Quantum tunneling photo-detector array

revolutionary photo sensing technology

Marek T. Michalewicz, PhDDecember 2010

Current Image Sensing Technology:CCD and CMOS ~ 30 Mega Pix (best of breed)

New Image Sensing Technology:Quantum tunneling photodetector arrays (QIST*)

~ 300 TERA Pix at 12” wafer level

*Quantum Image Sensing Technology

10,000 X better

Are CCD and CMOS devices

the last word in Image Sensing?

Disrupting the current market ...

Status Quo

Existing CMOS and CCDs are reaching their technical limitations based on current physics - there are problems with heat, leakage and diffraction, complex manufacturing, limits of minaturisation of pixels, etc

New Image Sensor Opportunity

Quantum tunneling photodetector array technology offers possibility to create image sensors; with none of the above limitations, with up to 100 TERA Pixels per individual image sensor, extremely fast, operating under very low power, from UV to visible to IR spectrum, and resolving colour spectrum.

Creating vast new opportunities

0

2.3

4.5

6.8

9.0

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Pix

el S

ize

(Mic

rons

per

Sid

e)

CCDCMOS

Pixel size is near the limit

Hausken, T. 2009. Image Sensor Market

Pixel size of QIST = 1/50 microns per side

Quantum Tunneling Photodetector Arrays can offer

2,500 X greater pixel density than CCD and CMOS Image Sensors

offering up to

100 TERA Pixels per individual image sensor

Breaking the limits of old technology

• Much faster response time even in 1,000s of frames per second

• Easier fine color gradation such as 16-bit per component

colour, or multiple colour RGBYCMK sensors

• Easy adjustment of spectrum coverage from infrared to X-ray

Quantum Tunneling Photodetector Arrays offer

Great new advantages

Quantum Tunneling Photodetector Arrays

will be particularly useful in:

• affordable super hi-res earth, marine and space surveillance

• new generation cameras and vision equipment

• ultra compact solutions for eye replacement in the visually

impaired

• wide use in both civilian and classified devices

Wide applications

Current CCD and CMOS Image Sensor Market

$US 8.5 billion

is going to grow to

$US 16 billion in 2015

Huge accessible market

CMOS Image sensors market

Application OutlookCameraphones Still the grand prize.

Digital cameras Saturating but still important

Camcorders Some new opportunities in an old application

Webcams Taking off

Stand-alone videophones Always the application of the future

Toys, game consoles Taking off

Optical mice Maturing, but still some new ideas

Scanning appliances A mature and closed community

General outlook: Consumer apps

Hausken, T. 2009. Image Sensor Market

Application OutlookSecurity cameras Strong growth

Machine vision A fragmented and specialized market

Automotive Strong opportunities but a long development cycle

Barcode scanners A mature niche market

Single-use endoscopy Enabling, but a niche

Digital radiography Good growth for exotic technologies

Scientific Very customized R&D applications

General outlook: Speciality

Hausken, T. 2009. Image Sensor Market

0

375

750

1,125

1,500

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

New

Han

dset

s (M

illio

n)

HandsetsPrimary camerasSecondary cameras

The killer app: Cameraphones

Hausken, T. 2009. Image Sensor Market

New Image Sensing Technology:

Quantum tunneling photodetector arrays

(QIST*)

*Quantum Image Sensing Technology

Tunneling Photosensitive Cross-Grid Array

two cross-grid nanowire arrays

Tunneling Photosensitive Cross-Grid Array

top array fabricated on transparent substrate

308: SOFT MATTER SPACERsoft-matter spacer plays critical role in resonant tunneling assisted tunneling

Tunneling Photosensitive Cross-Grid Array

top curve:100% increase of tunneling current observed upon incidence of light

1. Sharing the vision of quantum tunneling photo-detectors revolution

2. Invitation to engage in joint research or development

3. Seeking R&D, JV, licensing or investments partners

Motivation

Well protected IP

Quantum tunneling photodetector array is covered by patents:

• “Quantum Tunneling Photodetector array” PCT/SG

2007/000433

• patent pending USA

• patent pending Japan 2010-539391

• patent pending Europe 07852299.2

• patent pending China 200780101914.5

Contact information

Dr Marek T. Michalewicz

Telephone: +65 9777 9599e-mail: marek@quantum-pi.com