Polymer-based optoelectronic interface and methods for its manufacture

A polymer-based optoelectronic interface comprises an elastomeric substrate (10) and a plurality of discrete photovoltaic pixel elements (20) disposed on top of the substrate. Each pixel element comprises at least one active layer comprising a semiconducting polymer or polymer mixture. The pixel elements are excitable by light to generate an electric signal via a photovoltaic process. For mechanically protecting the pixel elements, an elastomeric encapsulation layer (30) can be disposed on top of the substrate, the encapsulation layer defining access openings (31) for the pixel elements (20). Pillar-like structures (40) can be disposed on the pixel elements. Methods for fabricating such an optoelectronic interface are also disclosed. The optoelectronic interface can be used as a retinal prosthesis.