Dynamic and steady state current response to light excitation of multilayered organic photodiodes

Measurements of current transients are used to gain insight into the mechanism of charge transport and extraction of photodiodes based on bulk heterojunction blends of poly-3-hexyl-thiophene and [6,6]-phenyl C-61 butyric acid methyl ester. It is shown that the implementation of an appropriate hole conducting layer leads to a reduction of the dark current in the reverse direction. It is observed that the dynamic response to light excitation is strongly influenced by the thickness of the hole conducting layer, the light intensity, and the applied bias. Charge accumulation at the interface is assumed to result in the characteristic shape of the transients. The shape of the switch-off transient can be understood qualitatively by an equivalent circuit diagram. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics