The disclosure is directed toward an optical excitation/detection device that
includes an arrayed plurality of photodetectors and separately formed photoemitters,
as well as a method for making such a device. A CMOS fabricated photodetector array
including a plurality of individual photoreceptors is selectively etched back between
photoreceptor locations to reveal a plurality of recessed regions having a certain
geographic profile. A plurality of semiconductor blocks, each having light emitting
capability and each having a certain geometric profile that is complementary in
size and shape to the certain geometric profile of the recessed regions, are separately
fabricated. These blocks are included within a fluid to form a slurry. The slurry
is then flowed over the CMOS fabricated photodetector array in accordance with
a fluidic self-assembly technique, and the included semiconductor blocks are individually
deposited within each of the plurality of recessed regions in the CMOS fabricated
photodetector array. The deposited blocks are then attached within the recessed
regions to form the optical excitation/detection device from an arrayed plurality
of photodetectors and separately formed photoemitters.
