Samsung patents infrared sensor layers to improve electron flow
Samsung has been granted a patent for an infrared photodiode, a component that detects infrared light. The design adds specific auxiliary layers between the main light-absorbing part and the electrical contacts. These layers use materials that help electrons move more easily while blocking other electrical charges.
In the filing’s own words
An infrared photodiode includes an anode, a cathode, a photoelectric conversion layer between the anode and the cathode and including an infrared absorbing material, and a first auxiliary layer between the anode and the photoelectric conversion layer and a second auxiliary layer between the cathode and the photoelectric conversion layer. The first auxiliary layer and the second auxiliary layer each independently include an electron transport material that is configured to facilitate electron introduction, and/or facility electron transport, and/or inhibit hole movement. A sensor may include the infrared photodiode. An electronic device may include the infrared photodiode.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An infrared photodiode, comprising: an anode; a cathode; a photoelectric conversion layer between the anode and the cathode, the photoelectric conversion layer including an infrared absorbing material; a first auxiliary layer between the anode and the photoelectric conversion layer; and a second auxiliary layer between the cathode and the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein the first auxiliary layer and the second auxiliary layer each independently includes an electron transport material that is configured to facilitate electron introduction, and/or facilitate electron transport, and/or inhibit hole movement.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- Infrared photodiode and sensor and electronic device
- Patent number
- US12740219B2
- Application number
- 18423560
- Filed
- Jan 26, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H10K 30/85 Electricity & electronicsH10K 30/30 Electricity & electronicsH10K 30/353 Electricity & electronicsH10K 39/32 Electricity & electronicsH10K 85/211 Electricity & electronicsH10K 85/30 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung in Chips & hardware
- Samsung patents chip that combines camera and screen Oct 13, 2026
- Samsung patents faster chip testing using machine learning Sep 1, 2026
- Samsung patents radar method to pinpoint target direction more accurately Sep 1, 2026
- Samsung patents memory chip that searches data by content, not address Sep 1, 2026
- Samsung patents chip design that skips empty data to speed up AI Sep 1, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.