Short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging is a powerful tool to access and visualize the composition of materials and biological tissues contact free and in real time. Extending the sensitivity of the human eye (400- 700nm), SWIR radiation (900-1700nm) outperforms visible light detection, as material specific, strong absorption peaks allow to differentiate a multitude of chemical compositions and its penetration through many surfaces exposes the underlying structures. Beyond inspection and quality assurance in industrial manufacturing processes – including agriculture, pharmaceutics, chemicals, photovoltaics, wafers, metals and glasses – SWIR imaging is also applied in industrial waste sorting, environmental vision and medical diagnostics. In-vivo deep-tissue bioimaging, exploiting the second biological window (1000 - 1350 nm) is used in cancer research and offers a resolution of a few millimetres. So far, commercial SWIR imaging relies on cameras based on inorganic semiconductors, i.e. germanium (Ge) or indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs). The complex manufacturing resulting in camera prices in the range of 25k€ hinders that consumers or low-end applications (e.g. smartphones) can make use of the vast application potential of SWIR imaging.
This project takes steps to enable remote, real-time & high-resolution SWIR imaging - at low cost, without toxic elements. We develop all-organic, ultra-thin up-conversion devices combined with silicon cameras as an attractive alternative for SWIR imaging. The organic upconversion devices convert invisible SWIR images into visible images, being then captured by conventional low-cost cameras, visible-image sensors, or the naked eye.
ORGUP aims to extend the sensitivity limit of organic SWIR upconverters and demonstrate for the first-time affordable SWIR upconversion up to 1400 nm. Additionally, the construction of upconversion devices from allorganic materials, e.g. free of toxic heavy-metals, will further emphasize the attractiveness of the technology, opening new windows of opportunity for bio-imaging and bio-medical applications. The device will match the need for reliable, high-quality imaging at a low operating voltage (V < 10V), at room temperature or above, with no need for cooling, as well as high resolution thanks to the intrinsic low lateral conduction of organic semiconductors. The imager also will have a low weight and an overall thickness of around 100 nm which gives it the potential to be flexible and conform to curved surfaces.
