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Published on: June 23, 2018
A hybrid CMOS-imager with a solution-processable polymer as photoactive layer.
Daniela Baierl1, Lucio Pancheri, Morten Schmidt
1Institute for Nanoelectronics, Technische Universität München, 80333 Munich, Germany. baierl@nano.ei.tum.de
Nature Communications
|November 8, 2012
Summary
Organic photodetectors enhance complementary metal oxide semiconductor imagers by replacing silicon photodiodes. This spray-coated organic layer boosts light sensitivity and enables cost-effective, portable imaging across various wavelengths.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electronics
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Solution-processable organic photodetectors offer cost-effective integration with inorganic materials.
- Conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imagers suffer from low light sensitivity due to small pixel fill factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance CMOS imagers by replacing silicon photodiodes with solution-processable organic photoactive layers.
- To demonstrate the suitability of hybrid organic-inorganic imagers for practical applications and explore their potential for multispectral imaging.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hybrid CMOS imager using a low-cost spray-coating process for the organic photoactive layer.
- Comprehensive optoelectronic characterization of the novel hybrid imager.
- Investigation of noise characteristics in organic photodiodes within the hybrid imager.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 100% pixel fill factor, significantly increasing light sensitivity compared to traditional silicon-based imagers.
- Demonstrated the first solution-processable hybrid CMOS imager with detailed optoelectronic performance.
- Reported novel observations of different noise types in organic photodiodes.
Conclusions:
- Solution-processable organic photodetectors are suitable for enhancing CMOS imagers, offering improved light sensitivity and low-cost fabrication.
- The hybrid concept is portable and adaptable for cost-effective imaging across different wavelength regions through monolithic integration of various organic materials.
