Thin film optical detectors (TOD) for retinal implantation - A 'bionic' eye

摘要

A new ceramic optical microdetector has been developed for retinal implant as a direct replacement for damaged retinal photo-detectors in patients. The thin film optical detector (TOD) is a heterostructure device composed of an atomically ordered La-doped PbZrTiO{sub}3 (PLZT) layer epitaxially grown on an atomically ordered Pt thin film layer. The TOD has an optical response which overlaps that of the eye, and generates a local photovoltage which is expected to excite neighboring cells resulting in transmission of signals to the brain.