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US3954518A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for reducing compositional gradients in mercury cadmium telluride

Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1975-02-19
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Granted: 1976-05-04
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Expires: 1995-02-19
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Abstract

Abstract Compositional gradients in a body of mercury cadmium telluride are removed by heat treating the mercury cadmium telluride in a closed container at a temperature which is less than the solidus temperature. The constituent vapor pressure within the closed container is maintained at a value which is lower than the equivalent vapor pressure of the constituents of the mercury cadmium telluride body.

Inventors

  • 👤 Joseph L. Schmit
  • 👤 M. Walter Scott

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 15:54
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P95/00; H10P95/90; C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/02; C30; C30B; C30B29/00; C30B29/10; C30B29/46; C30B29/48; C30B33/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/971

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 72 words
In a method of reducing compositional gradients in mercury cadmium telluride by heat treating a mercury cadmium telluride body in a closed container at a temperature near the solidus temperature, the closed container also containing a source of excess mercury vapor, the improvement comprising: maintaining a mercury vapor pressure within the closed container which is lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury over a mercury cadmium telluride body at the temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 72 words
In a method of reducing compositional gradients in mercury cadmium telluride by heat treating a mercury cadmium telluride body in a closed container at a temperature near the solidus temperature, the closed container also containing a source of excess mercury vapor, the improvement comprising: maintaining a mercury vapor pressure within the closed container which is lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury over a mercury cadmium telluride body at the temperature.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of reducing compositional gradients in mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising: heat treating a mercury cadmium telluride body in the presence of mercury vapor from a source other than the body, in a first portion of a capsule at a temperature near the solidus temperature of the mercury cadmium telluride body; and while maintaining a second portion of the capsule at a temperature less than the temperature of the first portion, whereby mercury vapor pressure within the capsule is lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury over a mercury cadmium telluride body at the temperature of the first portion.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of reducing compositional gradients in mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising: heat treating a mercury cadmium telluride body in the presence of mercury vapor from a source other than the body, in a first portion of a capsule at a temperature near the solidus temperature of the mercury cadmium telluride body; and while maintaining a second portion of the capsule at a temperature less than the temperature of the first portion, whereby mercury vapor pressure within the capsule is lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury over a mercury cadmium telluride body at the temperature of the first portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the second portion is maintained at a temperature about 200°C less than the temperature of the first portion.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 99 words
A method for reducing compositional gradients in mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising: heat treating a body of mercury cadmium telluride at a first temperature near the solidus temperature in a closed environment; and simultaneously maintaining a quantity of constituents selected from the group consisting of mercury, cadmium, tellurium and mixtures thereof, within the same closed environment, at a second temperature lower than the first temperature of the body, to maintain a mercury vapor pressure in the closed environment which is lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury over a mercury cadmium telluride body at the first temperature.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 99 words
A method for reducing compositional gradients in mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising: heat treating a body of mercury cadmium telluride at a first temperature near the solidus temperature in a closed environment; and simultaneously maintaining a quantity of constituents selected from the group consisting of mercury, cadmium, tellurium and mixtures thereof, within the same closed environment, at a second temperature lower than the first temperature of the body, to maintain a mercury vapor pressure in the closed environment which is lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure of mercury over a mercury cadmium telluride body at the first temperature.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3723190A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-05-04 1979-11-03 1980-05-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-05-04 1983-11-03 1984-05-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-05-04 1987-11-03 1988-05-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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