Light-based sensor apparatus and associated methods

Abstract

An apparatus () comprises a light emitter () and a photodetector () formed on a single fluid-permeable substrate () such that the photodetector () is able to detect light emitted by the light emitter () after interaction of the light with a user of the apparatus (). The photodetector comprises a channel member () which may be made from graphene, respective source and drain electrodes (), a layer of photosensitive material () configured to vary the flow of electrical current through the channel member () on exposure to light from the light emitter (), and a gate electrode (). The apparatus () further comprises a layer of fluid-impermeable dielectric material () configured to inhibit a flow of electrical current between the channel member () and the gate electrode () of the photodetector () to enable the electrical conductance of the channel member () to be controlled by a voltage applied to the gate electrode () and to inhibit exposure of the light emitter () to fluid which has permeated through the fluid-permeable substrate (). The layer of fluid-impermeable dielectric material () allows resilient substrates made from polymeric material to be used without the risk of damage to the overlying components caused by the permeated fluid. The dual functionality of the layer of fluid-impermeable dielectric material () reduces the number of fabrication steps used to form the apparatus () and results in a thinner, more compact device.