US3976872A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gallium phosphide photodetector having an as-grown surface and producing an output from radiation having energies of 2.2 eV to 3.8 eV
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-07
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-04-07
Abstract
Abstract Anomalously large photoresponse to radiation of energies between about 2.8 eV and about 3.8 eV has been observed in certain gallium phosphide photodetectors having an "as-grown" surface. This photoresponse is believed to be due to the low density of recombination centers in the as-grown surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul E. Petersen
- 👤 Richard G. Schulze
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:15
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/124; H10F30/00; H10F30/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/544; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/066; Y10S148/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
A photodetector comprising: a body of gallium phosphide having an as-grown surface; and electrical contact means attached to the as-grown surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photodetector comprising: a body of gallium phosphide having an as-grown surface; and electrical contact means attached to the as-grown surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 1 wherein the body was grown from a liquid solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 2 wherein the liquid solution included gallium and gallium phosphide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 3 wherein the liquid solution further included copper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 1 wherein the body has n-type conductivity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 5 wherein the body of gallium phosphide contains copper impurities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A photodetector comprising: a body of gallium phosphide having a surface, the gallium phophide proximate the surface having a density of recombination centers which is essentially the same as the density of recombination centers in the gallium phosphide in the interior of the body; and electrical contact means attached to the surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A photodetector comprising: a body of gallium phosphide having a surface, the gallium phophide proximate the surface having a density of recombination centers which is essentially the same as the density of recombination centers in the gallium phosphide in the interior of the body; and electrical contact means attached to the surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 7 wherein the body was grown from a liquid solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 7 wherein the surface is an as-grown surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 7 wherein the body has n-type conductivity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 10 wherein the body contains copper impurities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A photodetector comprising: gallium phosphide means for exhibiting a substantially constant photoresponse to radiation of energies between about 2.8 eV and about 3.8 eV; and electrical contact means attached to the gallium phosphide means for deriving a photosignal therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A photodetector comprising: gallium phosphide means for exhibiting a substantially constant photoresponse to radiation of energies between about 2.8 eV and about 3.8 eV; and electrical contact means attached to the gallium phosphide means for deriving a photosignal therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 12 wherein the gallium phosphide photodetector has n-type conductivity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gallium phosphide photodetector of claim 13 wherein the gallium phosphide photodetector is sensitized with copper.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
A photodetector comprising: gallium phosphide means for producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energies between about 2.2 eV and about 3.8 eV, the gallium phosphide means comprising: a bulk region for producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energies between about 2.2 eV and about 2.8 eV, and a surface region for producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energies between about 2.8 eV and about 3.8 eV; and electrical contact means attached to the surface region for deriving a photosignal from the gallium phosphide means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
90 words
A photodetector comprising: gallium phosphide means for producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energies between about 2.2 eV and about 3.8 eV, the gallium phosphide means comprising: a bulk region for producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energies between about 2.2 eV and about 2.8 eV, and a surface region for producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energies between about 2.8 eV and about 3.8 eV; and electrical contact means attached to the surface region for deriving a photosignal from the gallium phosphide means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The photodetector of claim 15 wherein the gallium phosphide means has n-type conductivity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The photodetector of claim 16 wherein the gallium phosphide means is sensitized with copper.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of detecting radiation of energy within the range of about 3.0 eV to about 3.8 eV, the method comprising: providing a gallium phosphide body capable of producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energy between about 3.0 and 3.8 eV which is no less than one tenth of a peak photosignal produced by the body for radiation of energy between about 2.2 eV and 3.8 eV; exposing a surface of the gallium phosphide body to radiation including radiation of energy within the range of about 3.0 eV to about 3.8 eV; and sensing a photosignal produced by the gallium phosphide body.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of detecting radiation of energy within the range of about 3.0 eV to about 3.8 eV, the method comprising: providing a gallium phosphide body capable of producing a photosignal in response to radiation of energy between about 3.0 and 3.8 eV which is no less than one tenth of a peak photosignal produced by the body for radiation of energy between about 2.2 eV and 3.8 eV; exposing a surface of the gallium phosphide body to radiation including radiation of energy within the range of about 3.0 eV to about 3.8 eV; and sensing a photosignal produced by the gallium phosphide body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |