Patent US3963540A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3963540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heat treatment of mercury cadmium telluride
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1975-02-28
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-02-28
Abstract
Abstract The stoichiometry and free-carrier concentration of mercury cadmium telluride is adjusted by a heat treatment. Mercury cadmium telluride is slowly cooled from a temperature near the solidus temperature to room temperature in the presence of constituent vapor. The mercury cadmium telluride is maintained at the lowest temperature within the capsule during cooling.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell J. Camp, Jr.
- 👤 Maurice L. Hitchell
- 👤 Joseph L. Schmit
- 👤 Ernest L. Stelzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:27
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B19/00; C01B19/007; C30; C30B; C30B29/00; C30B29/10; C30B29/46; C30B29/48; C30B33/00; C01P; C01P2006/00; C01P2006/40; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/971
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of adjusting the stoichiometry of mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising: heating a body of mercury cadmium telluride and a quantity of excess constituent in a closed environment to a temperature near the solidus temperature of the body to provide a constituent vapor pressure within the closed environment; and cooling the closed environment while maintaining a temperature profile within the closed environment to prevent any portion within the closed environment from being cooler than the body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of adjusting the stoichiometry of mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising: heating a body of mercury cadmium telluride and a quantity of excess constituent in a closed environment to a temperature near the solidus temperature of the body to provide a constituent vapor pressure within the closed environment; and cooling the closed environment while maintaining a temperature profile within the closed environment to prevent any portion within the closed environment from being cooler than the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the excess constituent is selected from the group consisting of mercury, cadmium, tellurium, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein cooling is at a rate of less than about 25°C per hour.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising maintaining the closed environment at a temperature near the solidus temperature for a time period sufficient to equilibrate defects prior to cooling.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of adjusting the stoichiometry and freecarrier concentration of a body of mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising cooling a body of mercury cadmium telluride in a closed container in the presence of constituent vapor from a source other than the body from a temperature near the solidus temperature to a temperature substantially below the solidus temperature while maintaining the mercury cadmium telluride body at the lowest temperature within the closed container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of adjusting the stoichiometry and freecarrier concentration of a body of mercury cadmium telluride, the method comprising cooling a body of mercury cadmium telluride in a closed container in the presence of constituent vapor from a source other than the body from a temperature near the solidus temperature to a temperature substantially below the solidus temperature while maintaining the mercury cadmium telluride body at the lowest temperature within the closed container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the constituent vapor includes mercury vapor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the constituent vapor pressure further includes cadmium vapor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the cooling is at a rate of less than about 25°C per hour.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 and further comprising maintaining the body in the closed container at temperature near the solidus temperature for a period of greater than 2 hours prior to cooling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the entire closed container has essentially the same temperature during cooling.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3622399A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |