Skip to main content
Log in

Optocoupler made from semiconducting polymers

  • Published:
Journal of Electronic Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Optocouplers (optoisolators) were fabricated using semiconducting polymers. The input unit is a polymer light emitting diode with an external quantum efficiency of ∼1% photons/electron. The output unit is a polymer photodiode with a quantum yield of ∼35% electrons/photon at 590 nm. Both units can be operated at bias voltages sufficiently low to be compatible with TTL and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor logic circuits. Since the transfer characteristic is nearly linear, the polymer optocoupler can be used in analogue circuits as well. The current transfer ratio reaches 2 × 10−3 under-10V reverse bias, comparable to that of commercial inorganic optocouplers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. H. Burroughes, D. D. C. Bradley, A. R. Brown, R. N. Marks, K. Mackay, R. H. Friend, P. L. Burns and A. B. Holmes,Nature 347, 539 (1990).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. D. Braun and A.J. Heeger,Appl. Phys. Lett. 58, 1982 (1991).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Recent developments on polymer LEDs can be found, for example,in Electroluminescent Materials, Devices, andLarge-Screen Displays, eds. E.M. Conwell, M. Stolka and M.R. Miller (Bellingham.WA, 1993).

  4. D. Braun, A. J. Heeger and H. Kroemer,J. Electron. Mater. 20, 945 (1991).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. G. Gustafsson, Y. Cao, G. M. Treacy, F. Klavetter, N. Colaneri and A.J. Heeger,Nature 357, 477 (1992).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. G. Yu, C. Zhang and A. J. Heeger,Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 1540 (1994).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. For examples, see: (a) U. Tietze, C. Schenk and E. Schmid,ElectronicCircuits:DesignandApplications (Berlin:Springer-Verlag, 1991) p. 99; (b) S. Gage, D. Evans, M. Hodapp and H. Sorenson,Optoelectronics Application Manual (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  8. D. Braun, G. Gustafsson, D. McBranch and A. J. Heeger,J. Appl. Phys. 72, 564 (1992).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. G. Yu, K. Pakbaz and A. J. Heeger,Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 3422 (1994).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. R. Sugimoto, S. Takeda, H. B. Gu and K. Yoshino,Chemistry Express 1, 635 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. F. Wudl, P.-M. Allemand, G. Srdanov, Z. Ni and D. McBranch,Materials for Nonlinear Optics: Chemical Perspectives, Vol. 455 eds. S.R. Marder, J.E. Sohn and G.D. Stucky, (Washington, DC: American Chemical Society, 1991) p. 683.

    Google Scholar 

  12. I. D. Parker,J. Appl. Phys. 75, 1656 (1994).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yu, G., Pakbaz, K. & Heeger, A.J. Optocoupler made from semiconducting polymers. J. Electron. Mater. 23, 925–928 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02655366

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02655366

Key words

Navigation