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US3748501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-terminal amorphous electronic control device
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-27
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A three-teminal electronic control device comprising a body of essentially amorphous, semiconducting material defining a primary current path, and a voltage controlled electron emitter interfaced with the body through a thin electrode and an insulator layer to selectively vary the conductivity of the body by injecting high energy charge carries into the body through the electrode. Various applications are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 H Fritzsche
- 👤 P Smejtek
- 👤 R Shaw
- 👤 M Silver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:18
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N70/00; H10N70/20; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H10B; H10B63/00; H10B63/80; H10N70/253; H10N70/801; H10N70/821; H10N70/826; H10N70/881; H10N70/882; H10N70/8828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A three-terminal electronic control device comprising: a body of semiconductor material defining a primary current path and which is essentially amorphous in one state thereof; outer and inner primary electrodes on opposite sides of the body of semiconductor material across which a load circuit including a source of voltage is to be applied, and electron emitting means interfaced with said body of semiconductor material on the side of said inner primary electrode remote from the outer primary electrode, said electrode emitting means including an electron emitting electrode, a thin insulating layer separating said electron emitting electrode from said inner primary electrode, said inner primary electrode being constructed to provide an electric field between it and said electron emitting electrode which causes electrons to flow from said electron emitting electrode and through said thin insulating layer to pass into said body of semiconductor material when a voltage of proper polarity is connected between said inner primary electrode and said electron emitting electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A three-terminal electronic control device comprising: a body of semiconductor material defining a primary current path and which is essentially amorphous in one state thereof; outer and inner primary electrodes on opposite sides of the body of semiconductor material across which a load circuit including a source of voltage is to be applied, and electron emitting means interfaced with said body of semiconductor material on the side of said inner primary electrode remote from the outer primary electrode, said electrode emitting means including an electron emitting electrode, a thin insulating layer separating said electron emitting electrode from said inner primary electrode, said inner primary electrode being constructed to provide an electric field between it and said electron emitting electrode which causes electrons to flow from said electron emitting electrode and through said thin insulating layer to pass into said body of semiconductor material when a voltage of proper polarity is connected between said inner primary electrode and said electron emitting electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control device of claim 1 wherein said inner primary electrode is so very thin that the electrons attracted thereto pass through the electrode into said body of semiconductor material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
The control device of claim 1 wherein said inner primary electrode is sufficiently thick so that said electrons cannot pass therethrough into said body of semiconductor material under the electric field conditions involved, and further wherein said inner primary electrode has at least one aperture therein through which aperture said body of semiconductor material makes interfacial contact with said thin insulating layer, the electrons drawn by said inner primary electrode passing into the body of semiconductor material at said interface between said body of semiconductor material and said thin insulating layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control device of claim 1 wherein said electron emitting electrode is made of metal and said thin insulating layer, other electrodes and body of semiconductor material are contiguous superimposed film deposits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the interfaces between the body of semiconductor material and both of said primary electrodes are constructed to present a low energy charge carrier barrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said electron emitting electrode is a deposited film on a substrate and the adjacent insulating layer, inner primary electrode, the body of semiconductor material and outer primary electrode are all successive superimposed deposits upon the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 6 wherein there is provided at the interface between said body of semiconductor material and the primary electrodes energy charged carrier barriers resulting from the exposure of at least the inner primary electrode and body of semiconductor material during the deposition thereof to a barrier-blocking forming atmosphere.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the body of semiconductor material exhibits substantially analog behavior over a substantial range of applied voltages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the body of semiconductor material is chosen to exhibit high and low conductivity conditions between which the material may be abruptly switched.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as defined in claim 9 whereIn the high and low conductivity conditions correspond with respective relatively ordered and relatively amorphous internal state each of which may be retentively obtained in said material even after all applied voltages are removed therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the body of semiconductor material is a deposited film disposed between the primary electrodes which are also deposited films.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 11 wherein at least one of the interfaces between the film and the primary electrodes presents a low energy charge carrier barrier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device as defined in claim 11 wherein the emitting means comprises first and second layers of electronically dissimilar materials defining a junction, one of the layers being interfaced with the film by a primary electrode whereby the emitting means is electrically external to the primary conductance path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 13 wherein the first layer is a metal and the second layer is an insulator, the insulator being adjacent the primary electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 8 combined with a voltage source for impressing a varying field across said electron emitting electrode and the adjacent primary electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the thickness of the thin insulating layer is less than 250A.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 8 combined with an electrical load connected in series with the primary electrodes, and means connecting a varying control signal source between said electron emitting electrode and the adjacent primary electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material has a relatively abrupt applied voltage-conductance threshold between relatively high and low conductance states.
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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |