of public courses (everyone can register) and in-house training (tailored, customized courses). Harvest Imaging has several courses on several technical levels, but one of them is very unique in the world of trainings : a hands-on course in which the participants themselves perform the evaluation of cameras and image sensors during the course. The other half to the time of Harvest Imaging goes into consulting in the field of digital imaging. About 80 % of the activities of Harvest Imaging are concentrated in Europe, the rest in the Far East and USA.
Q: Your workshop will focus on understanding light sensitivity. This is a fundamental challenge, but how have technology developments changed the face of this challenge changed in recent years?
A: To get an answer on this, you have to attend the workshop ;-) Over the years we learned to understand the limitations of the light sensitivity, and with the introduction of CMOS new issues popped up. In the workshop we will review them and solutions present in today's products will be highlighted, such as lower stack heights, shifted micro-lenses, light guides, back-side illumination, etc.
Q: What will be the main benefits to attendees of your workshop this year?
A: Learn the limits and understand the limits of the light sensitivity of the imagers.
Q: What else do you see as major R&D priorities for image sensor manufacturers over the next few years?
A: Lower noise, higher QE, what can be done with the excess on pixels in an imager.
Q: Are there any disruptive technologies on the horizon that you feel will have a big impact in the coming years?
A: Maybe there are, but I am not in a position to talk about it because I am working with some people on these type of technologies!
Q: You are a founding organiser of the IISW, what are the plans for the event this year?
A: There are no plans this year, the next workshop will be in 2013 in the USA.
Q: Finally, we are pleased to have you on board for the conference this year, what are you hoping to gain from your attendance?
A: Business ;-) The interaction with conference participants and course participants always give me the opportunity to "feel" what is going on in the imaging field. I learn from it as well!
Albert Theuwissen will be delivering a pre-conference workshop at Image Sensors 2012 entitled 'Advanced Solid-State Imaging - Understanding and Improving Light Sensitivity'