US4632886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sulfidization of compound semiconductor surfaces and passivated mercury cadmium telluride substrates
Assignee: DRS Infrared Technologies LP
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Filing: 1984-09-28
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Granted: 1986-12-30
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Expires: 2004-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a method of passivating mercury cadmium telluride substrates wherein a substrate surface is lapped and cleaned and then placed in an electrolyte solution containing sulfide ions to electrolytically grow a sulfide passivating layer on the lapped and cleaned surface. A preferred electrolyte solution is formed with sodium sulfide, water and ethylene glycol.
Inventors
- 👤 Towfik H. Teherani
- 👤 Arturo Simmons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:13
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/123; H10F77/1237; H10D; H10D62/00; H10D62/80; H10D62/86; H10D62/862; H10P; H10P14/00; H10P14/60; H10P14/69
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of passivating a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, (b) cleaning a surface of said substrate; and (c) anodically growing a sulfide layer on the cleaned surface of said substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of passivating a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, (b) cleaning a surface of said substrate; and (c) anodically growing a sulfide layer on the cleaned surface of said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein step (c) is formed by providing an electrochemical bath having sulfide ions therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bath includes ethylene glycol therein.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of passivating a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, (b) cleaning a surface of said substrate, and (c) anodically growing a sulfide layer with components of said substrate at said cleaned surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of passivating a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mercury cadmium telluride substrate, (b) cleaning a surface of said substrate, and (c) anodically growing a sulfide layer with components of said substrate at said cleaned surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the anodic growth comprises providing an electrolyte having sulfide ions therein, connecting a voltage source between said electrolyte and said substrate and placing the substrate with said voltage source connected thereto into said electrolyte.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the positive terminal of said voltage source is secured to said substrate and the negative terminal of said voltage source is disposed in said electrolyte remove from said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said electrolyte comprises a water soluble sulfide and water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said soluble sulfide is sodium sulfide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said electrolyte further includes ethylene glycol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said electrolyte further includes ethylene glycol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electrolyte comprises a water soluble sulfide and water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said soluble sulfide is sodium sulfide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said electrolyte further includes ethylene glycol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said electrolyte further includes ethylene glycol.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A passivated mercury cadmium telluride substrate which comprises: (a) a mercury cadmium telluride substrate; and (b) a layer of a sulfide on a surface of said substrate formed with components of said substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A passivated mercury cadmium telluride substrate which comprises: (a) a mercury cadmium telluride substrate; and (b) a layer of a sulfide on a surface of said substrate formed with components of said substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A passivated substrate as set forth in claim 15 wherein said layer of sulfide is a mixture of mercury sulfide, cadmium sulfide and tellurium sulfide.
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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) | 1989-12-29 | 1990-06-30 | 1990-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-29 | 1994-06-30 | 1994-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-29 | 1998-06-30 | 1998-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |