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Method Article
We present a detailed method to fabricate a deformable lateral NIPIN phototransistor array for curved image sensors. The phototransistor array with an open mesh form, which is composed of thin silicon islands and stretchable metal interconnectors, provides flexibility and stretchability. The parameter analyzer characterizes the electrical property of the fabricated phototransistor.
Flexible photodetectors have been intensely studied for the use of curved image sensors, which are a crucial component in bio-inspired imaging systems, but several challenging points remain, such as a low absorption efficiency due to a thin active layer and low flexibility. We present an advanced method to fabricate a flexible phototransistor array with an improved electrical performance. The outstanding electrical performance is driven by a low dark current owing to deep impurity doping. Stretchable and flexible metal interconnectors simultaneously offer electrical and mechanical stabilities in a highly deformed state. The protocol explicitly describes the fabrication process of the phototransistor using a thin silicon membrane. By measuring I-V characteristics of the completed device in deformed states, we demonstrate that this approach improves the mechanical and electrical stabilities of the phototransistor array. We expect that this approach to a flexible phototransistor can be widely used for the applications of not only next-generation imaging systems/optoelectronics but also wearable devices such as tactile/pressure/temperature sensors and health monitors.
Bio-inspired imaging systems can provide many advantages compared to the conventional imaging systems1,2,3,4,5. Retina or hemispherical ommatidia is a substantial component of biological visual system1,2,6. A curved image sensor, which mimics the critical element of animal eyes, can provide a compact and simple configuration of optical systems with low aberrations7. Diverse advancements of fabrication techniques and materials, for example, the use of intrinsically soft materials such as organic/nanomaterials8,9,10,11,12 and the introduction of deformable structures to semiconductors including silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge)1,2,3,13,14,15,16,17, realize the curved image sensors. Among them, Si-based approaches provide inherent advantages such as an abundance of material, mature technology, stability, and optical/electrical superiority. For this reason, although Si has intrinsic rigidity and brittleness, Si-based flexible electronics have been widely studied for various applications, such as flexible optoelectronics18,19,20 including curved image sensors1,2,3, and even wearable healthcare devices21,22.
In a recent study, we analyzed and improved the electrical performance of a thin Si photodetector array23. In that study, the optimum single unit cell of the curved photodetector array is a phototransistor (PTR) type that consists of a photodiode and blocking diode. The base junction gain amplifies a generated photocurrent, and hence it exhibits a route to improve an electrical performance with a thin film structure. In addition to the single cell, the thin film structure is suitable to suppress a dark current, which is considered as noise in the photodetector. Regarding doping concentration, a concentration larger than 1015 cm-3 is sufficient to achieve an exceptional performance in which the diode characteristics can be maintained with a light intensity over 10-3 W/cm2 23. Moreover, the PTR single cell has a low column noise and optically/electrically stable properties compared to that of the photodiode. Based on these design rules, we fabricated a flexible photodetector array that consists of thin Si PTRs using a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. In general, an important design rule of flexible image sensors is the neutral mechanical plane concept which defines the position through the thickness of the structure where strains are zero for an arbitrarily small r24. Another crucial point is a serpentine geometry of the electrode because a wavy shape provides fully reversible stretchability to the electrode. Due to these two important design concepts, the photodetector array can be flexible and stretchable. It facilitates the 3D deformation of the photodetector array into a hemispherical shape or a curved shape like the retina of animal eyes2.
In this work, we detail the processes for the fabrication of the curved PTR array using semiconductor fabrication processes (e.g., doping, etching, and deposition) and transfer printing. Also, we characterize a single PTR in terms of an I-V curve. In addition to the fabrication method and individual cell analysis, the electrical feature of the PTR array is analyzed in deformed states.
CAUTION: Some chemicals (i.e., hydrofluoric acid, buffered oxide etchant, isopropyl alcohol, etc.) used in this protocol can be hazardous to health. Please consult all relevant material safety data sheets before any sample preparation takes place. Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coats, safety glasses, gloves) and engineering controls (e.g., wet station, fume hood) when handling etchants and solvents.
1. Si Doping and Isolation
NOTE: See Figure 1a - 1d.
2. Sacrificial Oxide Layer Deposition
NOTE: See Figure 1e - 1g.
3. Deposition of the First Layer of Polyimide and Performing the First Metallization
4. Deposition of the Second Layer of Polyimide and Performing the Second Metallization
5. Encapsulating the Sample with PI and Opening Via Holes and Mesh Structure
6. Etching the Sacrificial Layer and Transferring the Sample to Flexible Substrate
NOTE: See Figure 2.
Figure 3a and 3b show the designed and fabricated structure of NIPIN PTR considering previous studies2,23. The inset in Figure 3a exhibits a basic I-V characteristic of PTR. The detailed structural parameters of PTR are shown in Figure 3b. The doping process for a Si layer on an SOI wafer was conducted using the ion implantat...
The fabrication technology described here contributes significantly to the progress of advanced electronics and wearable devices. The fundamental concepts of this approach use a thin Si membrane and metal interconnectors capable of stretching. Although Si is a brittle and hard material that can easily be fractured, a very thin Si layer can obtain a flexibility26,27. In the case of the metal interconnector, the wavy shape offers stretchability and flexibility
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This research was supported by the Creative Materials Discovery Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (NRF-2017M3D1A1039288). Also, this research was supported by the Institute for Information and Communications Technology Promotion (IITP) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No.2017000709, Integrated approaches of physically unclonable cryptographic primitives using random lasers and optoelectronics).
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
MBJ3 | karl suss | MJB3 UV400 MASK ALIGNER | Mask aligner |
80 plus RIE | Oxford instruments | Plasmalab 80 Plus for RIE | ICP-RIE |
80 plus PECVD | Oxford instruments | Plasmalab 80 Plus forPECVD, | PECVD |
SF-100ND | Rhabdos Co., Ltd. | SF-100ND | Spin coater |
Polyimide | Sigma-Aldrich | 575771 | Poly(pyromellitic dianhydride-co-4,4′-oxydianiline), amic acid solution |
SOI (silicon on insulator) wafer, 8inch | Soitec | SOI (silicon on insulator) wafer, 8inch | 8inch SOI Wafer (silicon Thickness: 1.25μm) |
Acetone | Duksan Pure Chemicals Co., Ltd. | 3051 | Acetone |
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) | Duksan Pure Chemicals Co., Ltd. | 4614 | Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) |
Buffered Oxide Etch 6:1 | Avantor | 1278 | Buffered Oxide Etch 6:1 |
HSD150-03P | Misung Scientific Co., Ltd | HSD150-03P | Hot plate |
AZ5214 | Microchemical | AZ5214 | Photoresist |
MIF300 | Microchemical | MIF300 | Developer |
SYLGARD184 | Dow Corning | SYLGARD184 | Polydimethylsiloxane elastomer |
Hydrofluoric Acid | Duksan Pure Chemicals Co., Ltd. | 2919 | Hydrofluoric Acid |
CR-7 | KMG Chemicals, Inc | 210023 | Chrome mask etchant |
MFCD07370792 | Sigma-Aldrich | 651842 | Gold etchant |
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