InVisage Technologies unveiled QuantumFilm that uses a new kind of custom designed material called a quantum dot, which can replace a typical CMOS sensor on a mobile phone camera. QuantumFilm uses a silicon chip as its base, but it has an extra layer of quantum dot material that is better at absorbing light than silicon. The quantum dot can capture about 90-95 percent of the light that hits the surface compared to 25 percent captured by silicon surface.

InVisage says, “QuantumFilm can deliver mobile phone camera images that are four times sharper than today’s cameras, with twice the dynamic range, or the ability to have both dark and light features in the same picture.” QuantumFilm imaging chips will be able to take 12-megapixel pictures with better image quality than today’s top-of-the-line mobile phone cameras.

The addition of quantum dot material layer is a trivial manufacturing step and it doesn’t add much cost. Also it can be done on existing silicon imaging chips using typical sputtering tools that are already present in chip factories. InVisage will start sampling QuantumFilm camera chips in the fourth quarter of this year and plans to start mass production in 2011. The QuantumFilm will first be aimed at cellphone market, but eventually, it could be used in security cameras, car cameras and night vision goggles.

The video below shows the technology behind the QuantumFilm and the manufacturing process.