Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/03/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've spoken to a friend in the industry and he has confirmed that CCDs are now made the same way as other chips, in predetermined die sizes on wafers that are then cut up and wire-bonded, etc. Of course, the market demands this as digital cameras, etc. have to be designed to use specific size chips. I've also determined that there are very large CCDs available - at least up to full-frame 35 size (24X36mm). (Still too expensive to be common, though). There is an inherent difference between CCDs and most other chips in that the CCDs are essentially all the same element repeated across the surface (pixels formed from tiny light-sensitive capacitors) and not a complete multi-layer electronic unit formed of transistors, diodes, etc, to perform some specific function. In some ways, they are "digital film" in that bigger is better (and more expensive). Although I have no proof or any way to prove it, it's possible that my discussion with Kodak ten years ago (about huge CCDs) was in the context of batch production techniques (where at least theoretically such CCDs are possible) and not mass production. I didn't know any better at the time to ask for clarification. Steve Patriquen London __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text