US4263604A
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Graded gap semiconductor detector
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1980-04-25
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Granted: 1981-04-21
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Expires: 2000-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A variable temperature method for the preparation of single and multiple taxial layers of single-phase (e.g., face-centered cubic), ternary lead chalcogenide alloys (e.g., lead cadmium sulfide, [Pb 1-w Cd w ] a [S] 1-a where w varies between zero and fifteen hundredths, inclusive, and a=0.500±0.003), deposited upon substrates of barium fluoride, BaF 2 , maintained in near thermodynamic equilibrium with concurrently sublimated lead alloy and chalcogenide sources. During preparation, the temperature of the substrate is varied, thereby providing an epilayer with graded composition and predetermined electrical and optical properties along the direction of growth. This growth technique can be used to produce infrared lenses, narrowband detectors, and double heterojunction lasers.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Jensen
- 👤 Richard B. Schoolar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:17
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/13; C; C30; C30B; C30B23/00; C30B23/007; C30B23/02; C30B23/04; C30B29/00; C30B29/10; C30B29/46; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/127; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A narrowband detector, comprised of: a layer of a lead cadmium chalcogenide alloy with a detector region having a first range of compositions separated from incident electromagnetic radiation by an adjoining region having a second range of compositions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
A narrowband detector, comprised of: a layer of a lead cadmium chalcogenide alloy with a detector region having a first range of compositions separated from incident electromagnetic radiation by an adjoining region having a second range of compositions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The detector set forth in claim 1, further comprised of the first range being equal to the second range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The detector set forth in claim 1, further comprised of the first range being not less than the second range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device, comprising of: a layer of a semiconductor material having a graded energy gap, said material being a lead cadmium chalcogenide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical device, comprising of: a layer of a semiconductor material having a graded energy gap, said material being a lead cadmium chalcogenide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device set forth in claim 4 wherein the material is a lead cadmium chalcogenide prepared from a lead alloy having a cadmium-chalcogenide mole fraction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device set forth in claim 4 wherein the material is Pb 1-x Cd x S, 0≦x≦0.15.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device set forth in claim 4 wherein the energy gap is graded along the width of the layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device set forth in claim 7 wherein the energy gap changes abruptly as graded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device set forth in claim 7 wherein the energy gap changes uniformly as graded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device set forth in claim 4 wherein the energy gap is graded across the thickness of the layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device set forth in claim 10 wherein the energy gap changes abruptly as graded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device set forth in claim 11 wherein the energy gap changes uniformly as graded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical device, comprised of: an epitaxial layer geometrically described by the orthogonal dimensions of thickness and width; the layer being a lead cadmium chalcogenide prepared from a lead alloy having a cadmium-chalcogenide mole fraction; and, the cadmium-chalcogenide mole fraction of the layer being an ordered continuum describable by reference to the orthogonal dimensions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical device, comprised of: an epitaxial layer geometrically described by the orthogonal dimensions of thickness and width; the layer being a lead cadmium chalcogenide prepared from a lead alloy having a cadmium-chalcogenide mole fraction; and, the cadmium-chalcogenide mole fraction of the layer being an ordered continuum describable by reference to the orthogonal dimensions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
A detector of electromagnetic radiation, comprised of: a first layer of a semiconductor material responsive to electromagnetic radiator; a single second layer geometrically describeable by a pluarlity of orthogonal dimensions, interposed between the first layer and impingent electromagnetic radiation; the second layer being an epitaxial crystal of a lead cadmium chalcogenide alloy with a mole fraction depending upon at least one of the dimensions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
A detector of electromagnetic radiation, comprised of: a first layer of a semiconductor material responsive to electromagnetic radiator; a single second layer geometrically describeable by a pluarlity of orthogonal dimensions, interposed between the first layer and impingent electromagnetic radiation; the second layer being an epitaxial crystal of a lead cadmium chalcogenide alloy with a mole fraction depending upon at least one of the dimensions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The detector set forth in claim 14, wherein thickness comprises one of the dimensions and the value of the mole fraction of the alloy varies along the thickness of the second layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector set forth in claim 15, wherein the value of the mole fraction of the second layer is graded uniformly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The detector set forth in claim 16, wherein the second layer has a pair of opposed and spaced apart surfaces, and variance in value of the mole fraction along an imaginary straight line passing between the pair of surfaces defines a parabola.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector set forth in claim 17, wherein the parabola has a maximum value between the surfaces.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector set forth in claim 18, wherein the parabola has a minimum value of at least one of the surfaces.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector set forth in claim 17, wherein the parabola has a minimum value between the surfaces.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector set forth in claim 20, wherein the parabola has a maximum value at at least one of the surfaces.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector set forth in claim 15, wherein the mole fraction of the second layer varies abruptly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The detector set forth in claim 14, wherein width comprises one of the dimensions and the mole fraction varies along the width of the second layer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The detector set forth in claim 23, wherein the mole fraction of the second layer is graded uniformly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The detector set forth in claim 24, wherein the second layer has a center spaced between opposite edges, and variance in value of the mole fraction along an imaginary straight line running between the opposite edges and passing through the center in a plane parallel to the width describes a parabola.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector set forth in claim 25, wherein the parabola has a minimum value at the center.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector set forth in claim 26, wherein the parabola has a maximum value at at least one of the edges.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector set forth in claim 25, wherein the parabola has a maximum value at the center.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector set forth in claim 28, wherein the parabola has a minimum value at at least one of the edges.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector set forth in claim 23, wherein the mole fraction of the second layer varies abruptly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1984-04-20 | 1984-10-20 | 1985-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-20 | 1988-10-20 | 1989-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-20 | 1992-10-20 | 1993-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |