Organic photodiodes in the visible and UV/NIR range

Optical sensors are omnipresent. They have become indispensable both at home and in industrial environments. However, the detectable spectral range of CMOS sensors is usually limited to the visible wavelength range. However, some applications also require detection outside this range - for example in the NIR range. This function has so far been realized by hybrid solutions such as the combination of indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) detectors on CMOS readout circuits. However, such hybrid solutions are significantly more cost-intensive, which limits their use in many applications. Organic photodiodes represent an interesting alternative here because they can be integrated monolithically at wafer level on the powerful CMOS readout circuit. An image sensor demonstrator was manufactured completely at wafer level and is therefore already close to production. With its extended sensitivity range, it can be used in the entire spectrum of conventional applications in industry, the automotive sector or in medicine. Possible application examples include driver assistance systems, food quality control, optical fingerprint sensors or biomedical tests.