An optical sensor is a device that detects and converts light rays into electrical signals, allowing it to measure different physical properties such as distance, brightness, motion, temperature and pressure via optical methods.

The global optical sensor market was worth around \$25–28 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach approximately \$71.7 billion by 2035https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/optical-sensor-market. This increase is directly linked to progress in automation, imaging and environmental monitoring technologies, as well as to the needs of the automotive, medical and industrial sectors.

Thanks to the wide range of optical sensor technologies, a variety of applications are possible. These include consumer electronics, automotive camera systems, industrial machine vision and medical imaging etc.

The family of optical sensors is divided into different technology segments, which vary in terms of light sources, detection methods, and applications :

Image sensors

An image sensors convert light into electronic signals. The two most common types of image sensor are the charge-coupled device (CCD) and the active pixel sensor (CMOS).

CMOS sensors use pixel-level transistors to enable faster, more energy-efficient processing, while CCD sensors transfer charge across the chip to deliver superior image quality, but at the cost of slower speed and higher power consumption.

CMOS sensors are widely used in the consumer electronics sector. They are particularly used in mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and digital cameras.

Photoelectric sensors

Photoelectric sensors consist of a light emitter and a receiver. The light emitter uses a light-emitting diode (LED) to produce modulated pulses of light. The receivers contain photodiodes that convert the incoming light into electrical signals. These signals are then amplified and processed before being sent to the controller.

The three most common types of photoelectric sensor are through-beam, retro-reflective and diffuse reflection sensors. https://www.ia.omron.com/support/guide/43/introduction.html

Photoelectric sensors are among the most common sensors used in industrial automation. They have many possible applications, including presence detection and safety protection. They can also offer relatively long operational distances for presence detection compared to other sensors.

Fiber optic sensors

A fiber optic sensor is a device that measures physical conditions using light transmitted through an optical fiber. « Optical signals are transmitted through a glass fiber. If external influences such as temperature, strain, pressure, or vibration change along the fiber or at its end, the measurable properties of the light change » https://www.polytec.com/en/photonics/know-how/fiber-optic-sensor-technology

The glass fiber acts as the sensor. Therefore, it is electrically insulating and immune to electromagnetic interference and corrosion and is ideal for extreme environments. Fiber optic sensors are mainly used in the industrial, energy, and environmental monitoring sectors.

Active ranging sensor modules

An active ranging sensor module is a device that measures the distance to an object by sending out energy and analyzing the signal that comes back, using interferometry, time of flight, or triangulation methods. https://digital-library.theiet.org/doi/10.1049/sbra014e_ch5

The most common types of active ranging sensor modules are ultrasonic sensors, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and radar sensors.

Infrared (IR) and Thermal Sensors

Infrared (IR) sensors and thermal sensors are generally considered part of the image sensor family, but they operate differently from standard visible-light image sensors. Infrared cameras primarily detect near-infrared light (close to the visible spectrum), while thermal imaging cameras detect mid- and far-infrared radiation (generated by the heat of objects). https://cethermal.com/blogs/cethermal-news/comparison-of-ir-and-thermal-imaging-technologies

They can also be applied to non-imaging sensors technology, such as passive infrared sensors (PIR) for motion detection, gas sensors, spectroscopy detectors and more.

Question à poser plutôt dans la page wiki d'une famille de capteur optique ex: Image sensors =⇒ Difference entre CMOS/CCD.

This study will focus on image sensors, which dominate the market for optical sensors https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/optical-sensor-market and are used in many applications, including consumer electronics, automotive camera systems, industrial machine vision, and medical imaging.

POurquoi CMOS et pas CCD ?

The main parts of a CMOS image sensor are the following:

• Sensor chip (wafer, node = 40-180nm): An array of photosensitive pixels, with Bayer pattern
• Wire bonds
• Package
• Cover glass
• Contact pads

Interesting sources :

• Blog post - Thinklucid
• Blog post - Ansys
• Scaling CMOS Image Sensors
• Électronique d'Imagerie 101 : Compréhension des Capteurs de Caméra pour les Applications de Vision Industrielle

Focus on the optical sensor.

Exclusion of other sensors like the distance sensor to adjust the focus. Exclusion of the rest of the image-processing system (PCB, controllers, etc.).

Exclusion of laser sensor and IR sensors. Not the focus for now

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⇒ Goal: Define state of the art on life cycle stages to be considered.

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⇒ Goal: List the technical information needed for the LCI.

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⇒ Goal: List the technical information needed for the LCI.

For each system sub-part:

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Source of market information : https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/optical-sensors-market-102097

• Sony corporation (Japan, Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM))
• Samsung Electronics (South Korea, IDM)
• OmniVision Technologies (US, fabless)
• onsemi (US, IDM)
• STMicroelectronics (CH, IDM)

Source

⇒ Goal: List the technical information needed for the LCI.

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⇒ Goal: List the technical information needed for the LCI.

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⇒ Goal: Define state of the art on environmental impacts.

Streamlined Models of CMOS Image Sensors Carbon Impacts ¹⁾ : This study presents simple models for estimating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a CMOS Image Sensor (CIS). These models are based on the principle that there is a linear relationship between the surface area of the silicon die and GHG emissions. This study uses generic semiconductor data for a CIS, and therefore does not account for the specificities of CMOS image sensors, such as the lens, the color filter array, or other optical components.

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• Linear relation between GHG and die's surface ²⁾ :

$$G_{Fab} = \sum_{i=1}^{N} S_i \cdot (E_i \cdot T_{loc} +K_i)$$

G_Fab : Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the fabrication ( gCO₂ eq)
S_i : the surface of layer i
E_i : electrical energy consumption of layer i
T_loc : electrical carbon intensity of the location of frabication
K_i : ancillary impact of the layer (infrastructure, factory, chemicals and raw
materials)

The value of K_i and E_i are taken here. ³⁾ p

• Global Warming Potential (GWP) : in gCO₂eq

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Known hotspots : sillicon die manufacturing, electricity consumption over lifespan, 2D/3D die stacking (factor 2 difference ⁴⁾)

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• CCD / CMOS
• Mono / color sensor
• Resolution → sensor size
• Pixel size → sensor size
• Stacking

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⇒ Goal: Source every data we cited previously

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⇒ Goal: List challenges and clarify priority areas for action

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