US4887140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clover design lateral effect position-sensitive device
Assignee: The University of Texas System
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Filing: 1989-04-27
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Granted: 1989-12-12
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Expires: 2009-04-27
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an improved lateral effect position-sensitive device having a clover design and including a semiconductor body including a first doped surface-oriented region of one conductivity type, a second doped surface-oriented region of opposite conductivity type, and a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material separating the first region and the second region. The first region has concave boundaries and at least four vertices. A first plurality of electrical contacts electrically contacts the vertices, and a second plurality of contacts electrically contacts intermediate portions of the concave boundaries. Conductors electrically interconnect each of the second plurality of contacts with one of the first plurality of contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Wanjun Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:47
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/95; H10F77/953; H10F77/957; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A lateral effect position-sensitive device comprising a semiconductor body including a first doped surface-oriented region of one conductivity type, a second doped surface-oriented region of opposite conductivity type, a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material separating said first region and said second region, said first doped region having concave boundaries and at least four vertices, a first plurality of electrical contacts each electrically contacting a vertex, a second plurality of contacts each electrically contacting an intermediate portion of one of said concave boundaries, and means electrically interconnecting each of said second plurality of contacts with one of said first plurality of contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A lateral effect position-sensitive device comprising a semiconductor body including a first doped surface-oriented region of one conductivity type, a second doped surface-oriented region of opposite conductivity type, a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material separating said first region and said second region, said first doped region having concave boundaries and at least four vertices, a first plurality of electrical contacts each electrically contacting a vertex, a second plurality of contacts each electrically contacting an intermediate portion of one of said concave boundaries, and means electrically interconnecting each of said second plurality of contacts with one of said first plurality of contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 1 wherein both of said first and second doped regions have concave boundaries, said concave boundaries of said first doped region being aligned with the concave boundaries of said second doped region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 2 wherein all of said concave boundaries have the same curvature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim wherein said first plurality of contacts includes lengths of electrically conductive material at each vertex, and said second plurality of contacts includes protruding point contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 4 wherein said second plurality of contacts is positioned substantially halfway along each boundary.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 5 wherein said means electrically interconnecting each of said second plurality of contact with one of said first plurality of contacts comprises a metal layer laid on said surface of said semiconductor body near at least a portion of said boundary to thereby pick up leakage current.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor body is silicon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 1 wherein said semiconductor body is gallium arsenide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by 1 wherein said second doped region is larger than said first doped region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by 1 wherein said second doped region is larger than said first doped region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 1 wherein said one conductivity type is p-type.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 1 wherein said one conductivity type is n-type.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said concave boundaries has an extension in an intermediate portion to accommodate said second plurality of contacts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lateral effect position-sensitive device as defined by claim 1 wherein said means electrically interconnecting each of said second plurality of contacts said second plurality of contact comprises metal wires.
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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) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |