Patent US3936637A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3936637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermally stimulated detrapping of charged carriers in cryogenic photoconductive material
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1976-02-03
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A photoconductive detector is formed in a single body of semiconductor material and is used for sensing electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared radiation. The photoconductive body has a cooling means proximate that body for maintaining the body at a predetermined quiescent temperature and also has output means connected to the body for receiving a signal from the body. Further included are heating means proximate said photoconductive body and adapted to heat the photoconductive body to a temperature above said quiescent temperature for a time sufficient to accelerate decay of the radiation produced signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion B. Reine
- 👤 Ralph A. Rotolante
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/10; G01J5/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
In a detector having a photoconductive body, cooling means for maintaining said body at a predetermined quiescent temperature, and output means for receiving a signal from said body upon incidence of signal producing radiation, the improvement comprising: heating means responsive to said output means for heating said body to a temperature and for a time sufficient to accelerate decay of said radiation produced signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a detector having a photoconductive body, cooling means for maintaining said body at a predetermined quiescent temperature, and output means for receiving a signal from said body upon incidence of signal producing radiation, the improvement comprising: heating means responsive to said output means for heating said body to a temperature and for a time sufficient to accelerate decay of said radiation produced signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The detector of claim 1, wherein said heating means includes voltage source means for applying a potential of several volts to said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The detector of claim 2, wherein said heating means further includes a fast rise discriminator means for sensing said signal in said output means, and switching means for activating said voltage source means for from less than 3 to 30 microseconds upon receipt of said signal by said discriminator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The detector of claim 3, wherein said heating means further includes a peak detection means for sensing said signal in said output means and switching means for activating said voltage source means for from less than 3 to 30 microseconds upon receipt of said signal by said peak detector means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A detector for sensing signal producing radiation comprising: a photoconductive body means for producing a signal upon incidence of signal producing radiation; cooling means proximate said body means for maintaining said body means at a predetermined quiescent temperature; output means connected to said body means for receiving a signal from said body means; and heating means proximate said body means for heating said body means to a temperature above said quiescent temperature for a time sufficient to accelerate decay of said radiation produced signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
A detector for sensing signal producing radiation comprising: a photoconductive body means for producing a signal upon incidence of signal producing radiation; cooling means proximate said body means for maintaining said body means at a predetermined quiescent temperature; output means connected to said body means for receiving a signal from said body means; and heating means proximate said body means for heating said body means to a temperature above said quiescent temperature for a time sufficient to accelerate decay of said radiation produced signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector of claim 5, wherein said photoconductive means produces a signal upon incidence of infrared radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector of claim 6, wherein said photoconductive body includes a mercury cadmium telluride body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 7, wherein the quiescent temperature ranges from about 3°K to about 30°K.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 8, wherein said output means includes amplifier means for amplifying said signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The detector of claim 9, wherein said output means further includes display means for visually reproducing said signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The detector of claim 8 wherein said heating means includes voltage source means for applying a potential of several volts across said body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The detector of claim 11, wherein said heating means further includes a fast rise discriminator means for sensing said signal in said output means, and switching means for activating said voltage source means for from less than 3 to 30 microseconds, upon receipt of said signal by said discriminator means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The detector of claim 11, wherein said heating means further includes a voltage peak detector means for sensing said signal in said output means, and switching means for activating said voltage source means for from less than 3 to 30 microseconds, upon receipt of said signal by said peak detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3457409A
Cited
US3597614A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-02 | 1979-08-04 | 1980-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-02 | 1983-08-04 | 1984-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-02 | 1987-08-04 | 1988-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |