Silicon-compatible hybrid organic-inorganic shortwave infrared up-conversion device

高分辨率短波红外（SWIR）成像是一项非常有吸引力的技术，在目前主流红外成像技术无法达到的应用中具有巨大的潜力。例如，SWIR（1.4-3µm）可以穿透雾和烟雾，从而可以通过散射介质进行成像。SWIR传感器甚至可以在黑暗中被动成像，因为上层大气的夜光自然提供SWIR照明。SWIR光源可以用来照亮场景和突出感兴趣的特征，而不会被肉眼或传统的夜视设备检测到。这种来自人眼安全激光器的主动照明以及温度高于150摄氏度的物体的热辐射可以很好地由SWIR传感器提供服务。此外，由于分子振动在SWIR范围内的强吸光度为光谱和生物医学应用中的SWIR器件创造了丰富的机会。当前的SWIR焦平面阵列（FPA）主要由InGaAs、InSb和HgCdTe组成。然而，这些探测器的高成本和小阵列尺寸转化为SWIR系统中百万像素传感器的总成本超过数万美元。这是阻碍SWIR技术广泛使用的主要限制。****该项目将专注于开发直接集成在硅上的可扩展SWIR成像设备。我们提出了一种新型的有机-无机混合上转换器件，该器件由无机硅-锗-锡光电探测器与有机发光二极管的直接串联集成组成。该器件能够将1.4-3µm范围内的光转换为可见光。该技术为在更宽波长范围内工作的低成本和大尺寸SWIR FPA提供了巨大的潜力。这对于许多应用是非常理想的，例如高温制造过程，夜间监控，农业原料清洁和分类，生物成像以及汽车和消费品的塑料回收。**** ******

High-resolution short-wave IR (SWIR) imaging is a very attractive technology with an immense potential in applications that are currently out of the reach of the mainstream infrared imaging technologies. For instance, SWIR (1.4-3 µm) penetrates fog and smog thus enabling imaging through scattering media. SWIR sensors can also passively image even in the dark as the night-glow from the upper atmosphere naturally provides SWIR illumination. SWIR sources can be utilized to illuminate scenes and highlight features of interest, without being detected by naked eyes or conventional night vision devices. This active illumination from eye-safe lasers as well as thermal emissions from objects with temperatures above 150C can well be served by the SWIR sensors. Moreover, the strong absorbance due to molecular vibrations in the SWIR range creates a wealth of opportunities for SWIR devices in spectroscopy and biomedical applications. Current SWIR focal-plane arrays (FPA) are essentially made of InGaAs, InSb, and HgCdTe. However, the high cost and small array size of these detectors translates into an overall cost of a megapixel sensor in the SWIR regime exceeding tens of thousands dollars. This is a major limitation that prevents the broad use of SWIR technologies.****This project will concentrate on developing a scalable SWIR imaging device directly integrated on silicon. We propose a novel hybrid organic-inorganic up-conversion device consisting of a direct tandem integration of an inorganic silicon-germanium-tin photodetector with an organic light emitting diode. This device is capable of converting light from the 1.4-3 µm range to visible light. This technology provides a serious potential for low cost and large size SWIR FPA operating in a broader wavelength range. This is highly desirable for many applications such as high temperature manufacturing processes, night-time surveillance, agricultural raw material cleaning and sorting, biological imaging, and plastic recycling of automotive and consumer products.**** ******