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US4857973A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Silicon waveguide with monolithically integrated Schottky barrier photodetector

Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1987-05-14
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2007-05-14
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Abstract

Abstract The invention comprises a Schottky barrier type infrared photodetector which is monolithically integrated on a silicon waveguide. A Schottky barrier contact is positioned directly on a silicon waveguide to absorb grazing incidence optical signals passing through the waveguide. The Schottky contact is operated in the avalanche or reverse bias mode to generate a useable electrical signal.

Inventors

  • 👤 Andrew C. Yang
  • 👤 Joseph P. Lorenzo
  • 👤 Richard A. Soref

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 09:38
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F30/00; H10F30/20; H10F30/21; H10F30/22; H10F30/227; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 83 words
A photodetector comprising: a crystalline substrate; a first Schottky barrier contact positioned upon said crystalline substrate; a crystalline silicon layer deposited on said crystalline substrate and said first Schottky barrier contact wherein said crystalline silicon layer is formed into a waveguide for the transmission of optic signals; a second Schottky barrier contact position on top of said waveguide, said first and second Schottky barrier contacts for detecting light transmission through said waveguides; and an Ohmic contact electrically connected to said crystalline silicon layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 83 words
A photodetector comprising: a crystalline substrate; a first Schottky barrier contact positioned upon said crystalline substrate; a crystalline silicon layer deposited on said crystalline substrate and said first Schottky barrier contact wherein said crystalline silicon layer is formed into a waveguide for the transmission of optic signals; a second Schottky barrier contact position on top of said waveguide, said first and second Schottky barrier contacts for detecting light transmission through said waveguides; and an Ohmic contact electrically connected to said crystalline silicon layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The photodetector of claim 1 further comprising a dielectric layer interposed between said substrate and crystalline silicon layer in order to confine said waveguide and increase light transmission efficiency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The photodetector of claim 1 wherein said photodetector is sensitive to light in the 1.1 to 1.6 micron wavelengths.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-08-14 1993-02-13 1993-08-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-08-14 1997-02-13 1997-08-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-08-14 2001-02-13 2001-08-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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