OPTICAL ARRANGEMENT

• US 20100012817A1
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Original Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forsching E.V.
• Inventors: VOGEL, Uwe, KREYE, Daniel, AMELUNG, Jorg
• Granted Patent: US 8,274,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/201.100
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14678 Contact-type imagers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/173 formed in, or on, a common substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/13 comprising photosensors that control luminance
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/60 OLEDs integrated with inorganic light-sensitive elements, e.g. with inorganic solar cells or inorganic photodiodes

Abstract

The invention relates to optical arrangements which can be provided, preferably also in miniaturized form, for the most varied applications. They can be used in many sectors of life and also commercially, and indeed whenever information should be presented visually and/or optical information should be recognized and taken into account. It is the object of the invention to provide optical arrangements with which different optical information can be utilized in more complex form together in one arrangement. The optical arrangement in accordance with the invention is configured such that elements both emitting and detecting electromagnetic radiation are arranged on a common substrate or are configured thereat. A plurality of these elements are preferably present together in each case. It can, however, also be sufficient for specific applications to provide in each case an emitting or a detecting element with a plurality of the respective other elements.

Claims

1. An optical arrangement, comprising:

at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation;

one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation manufactured in CMOS technology and arranged on a surface of a common CMOS substrate with the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation; and

an electronic evaluation and control unit to which the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation and the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are connected.

2. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the emitting elements and the detecting elements are arranged discretely with respect to, and next to, one another.

3. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation is configured as an organic light emitting diode or as a light emitting diode.

4. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are configured as photodiodes or CMOS sensors.

5. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation and the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are arranged distributed uniformly over the total surface of the arrangement.

6. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation cover the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation.

7. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation and the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are configured for electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of visible light.

8. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation and the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are configured for electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of near infrared light.

9. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the surface of the common CMOS substrate is protected by a cover transparent to electromagnetic radiation.

10. An arrangement in accordance with claim 9, wherein optical structural elements associated with the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation and/or the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are configured at the cover.

11. An arrangement in accordance with claim 10, wherein the optical structural elements are operable to focus or split electromagnetic radiation.

12. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the CMOS substrate includes a CMOS structure.

13. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are barrier layer photodetectors.

14. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation is operable to be controlled by means of signals detected by the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation.

15. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation are present which are sensitive in different wavelength regions.

16. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the arrangement is accommodated in a housing which is operable to be placed on at least one eye of a living being.

17. An arrangement in accordance with claim 16, wherein the housing is transparent at least regionally for electromagnetic radiation.

18. An arrangement in accordance with claim 16, wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by the at least one element operable to emit electromagnetic radiation is imaged on a transparent part of the housing.

19. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein electromagnetic radiation is operable to be emitted and detected alternatingly or sequentially.

20. Use of an arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the arrangement is operable for simultaneous visual display of information and/or for an illumination as well as detection of optical image information.

21. A method, comprising detecting physiological parameters of living beings using the arrangement in accordance with claim 1.

22. A method, comprising interactively applying the arrangement in accordance with claim 1 in connection with information or physiological parameters detected by the one or more elements operable to detect electromagnetic radiation.