Light-absorbing heterocyclic compounds for image sensor sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Silicon photodiodes used in image sensors have limited sensitivity due to small absorption areas, necessitating the development of organic materials that can enhance light absorption and replace both photodiodes and color filters for improved sensitivity and integration.

Innovation Solution

A compound with a specific molecular structure, represented by Chemical Formulae 1-E to 1-S4, is used in a photoelectric device to selectively absorb light in the green wavelength region, improving absorption efficiency and heat resistance, and is integrated into image sensors and electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If silicon photodiodes are used in image sensors to achieve high resolution with small pixels, then manufacturing precision and device integration are improved, but light absorption area and sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel size controlVSAvoidsensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from silicon to organic compound, which fundamentally alters the absorption characteristics. The organic compound enables larger absorption area within the same pixel area, directly resolving the contradiction between small pixel size and sufficient light absorption for sensitivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structure combining organic photoelectric conversion compound with specific host materials and dopants. This composite approach enhances the light absorption capability while maintaining the small pixel structure, simultaneously achieving high resolution and sensitivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If organic materials are used to replace silicon photodiodes to increase absorption area, then sensitivity is improved, but material stability and heat resistance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes molecular parameters of the organic compound including introducing rigid heterocyclic structures and extending conjugation systems. These parameter changes enhance both the light absorption properties for sensitivity and the thermal stability for heat resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material system with carefully selected host-guest combinations and doping ratios. The composite structure provides synergistic effects where the host material contributes to thermal stability while the guest compound provides light absorption, simultaneously achieving sensitivity and heat resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If organic materials are used to replace both photodiodes and color filters for high integration, then device complexity is reduced, but light absorption efficiency and selectivity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure integrationVSAvoidabsorption efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops organic compounds that simultaneously perform multiple functions: photodetection and color filtering in a single layer. The compound's molecular structure is designed to exhibit wavelength-selective absorption characteristics while maintaining high photoelectric conversion efficiency, eliminating the need for separate color filter layers and photodiode structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the molecular structure parameters of the organic compound to achieve broad yet selective absorption spectrum. By adjusting conjugation length, substituent groups, and heterocyclic components, the compound achieves high absorption efficiency in specific wavelength regions while maintaining overall photoelectric performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compound achieves high light absorption efficiency in the green wavelength region, enhancing the sensitivity and thermal stability of photoelectric devices, leading to improved performance in image sensors and electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

A photoelectric device converts light into an electrical signal using photoelectric effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

An organic material has a high extinction coefficient and selectively absorbs light in a particular wavelength region depending on a molecular structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3252051B1Light-absorbing heterocyclic compounds and photoelectric device, image sensor and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3252051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3252051B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3252051B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, and a photoelectric device, an image sensor, and an electronic device including the same are disclosed. In Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description.