Organic Photodetectors and System Integration: Enabling Next-Generation Human-Machine Interfaces for Immersive Display

Abstract

Organic photodetectors (OPDs), known for their high sensitivity, tunable spectral response, mechanical flexibility, and compatibility with low-temperature solution processing, have emerged as promising components for integration with immersive display technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). This review summarizes the key performance metrics and working principles of OPDs with different device architectures, including photoconductive, photomultiplication, photovoltaic, and phototransistor configurations, and discusses recent advances in materials and interface engineering that enhance responsivity, detectivity, and mechanical robustness. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating OPDs with immersive displays for multifunctional health monitoring, imaging, and optical communication. In wearable physiological monitoring, OPDs enable flexible photoplethysmography sensors for heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure estimation. In imaging, active-matrix OPD arrays support low-light and near-infrared sensing compatible with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and thin film transistor (TFT) display panels. In optical communication, OPD arrays integrated near the display panel can receive modulated ambient or dedicated light, establishing low-power, directional data links for secure interaction. Despite this progress, challenges remain in achieving fast response, low noise, long-term stability, and reliable large-area integration with OLED and TFT circuits under complex optical and mechanical conditions. Future advancements will rely on coordinated optimization of materials, device architectures, and flexible system design, together with AI-driven signal processing and data fusion. This review outlines current progress, identifies key challenges, and provides perspectives on the convergence of display, sensing, and communication in next-generation immersive electronic systems.