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Eric R. Fossum
John H. Krehbiel Sr. Professor for Emerging Technologies
Vice Provost, Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer (OETT)
Director, PhD Innovation Program
Overview
Professor Fossum, a Queen Elizabeth Prize Laureate, is one of the world's experts in solid-state image sensors. He invented the CMOS active pixel image sensor used in almost all cell-phone cameras, webcams, many digital-still cameras and in medical imaging, among other applications. He worked at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was CEO of two successful high tech companies and is a serial entrepreneur, recently co-founding a new startup with two former PhD students, Gigajot. See his personal webpage for more information. His interests at Dartmouth are teaching and researching the next generation of solid-state image sensors for photon-counting and gigapixel cameras. He also directs Dartmouth’s PhD Innovation Program and serves as Dartmouth’s Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer.
Research Interests
Solid-state image sensors (CCDs, CMOS active pixel sensors, Quanta Image Sensors); advanced imaging systems; on-chip image processing; new applications for image sensors
Education
- BS, Physics and Engineering, Trinity College 1979
- MS, Engineering and Applied Science (AP), Yale University 1980
- PhD, Engineering and Applied Science (EE), Yale University 1984
Awards
- Society for IS&T Electronic Imaging Scientist of the Year, 2022
- Technology & Engineering Emmy® Award, 2021
- Optical Society of America (OSA) & Society for Imaging Science & Technology (IS&T) Edwin H. Land Medal, 2020
- Yale Science & Engineering Association Award for Advancement of Basic and Applied Science, 2018
- Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, 2017
- Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America, 2017
- AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassador, 2016
- Optical Society of America (OSA) Fellow, 2015
- Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE) Camera Origination and Imaging Medal, 2014
- Yale University Wilbur Cross Medal, 2014
- Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, Trinity College, Hartford CT, 2014
- National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Member, 2013
- National Academy of Inventors® (NAI) Charter Fellow, 2012
- National Inventors Hall of Fame, 2011
- Inventor of the Year, New York Intellectual Property Law Association, 2010
- IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award, 2009
- Royal Photographic Society Progress Medal, 2004
- Trinity College Alumni Achievement Award, 2004
- Photographic Society of America Progress Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Photography, 2003
- NASA/DoD Space Technology Hall of Fame, 1999
- Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 1998
- NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, 1996
- JPL Lew Allen Award for Excellence, 1992
- Analog Devices Career Development Award, 1988-1990
- National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award, 1986-1990
- IBM Faculty Development Award, 1984-1985
- Yale University Henry Prentiss Becton Prize for Excellence in Engineering and Applied Science, 1984
Professional Activities
- Selection Board, National Inventors Hall of Fame
- Committee on Membership, National Academy of Engineering
- Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE, Life Fellow)
- Member, Optical Society of America (OSA, Fellow)
- Member, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)
- Trustee, Talcott Mtn. Science Center and Academy, Avon, Connecticut
- Board of Advisors, Trinity College Entrepreneurship Center
- Trustee, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut (2014-2022)
- Board of Directors, National Academy of Inventors (2014–2018)
- Founder and Past President, International Image Sensor Society (IISS)
Startups
Gigajot Technology
Co-Founder
Co-Founder
Research Projects
-
Advanced image sensors and camera systems
Advanced image sensors and camera systems
Image sensors are found at the heart of every camera system and convert incoming light into electronic signals. We are investigating image sensors for next-generation camera systems. This work involves multi-disciplinary electronics research including photonics and optics, semiconductor devices, mixed-signal integrated circuits and VLSI, digital image signal processing, and electronics systems design. The major thrusts in our activity are as follows:
- First, we are exploring the Quanta Image Sensor (QIS). The QIS is a revolutionary change in the way we collect images in a camera that is being invented at Dartmouth. In the QIS, the goal is to count every photon that strikes the image sensor, and to provide resolution of 1 billion or more specialized photoelements (called jots) per sensor, and to read out jot bit planes hundreds or thousands of times per second resulting in terabits/sec of data. The work involves design of deep-submicron jot devices, low-noise high-speed readout electronics, and novel ways of forming images from sequential jot bit planes at both the modeling and the simulation level and the characterization of actual devices and circuits. There is close collaboration with leading industry and scientific user communities.
- Second, we are investigating the use of image sensors in medicine and the life sciences. Photon-counting X-ray image sensors are being explored with a major medical equipment company. Application of our photon-counting QIS technology to low light fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is also being explored.
- Third, we are looking at innovative design and applications of CMOS image sensors to improving photography and scientific and industrial imaging, including low light and high speed applications. There are many avenues for innovation and invention and there is a high demand for image sensor specialists in industry.
Selected Publications
- Photon-number-resolving megapixel image sensor at room temperature without avalanche gain , OSA Optica, vol. 4(12), pp.1474–1481 (2017).
- The Quanta Image Sensor: Every Photon Counts , MDPI Sensors, vol. 16(8), p. 1260 (2016).
- Photon Counting Error Rates in Single-Bit and Multi-Bit Quanta Image Sensors , IEEE J. Electron Devices Society, vol. 4(3), pp. 136–143 (2016).
- Determining Conversion Gain and Read Noise Using a Photon-Counting Histogram Method for Deep Sub-Electron Read Noise Image Sensors , IEEE J. Electron Devices Society, vol. 4(3), pp. 129–135 (2016).
- Characterization of Quanta Image Sensor Pump-Gate Jots With Deep Sub-Electron Read Noise , IEEE Journal of the Electron Devices Society, vol. 3(6), pp. 472–480 (2015).
- Modeling the Performance of Single-Bit and Multi-Bit Quanta Image Sensors , IEEE Journal of the Electron Devices Society, vol. 1(9), pp. 166–174 (2013).
- Camera-on-a-Chip: Technology Transfer from Saturn To Your Cell Phone , Technology and Innovation, vol. 15, pp. 197–209 (2013).
- Digital Camera System-On-A-Chip , IEEE Micro, vol. 18(3), pp. 8–15 (1998).
Patents
- UV/VIS/IR back-side-illuminated photon-counting sensor | 11522098
- High conversion gain and high fill-factor image sensors with pump-gate and vertical charge storage well for global-shutter and high-speed applications | 11496703
- Gateless reset for image sensor pixels | 10978504
- Multi-junction pixel image sensor with dielectric reflector between photodetection layers | 10840291
- Image sensor having sub-diffraction-limit pixels | 10674098
- Quanta image sensor with polarization-sensitive jots | 10652497
- Image sensor with controllable exposure response non-linearity | 10523886
- Counting and integrating pixels, detectors, and methods | 10473798
- Image sensor color filter array pattern | 10349015
- Image sensor and image sensor pixel having JFET source follower | 10340305
- CMOS image sensor with pump gate and extremely high conversion gain | 10319776
- Gateless reset for image sensor pixels | 10283539
- Multi-junction pixel image sensor with dielectric reflector between photodetection layers | 10163968
- Distance sensor and image processing system including the same | 9805476
- Distance sensor and image processing system including the same | 9762890
- Low full-well capacity image sensor with high sensitivity | 9728565
- Image sensor having sub-diffraction-limit pixels | 9565385
- Depth pixel of three-dimensional image sensor and three-dimensional image sensor including the same | 9232163
- Image sensor having sub-diffraction-limit pixels | 9225918
- Image sensor, operating method thereof, and device including the image sensor | 8994867
- Image sensors | 8976277
- Method of operating a CMOS imager using color interpolation | 8896730
- High sensitivity image sensors | 8803273
- Unit pixel, photo-detection device and method of measuring a distance using the same | 8687174
- Image sensor using single photon jots and processor to create pixels | 8648287
- Image sensors having multiple photoelectric conversion devices therein | 8625016
- Method of operating a CMOS imager with color interpolation | 8614754
- High sensitivity image sensors including a single electron field effect transistor and methods of operating the same | 8546901
- Method of operating an image sensor having a digital exposure circuit | 8531550
- Image sensor devices having dual-gated charge storage regions therein | 8520104
- Photo detecting apparatus and unit pixel thereof | 8513709
- Image sensor including noise removing unit, image pickup device having the image sensor, and image sensing method performed in the image sensor | 8373782
- Three-dimensional image sensor | 8300088
- Highly miniaturized, battery operated, digital wireless camera using programmable single chip active pixel sensor (APS) digital camera chip | 8085342
- Digital exposure circuit for an image sensor | 8054339
- Digital exposure circuit for an image sensor | 8040394
- Technique for flagging oversaturated pixels | 8031260
- High dynamic range cascaded integration pixel cell and method of operation | 7990449
- Interpolator for a CMOS sensor using a digital register | 7916193
- Double sample active pixel sensor with double sampling temperature sensor | 7898316
- Frame shuttering scheme for increased frame rate | 7830438
- Multi junction APS with dual simultaneous integration | 7719592
- Frame shutter pixel with an isolated storage node | 7687302
- Lens barrel | 7660056
- Alignment among elements in an image sensor | 7655893
- Amplification with feedback capacitance for photodetector signals | 7652243
- Digital exposure circuit for an image sensor | 7646407
- Vehicle vision system | 7567291
- Apparatus including at least one light sensor with an input pin for receiving an integration period signal | 7550703
- Amplification with feedback capacitance for photodetector signals | 7473883
- High dynamic range cascaded integration pixel cell | 7442910
- Low light sensor signal to noise improvement | 7436442
- Frame shutter pixel with an isolated storage node | 7388239
- In-pixel kTC noise suppression using circuit techniques | 7385166
- Vehicle rearview assembly having a light sensor with two or more transducers | 7378633
- Multi junction APS with dual simultaneous integration | 7372490
- Single substrate camera device with CMOS image sensor | 7369166
- Two-transistor pixel with buried reset channel and method of formation | 7365409
- Vehicle headlamp control utilizing a light sensor having at least two transducers | 7361875
- Alignment among elements in an image sensor | 7351945
- Lens barrel | 7345827
- In-pixel kTC noise suppression using circuit techniques | 7326904
- Amplification with feedback capacitance for photodetector signals | 7291822
- Double sampling active pixel sensor with double sampling temperature sensor | 7280139
- Methods of operating photodiode-type pixel and imager device | 7209173
- Amplification with feedback capacitance for photodetector signals | 7199349
- Image sensor with high dynamic range linear output | 7190398
- Amplification with feedback capacitance for photodetector signals | 7183531
- Method of acquiring an image from an optical structure having pixels with dedicated readout circuits | 7105371
- Photodiode-type pixel for global electronic shutter and reduced lag | 7095440
- Frame shuttering scheme for increased frame rate | 7092021
- Rearview assembly for a vehicle including a light sensor having first and second light transducers that are not exposed to the same optical spectrum | 7087878
- Center of mass detection via an active pixel sensor | 7053929
- High-low sensitivity pixel | 7026596
- Three-side buttable CMOS image sensors | 7009646
- Method of forming two-transistor pixel with buried reset channel | 6984537
- Center of mass detection via an active pixel sensor | 6980230
- Nonlinear flash analog to digital converter used in an active pixel system | 6977603
- Active pixel sensor pixel whose output is coupled to an output transistor gate | 6943838
- Wide dynamic range fusion using memory lookup | 6912324
- Analog to digital converter using multiple staggered successive approximation cells | 6909392
- High dynamic range cascaded integration cell and method of operation | 6888122
- Technique for flagging oversaturated pixels | 6873363
- Automatic dimming mirror using semiconductor glare sensor | 6863405
- Latched row logic for a rolling exposure snap | 6847398
- Shared photodetector pixel image sensor | 6838563
- Active pixel sensor array with electronic shuttering | 6825059
- CMOS integration sensor with fully differential column readout circuit for light adaptive imaging | 6801258
- Lock-in pinned photodiode photodetector | 6794214
- Integrated sensor with frame memory and programmable resolution for light adaptive imaging | 6787749
- Low light sensor signal to noise improvement | 6765613
- Automatic dimming mirror using semiconductor light sensor with integral charge collection | 6755542
- Lock-in pinned photodiode photodetector | 6750485
- Two-transistor pixel with buried reset channel and method of formation | 6744084
- Active pixel sensor with intra-pixel charge transfer | 6744068
- Vehicle equipment control with semiconductor light sensors | 6742904
- Light Sensor | 6737629
- Dynamic range extension for CMOS image sensor | 6734905
- Multi-junction APS with dual simultaneous integration | 6724426
- Interpolator for a CMOS sensor using a digital register | 6704049
- Stitched circuits larger than the maximum reticle size in sub-micron process | 6690076
- Differential non-linearity correction scheme | 6677872
- Photodiode-type pixel for global electronic shutter and reduced lag | 6667768
- Active pixel sensor having intra-pixel charge transfer with analog-to-digital converter | 6665013
- High speed digital to analog converter using multiple staggered successive approximation cells | 6646583
- Increasing pixel conversion gain in CMOS image sensors | 6627474
- Frame shutter pixel with an isolated storage node | 6624456
- Dead pixel correction by row/column substitution | 6611288
- Digital exposure circuit for an image sensor | 6609745
- Single chip active pixel sensor | 6606122
- Wide dynamic range fusion using a lookup table | 6584235
- CMOS active pixel sensor type imaging system on a chip | 6570617
- Active pixel sensor with intra-pixel charge transfer | 6555842
- Shared photodetector pixel image sensor | 6552322
- Single substrate camera device with CMOS image sensor | 6549235
- Active pixel sensor with winner-take-all mode of operation | 6515702
- Photodiode light sensor | 6504142
- Active pixel sensor array with electronic shuttering | 6486503
- Center of mass detection with an active pixel sensor | 6476860
- RAM line storage for fixed pattern noise correction | 6473124
- Moisture detecting system using semiconductor light sensor with integral charge collection | 6469291
- Single chip camera device having double sampling operation | 6456326
- Optical range finder | 6452666
- Increasing pixel conversion gain in CMOS image sensors | 6445022
- Backside illumination of CMOS image sensor | 6429036
- Automatic dimming mirror using semiconductor light sensor with integral charge collection | 6402328
- Semiconductor imaging sensor with on-chip encryption | 6400824
- Active pixel sensor with fully depleted buried photoreceptor | 6388243
- Vehicle equipment control with semiconductor light sensors | 6379013
- Photodiode light sensor | 6359274
- Delta-doped hybrid advanced detector for low energy particle detection | 6346700
- Active pixel image sensor using a pinned photodiode | 6320617
- Moisture detecting system using semiconductor light sensor with integral charge collection | 6313457
- Nonlinear flash analog to digital converter used in an active pixel system | 6295013
- Lock-in pinned photodiode photodetector | 6239456
- Pulse-controlled light emitting diode source | 6222172
- Differential non-linearity correction scheme | 6215428
- Active pixel image sensor with current mode readout | 6194696
- Method and apparatus of high dynamic range image sensor with individual pixel reset | 6175383
- Active pixel sensor with simple floating gate pixels | 6166768
- CMOS image sensor with different pixel sizes for different colors | 6137100
- Image sensor producing at least two integration times from each sensing pixel | 6115065
- Delta-doped hybrid advanced detector for low energy particle detection | 6107619
- Integrated infrared and visible image sensors | 6107618
- Active pixel sensor with intra-pixel charge transfer | 6101232
- Integrated sensor with frame memory and programmable resolution for light adaptive imaging | 6057539
- Active pixel sensor having intra-pixel charge transfer with analog-to-digital converter | 6021172
- Wide dynamic range optical sensor | 6008486
- Quantum efficiency improvements in active pixel sensors | 6005619
- Median filter with embedded analog-to-digital converter | 5995163
- Active pixel sensors with substantially planarized color filtering elements | 5990506
- Light-sensing array with wedge-like reflective optical concentrators | 5952645
- Active pixel sensor with multiresolution readout | 5949483
- Integrated sensor with frame memory and programmable resolution for light adaptive imaging | 5909026
- Self-triggered X-ray sensor | 5887049
- On-focal-plane analog to digital conversion for current-mode imaging devices | 5886659
- Capacitively coupled successive approximation ultra low power analog to digital converter | 5880691
- CMOS active pixel sensor type imaging system on a chip | 5841126
- Successive approximation ADC for focal plane applications using balanced charge integrating amplifiers | 5793322
- Solid-state image sensor with focal-plane digital photon-counting pixel array | 5665959
- Digital parallel processor array for path planning | 5548773
- CMOS active pixel image sensor | 5471515
- Monolithic In-based III-V compound semiconductor focal plane array cell with single stage CCD output | 5386128
- Method for producing a hybridization of detector array and integrated circuit for readout | 5236871
- Trench-defined CCD structure | 5055900
- Submicron dimension compound semiconductor fabrication using thermal etching | 4920069
- Method of forming dielectric thin films on silicon by low energy ion beam bombardment | 4776925
- Integrated fiber optic coupler for VHSIC/VLSI Interconnects | 4744623
- Charge-coupled device differencer | 4686648
Courses
- ENGG 321: Advanced Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- ENGS 60: Introduction to Solid-State Electronic Devices
- ENGG 321.1: Advanced Innovation and Entrepreneurship I
- ENGG 321.2: Advanced Innovation and Entrepreneurship II
Videos
The Krehbiel Professorship Lecture
National Inventors Hall of Fame pays tribute to Fossum's "Innovation Legacy"
Inventor of the CMOS sensor Eric Fossum speaks with KAUST Live
Engineering PhD Innovation Program at Dartmouth
Seminar: The Science and Technology of Digital Image Sensors
News
In the News
B&H Photography Podcast
Camera on a Chip: Eric Fossum's Invention of the CMOS Image Sensor
Feb 15, 2024
Camera on a Chip: Eric Fossum's Invention of the CMOS Image Sensor
Feb 15, 2024
The Dartmouth
Q&A with engineering professor and Technology and Engineering Emmy winner Eric Fossum
Jan 05, 2022
Q&A with engineering professor and Technology and Engineering Emmy winner Eric Fossum
Jan 05, 2022
New Hampshire Union Leader
Dartmouth Prof Wins Emmy in Tech and Engineering Category for Role in Smartphone Camera Invention
Nov 04, 2021
Dartmouth Prof Wins Emmy in Tech and Engineering Category for Role in Smartphone Camera Invention
Nov 04, 2021
NH Union Leader
Dartmouth professor's technology drives the world's smartphones and web cameras
Jun 24, 2019
Dartmouth professor's technology drives the world's smartphones and web cameras
Jun 24, 2019
Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
How NASA helped the digital camera soar to success
Nov 28, 2017
How NASA helped the digital camera soar to success
Nov 28, 2017
Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
Celebrating the creation of digital imaging sensors
Nov 20, 2017
Celebrating the creation of digital imaging sensors
Nov 20, 2017
Concord Monitor
Helping to shrink digital cameras wins a big prize for Dartmouth professor
Feb 27, 2017
Helping to shrink digital cameras wins a big prize for Dartmouth professor
Feb 27, 2017
Business Insider UK
The inventor responsible for smartphone cameras says selfies and cat videos were biggest surprise
Feb 20, 2017
The inventor responsible for smartphone cameras says selfies and cat videos were biggest surprise
Feb 20, 2017
Business Insider
7 things in your daily life that you didn't know were based on NASA innovations
Dec 08, 2016
7 things in your daily life that you didn't know were based on NASA innovations
Dec 08, 2016
IEEE – The Institute
The Light-Based Technologies Inside Your Favorite Digital Camera
Apr 11, 2016
The Light-Based Technologies Inside Your Favorite Digital Camera
Apr 11, 2016
The Next Web
Image sensor research now underway promises to overhaul low-light photography — eventually
Oct 16, 2015
Image sensor research now underway promises to overhaul low-light photography — eventually
Oct 16, 2015
DIYPhotography
The inventor of the CMOS is working on a revolutionary 1-billion pixel sensor
Oct 15, 2015
The inventor of the CMOS is working on a revolutionary 1-billion pixel sensor
Oct 15, 2015
International Business Times
Low-light photography to become far better through a new image sensor
Oct 15, 2015
Low-light photography to become far better through a new image sensor
Oct 15, 2015
USA Today College
Ideas at Collegiate Inventors Competition 'represent a significant innovative leap'
Nov 05, 2014
Ideas at Collegiate Inventors Competition 'represent a significant innovative leap'
Nov 05, 2014
AZoSensors
2012 Image Sensors Conference to Showcase Latest Developments in 3D Imaging Technology
Mar 12, 2012
2012 Image Sensors Conference to Showcase Latest Developments in 3D Imaging Technology
Mar 12, 2012