We propose an organic heterojunction phototransistor stacked with organic layers of electron and hole transport materials. The materials used in this study are perylene derivative (td-PTC) as the ultrathin base layer and triphenylamine derivative (TPD) as the emitter and collector layers. The current versus voltage characteristics as a function of incident optical intensity are typical of a phototransistor with current saturation. The bipolar transistor operation is confirmed by a comparison with the diode structure of the TPD/td-PTC device and because of the base thickness dependence of the current. External quantum efficiency is 2.9% under blue light-emitting diode illumination. In the current response, the initial displacement current is superimposed. Obtained response times are 600 mus for both transient turn-on and turn-off currents. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.