Abstract: A photodetector may have a structure including conductive patterns and an intermediate layer interposed between the conductive patterns. A length L of at least one side of the second conductive pattern that overlaps the first conductive pattern and the intermediate layer satisfies the equation L=?/2neff, wherein the neff is an effective refractive index of a surface plasmon waveguide formed of the first conductive pattern, the intermediate layer, and the second conductive pattern during a surface plasmon resonance. Heat generated in the intermediate layer when the electromagnetic wave having the wavelength ? is incident thereon generates a current variation.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a semiconductor layer, an organic photoelectric conversion portion disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and that converts a color component of incident light into a corresponding electrical signal, a transistor layer disposed on a lower surface of the semiconductor layer and including a pixel circuit that receives the electrical signal, and penetration wiring that laterally penetrates a side surface of the semiconductor layer between the upper and lower surfaces and that electrically connects the organic photoelectric conversion portion with the pixel circuit to communicate the electrical signal.

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor includes: thermoelectrically cooling a pixel using a thermoelectric element having a thermoelectric-junction integrated to the pixel; and performing a photoelectric conversion operation using the thermoelectric element. An image sensor includes a pixel and a readout circuit. The pixel includes a thermoelectric element having a thermoelectric-junction, and the readout circuit is configured to control the pixel such that the thermoelectric element performs a thermoelectric-cooling operation and a photoelectric conversion operation.

Abstract: A photodetector may have a structure including conductive patterns and an intermediate layer interposed between the conductive patterns. A length L of at least one side of the second conductive pattern that overlaps the first conductive pattern and the intermediate layer satisfies the equation L=?/2neff, wherein the neff is an effective refractive index of a surface plasmon waveguide formed of the first conductive pattern, the intermediate layer, and the second conductive pattern during a surface plasmon resonance. Heat generated in the intermediate layer when the electromagnetic wave having the wavelength ? is incident thereon generates a current variation.

Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor is provided. The unit pixel includes a visible light detection layer and an infrared light detection layer disposed on the visible light detection layer. The visible light detection layer includes visible light pixels and color filters configured to detect visible light to output first charges. The infrared light detection layer includes at least one infrared light pixel configured to detect infrared light to output second charges.

Abstract: A photodetector may have a structure including conductive patterns and an intermediate layer interposed between the conductive patterns. A length L of at least one side of the second conductive pattern that overlaps the first conductive pattern and the intermediate layer satisfies the equation L=?/2neff, wherein the neff is an effective refractive index of a surface plasmon waveguide formed of the first conductive pattern, the intermediate layer, and the second conductive pattern during a surface plasmon resonance. Heat generated in the intermediate layer when the electromagnetic wave having the wavelength ? is incident thereon generates a current variation.

Abstract: Provided are an image sensor and an image processing device. The image sensor includes a semiconductor layer, an organic photoelectric conversion portion disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor layer and converts a color component of incident light into a corresponding electrical signal, a transistor layer disposed on a lower surface of the semiconductor layer and including a pixel circuit that receives the electrical signal, and penetration wiring that laterally penetrates a side surface of the semiconductor layer between the upper and lower surfaces and that electrically connects the organic photoelectric conversion portion with the pixel circuit to communicate the electrical signal.

Abstract: An operation method of an image sensor includes determining a distance between the image sensor and an object, and activating at least one of a color pixel, a depth pixel and a thermal pixel included in a pixel array of the image sensor based on a determined distance and a reference distance.

Abstract: A photodetector may have a structure including conductive patterns and an intermediate layer interposed between the conductive patterns. A length L of at least one side of the second conductive pattern that overlaps the first conductive pattern and the intermediate layer satisfies the equation L=?/2neff, wherein the neff is an effective refractive index of a surface plasmon waveguide mode by a surface plasmon resonance formed of the first conductive pattern, the intermediate layer, and the second conductive pattern. Heat generated in the intermediate layer when the electromagnetic wave having the wavelength ? is incident thereon generates a current variation.

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor includes: thermoelectrically cooling a pixel using a thermoelectric element having a thermoelectric-junction integrated to the pixel; and performing a photoelectric conversion operation using the thermoelectric element. An image sensor includes a pixel and a readout circuit. The pixel includes a thermoelectric element having a thermoelectric-junction, and the readout circuit is configured to control the pixel such that the thermoelectric element performs a thermoelectric-cooling operation and a photoelectric conversion operation.

Abstract: An image sensor may include a first layer on a substrate and including a chalcogenide-containing material, and a detection part connected to the first layer and configured to detect a variation in electric characteristics of the first layer. The chalcogenide-containing material may include one of AxByS1-x-y, AxByTe1-x-y, and AxBySe1-x-y, where 0<x<1, 0<y<1, A may include at least one of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Al, Ga, In, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, and B may include at least one of Sb, Bi, As, and P.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate insulation film lining a trench in an active region of the substrate. A gate electrode pattern is recessed in the trench on the gate insulation film and has an upper surface that has a nonuniform height. A dielectric pattern may be disposed on the gate electrode pattern in the trench.