WO2015045806A1

WO2015045806A1 - Photoelectric conversion element and imaging element

Info

Publication number: WO2015045806A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/073531
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大悟澤木
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2013-09-30
Filing date: 2014-09-05
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: JP2015092546A; JP6059697B2; TW201513421A; TWI636599B; KR101857892B1; KR20160043018A

Abstract

A photoelectric conversion element wherein a lower electrode, an organic layer containing a photoelectric conversion layer and an upper electrode containing a transparent electrode layer are sequentially laminated on a substrate in this order. The photoelectric conversion layer has a bulk hetero structure that is composed of a p-type organic semiconductor, which is a compound represented by general formula (1), and an n-type organic semiconductor, which is a fullerene or a fullerene derivative. The photoelectric conversion layer additionally contains a low-molecular-weight organic compound in an amount of from 0.5% by mass to 5% by mass (inclusive) relative to the p-type organic semiconductor.

Description

Photoelectric conversion device and imaging device

The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion element and an imaging element in which a photoelectric conversion layer that generates an electric charge in response to received light is configured using an organic compound, and converts a visible light image into an electric signal. The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion element and an imaging element that are fast and have excellent heat resistance.

As an image sensor used in digital still cameras, digital video cameras, mobile phone cameras, endoscope cameras, etc., pixels including photodiodes are arranged on a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon chip. Solid-state imaging devices such as CCD sensors and MOS sensors that acquire signal charges corresponding to generated photoelectrons with a CCD-type or CMOS-type readout circuit are widely known. Currently, development of photoelectric conversion elements using organic compounds is underway (Patent Document 1, etc.).

In the photoelectric conversion element of Patent Document 1, a first electrode is formed on a substrate, and an organic layer is formed on the first electrode. A second electrode is formed on the organic layer. An organic layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The organic layer has a photoelectric conversion layer and an electron blocking layer, and the electron blocking layer is formed on the first electrode. A sealing layer that seals the first electrode, the second electrode, and the organic layer is provided so as to cover the second electrode.
The photoelectric conversion layer preferably has a bulk heterojunction layer including a p-type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor. By having a bulk heterojunction structure, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion layer can be improved. In Patent Document 1, each step from the organic layer forming step to the sealing layer forming step is performed under vacuum, and the organic layers of the photoelectric conversion layer and the electron blocking layer are formed by a vacuum deposition method.

JP 2013-055248 A

In the photoelectric conversion element of Patent Document 1 having a bulk heterostructure of a p-type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor, when a dye is used for the p-type organic semiconductor and a material having high planarity is used for the dye, That is, a high-speed response can be expected particularly when a molecule having no axis of free rotation and having all the axes of molecules in a single plane is used. However, when a material having high flatness is used for the coloring matter, there is a problem that the coloring matter aggregates to cause deterioration of various performances.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the problems based on the above prior art, and even when using a p-type dye having high flatness, the aggregation of the dye is suppressed, the response speed is high, and the photoelectric conversion has excellent heat resistance. An object is to provide an element and an imaging element.

In order to achieve the above object, a photoelectric conversion device in which a lower electrode, an organic layer including a photoelectric conversion layer, and an upper electrode including a transparent electrode layer are stacked in this order on a substrate, It has a bulk heterostructure of a p-type organic semiconductor of the compound represented by the general formula (1) and an n-type organic semiconductor of fullerene or a fullerene derivative, and the photoelectric conversion layer further converts a low-molecular organic compound into a p-type organic semiconductor. The photoelectric conversion element characterized by containing 0.5 mass% or more and 5 mass% or less is provided.
In the general formula (1), Z ₁ represents a ring containing at least two carbon atoms and represents a 5-membered ring, a 6-membered ring, or a condensed ring containing at least one of a 5-membered ring and a 6-membered ring. L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ each independently represent an unsubstituted methine group or a substituted methine group. D ₁ represents an atomic group. n represents an integer of 0 or more.

The low molecular organic compound preferably has a molecular weight of 400 or more and 1300 or less.
The low molecular organic compound preferably has an ionization potential of 5.0 eV or more.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device comprising the photoelectric conversion element according to the first aspect of the present invention.
For example, the imaging device includes a charge storage unit for storing the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer of the photoelectric conversion device, and a connection unit for transmitting the charge of the photoelectric conversion layer to the charge storage unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a photoelectric conversion element and an imaging element having a high response speed and excellent heat resistance.

(A) is typical sectional drawing which shows the photoelectric conversion element of embodiment of this invention, (b) is a principal part enlarged view which expands and shows the sealing layer of the photoelectric conversion element of embodiment of this invention. It is. It is a typical sectional view showing an image sensor of an embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) is typical sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the image pick-up element of embodiment of this invention in order of a process. (A)-(c) is typical sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the image pick-up element of embodiment of this invention in order of a process, and shows the post process of FIG.3 (c).

Hereinafter, a photoelectric conversion element and an imaging element of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Fig.1 (a) is typical sectional drawing which shows the photoelectric conversion element of embodiment of this invention, (b) is the principal part which expands and shows the sealing layer of the photoelectric conversion element of embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view.

The photoelectric conversion element 100 shown in FIG. 1A converts incident light L into an electrical signal. The photoelectric conversion element 100 is formed by laminating a lower electrode 104 on a surface 102 a of a substrate 102. An electron blocking layer 106 is laminated on the surface 104 a of the lower electrode 104, and a photoelectric conversion layer 108 is laminated on the electron blocking layer 106. A sealing layer 114 covering the lower electrode 104, the organic layer 110, and the upper electrode 112 is formed. Note that the electron blocking layer 106 and the photoelectric conversion layer 108 are collectively referred to as an organic layer 110.

In the photoelectric conversion element 100, the incident light L is incident on the photoelectric conversion layer 108 of the organic layer 110 from the surface 112a side of the upper electrode 112, and the incident light L is converted into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion layer 108. For this reason, the sealing layer 114 and the upper electrode 112 transmit the incident light L as will be described later.

As the substrate 102, a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, or the like can be used.
The lower electrode 104 is an electrode for collecting holes out of charges generated in the organic layer 110 (photoelectric conversion layer 108). The lower electrode 104 is made of a conductive material such as TiN (titanium nitride).
As the substrate 102, for example, a TiN substrate on which a TiN electrode is formed is preferably used as the lower electrode 104.

The photoelectric conversion layer 108 receives the incident light L and generates charges according to the amount of the incident light L, and includes an organic photoelectric conversion material. For example, the photoelectric conversion layer 108 has a bulk heterostructure of a p-type organic semiconductor (p-type organic compound) of the compound represented by the general formula (1) and an n-type organic semiconductor of fullerene or a fullerene derivative. The photoelectric conversion layer 108 further contains a low molecular organic compound in an amount of 0.5% by mass to 5% by mass with respect to the content of the p-type organic semiconductor. Details of the photoelectric conversion layer 108 will be described later.

The electron blocking layer 106 is a layer for preventing electrons from being injected from the lower electrode 104 into the organic layer 110. The electron blocking layer 106 is preferably made of a material having a high electron injection barrier from the adjacent lower electrode 104 and a high hole transporting property. As an electron injection barrier, the electron affinity of the electron blocking layer 106 is preferably 1 eV or less, more preferably 1.3 eV or more, and particularly preferably 1.5 eV or more than the work function of the adjacent electrode.

The electron blocking layer 106 is preferably 20 nm or more, more preferably, in order to sufficiently suppress the contact between the lower electrode 104 and the photoelectric conversion layer 108 and to avoid the influence of defects or dust existing on the surface of the lower electrode 104. Is 40 nm or more, particularly preferably 60 nm or more.
If the electron blocking layer 106 is made too thick, the problem that the supply voltage required for applying an appropriate electric field strength to the photoelectric conversion layer 108 becomes high, or the carrier transport process in the electron blocking layer 106 is photoelectric conversion. There arises a problem that adversely affects the performance of the element. The total thickness of the electron blocking layer 106 is preferably 300 nm or less, more preferably 200 nm or less, and still more preferably 100 nm or less.

The upper electrode 112 is an electrode that collects electrons out of charges generated in the organic layer 110. The upper electrode 112 is composed of a transparent electrode layer that is sufficiently transparent to light having a wavelength with which the organic layer 110 has sensitivity in order to allow incident light L to enter the organic layer 110. For the transparent electrode layer, for example, a conductive material such as ITO is used.
By applying a bias voltage between the upper electrode 112 and the lower electrode 104, among the charges generated in the organic layer 110, holes can be moved to the lower electrode 104 and electrons can be moved to the upper electrode 112.

The light transmittance of the transparent electrode film is preferably 60% or more, more preferably 80% or more, more preferably 90% or more, and more preferably 95% or more in the visible light wavelength.
Usually, when the conductive thin film is made thinner than a certain range, the resistance value is rapidly increased. However, the sheet resistance of the transparent electrode layer is preferably 100Ω / □ or more and 10000Ω / □ or less, and the degree of freedom in the range of film thickness that can be made thin is large. Further, the thinner the transparent electrode layer, the less light is absorbed, and the light transmittance is generally increased. The increase in light transmittance is very preferable because it increases the light absorption in the photoelectric conversion layer 108 and increases the photoelectric conversion ability. In consideration of the increase in the resistance value of the thin film accompanying the thinning and the increase in light transmittance, the thickness of the transparent electrode layer, that is, the upper electrode 112 is preferably 5 nm or more and 30 nm or less, more preferably It is 5 nm or more and 20 nm or less.
As a method for manufacturing the upper electrode 112, various methods are used depending on the constituent materials, but it is preferable to use a sputtering method.

The sealing layer 114 is a layer for preventing a factor that degrades an organic material such as water and oxygen from entering the organic layer 110 containing the organic material. The sealing layer 114 covers the lower electrode 104, the electron blocking layer 106, the organic layer 110, and the upper electrode 112, and seals between the surface 102 a of the substrate 102.
The sealing layer 114 is achieved by the first sealing layer 116 on the first sealing layer 116 and the first sealing layer 116 that prevent permeation of deterioration factors of photoelectric conversion materials such as water molecules, for example. Is a two-layer structure in which a sealing auxiliary layer 118 having a difficult function such as a chemical resistance or a stress relaxation function is laminated.

In the photoelectric conversion element 100 configured as described above, the upper electrode 112 is used as a light incident side electrode. When the incident light L is incident from above the upper electrode 112, the incident light L is transmitted through the upper electrode 112 and the organic layer. 110 is incident, and charges are generated here. Holes in the generated charges move to the lower electrode 104. By converting the holes that have moved to the lower electrode 104 into a voltage signal corresponding to the amount of the holes and reading out the light, the light can be converted into a voltage signal and extracted.

The electron blocking layer 106 may be a plurality of layers. By using a plurality of layers, an interface is formed between the layers constituting the electron blocking layer 106, and discontinuities occur in the intermediate levels existing in the layers. As a result, it becomes difficult for the charge to move through the intermediate level, and the electron blocking effect can be enhanced. However, if the layers constituting the electron blocking layer 106 are made of the same material, the intermediate levels existing in the layers may be exactly the same. Therefore, in order to further enhance the electron blocking effect, the materials constituting the layers are different. It is preferable to make it.

Next, a method for manufacturing the photoelectric conversion element 100 will be described.
First, as the lower electrode 104, for example, a TiN substrate in which a TiN electrode is formed on the substrate 102 is prepared.
In the TiN substrate, for example, TiN as an electrode material is formed on the substrate 102 under a vacuum set in advance by a sputtering method, and a TiN electrode is formed as the lower electrode 104.
Instead of using the TiN substrate, for example, the lower electrode 104 may be formed on the substrate 102 by, for example, depositing TiN under a preset vacuum by a sputtering method.

Next, an electron blocking material, for example, a carbazole derivative, more preferably a bifluorene derivative, is formed on the surface 104a of the lower electrode 104 under a vacuum set in advance by using, for example, a vapor deposition method to form an organic layer. An electron blocking layer 106 constituting 110 is formed.

Next, as a photoelectric conversion material, for example, a p-type organic semiconductor of a compound represented by the general formula (1), a fullerene or a fullerene derivative, and a low molecular organic compound are deposited on the electron blocking layer 106 by a vapor deposition method. The photoelectric conversion layer 108 which comprises the organic layer 110 is formed by vapor-depositing and forming into a film under the vacuum set beforehand.
Note that the low-molecular organic compound is deposited by adjusting so as to contain 0.5% by mass to 5% by mass with respect to the p-type organic semiconductor.
Next, a transparent electrode material, for example, ITO is formed on the photoelectric conversion layer 108 under a preset vacuum using a sputtering method to form the upper electrode 112.

Next, a sealing material, for example, an Al ₂ O ₃ film (alumina film) is formed on the upper electrode 112 and the substrate 102 under a preset vacuum using, for example, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. Thus, the first sealing layer 116 is formed. Thereafter, the sealing layer 114 is formed by forming a SiON film on the first sealing layer 116 as the sealing auxiliary layer 118 by sputtering, for example.
In the present embodiment, the sealing layer 114 has a two-layer structure, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is preferable that the number of layers is as small as possible in consideration of manufacturing costs. For this reason, it can also be comprised with the thin film which consists of a single material. In this case, the sealing layer is composed of, for example, an Al ₂ O ₃ (alumina) film.

In the photoelectric conversion element 100 of this embodiment, when using the photoelectric conversion element 100, an external electric field can be applied. In this case, the lower electrode 104 and the upper electrode 112 are used as a pair of electrodes, and an external electric field applied between the pair of electrodes in order to obtain excellent characteristics in photoelectric conversion efficiency, dark current, and optical response speed is 1 V / cm. It is preferably 1 × 10 ⁷ V / cm or less, more preferably 1 × 10 ⁴ V / cm or more and 1 × 10 ⁷ V / cm or less. Particularly preferably, it is 5 × 10 ⁴ V / cm or more and 1 × 10 ⁶ V / cm or less.
In the photoelectric conversion element 100 of the present embodiment, the photoelectric conversion layer 108 has a bulk heterostructure of a p-type organic semiconductor of the compound represented by the general formula (1) and a fullerene or a fullerene derivative that is an n-type organic semiconductor, The low molecular organic compound is contained in an amount of 0.5% by mass to 5% by mass with respect to the p-type organic semiconductor. As a result, even when a p-type dye having high planarity is used for the p-type organic semiconductor, the aggregation of the p-type dye can be suppressed, and the photoelectric conversion element 100 has high response speed and high heat resistance. can do.
Here, high planarity means a state in which no free rotation axis exists and all the molecular axes exist in a single plane.

Next, an image sensor using the photoelectric conversion element 100 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image sensor of the embodiment of the present invention.
The image sensor 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be used in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera or a digital video camera. Furthermore, it is used by being mounted on an imaging module such as an electronic endoscope and a cellular phone.

2 includes a substrate 12, an insulating layer 14, a pixel electrode 16 (lower electrode), an electron blocking layer 20, a photoelectric conversion layer 22, a counter electrode 26 (upper electrode), and a sealing. A layer (protective film) 28, a color filter 32, a partition wall 34, a light shielding layer 36, and a protective layer 38 are included. The electron blocking layer 20 and the photoelectric conversion layer 22 are collectively referred to as an organic layer 24.
A reading circuit 40 and a counter electrode voltage supply unit 42 are formed on the substrate 12.
The pixel electrode 16 corresponds to the lower electrode 104 of the photoelectric conversion element 100 described above, the counter electrode 26 corresponds to the upper electrode 112 of the photoelectric conversion element 100 described above, and the organic layer 24 corresponds to the organic of the photoelectric conversion element 100 described above. The sealing layer 28 corresponds to the layer 120 and the sealing layer 114 of the photoelectric conversion element 100 described above. The sealing layer 28 has a two-layer structure like the sealing layer 114, and includes a first sealing layer 29 and a sealing auxiliary layer 30.

As the substrate 12, for example, a glass substrate or a semiconductor substrate such as Si is used. An insulating layer 14 made of a known insulating material is formed on the substrate 12. A plurality of pixel electrodes 16 are formed on the surface of the insulating layer 14. The pixel electrodes 16 are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional manner, for example.
In addition, a first connection portion 44 that connects the pixel electrode 16 and the readout circuit 40 is formed in the insulating layer 14. Furthermore, a second connection portion 46 that connects the counter electrode 26 and the counter electrode voltage supply unit 42 is formed. The second connection portion 46 is formed at a position not connected to the pixel electrode 16 and the organic layer 24. The 1st connection part 44 and the 2nd connection part 46 are formed with the electroconductive material.
In addition, a wiring layer 48 made of a conductive material for connecting the readout circuit 40 and the counter electrode voltage supply unit 42 to, for example, the outside of the image sensor 10 is formed inside the insulating layer 14.
As described above, the circuit board 11 is formed by forming the pixel electrodes 16 connected to the first connection portions 44 on the surface 14 a of the insulating layer 14 on the substrate 12. The circuit board 11 is also referred to as a CMOS substrate.

The electron blocking layer 20 is formed on the pixel electrode 16 so as to cover the plurality of pixel electrodes 16 and avoid the second connection portion 46, and the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is formed on the electron blocking layer 20. .
The electron blocking layer 20 corresponds to the electron blocking layer 106 of the photoelectric conversion element 100 as described above, and is a layer for suppressing injection of electrons from the pixel electrode 16 to the photoelectric conversion layer 22.

Since the photoelectric conversion layer 22 corresponds to the photoelectric conversion layer 108 of the photoelectric conversion element 100 described above, detailed description thereof is omitted. The photoelectric conversion layer 22 has a bulk heterostructure of a p-type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor of fullerene or a fullerene derivative, and further contains 0.5% by mass or more of a low-molecular organic compound with respect to the p-type organic semiconductor. 5% by mass or less is contained.
In addition, as long as both the electron blocking layer 20 and the photoelectric conversion layer 22 have a constant film thickness on the pixel electrode 16, the film thickness may not be constant other than that. The photoelectric conversion layer 22 will be described in detail later.

The counter electrode 26 is an electrode facing the pixel electrode 16 and is provided so as to cover the organic layer 24, and the organic layer 24 is disposed between the pixel electrode 16 and the counter electrode 26.
The counter electrode 26 is composed of a transparent conductive layer that is sufficiently transparent to the incident light L (visible light) in order to make light incident on the photoelectric conversion layer 22. As described above, the counter electrode 26 has the same configuration as that of the upper electrode 112, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The counter electrode 26 is electrically connected to the second connection portion 46 disposed outside the photoelectric conversion layer 22, and is connected to the counter electrode voltage supply portion 42 via the second connection portion 46. Yes.

Examples of the material of the counter electrode 26 (upper electrode 112) include metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, organic conductive compounds, and mixtures thereof. Specific examples include tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), zinc oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tungsten oxide (IWO), conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide, TiN Metal nitrides such as gold (Au), platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), etc., and these metals and conductive metal oxides A mixture or laminate of the above, an organic conductive compound such as polyaniline, polythiophene, and polypyrrole, a laminate of these with ITO, and the like. Particularly preferable materials for the transparent conductive film are ITO, IZO, tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), zinc oxide, antimony-doped zinc oxide (AZO), gallium. Any material of doped zinc oxide (GZO). A particularly preferable material among the materials of the counter electrode 26 (upper electrode 112) is ITO.

The counter electrode voltage supply unit 42 applies a preset voltage to the counter electrode 26 via the second connection unit 46. When the voltage to be applied to the counter electrode 26 is higher than the power supply voltage of the image sensor 10, the power supply voltage is boosted by a booster circuit such as a charge pump to supply the preset voltage.

The pixel electrode 16 is an electrode for collecting charges for collecting charges generated in the photoelectric conversion layer 22 between the pixel electrode 16 and the counter electrode 26 facing the pixel electrode 16. The pixel electrode 16 is connected to the readout circuit 40 via the first connection portion 44. The readout circuit 40 is provided on the substrate 12 corresponding to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 16, and reads out a signal corresponding to the charge collected by the corresponding pixel electrode 16.

Examples of the material of the pixel electrode 16 (lower electrode 104) include metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal borides, organic conductive compounds, and mixtures thereof. Specific examples include conductive metal oxides such as tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), zinc oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium tungsten oxide (IWO), and titanium oxide, and nitride Metal nitrides such as titanium (TiN), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), and other metals, and conductivity with these metals Examples thereof include mixtures or laminates with metal oxides, organic conductive compounds such as polyaniline, polythiophene, and polypyrrole, and laminates of these with ITO. The material of the lower electrode 104 is particularly preferably any of titanium nitride, molybdenum nitride, tantalum nitride, and tungsten nitride. Among the materials of the pixel electrode 16 (lower electrode 104), a particularly preferable material is TiN.

A step corresponding to the film thickness of the pixel electrode 16 is steep at the end of the pixel electrode 16, there are significant irregularities on the surface of the pixel electrode 16, or minute dust (particles) adhere to the pixel electrode 16. As a result, a layer on the pixel electrode 16 becomes thinner than a desired film thickness or a crack occurs. When the counter electrode 26 (upper electrode 112) is formed on the layer in such a state, a pixel defect such as an increase in dark current or a short circuit occurs due to contact or electric field concentration between the pixel electrode 16 and the counter electrode 26 in the defective portion. . Furthermore, the above-described defects may reduce the adhesion between the pixel electrode 16 and the layer above it or the heat resistance of the image sensor 10.

In order to prevent the above-mentioned defects and improve the reliability of the element, the surface roughness Ra (arithmetic average roughness) of the pixel electrode 16 is preferably 0.6 nm or less. The smaller the surface roughness Ra of the pixel electrode 16, the smaller the surface unevenness, and the better the surface flatness. In order to remove particles on the pixel electrode 16, it is particularly preferable to clean the pixel electrode 16 and the like using a general cleaning technique used in a semiconductor manufacturing process before forming the electron blocking layer 20. preferable.

The readout circuit 40 is constituted by, for example, a CCD, a MOS circuit, or a TFT circuit, and is shielded from light by a light shielding layer (not shown) provided in the insulating layer 14. The readout circuit 40 preferably employs a CCD or CMOS circuit for general image sensor applications, and preferably employs a CMOS circuit from the viewpoint of noise and high speed.
Although not shown, for example, a high-concentration n region surrounded by a p region is formed on the substrate 12, and the first connection portion 44 is connected to the n region. A read circuit 40 is provided in the p region. The n region functions as a charge storage unit that stores the charge of the photoelectric conversion layer 22. The electric charge accumulated in the n region is converted into a signal corresponding to the amount of electric charge by the readout circuit 40 and output to the outside of the image sensor 10 through the wiring layer 48, for example.

The sealing layer (protective film) 28 is for protecting the photoelectric conversion layer 22 containing an organic substance from deterioration factors such as water molecules. The sealing layer 28 is formed so as to cover the counter electrode 26. The sealing layer 28 has a two-layer structure of a first sealing layer 29 and a sealing auxiliary layer 30.
The following conditions are required for the sealing layer 28 (sealing layer 114).
First, it is possible to protect the photoelectric conversion layer by preventing intrusion of factors that degrade the organic photoelectric conversion material contained in the solution, plasma, and the like in each manufacturing process of the device.
Secondly, after the device is manufactured, the penetration of factors that degrade the organic photoelectric conversion material such as water molecules is prevented, and the deterioration of the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is prevented over a long period of storage / use.
Third, when the sealing layer 28 is formed, the already formed photoelectric conversion layer is not deteriorated.
Fourth, since incident light reaches the photoelectric conversion layer 22 through the sealing layer 28, the sealing layer 28 must be transparent to light having a wavelength detected by the photoelectric conversion layer 22.

The sealing layer 28 can be formed of a thin film made of a single material. However, by providing a multi-layered structure and providing each layer with a different function, stress relaxation of the entire sealing layer 28 and generation of dust during the manufacturing process. Such effects as the suppression of defects such as cracks and pinholes due to the above, and the optimization of material development can be expected. For example, the sealing layer 28 is formed by laminating a sealing auxiliary layer having a function that is difficult to achieve on a layer that serves the original purpose of preventing permeation of deterioration factors such as water molecules. Layer structure. Although the sealing layer may have a configuration of three or more layers, it is preferable that the number of layers is as small as possible in consideration of manufacturing costs.

Moreover, the sealing layer 28 (sealing layer 114) can be formed as follows, for example.
The performance of organic photoelectric conversion materials is significantly deteriorated due to the presence of deterioration factors such as water molecules. Therefore, it is necessary to cover and seal the entire photoelectric conversion layer with a dense metal oxide film, metal nitride film, metal oxynitride film, or the like that does not allow water molecules to permeate. Conventionally, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon nitride oxide, or a stacked structure thereof, a stacked structure of these and an organic polymer, or the like is used as a sealing layer by various vacuum film forming techniques. The conventional sealing layer is a film compared to a flat part because it is difficult to grow a thin film at a step due to structures on the substrate surface, minute defects on the substrate surface, particles adhering to the substrate surface, etc. (because the step becomes a shadow). The thickness is significantly reduced. For this reason, the step portion becomes a path through which the deterioration factor penetrates. In order to completely cover this step with the sealing layer 28, it is necessary to form the film so as to have a film thickness of 1 μm or more in the flat portion, and to increase the thickness of the entire sealing layer 28.

In the image sensor 10 having a pixel size of less than 2 μm, particularly about 1 μm, if the distance between the color filter 32 and the photoelectric conversion layer 22, that is, the film thickness of the sealing layer 28 is large, incident light is diffracted in the sealing layer 28. Or it diverges and color mixing occurs. For this reason, the imaging device 10 having a pixel size of about 1 μm requires a sealing layer material and a manufacturing method thereof that do not deteriorate the device performance even when the film thickness of the entire sealing layer 28 is reduced.

The atomic layer deposition (ALD) method is a kind of CVD method, and adsorption / reaction of organometallic compound molecules, metal halide molecules, and metal hydride molecules, which are thin film materials, onto the substrate surface and unreacted groups contained therein Is a technique for forming a thin film by alternately repeating decomposition. When the thin film material reaches the surface of the substrate, it is in the above-described low molecular state, so that the thin film can be grown in a very small space where the low molecule can enter. For this reason, the step portion, which was difficult with the conventional thin film formation method, is completely covered (the thickness of the thin film grown on the step portion is the same as the thickness of the thin film grown on the flat portion), that is, the step coverage is very high. Excellent. Therefore, a step due to a structure on the substrate surface, a minute defect on the substrate surface, particles adhering to the substrate surface, and the like can be completely covered, and such a step portion does not become an intrusion path for a deterioration factor of the photoelectric conversion material. When the sealing layer 28 is formed by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, the required sealing layer thickness can be reduced more effectively than in the prior art.

When the sealing layer 28 is formed by the atomic layer deposition method, a material corresponding to the above-described preferable sealing layer can be appropriately selected. However, it is limited to a material capable of growing a thin film at a relatively low temperature so that the organic photoelectric conversion material does not deteriorate. According to the atomic layer deposition method using alkylaluminum or aluminum halide as a material, a dense aluminum oxide thin film can be formed at less than 200 ° C. at which the organic photoelectric conversion material does not deteriorate. In particular, when trimethylaluminum is used, an aluminum oxide thin film can be formed even at about 100 ° C., which is preferable. Silicon oxide or titanium oxide is also preferable because a dense thin film can be formed as the sealing layer 28 at a temperature lower than 200 ° C. as in the case of aluminum oxide by appropriately selecting a material.
The sealing layer 28 (sealing layer 114) preferably has a thickness of 10 nm or more in order to sufficiently prevent the entry of factors that degrade the photoelectric conversion material such as water molecules. In an imaging device described later, when the sealing layer is thick, incident light is diffracted or diverged in the sealing layer, resulting in color mixing. For this reason, the film thickness of the sealing layer is preferably 200 nm or less.

When the first sealing layer 29 is formed by an atomic layer deposition method, the first sealing layer 29 is a thin film, and from the viewpoint of step coverage and denseness, it is possible to achieve a high-quality thin film formation at a low temperature. However, the thin film may be deteriorated by chemicals used in the photolithography process. For example, since an aluminum oxide thin film formed by atomic layer deposition is amorphous, the surface is eroded by an alkaline solution such as a developer and a stripping solution. In such a case, a thin film having excellent chemical resistance is required on the aluminum oxide thin film formed by the atomic layer deposition method. That is, the auxiliary sealing layer 30 that is a functional layer for protecting the sealing layer 28 is necessary. In this case, as described above, the sealing layer 28 has the same two-layer structure as that shown in FIG.

The sealing layer 28 (sealing layer 114) is formed by sputtering on the first sealing layer 29 (first sealing layer 116), such as aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ). ), Silicon nitride (SiN), and silicon nitride oxide (SiON), it is preferable to include a sealing auxiliary layer 30 (sealing auxiliary layer 118) including any one of them. Moreover, it is preferable that the sealing layer 28 (sealing layer 114) has a film thickness of 0.05 μm or more and 0.2 μm or less. Furthermore, the sealing layer 28 (sealing layer 114) preferably contains any of aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, and titanium oxide.

The color filter 32 is formed at a position facing each pixel electrode 16 on the surface 28 a of the sealing layer 28. The partition wall 34 is provided between the color filters 32 on the surface 28 a of the sealing layer 28, and is for improving the light transmission efficiency of the color filter 32. The light shielding layer 36 is formed in a region other than the region (effective pixel region) where the color filter 32 and the partition wall 34 are provided on the surface 28a of the sealing layer 28, and light is applied to the photoelectric conversion layer 22 formed outside the effective pixel region. Is prevented from entering. The color filter 32, the partition wall 34, and the light shielding layer 36 are formed to have substantially the same thickness, and are formed through, for example, a photolithography process, a resin baking process, and the like.

The protective layer 38 is for protecting the color filter 32 from subsequent processes and is formed so as to cover the color filter 32, the partition wall 34 and the light shielding layer 36. The protective layer 38 is also referred to as an overcoat layer.
In the image sensor 10, one pixel electrode 16 having the organic layer 24, the counter electrode 26, and the color filter 32 provided thereon is a unit pixel Px.

The protective layer 38 can be made of a polymer material such as acrylic resin, polysiloxane resin, polystyrene resin or fluorine resin, or an inorganic material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride as appropriate. If a photosensitive resin such as polystyrene is used, the protective layer 38 can be patterned by a photolithography method, so that it can be used as a photoresist when opening the peripheral light shielding layer, sealing layer, insulating layer, etc. on the bonding pad. The protective layer 38 itself is preferably processed as a microlens, which is preferable. On the other hand, the protective layer 38 can be used as an antireflection layer, and it is also preferable to form various low refractive index materials used as the partition walls of the color filter 32. In addition, in order to pursue a function as a protective layer and a function as an antireflection layer with respect to a subsequent process, the protective layer 38 can be configured to have two or more layers combining the above-described materials.

In the present embodiment, the pixel electrode 16 has a configuration formed on the surface 14a of the insulating layer 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pixel electrode 16 may be embedded in the surface 14a portion of the insulating layer 14. Good. Moreover, although the structure which provides the 2nd connection part 46 and the counter electrode voltage supply part 42 was made, it may be plural. For example, a voltage drop at the counter electrode 26 can be suppressed by supplying a voltage from both ends of the counter electrode 26 to the counter electrode 26. The number of sets of the second connection unit 46 and the counter electrode voltage supply unit 42 may be appropriately increased or decreased in consideration of the chip area of the element.

Next, a manufacturing method of the image sensor 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
3A to 3C are schematic cross-sectional views showing the manufacturing method of the image sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention in the order of steps, and FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams of the embodiment of the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing method of an image pick-up element in order of a process, and shows the post process of FIG.3 (c).

In the method for manufacturing the image sensor 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first circuit is formed on the substrate 12 on which the readout circuit 40 and the counter electrode voltage supply unit 42 are formed. The insulating layer 14 provided with the connecting portion 44, the second connecting portion 46, and the wiring layer 48 is formed, and the pixel electrode 16 connected to each first connecting portion 44 is further formed on the surface 14 a of the insulating layer 14. A formed circuit board 11 (CMOS substrate) is prepared. In this case, as described above, the first connection unit 44 and the readout circuit 40 are connected, and the second connection unit 46 and the counter electrode voltage supply unit 42 are connected. The pixel electrode 16 is made of, for example, TiN.

Next, the film is transferred to a film forming chamber (not shown) for the electron blocking layer 20 through a preset transfer path, and as shown in FIG. An electron blocking material 20 is formed on the surface 14 a of the insulating layer 14 so as to cover the pixel electrode 16 under a vacuum set in advance using, for example, a vapor deposition method, thereby forming the electron blocking layer 20. As the electron blocking material, for example, a carbazole derivative, more preferably a bifluorene derivative is used.

Next, the film is transferred to a film formation chamber (not shown) of the photoelectric conversion layer 22 through a preset transfer path, and as shown in FIG. A p-type organic semiconductor, a fullerene or a fullerene derivative (n-type organic semiconductor) and a low-molecular organic compound of the compound represented by the general formula (1), and 0.5 mass of the low-molecular organic compound with respect to the p-type organic semiconductor. The film is formed under a vacuum set in advance using a vapor deposition method so that the content is from 5% to 5% by mass. Thereby, the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is formed and the organic layer 24 is formed.
The electron blocking layer 20 and the photoelectric conversion layer 22 can be formed in the same film formation chamber or in separate film formation chambers.

Next, after transporting to a film forming chamber (not shown) of the counter electrode 26 through a preset transport path, as shown in FIG. 4A, the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is covered and the second connection portion is formed. The counter electrode 26 is formed under a vacuum set in advance by a sputtering method, for example, with a pattern formed on 46. For example, ITO is used as the counter electrode material.
Next, the film is transferred to a film forming chamber (not shown) of the sealing layer 28 through a predetermined transfer path, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the entire surface 26a of the counter electrode 26 is covered, For example, an Al ₂ O ₃ film (alumina film) is formed on the surface 14 a of the insulating layer 14 under a preset vacuum using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, and the first sealing layer 29 is formed. Form. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, a SiON film is formed on the surface 29a of the first sealing layer 29 as the sealing auxiliary layer 30 by, for example, sputtering. Thereby, the sealing layer 28 is formed.

Next, the color filter 32, the partition wall 34, and the light shielding layer 36 are formed on the surface 28a of the sealing layer 28 by using, for example, a photolithography method. The color filter 32, the partition wall 34, and the light shielding layer 36 can be formed using the well-known thing used for an organic solid-state image sensor. The formation process of the color filter 32, the partition wall 34, and the light shielding layer 36 may be under vacuum or under non-vacuum.
Next, the protective layer 38 is formed using, for example, a coating method so as to cover the color filter 32, the partition wall 34, and the light shielding layer 36. Thereby, the image sensor 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be formed. As the protective layer 38, a known layer used for an organic solid-state imaging device is used.

Even when the image sensor 10 is used, an external electric field can be applied. In this case, the pixel electrode 16 and the counter electrode 26 are a pair of electrodes, and an external electric field applied between the pair of electrodes in order to obtain excellent characteristics in photoelectric conversion efficiency, dark current, and optical response speed is 1 V / cm. It is preferably 1 × 10 ⁷ V / cm or less, more preferably 1 × 10 ⁴ V / cm or more and 1 × 10 ⁷ V / cm or less. Particularly preferably, it is 5 × 10 ⁴ V / cm or more and 1 × 10 ⁶ V / cm or less.
Also in the imaging element 10, the photoelectric conversion layer 22 has a bulk heterostructure of fullerene or a fullerene derivative as a p-type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor, and further, a low-molecular organic compound that does not absorb visible light in the bulk heterolayer is 0. By containing 5 mass% or more and 5 mass% or less, even when a p-type dye having high planarity is used for the p-type organic semiconductor, aggregation of the dye can be suppressed. Speed and high heat resistance can be realized.

Hereinafter, the organic layer 24 of the imaging element 10 and the organic layer 110 of the photoelectric conversion element 100 will be described. As described above, the electron blocking layer 20 and the photoelectric conversion layer 22 of the imaging element 10 and the electron blocking layer 106 and the photoelectric conversion layer 108 of the photoelectric conversion element 100 correspond to each other.

The photoelectric conversion layer 22 of the image sensor 10 (the photoelectric conversion layer 108 of the photoelectric conversion element 100) includes a p-type organic semiconductor, an n-type organic semiconductor, and a low-molecular organic compound. Exciton dissociation efficiency can be increased by forming a donor-acceptor interface by bulk heterojunction of a p-type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor. For this reason, the photoelectric conversion layer of the structure which joined the p-type organic semiconductor and the n-type organic semiconductor expresses high photoelectric conversion efficiency. In particular, a photoelectric conversion layer in which a p-type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor are mixed is preferable because the junction interface is increased and the photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved.

In the present embodiment, the photoelectric conversion layer 22 has a bulk heterojunction structure including a p-type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor, and further contains a low molecular weight organic compound in an amount of 0.5% by mass or more to the p-type organic semiconductor. Contain less than mass%.
In the photoelectric conversion layer 22, a highly planar material is used for the dye that is a p-type organic semiconductor, that is, a molecule in which all the axes of molecules are present in a single plane, particularly without a free rotation axis. Is preferably used. Here, the dye used for the p-type organic semiconductor is a main material responsible for photoelectric conversion among the p-type organic semiconductor, for example, absorbing visible light of 400 nm to 700 nm.
By having a bulk heterojunction structure in the photoelectric conversion layer 22, it is possible to compensate for the disadvantage that the carrier diffusion length of the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is short, and to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion layer 22. The bulk heterojunction structure is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-303266.

The thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is preferably 10 nm or more and 1000 nm or less, more preferably 50 nm or more and 800 nm or less, and particularly preferably 100 nm or more and 500 nm or less. By setting the thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer 22 to 10 nm or more, a suitable dark current suppressing effect can be obtained, and by setting the thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer 22 to 1000 nm or less, preferable photoelectric conversion efficiency can be obtained.

The p-type organic semiconductor (compound) constituting the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is a donor-type organic semiconductor (compound), which is mainly represented by a hole-transporting organic compound and refers to an organic compound having a property of easily donating electrons. . More specifically, an organic compound having a smaller ionization potential when two organic materials are used in contact with each other. Therefore, any organic compound can be used as the donor organic compound as long as it is an electron-donating organic compound. For example, triarylamine compound, benzidine compound, pyrazoline compound, styrylamine compound, hydrazone compound, triphenylmethane compound, carbazole compound, polysilane compound, thiophene compound, phthalocyanine compound, cyanine compound, merocyanine compound, oxonol compound, polyamine compound, indole Compounds, pyrrole compounds, pyrazole compounds, polyarylene compounds, condensed aromatic carbocyclic compounds (naphthalene derivatives, anthracene derivatives, phenanthrene derivatives, tetracene derivatives, pyrene derivatives, perylene derivatives, fluoranthene derivatives), nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds The metal complex etc. which it has as can be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any organic compound having an ionization potential smaller than that of the organic compound used as the n-type (acceptor property) compound may be used as the donor organic semiconductor.

As the p-type organic semiconductor, any organic dye may be used. Preferred examples include cyanine dyes, styryl dyes, hemicyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes (including zero methine merocyanine (simple merocyanine)), trinuclear merocyanine dyes, Tetranuclear merocyanine dye, rhodacyanine dye, complex cyanine dye, complex merocyanine dye, allopolar dye, oxonol dye, hemioxonol dye, squalium dye, croconium dye, azamethine dye, coumarin dye, arylidene dye, anthraquinone dye, triphenylmethane dye, Azo dye, azomethine dye, spiro compound, metallocene dye, fluorenone dye, fulgide dye, perylene dye, perinone dye, phenazine dye, phenothiazine dye, quino Dye, diphenylmethane dye, polyene dye, acridine dye, acridinone dye, diphenylamine dye, quinacridone dye, quinophthalone dye, phenoxazine dye, phthaloperylene dye, diketopyrrolopyrrole dye, dioxane dye, porphyrin dye, chlorophyll dye, phthalocyanine dye, metal complex And dyes and condensed aromatic carbocyclic dyes (naphthalene derivatives, anthracene derivatives, phenanthrene derivatives, tetracene derivatives, pyrene derivatives, perylene derivatives, fluoranthene derivatives).

As the n-type organic semiconductor, it is particularly preferable to use fullerene or a fullerene derivative having excellent electron transport properties. The fullerene, fullerene _{C 60,} fullerene _{C 70,} fullerene _{C 76,} fullerene _{C 78,} fullerene _{C 80,} fullerene _{C 82,} fullerene _{C 84,} fullerene _{C 90,} fullerene _{C 96,} fullerene _{C 240,} fullerene _{C 540,} mixed Fullerene and fullerene nanotube are represented, and a fullerene derivative represents a compound having a substituent added thereto.

The substituent for the fullerene derivative is preferably an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group. The alkyl group is more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and the aryl group and the heterocyclic group are preferably a benzene ring, naphthalene ring, anthracene ring, phenanthrene ring, fluorene ring, triphenylene ring, naphthacene ring. , Biphenyl ring, pyrrole ring, furan ring, thiophene ring, imidazole ring, oxazole ring, thiazole ring, pyridine ring, pyrazine ring, pyrimidine ring, pyridazine ring, indolizine ring, indole ring, benzofuran ring, benzothiophene ring, isobenzofuran Ring, benzimidazole ring, imidazopyridine ring, quinolidine ring, quinoline ring, phthalazine ring, naphthyridine ring, quinoxaline ring, quinoxazoline ring, isoquinoline ring, carbazole ring, phenanthridine ring, acridine ring, phenanthroli Ring, thianthrene ring, chromene ring, xanthene ring, phenoxathiin ring, phenothiazine ring, or phenazine ring, more preferably a benzene ring, naphthalene ring, anthracene ring, phenanthrene ring, pyridine ring, imidazole ring, oxazole ring, Or a thiazole ring, particularly preferably a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, or a pyridine ring. These may further have a substituent, and the substituents may be bonded as much as possible to form a ring. In addition, you may have a some substituent and they may be the same or different. A plurality of substituents may be combined as much as possible to form a ring.

Since the photoelectric conversion layer 22 contains fullerene or a fullerene derivative, electrons generated by photoelectric conversion via the fullerene molecule or fullerene derivative molecule are transmitted to the pixel electrode 16 (lower electrode 104) or the counter electrode 26 (upper electrode 112). It can be transported quickly. When fullerene molecules or fullerene derivative molecules are connected to form an electron path, the electron transport property is improved, and high-speed response of the photoelectric conversion element can be realized. For this purpose, the fullerene or fullerene derivative is preferably contained in the photoelectric conversion layer by 40% (volume ratio) or more. However, if there are too many fullerenes or fullerene derivatives, the p-type organic semiconductor will decrease, the junction interface will become smaller, and the exciton dissociation efficiency will decrease.

In the photoelectric conversion layer 22, when a triarylamine compound described in Japanese Patent No. 4213832 is used as a p-type organic semiconductor mixed with fullerene or a fullerene derivative, a high SN ratio of the photoelectric conversion element can be expressed. Particularly preferred. If the ratio of fullerene or fullerene derivative in the photoelectric conversion layer is too large, the amount of triarylamine compounds decreases and the amount of incident light absorbed decreases. As a result, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is reduced. Therefore, the fullerene or fullerene derivative contained in the photoelectric conversion layer preferably has a composition of 85% (volume ratio) or less.

The p-type organic semiconductor used for the photoelectric conversion layer 22 is preferably a compound represented by the following general formula (1).

In the general formula (1), Z ₁ is a ring containing at least two carbon atoms, and a 5-membered ring, a 6-membered ring, or a condensed ring containing at least one of a 5-membered ring and a 6-membered ring. To express. L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ each independently represent an unsubstituted methine group or a substituted methine group. D ₁ represents an atomic group. n represents an integer of 0 or more.

Z ₁ is a ring containing at least two carbon atoms, and represents a 5-membered ring, a 6-membered ring, or a condensed ring containing at least one of a 5-membered ring and a 6-membered ring. As a condensed ring containing at least one of a 5-membered ring, a 6-membered ring, and a 5-membered ring and a 6-membered ring, those usually used as an acidic nucleus in a merocyanine dye are preferable, and specific examples thereof include the following: Is mentioned.

(A) 1,3-dicarbonyl nucleus: for example, 1,3-indandione nucleus, 1,3-cyclohexanedione, 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, 1,3-dioxane-4,6- Zeon etc.
(B) pyrazolinone nucleus: for example 1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one, 1- (2-benzothiazoyl) -3-methyl-2 -Pyrazolin-5-one and the like.
(C) isoxazolinone nucleus: for example, 3-phenyl-2-isoxazolin-5-one, 3-methyl-2-isoxazolin-5-one and the like.
(D) Oxindole nucleus: For example, 1-alkyl-2,3-dihydro-2-oxindole and the like.
(E) 2,4,6-triketohexahydropyrimidine nucleus: for example, barbituric acid or 2-thiobarbituric acid and its derivatives. Examples of the derivatives include 1-alkyl compounds such as 1-methyl and 1-ethyl, 1,3-dialkyl compounds such as 1,3-dimethyl, 1,3-diethyl and 1,3-dibutyl, 1,3-diphenyl, 1,3-diaryl compounds such as 1,3-di (p-chlorophenyl) and 1,3-di (p-ethoxycarbonylphenyl), 1-alkyl-1-aryl compounds such as 1-ethyl-3-phenyl, Examples include 1,3-di (2-pyridyl) 1,3-diheterocyclic substituents and the like.
(F) 2-thio-2,4-thiazolidinedione nucleus: for example, rhodanine and its derivatives. Examples of the derivatives include 3-alkylrhodanine such as 3-methylrhodanine, 3-ethylrhodanine and 3-allylrhodanine, 3-arylrhodanine such as 3-phenylrhodanine, and 3- (2-pyridyl) rhodanine. And the like.

(G) 2-thio-2,4-oxazolidinedione (2-thio-2,4- (3H, 5H) -oxazoledione nucleus: for example, 3-ethyl-2-thio-2,4-oxazolidinedione and the like.
(H) Tianaphthenone nucleus: For example, 3 (2H) -thianaphthenone-1,1-dioxide and the like.
(I) 2-thio-2,5-thiazolidinedione nucleus: for example, 3-ethyl-2-thio-2,5-thiazolidinedione and the like.
(J) 2,4-thiazolidinedione nucleus: for example, 2,4-thiazolidinedione, 3-ethyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione, 3-phenyl-2,4-thiazolidinedione and the like.
(K) Thiazolin-4-one nucleus: for example, 4-thiazolinone, 2-ethyl-4-thiazolinone, etc.
(L) 2,4-imidazolidinedione (hydantoin) nucleus: for example, 2,4-imidazolidinedione, 3-ethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, etc.
(M) 2-thio-2,4-imidazolidinedione (2-thiohydantoin) nucleus: for example, 2-thio-2,4-imidazolidinedione, 3-ethyl-2-thio-2,4-imidazolidinedione etc.
(N) Imidazolin-5-one nucleus: for example, 2-propylmercapto-2-imidazolin-5-one and the like.
(O) 3,5-pyrazolidinedione nucleus: for example, 1,2-diphenyl-3,5-pyrazolidinedione, 1,2-dimethyl-3,5-pyrazolidinedione and the like.
(P) Benzothiophen-3-one nucleus: for example, benzothiophen-3-one, oxobenzothiophen-3-one, dioxobenzothiophen-3-one and the like.
(Q) Indanone nucleus: for example, 1-indanone, 3-phenyl-1-indanone, 3-methyl-1-indanone, 3,3-diphenyl-1-indanone, 3,3-dimethyl-1-indanone, etc.

The ring formed by Z ₁ is preferably a 1,3-dicarbonyl nucleus, a pyrazolinone nucleus, a 2,4,6-triketohexahydropyrimidine nucleus (including a thioketone body, for example, a barbituric acid nucleus, 2-thiobarbitur tool) Acid nucleus), 2-thio-2,4-thiazolidinedione nucleus, 2-thio-2,4-oxazolidinedione nucleus, 2-thio-2,5-thiazolidinedione nucleus, 2,4-thiazolidinedione nucleus, 2, In 4-imidazolidinedione nucleus, 2-thio-2,4-imidazolidinedione nucleus, 2-imidazolin-5-one nucleus, 3,5-pyrazolidinedione nucleus, benzothiophen-3-one nucleus, indanone nucleus More preferably 1,3-dicarbonyl nucleus, 2,4,6-triketohexahydropyrimidine nucleus (including thioketones, such as barbituric acid nucleus, Bituric acid nucleus), 3,5-pyrazolidinedione nucleus, benzothiophen-3-one nucleus, indanone nucleus, more preferably 1,3-dicarbonyl nucleus, 2,4,6-triketohexahydropyrimidine Nuclei (including thioketone bodies, such as barbituric acid nuclei, 2-thiobarbituric acid nuclei), particularly preferably 1,3-indandione nuclei, barbituric acid nuclei, 2-thiobarbituric acid nuclei and their derivatives. is there.

L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ each independently represent an unsubstituted methine group or a substituted methine group. The substituted methine groups may be bonded to each other to form a ring (eg, a 6-membered ring such as a benzene ring). Although the substituent of the substituted methine group includes the substituent W, it is preferable that all of L ₁ , L ₂ and L ₃ are unsubstituted methine groups.
L ₁ to L ₃ may combine with each other to form a ring, and preferred examples of the ring formed include a cyclohexene ring, a cyclopentene ring, a benzene ring, and a thiophene ring.

N represents an integer of 0 or more, preferably 0 or more and 3 or less, more preferably 0. When n is increased, the absorption wavelength region can be made longer, or the thermal decomposition temperature is lowered. N = 0 is preferable in that it has appropriate absorption in the visible region and suppresses thermal decomposition during vapor deposition.

D ₁ represents an atomic group. D ₁ is preferably ^a group containing —NR ^a (R ^b ), more preferably —NR ^a (R ^b ) represents an arylene group substituted. R ^a and R ^b each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent.

The arylene group represented by D ₁ is preferably an arylene group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and more preferably an arylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The arylene group may have a substituent W described later, and is preferably an arylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms which may have an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples thereof include a phenylene group, a naphthylene group, an anthracenylene group, a pyrenylene group, a phenanthrenylene group, a methylphenylene group, and a dimethylphenylene group, and a phenylene group or a naphthylene group is preferable.

Examples of the substituent represented by R ^a or R ^b include the substituent W described later, and preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon group (preferably an alkyl group or alkenyl group which may be substituted) or an aryl group (preferably a substituent). A phenyl group which may be substituted), or a heterocyclic group.

The aryl groups represented by R ^a and R ^b are each independently preferably an aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and more preferably an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The aryl group may have a substituent, and is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms which may have an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms. . Examples thereof include a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthracenyl group, a pyrenyl group, a phenanthrenyl group, a methylphenyl group, a dimethylphenyl group, and a biphenyl group, and a phenyl group or a naphthyl group is preferable.

The heterocyclic groups represented by R ^a and R ^b are each independently preferably a heterocyclic group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably a heterocyclic group having 3 to 18 carbon atoms. The heterocyclic group may have a substituent, and preferably a C 3-18 heterocyclic group which may have an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms. It is. The heterocyclic group represented by R ^a and R ^b is preferably a condensed ring structure, and furan ring, thiophene ring, selenophene ring, silole ring, pyridine ring, pyrazine ring, pyrimidine ring, oxazole ring, thiazole ring, triazole. A condensed ring structure of a ring combination selected from a ring, an oxadiazole ring, and a thiadiazole ring (which may be the same) is preferable. A bithienothiophene ring is preferred.

The arylene group and aryl group represented by D ₁ , R ^a and R ^b are preferably a benzene ring or a condensed ring structure, more preferably a condensed ring structure containing a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, an anthracene ring, pyrene A benzene ring, a naphthalene ring or an anthracene ring, more preferably a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring.

As the substituent W, a halogen atom, an alkyl group (including a cycloalkyl group, a bicycloalkyl group, and a tricycloalkyl group), an alkenyl group (including a cycloalkenyl group and a bicycloalkenyl group), an alkynyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group (May be referred to as a heterocyclic group), cyano group, hydroxy group, nitro group, carboxy group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryl Oxycarbonyl group, amino group (including anilino group), ammonio group, acylamino group, aminocarbonylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group, aryloxycarbonylamino group, sulfamoylamino group, alkyl and arylsulfonylamino group, mercap Group, alkylthio group, arylthio group, heterocyclic thio group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, alkyl and arylsulfinyl group, alkyl and arylsulfonyl group, acyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group, aryl and heterocyclic ring Azo group, imide group, phosphino group, phosphinyl group, phosphinyloxy group, phosphinylamino group, phosphono group, silyl group, hydrazino group, ureido group, boronic acid group (-B (OH) ₂ ), phosphato group (-OPO (OH) ₂ ), sulfato group (-OSO ₃ H), and other known substituents.

When R ^a and R ^b represent a substituent (preferably an alkyl group or an alkenyl group), the substituent is an aromatic ring (preferably benzene ring) skeleton of an aryl group substituted by —NR ^a (R ^b ). It may combine with a hydrogen atom or a substituent to form a ring (preferably a 6-membered ring).
R ^a and R ^b may be bonded to each other to form a ring (preferably a 5-membered or 6-membered ring, more preferably a 6-membered ring), and R ^a and R ^b are each L A ring (preferably a 5-membered or 6-membered ring, more preferably a 6-membered ring) may be formed by combining with a substituent in (represents any one of L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ ).

The compound represented by the general formula (1) is a compound described in JP 2000-297068 A, and a compound not described in the above publication can also be produced according to the synthesis method described in the above publication. . The compound represented by the general formula (1) is preferably a compound represented by the general formula (2).

In General Formula (2), Z ₂ , L ₂₁ , L ₂₂ , L ₂₃ , and n are synonymous with Z ₁ , L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ , and n in General Formula (1), and preferred examples thereof Is the same. D ₂₁ represents a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group. D ₂₂ and D ₂₃ each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.

The arylene group represented by D ₂₁ has the same meaning as the arylene ring group represented by D ₁ , and preferred examples thereof are also the same. The aryl group represented by D ₂₂ and D ₂₃ is independently the same as the heterocyclic group represented by R ^a and R ^b , and preferred examples thereof are also the same.

Hereinafter, preferred specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (1) are shown using the general formula (3), but the present invention is not limited to these.

In the general formula (3), Z ₃ represents any one of A-1 to A-12 shown below. L ₃₁ represents methylene and n represents 0. D ₃₁ represents any one of B-1 to B-9, and D ₃₂ and D ₃₃ represent any one of C-1 to C-16. Z ₃ is preferably A-2, D ₃₂ and D ₃₃ are preferably selected from C-1, C-2, C-15 and C-16, and D ₃₁ is B-1 or B- 9 is preferred.

Particularly preferred p-type organic semiconductors include dyes or materials having no five or more condensed ring structures (materials having 0 to 4, preferably 1 to 3 condensed ring structures). When using a pigment-based p-type material generally used in organic thin-film solar cells, the dark current tends to increase at the pn interface, and the light response is slow due to trapping at the crystalline grain boundary. Since it tends to be, it is difficult to use for an image sensor. For this reason, a dye-based p-type material that is difficult to crystallize, or a material that does not have five or more condensed ring structures can be preferably used for the imaging element.

More preferred specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (1) are combinations of the substituents, linking groups and partial structures shown below in the general formula (3), but the present invention is not limited to these. Absent.

Note that the above-described A-1 to A-12, B-1 to B-9, and C-1 to C-16 are synonymous with those shown in Chemical Formula 4 above. Although the specific example of a compound represented by General formula (1) below is shown, this invention is not limited to these. In addition, the following compound 1 is mentioned as a specific example of a compound represented by General formula (1).

(Melting point)
The compound represented by the general formula (1) has a melting point of preferably 200 ° C. or higher, more preferably 220 ° C. or higher, and further preferably 240 ° C. or higher from the viewpoint of vapor deposition stability. If the melting point is low, it melts before vapor deposition, and in addition to being unable to form a stable film, the decomposition product of the compound increases, so the photoelectric conversion performance deteriorates.

(Absorption spectrum)
The peak wavelength of the absorption spectrum of the compound represented by the general formula (1) is preferably 400 nm or more and 700 nm or less, more preferably 480 nm or more and 700 nm or less, more preferably 510 nm or more and 680 nm, from the viewpoint of broadly absorbing light in the visible region. More preferably, it is as follows.

(Molar extinction coefficient of peak wavelength)
The higher the molar extinction coefficient is, the better the compound represented by the general formula (1) is from the viewpoint of efficiently using light. Absorption spectrum (chloroform solution), in the visible region of the wavelength 400nm to 700 nm, the molar absorption coefficient preferably ²⁰⁰⁰⁰ -1 ^{cm -1} or more, more preferably ^{30000 m} -1 ^{cm -1} or more, ^40000M ^{-1 cm} -1 or more Is more preferable.

Low-molecular-weight organic compounds suppress aggregation of highly planar dyes (particularly, molecules that do not have a free rotation axis and all the axes of a molecule are present) used in p-type organic semiconductors. It is necessary for film formation without agglomeration. The low molecular weight organic compound functions as an aggregating agent for a highly planar pigment within the photoelectric conversion layer.
In the present invention, the low molecular weight organic compound is a molecular compound having a molecular weight of 400 or more and 1300 or less and other than the n-type organic semiconductor contained in the photoelectric conversion layer. In addition, regarding molecular weight, when it exceeds 1300, it will become difficult to vapor-deposit, and when molecular weight exceeds 1500, it cannot vapor-deposit. For this reason, when the molecular weight exceeds 1300, a photoelectric conversion layer cannot be formed. Moreover, the low molecular organic compound is preferably one that does not absorb in the absorption wavelength region of the photoelectric conversion layer. Thereby, the light irradiated to a photoelectric converting layer can be utilized effectively.

Here, when a dye having high flatness is used for the p-type organic semiconductor, the dye having high flatness has a good packing property and an electron trap is suppressed, and the responsiveness can be increased. However, when pigments with high flatness are used, pigment aggregation tends to occur. When the aggregation of the dye occurs, a grain boundary is formed, and an electron trap is generated at the grain boundary to increase the dark current. Further, when a dye having high flatness is used, even if there is no aggregation of the dye, the heat causes the aggregation of the dye due to the heat. Thereby, dark current increases. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion layer needs to contain a low molecular organic compound that functions as an aggregating agent for a highly flat pigment.

When the content of the low-molecular organic compound is less than 0.5% by mass with respect to the p-type organic semiconductor contained in the photoelectric conversion layer, aggregation of highly planar dyes constituting the p-type organic semiconductor is suppressed. Can not do it. Thereby, dark current increases and the heat resistance of an image pick-up element and a photoelectric conversion element will deteriorate. The heat resistance is the degree of increase in dark current after being heated to a preset temperature. Those that do not increase in dark current after heating are said to have high heat resistance.

On the other hand, when the content of the low-molecular organic compound exceeds 5% by mass with respect to the p-type organic semiconductor contained in the photoelectric conversion layer, the interface between the p-type organic semiconductor and the n-type organic semiconductor decreases, and the imaging device and The sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion element decreases. From these things, content of a low molecular organic compound shall be 0.5 mass% or more and 5 mass% or less with respect to a p-type organic semiconductor.

The low molecular organic compound preferably has an ionization potential of 5.0 eV or more. By using a material having an ionization potential of 5.0 eV or more as the low molecular organic compound, thermal excitation from the electron blocking layer can be suppressed. Thereby, the increase in dark current can be suppressed.
Specific examples of the low molecular organic compound include the following compounds 2 to 7. The following compound 2 has a molecular weight of 898 and an ionization potential of 5.45 eV. The following compound 3 has a molecular weight of 1042 and an ionization potential of 5.06 eV. The following compound 4 has a molecular weight of 517 and an ionization potential of 5.5 eV. The following compound 5 has a molecular weight of 636 and an ionization potential of 5.2 eV. The following compound 6 has a molecular weight of 798 and an ionization potential of 5.49 eV. The following compound 7 has a molecular weight of 941 and an ionization potential of 5.65 eV.

An electron donating organic material can be used for the electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106). Specifically, for low molecular weight materials, N, N′-bis (3-methylphenyl)-(1,1′-biphenyl) -4,4′-diamine (TPD) or 4,4′-bis [N Aromatic diamine compounds such as-(naphthyl) -N-phenyl-amino] biphenyl (α-NPD), oxazole, oxadiazole, triazole, imidazole, imidazolone, stilbene derivative, pyrazoline derivative, tetrahydroimidazole, polyarylalkane, butadiene 4,4 ′, 4 ″ -tris (N- (3-methylphenyl) N-phenylamino) triphenylamine (m-MTDATA), porphine, tetraphenylporphine copper, phthalocyanine, copper phthalocyanine, titanium phthalocyanine oxide, etc. Porphyrin compounds, triazole derivatives, Sadizazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, polyarylalkane derivatives, pyrazoline derivatives, pyrazolone derivatives, phenylenediamine derivatives, annealed amine derivatives, amino-substituted chalcone derivatives, oxazole derivatives, styrylanthracene derivatives, fluorenone derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, silazane derivatives, carbazole derivatives, bifluorenes A derivative or the like can be used, and as the polymer material, a polymer such as phenylene vinylene, fluorene, carbazole, indole, pyrene, pyrrole, picoline, thiophene, acetylene, diacetylene, or a derivative thereof can be used. Even if it is not a compound, it can be used as long as it has sufficient hole transportability.

Specifically, for example, the following compounds described in JP-A-2008-72090 are preferably used. The following Ea represents the electron affinity of the material, and Ip represents the ionization potential of the material. “EB” in EB-1, 2,... Stands for “electronic blocking”.

An inorganic material can also be used as the electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106). In general, since an inorganic material has a dielectric constant larger than that of an organic material, when the inorganic material is used for the electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106), the photoelectric conversion layer 22 (photoelectric conversion layer 108) has a large voltage. As a result, the photoelectric conversion efficiency can be increased. Materials that can be used as the electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106) include calcium oxide, chromium oxide, chromium oxide copper, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, gallium copper oxide, strontium copper oxide, niobium oxide, and oxide. Examples include molybdenum, indium copper oxide, indium silver oxide, and iridium oxide.

The electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106) is composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers. The electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106) may be composed of a single organic material film, or may be composed of a mixed film of a plurality of different organic materials.
In the electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106) composed of a plurality of layers, a layer adjacent to the photoelectric conversion layer 22 (photoelectric conversion layer 108) among the plurality of layers is included in the photoelectric conversion layer 22 (photoelectric conversion layer 108). A layer made of the same material as the organic semiconductor is preferable. By using the same p-type organic semiconductor for the electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106), it is possible to suppress formation of an intermediate level at the interface between the photoelectric conversion layer 22 (photoelectric conversion layer 108) and the adjacent layer. The dark current can be further suppressed.
When the electron blocking layer 20 (electron blocking layer 106) is a single layer, the layer can be a layer made of an inorganic material, or in the case of a plurality of layers, one or more layers are made of an inorganic material. It can be a layer.

The present invention is basically configured as described above. The photoelectric conversion element and the imaging element of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements or modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

Hereinafter, the effect of the photoelectric conversion layer of the image sensor of the present invention will be specifically described.
In this example, the image pickup devices of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 were manufactured, and for the image pickup devices of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13, sensitivity, response speed, and The dark current increase rate after heat treatment at 220 ° C. was measured. The measurement results are shown in Table 1 below. The configuration of the imaging device is the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and is formed on a CMOS substrate: pixel electrode (lower electrode) / electron blocking layer / photoelectric conversion layer / counter electrode (upper electrode) / protective film (first electrode). 1 sealing layer) / stress relaxation layer (sealing auxiliary layer). In addition, a sealing layer is comprised by a protective film and a stress relaxation layer.

The sensitivity was measured by measuring the value of external quantum efficiency at the maximum sensitivity wavelength when applied to the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 with an electric field of 2 × 10 ⁵ V / cm. This is obtained by dividing the value of the quantum efficiency by the value of the external quantum efficiency as a reference. That is, the sensitivity is the external quantum efficiency value of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 / reference external quantum efficiency value. The value of Comparative Example 1 was used as the reference external quantum efficiency value.
The sensitivity values of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 are calculated from current values obtained when an external electric field of 2 × 10 ⁵ V / cm is applied to the counter electrode of each photoelectric conversion element. It represents the external quantum efficiency of the photoelectric conversion as a relative value. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

Regarding the response speed, the LED is instantaneously turned on using a pulse generator in a state where an electric field of 2 × 10 ⁵ V / cm is applied to the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13. The light was turned off and light was irradiated from the upper electrode side. For the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13, the optical signal intensity after 4 μsec and the optical signal intensity after 3 msec after light irradiation were measured using an oscilloscope.
The response speed (%) was the value of the optical signal intensity after 4 μs when the optical signal intensity after 3 msec was 100 for the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

Regarding the dark current increase rate after heat treatment at 220 ° C., the dark current values of the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 were measured at room temperature as follows. Thereafter, the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 were heat-treated while being held at a temperature of 220 ° C. for 30 minutes. Then, the dark current values of the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 were measured again at room temperature.
The change in dark current before and after the heat treatment was determined, and the change was expressed as a ratio of dark current values, which was defined as the dark current increase rate after heat treatment at 220 ° C. The results are shown in Table 1 below. The dark current increase rate after heat treatment at 220 ° C. is an index for evaluating heat resistance.
For the dark current, an electric field of 2 × 10 ⁵ V / cm was applied to the upper electrode side with the image sensor shielded from light, and the image sensor measured using a source meter (Keithley 6430) in this state was used. The value of current was dark current.

Hereinafter, the image sensors of Examples 1 to 24 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 will be described.
Example 1
In Example 1, first, the CMOS substrate on which the pixel electrode was formed was moved to the organic vapor deposition chamber, the CMOS substrate was attached to the substrate holder, and the chamber was depressurized to 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ Pa or less. Thereafter, while rotating the substrate holder, the following compound 2 was deposited as an electron blocking layer on the pixel electrode by a resistance heating vapor deposition method at a deposition rate of 1.0 to 1.2 mm / Sec and a thickness of 1000 mm.
Next, Compound 1 (p-type organic semiconductor), fullerene C ₆₀ (n-type organic semiconductor) and Compound 2 (low-molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4. A photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition at a thickness of 4000 で at 0 Å / Sec, 0.006 to 0.007 Å / Sec.
Next, it was transferred to a sputtering chamber, and ITO was sputtered on the photoelectric conversion layer as a counter electrode so as to have a thickness of 100 mm by RF magnetron sputtering. Thereafter, the film was transferred to the ALD chamber, and an Al ₂ O ₃ film was formed as a first sealing layer (protective film) so as to have a thickness of 2000 mm by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. Thereafter, the film was transferred to a sputtering chamber, and a SiON film was formed as a sealing auxiliary layer (stress relaxation layer) by planar sputtering so as to have a thickness of 1000 mm.

(Example 2)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 2 (low molecular weight organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.012 to 0.014 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
Example 3
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 2 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.036 to 0.042 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
Example 4
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 2 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.06 to 0.07 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 5)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 3 (low molecular organic compound) have vapor deposition rates of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.006 to 0.007 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Example 6)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 3 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.012 to 0.014 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 7)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 3 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.036 to 0.042 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 8)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 3 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Ｓ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.06 to 0.07 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
Example 9
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 4 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Ｓ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.006 to 0.007 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Example 10)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 4 (low molecular organic compound) have deposition rates of 1.2 to 1.4 liters / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 liters / Sec, and 0.012 to 0.014 liters / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 11)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 4 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.036 to 0.042 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
Example 12
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 4 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Ｓ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.06 to 0.07 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 13)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 5 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.006 to 0.007 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 14)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 5 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.012 to 0.014 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Example 15)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 5 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.036 to 0.042 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 16)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 5 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.06 to 0.07 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 17)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 6 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.006 to 0.007 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 18)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 6 (low molecular organic compound) have vapor deposition rates of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.012 to 0.014 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 19)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 6 (low molecular organic compound) have vapor deposition rates of 1.2 to 1.4 ～ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.036 to 0.042 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Example 20)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 6 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.06 to 0.07 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 21)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 7 (low molecular organic compound) have vapor deposition rates of 1.2 to 1.4 liters / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 liters / Sec, and 0.006 to 0.007 liters / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 22)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 7 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.012 to 0.014 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 23)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 7 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Ｓ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.036 to 0.042 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Example 24)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 7 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.06 to 0.07 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Comparative Example 1)
Only compound 1 (p-type organic semiconductor) and fullerene C ₆₀ (n-type organic semiconductor) are vapor-deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec and 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec for photoelectric conversion An imaging device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the layer was formed. In Comparative Example 1, no low molecular organic compound is used.
(Comparative Example 2)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 2 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.004 to 0.005 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 3)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 2 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.07 to 0.08 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Comparative Example 4)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 3 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Ｓ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.004 to 0.005 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 5)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 3 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Ｓ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.07 to 0.08 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 6)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 4 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.036 to 0.042 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 7)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 4 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Ｓ / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.07 to 0.08 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Comparative Example 8)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 5 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.004 to 0.005 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 9)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 5 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.07 to 0.08 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 10)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 6 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.004 to 0.005 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 11)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 6 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.07 to 0.08 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

(Comparative Example 12)
Compound 1, fullerene C _60, and compound 7 (low molecular organic compound) have vapor deposition rates of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec, and 0.004 to 0.005 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.
(Comparative Example 13)
Compound 1, fullerene C ₆₀ and compound 7 (low molecular organic compound) are deposited at a deposition rate of 1.2 to 1.4 Å / Sec, 3.8 to 4.0 Å / Sec and 0.07 to 0.08 Å / Sec, respectively. An imaging device was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the photoelectric conversion layer was formed by vapor deposition.

As shown in Table 1 above, Examples 1 to 24 were all excellent in terms of sensitivity, response speed, and dark current increase rate. Examples 1 to 24 are excellent in sensitivity and response speed, and heat resistance.
On the other hand, as shown in Table 2 above, Comparative Example 1 containing no low molecular organic compound had a large dark current increase rate and poor heat resistance. Further, Comparative Examples 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 in which the content of the low-molecular organic compound was less than that of the present invention were inferior in heat resistance as compared with Examples 1 to 24. However, Comparative Examples 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 having a low content of low molecular organic compounds are more heat resistant than Comparative Example 1. Thus, heat resistance is improved by containing a low molecular organic compound.
In Comparative Examples 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 in which the content of the low-molecular organic compound was larger than that of the present invention, the sensitivity and response speed were inferior to those of Examples 1 to 24. Moreover, Comparative Examples 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 having a high content of low molecular organic compounds are inferior in sensitivity and response speed to Comparative Example 1.
Note that an organic compound having a molecular weight exceeding 1300 was changed to a low-molecular organic compound and vapor deposition was attempted, but it was confirmed that a photoelectric conversion layer could not be obtained due to vapor deposition, and an imaging device could not be manufactured.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10

Image sensor

12, 102 Substrate 14 Insulating layer 16

Pixel electrode

20, 106

Electron blocking layer

22, 108

Photoelectric conversion layer

24, 110 Organic layer 26

Counter electrode

28, 114 Sealing layer 29 First sealing layer 30 Sealing auxiliary layer 40 Reading Circuit 42 Counter Electrode Voltage Supply Unit 44 First Connection Unit 46 Second Connection Unit 100 Photoelectric Conversion Element 104 Lower Electrode 112 Upper Electrode

Claims

A photoelectric conversion element in which a lower electrode, an organic layer including a photoelectric conversion layer, and an upper electrode including a transparent electrode layer are stacked in this order on a substrate,
The photoelectric conversion layer has a bulk heterostructure of a p-type organic semiconductor of the compound represented by the general formula (1) and an n-type organic semiconductor of fullerene or a fullerene derivative,
The photoelectric conversion layer further contains a low-molecular organic compound in an amount of 0.5% by mass to 5% by mass with respect to the p-type organic semiconductor.

In the general formula (1), Z 1 represents a ring containing at least two carbon atoms and represents a 5-membered ring, a 6-membered ring, or a condensed ring containing at least one of a 5-membered ring and a 6-membered ring. L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 each independently represent an unsubstituted methine group or a substituted methine group. D 1 represents an atomic group. n represents an integer of 0 or more.
The photoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the low molecular organic compound has a molecular weight of 400 or more and 1300 or less.
The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the low molecular organic compound has an ionization potential of 5.0 eV or more.
An imaging device comprising the photoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The imaging according to claim 4, further comprising: a charge accumulation unit for accumulating charges generated in the photoelectric conversion layer of the photoelectric conversion element; and a connection unit for transmitting the charges of the photoelectric conversion layer to the charge accumulation unit. element.