OLEDWorks, in collaboration with the University of Michigan and RTX Technology Research Center, has achieved a significant milestone in optoelectronic device development. The team has successfully demonstrated a hybrid organic-on-silicon upconversion device that converts near-infrared (NIR) light into visible light with exceptional efficiency and responsiveness.

This latest advancement follows OLEDWorks’ previously announced breakthrough, published in Nature Photonics titled, “Positive-feedback organic light-emitting diodes and upconverters,” and further showcases the company’s dedication to enabling next-generation applications in imaging, sensing, and OLED display technology.

The newly developed device integrates a multi-stack tandem OLED with a silicon-based photodiode, forming a bistable system that leverages positive optoelectronic feedback. The result is a photon-to-photon upconversion gain of up to 900%, triggered by NIR light intensities below 1 µW/cm²—a performance level that sets a new benchmark for hybrid upconversion systems.

“This work represents a powerful extension of our OLED platform,” says Dr. John Hamer, chief innovation officer at OLEDWorks. “By combining our expertise in OLED engineering with advanced photodiode integration, we are opening new possibilities for compact, low-power devices that respond to light in ways previously thought unattainable.”

Key features of the hybrid upconversion device include:

• Extended spectral response into the NIR range (up to 1.1 µm), with potential to reach 1.7 µm using alternative semiconductor materials.

• Bistable operation enabling threshold-like switching behavior ideal for imaging and signal processing.

• Scalable pixelation, laying the groundwork for high-resolution upconversion imaging arrays.

The research also identifies challenges such as electrical crosstalk in pixelated arrays and outlines engineering solutions inspired by CMOS imager design to enable precise pixel isolation.

“This collaboration continues to demonstrate the value of cross-disciplinary innovation,” says Dr. Chris Giebink, lead researcher at the University of Michigan. “Together, we’re not only advancing OLED technology but also redefining how light can be harnessed for intelligent systems.”

The full study, Positive Feedback Organic-on-Silicon Upconversion Devices, is now published in Advanced Science and available here: Positive Feedback Organic‐on‐Silicon Upconversion Devices – Lampande – Advanced Science – Wiley Online Library