US3703656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monolithic semiconductor display devices
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-02-17
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1991-02-17
Abstract
Abstract Monolithic semiconductor arrays of light-emitting diodes and methods for making them on optically transparent semi-insulating substrates, for example, with means for providing optical isolation between adjacent diodes are described. In one embodiment, a monolithic matrix-addressable alphanumeric display device is formed by selective liquid epitaxial growth of n- and p-type gallium phosphide semiconductor material on a semiinsulating substrate of gallium phosphide, for example. Optical isolation between adjacent diodes is provided by metallic films alloyed into the major surfaces of the substrate. These metallic films also provide electrical contact to the n- and p-type regions for addressing the display device.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen M Barnett
- 👤 Simeon V Galginaitis
- 👤 Frederick K Heumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/20; G09F13/22; H; H10; H10D; H10D99/00; G09F2013/222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A display device comprising A substrate of semiconduction material having a pair of opposed surfaces. a first plurality of stripes of one conductivity type formed in said substrate, each stripe extending between said opposed surfaces, a second plurality of stripes of said semiconductor material and of opposite conductivity type formed on one of said opposed surfaces, each stripe contacting the stripes of said one conductivity type to form a plurality of light emitting diodes therewith, a first plurality of high conductivity films, each in conductive contact with and substantially covering a major exposed portion of a respective one of said opposite conductivity type stripes, each of said films including a plurality of openings each overlying a respective light emitting diode, a second plurality of high conductivity films each in conductive contact with and covering an exposed portion of a respective one of said one conductivity stripes in the other of said opposed surfaces of said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A display device comprising A substrate of semiconduction material having a pair of opposed surfaces. a first plurality of stripes of one conductivity type formed in said substrate, each stripe extending between said opposed surfaces, a second plurality of stripes of said semiconductor material and of opposite conductivity type formed on one of said opposed surfaces, each stripe contacting the stripes of said one conductivity type to form a plurality of light emitting diodes therewith, a first plurality of high conductivity films, each in conductive contact with and substantially covering a major exposed portion of a respective one of said opposite conductivity type stripes, each of said films including a plurality of openings each overlying a respective light emitting diode, a second plurality of high conductivity films each in conductive contact with and covering an exposed portion of a respective one of said one conductivity stripes in the other of said opposed surfaces of said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
A display device comprising A substrate of semiconduction material having a pair of opposed surfaces. a first plurality of stripes of one conductivity type formed in said substrate, each stripe extending between said opposed surfaces, a second plurality of stripes of said semiconductor material and of opposite conductivity type formed on one of said opposed surfaces, each stripe contacting the stripes of said one conductivity type to form a plurality of light emitting diodes therewith, a first plurality of high conductivity films, each in conductive contact with and substantially covering a major exposed portion of a respective one of said opposite conductivity type stripes, each of said films including a plurality of openings each overlying a respective light emitting diode, a second plurality of high conductivity films each in conductive contact with and covering an exposed portion of a respective one of said one conductivity stripes in the other of said opposed surfaces of said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
A display device comprising A substrate of semiconduction material having a pair of opposed surfaces. a first plurality of stripes of one conductivity type formed in said substrate, each stripe extending between said opposed surfaces, a second plurality of stripes of said semiconductor material and of opposite conductivity type formed on one of said opposed surfaces, each stripe contacting the stripes of said one conductivity type to form a plurality of light emitting diodes therewith, a first plurality of high conductivity films, each in conductive contact with and substantially covering a major exposed portion of a respective one of said opposite conductivity type stripes, each of said films including a plurality of openings each overlying a respective light emitting diode, a second plurality of high conductivity films each in conductive contact with and covering an exposed portion of a respective one of said one conductivity stripes in the other of said opposed surfaces of said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1, in which said semiconductor material is selected from the class of Group III-V compounds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said semiconductor material is Gallium Phosphide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said substrate of semiconductor material is semi-insulating gallium phosphide and in which said one type conductivity is N-type and said other type conductivity is P-type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the stripes of said first plurality are linear and parallel and in which the stripes of said second plurality are linear and orthogonally oriented with respect to the stripes of said first plurality.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 in which each of said stripes is thin and has a pair of major opposed surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 in which each of said stripes of said opposite conductivity type are substantially thinner than each of said stripes of said one conductivity type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination of claim 1 in which two sets of longitudinal grooves are provided in said other surface of said substrate, each of the grooves of one set located between respective adjacent stripes of said one conductivity type, each of the grooves of the other of said sets located between respective adjacent stripes of said other conductivity type whereby a plurality of reflecting surfaces are formed, each underlying a respective light emitting diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 8 in which each of the grooves of said one set are metallized and in which each of the grooves of said other set are metallized in segments separated from said stripes of one conductivity type.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said high conductivity films are alloyed into said semiconductor material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |