Organic Photoelectric Conversion Layer With Charge Extraction Mediator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic sensors face challenges in maintaining sensitivity and control over photoelectric conversion properties due to unpredictable characteristics of organic materials, which are difficult to predict and integrate effectively with silicon photodiodes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a charge auxiliary layer with a mixture of metals and oxides, such as lanthanide elements and metalloids, between the electrode and the organic photoelectric conversion layer to enhance charge mobility and extraction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If organic materials are used to replace silicon in photodiodes to improve sensitivity and enable smaller pixel sizes, then the absorption area and sensitivity are improved, but the unpredictable characteristics and difficulty in controlling photoelectric conversion properties worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidcontrol over photoelectric conversion properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An inorganic charge auxiliary layer is introduced as an intermediary between the organic photoelectric conversion layer and the electrode. This layer mediates the charge extraction process, improving charge mobility and extraction efficiency while maintaining the unique optical properties of the organic photoelectric conversion layer, thus resolving the contradiction between sensitivity improvement and control difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs a composite structure combining inorganic charge auxiliary layer material with organic photoelectric conversion layer material. This composite approach leverages the high absorption coefficient and optical properties of organic materials while using inorganic materials to provide controlled charge transport and extraction, achieving both high sensitivity and reliable property control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the pixel size is reduced to achieve higher resolution, then the integration density is improved, but the absorption area of the photodiode is reduced leading to deteriorated sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoidsensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The charge auxiliary layer modifies the electrical parameters of the photodiode structure by improving charge mobility and extraction efficiency. This parameter change allows the photodiode to maintain high sensitivity despite the reduced absorption area caused by smaller pixel size, enabling higher integration density without sacrificing sensitivity

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

Improves charge extraction and reduces remaining charges, enhancing the photoelectric conversion efficiency and reducing image lag in organic sensors.

Implementation Method 1

improve charge mobility and extraction efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCharge extraction: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

A photoelectric conversion device may receive incident light and convert the received incident light into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3739642B1Photoelectric conversion devices and organic sensors and electronic devices
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3739642B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3739642B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3739642B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A photoelectric conversion device includes a first electrode (10) and a second electrode (20) facing each other, an organic photoelectric conversion layer (30) between the first electrode (10) and the second electrode (20), and a charge auxiliary layer (40) between the first electrode (10) and the organic photoelectric conversion layer (30). The organic photoelectric conversion layer (30) is configured to absorb light in at least a portion of a wavelength spectrum of incident light and to convert the absorbed light into an electrical signal. The charge auxiliary layer (40) includes a metal and an oxide. The oxide may be an oxide material that excludes silicon oxide such that the charge auxiliary layer does not include silicon oxide.