Periodic Reporting for period 1 - QSTACK (Low-power consumption, heavy-metal-free wide-spectrum image sensors for mass-market computer visionapplications)
Reporting period: 2023-04-01 to 2024-03-31
The QSTACK project aims to revolutionize the field of image sensing by developing low-power consumption, heavy-metal-free, wide-spectrum image sensors for mass-market computer vision applications. Traditional silicon-based CMOS image sensors, while ubiquitous, are limited in their spectral range and power efficiency, making them less suitable for emerging applications in autonomous vehicles, extended reality (XR) devices, and service robots. These applications require sensors that can operate effectively under challenging visibility conditions, such as fog, low light, and adverse weather, and that can capture a broader spectrum of light, including near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR). QSTACK addresses these limitations by integrating Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDC) with CMOS technology and developing a lead-free Colloidal Quantum Dot (CQD) stack. This innovative approach aims to achieve ultra-low power consumption and high sensitivity across a wide spectral range, making it ideal for power-sensitive applications in consumer electronics and automotive industries.
During the first year of the QSTACK project, significant progress has been made in developing low-power, heavy-metal-free, wide-spectrum image sensors for mass-market computer vision applications. In Technology Development, the project successfully established a TMDC-CMOS integration process and completed a heavy-metal-free CQD stack process. For Product Development, three use cases benefiting from extended wavelengths were identified, and five alpha prototype evaluation kits were assembled and evaluated, facilitating initial user feedback and iterative improvements. Additionally, stakeholder interviews were conducted to validate the value proposition and define a business model, securing initial customer interest and letters of intent for pilot projects.
The QSTACK project has achieved significant advancements in the development of heavy-metal-free, wide-spectrum image sensors, pushing the boundaries of current image sensor technology. Key results include the development of a lead-free colloidal quantum dot (CQD) stack process with 1380 nm sensitivity. These advancements enable environmentally sustainable image sensors suitable for mass-market applications. The potential impacts of QSTACK include significant scientific contributions, such as the first lead-free photodetector based on silver telluride colloidal quantum dots, published in Nature Photonics, and new tools for image sensing applicable in various research fields. Economically and societally, the technology promises to create new markets and business opportunities, enhance the capabilities of autonomous systems, improve safety in automotive applications, and enable new functionalities in consumer electronics, potentially leading to job creation and economic growth. Industrially, wide-spectrum image sensors could improve the efficiency and reliability of various applications, including autonomous vehicles and drones, leading to enhanced safety, productivity, and cost savings.