From printed organic photodiodes to printed image sensors (Conference Presentation)

Organic photodiodes (OPDs) have in recent years reached a level of performance comparable to their inorganic counterparts. Using additives like PMMA, we were able to tune the transparency and viscosity of a P3HT:PCBM photoactive blend while at the same time achieving a two-fold enhancement of the detection speed. Furthermore, we have developed approaches towards the digital realization of image sensors using aerosol jet printing and a direct-printed patterning technique utilizing the self organization of functional inks. These techniques allow for a reproducible deposition of multilayer devices with high registration accuracies and feature sizes down to a few microns. We present a comprehensive electrical and optical characterization of these printed image sensors. The devices exhibit specific detectivities of >1E12 Jones over a broad wavelength range (400-750 nm) and maximum responsivities of 0.25 A/W. An entirely printed matrix image sensor composing of 256 individual pixels with an individual active area of ≈250 μm × 300 μm was fabricated.