US4556790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photodetector having a contoured, substantially periodic surface
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1982-11-30
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Granted: 1985-12-03
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Expires: 2002-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A photodetector, and a method for detecting electromagnetic radiation, is disclosed. The photodetector includes a body which undergoes a detectable, internal physical or chemical change when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, as well as means for detecting this change. The photodetector also includes a substantially periodic surface which increases the efficiency with which incident electromagnetic radiation is coupled onto the photodetector.
Inventors
- 👤 Alastair M. Glass
- 👤 Paul F. Liao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:32
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F30/00; H10F30/20; H10F30/21; H10F30/22; H10F30/221
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A photodetector, comprising: a body which undergoes a detectable change when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and which includes means for detecting said change when the body is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said body also includes a contoured surface which is substantially periodic and includes prominences, the average spacing, Λ, between, and the composition of, said prominences being chosen to couple at least a portion of said radiation into said body in the form of a propagating electromagnetic wave traveling through said body adjacent said contoured surface and/or localized plasma resonances within said prominences.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A photodetector, comprising: a body which undergoes a detectable change when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and which includes means for detecting said change when the body is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said body also includes a contoured surface which is substantially periodic and includes prominences, the average spacing, Λ, between, and the composition of, said prominences being chosen to couple at least a portion of said radiation into said body in the form of a propagating electromagnetic wave traveling through said body adjacent said contoured surface and/or localized plasma resonances within said prominences.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The photodetector of claim 1 wherein the average spacing, Λ, between the prominences of said contoured surface is proportional to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation to be detected by said photodetector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photodetector of claim 1 wherein the amplitude of said prominences ranges from about 0.1Λ to about 10Λ.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The photodetector of claim 1 wherein said body includes a layer of electrically insulating material sandwiched between first and second layers of metal, and wherein said second layer of metal includes said contoured surface which is exposed to electromagnetic radiation during the operation of said photodetector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The photodetector of claim 4 wherein said electrically insulating layer has a dielectric breakdown strength greater than about 10 4 volts/cm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The photodetector of claim 5 wherein said electrically insulating layer is a metallic oxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The photodetector of claim 5 wherein the thickness of said insulating layer ranges from about 10 Angstroms to about 100 Angstroms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The photodetector of claim 7 wherein the thickness of said second metal layer ranges from about 100 Angstroms to about 300 Angstroms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The photodetector of claim 4 wherein the average spacing, Λ, between the prominences of said contoured surface is proportional to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation to be detected by said photodetector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photodetector of claim 9 wherein the average amplitude of said prominences ranges from about 0.1Λ to about 0.3Λ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The photodetector of claim 4 wherein the metal of said second metal layer, and the average spacing, Λ, between the prominences of said contoured surface, are chosen to produce localized plasma resonances within said prominences.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photodetector of claim 11 wherein the amplitude of said prominences ranges from about 0.5Λ to about 10Λ.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for detecting electromagnetic radiation, comprising the steps of: exposing to electromagnetic radiation a body which undergoes a detectable change when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and which includes means for detecting said change; and measuring said change, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said body also includes a contoured surface which is substantially periodic and includes prominences, the average spacing, Λ, between, and the composition of, said prominences being chosen to couple at least a portion of said radiation into said body in the form of a propagating electromagnetic wave traveling through said body adjacent said contoured surface and/or localized plasma resonances within said prominences.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for detecting electromagnetic radiation, comprising the steps of: exposing to electromagnetic radiation a body which undergoes a detectable change when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, and which includes means for detecting said change; and measuring said change, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said body also includes a contoured surface which is substantially periodic and includes prominences, the average spacing, Λ, between, and the composition of, said prominences being chosen to couple at least a portion of said radiation into said body in the form of a propagating electromagnetic wave traveling through said body adjacent said contoured surface and/or localized plasma resonances within said prominences.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the average spacing, Λ, between the prominences of said contoured surface is proportional to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation to be detected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the amplitude of said prominences ranges from about 0.1Λ to about 10Λ.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said body includes a layer of electrically insulating material sandwiched between first and second layers of metal, and wherein said second layer of metal includes said contoured surface which is exposed to electromagnetic radiation during said exposing step.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said electrically insulating layer has a dielectric breakdown strength greater than about 10 4 volts/cm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said electrically insulating layer is a metallic oxide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the average spacing, Λ, between the prominences of said contoured surface is proportional to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation to be detected by said photodetector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the average amplitude of said prominences ranges from about 0.1Λ to about 0.3Λ.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the metal of said second metal layer, and the average spacing, Λ, between the prominences of said contoured surface, are chosen to produce localized plasma resonances within said prominences.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the amplitude of said prominences ranges from about 0.5Λ to about 10Λ.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-02 | 1989-06-03 | 1989-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-02 | 1993-06-03 | 1993-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-02 | 1997-06-03 | 1997-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |