Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
Apparatus for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material under variable dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating at least a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a back electrode adapted to receive said second major surface of said specimen, c. a reference electrode assembly positionable in the path of said light beam in close proximity to said first major surface of said specimen, said reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a rigid transparent plate, and ii. a flexible diaphragm mounted on said rigid transparent plate, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material and a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of a surface of said first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material insulating said reference electrode from said specimen, and iii. means for transmitting pressure applied to said rigid transparent plate to said flexible diaphragm so as to push said flexible diaphragm against the first major surface of the specimen and hold said reference electrode in uniform compliance with said first major surface of said specimen, and e. means for applying a variable dc bias voltage between said back electrode and said reference electrode, f. the ac surface photovoltage signals generated by said light beam appearing between said reference electrode and said back electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
Apparatus for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material under variable dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating at least a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a back electrode adapted to receive said second major surface of said specimen, c. a reference electrode assembly positionable in the path of said light beam in close proximity to said first major surface of said specimen, said reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a rigid transparent plate, and ii. a flexible diaphragm mounted on said rigid transparent plate, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material and a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of a surface of said first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material insulating said reference electrode from said specimen, and iii. means for transmitting pressure applied to said rigid transparent plate to said flexible diaphragm so as to push said flexible diaphragm against the first major surface of the specimen and hold said reference electrode in uniform compliance with said first major surface of said specimen, and e. means for applying a variable dc bias voltage between said back electrode and said reference electrode, f. the ac surface photovoltage signals generated by said light beam appearing between said reference electrode and said back electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said first sheet of flexible transparent insulating material is smaller in size than said specimen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including a guard electrode on said first sheet of flexible transparent insulating material surrounding said reference electrode for reducing fringing effects in the bias field produced by the applied variable dc bias voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said flexible diaphragm further includes a second sheet of flexible transparent insulating material fixed to first sheet and a guard electrode on said second sheet of flexible transparent insulating material, said guard electrode reducing fringing effects in the bias field produced by the applied variable dc bias voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including an annular spacer disposed between said rigid transparent plate and said flexible diaphragm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said pressure transmitting means comprises a fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said pressure transmitting means comprises a button which is flexible and deformable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 7 and wherein said button comprises a transparent inner section of elastomeric material, a conductive opaque intermediate section of elastomeric material and an insulating opaque outer section of elastomeric material, said conductive opaque intermediate section being electrically coupled to said reference electrode for transmitting SPV signals picked up by said reference electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 and wherein said button comprises a conductive inner section of elastomeric material and a nonconductive transparent outer section of elastomeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said illuminating means comprises a light source, focusing means for focusing said light source on said first surface of said sample and a frame for supporting said light source and said focusing means, said frame being movable relative to said reference electrode in the x-y directions for scanning purposes and fixed in the z direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein said light beam is collimated and said reference electrode assembly includes a focussing lens for bringing said light beam to focus as a spot on said first surface of said specimen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and wherein said illuminating means further includes scanning means for causing said illuminating beam to scan said first surface of said specimen.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for use in sensing ac surface photovoltage signals induced in a specimen of semiconductor material under dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a conductive nonmagnetic support for receiving said second main surface of said specimen, c. a dc bias voltage source, and d. a capacative reference electrode assembly for sensing the surface photovoltage induced at said first major surface in response to said illumination, said capacative reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a sheeet of transparent nonconductive material, ii. a rigid transparent disc disposed above said sheet of transparent nonconductive material, iii. a ring of magnetic material fixed to said disc, iv. a reference electrode on said disc, v. a frame fixed to said sheet and flexibly attached to said ring, and vi. magnetic means underneath said conductive support for selectively magnetically attracting said ring toward said specimen.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for use in sensing ac surface photovoltage signals induced in a specimen of semiconductor material under dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a conductive nonmagnetic support for receiving said second main surface of said specimen, c. a dc bias voltage source, and d. a capacative reference electrode assembly for sensing the surface photovoltage induced at said first major surface in response to said illumination, said capacative reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a sheeet of transparent nonconductive material, ii. a rigid transparent disc disposed above said sheet of transparent nonconductive material, iii. a ring of magnetic material fixed to said disc, iv. a reference electrode on said disc, v. a frame fixed to said sheet and flexibly attached to said ring, and vi. magnetic means underneath said conductive support for selectively magnetically attracting said ring toward said specimen.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for use in sensing ac surface photovoltage signals induced in a specimen of semiconductor material under dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a conductive support for receiving said second major surface of said specimen, c. a dc bias voltage source, d. a capacative reference electrode assembly for sensing the surface photovoltage induced at said first major surface in response to illumination, said capacative reference electrode assembly comrising: i. a transparent rigid reference electrode positionable along the path of the beam of light and spaced from said specimen, ii. an insulator disposed in front of said transparent reference electrode, and iii. piezoelectric means for controlling the position of the reference electrode, and iv. a frame for supporting said light source and said reference electrode assembly.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for use in sensing ac surface photovoltage signals induced in a specimen of semiconductor material under dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a conductive support for receiving said second major surface of said specimen, c. a dc bias voltage source, d. a capacative reference electrode assembly for sensing the surface photovoltage induced at said first major surface in response to illumination, said capacative reference electrode assembly comrising: i. a transparent rigid reference electrode positionable along the path of the beam of light and spaced from said specimen, ii. an insulator disposed in front of said transparent reference electrode, and iii. piezoelectric means for controlling the position of the reference electrode, and iv. a frame for supporting said light source and said reference electrode assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material under variable dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating at least a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a back electrode adapted to receive said second major surface of said specimen, c. a flexible reference electrode assembly positionable in the path of said light beam in close proximity to said first major surface of said specimen, said reference flexible electrode assembly comprising: i. a reference electrode, and ii. a support for supporting said reference electrode, d. means for applying a variable dc bias voltage between said back electrode and said reference electrode, e. the ac surface photovoltage signals generated by said light beam appearing between said reference electrode and said back electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material under variable dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: a. means for illuminating at least a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, b. a back electrode adapted to receive said second major surface of said specimen, c. a flexible reference electrode assembly positionable in the path of said light beam in close proximity to said first major surface of said specimen, said reference flexible electrode assembly comprising: i. a reference electrode, and ii. a support for supporting said reference electrode, d. means for applying a variable dc bias voltage between said back electrode and said reference electrode, e. the ac surface photovoltage signals generated by said light beam appearing between said reference electrode and said back electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15 and wherein said reference electrode is smaller in size than said specimen.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15 and wherein said reference electrode is flexible and said support is rigid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15 and wherein said reference electrode is rigid and said support is flexible.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
124 words
A capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said capacitive, pickup type reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a frame, ii. a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, said first sheet having a front surface for contacting said specimen and a back surface, a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of said back surface of said first sheet, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber with said back surface facing into said chamber, and iii. means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
124 words
A capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said capacitive, pickup type reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a frame, ii. a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, said first sheet having a front surface for contacting said specimen and a back surface, a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of said back surface of said first sheet, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber with said back surface facing into said chamber, and iii. means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 19 and wherein said pressure transmitting means is a fluid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 20 and wherein said pressure transmitting means is air.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 19 and wherein said pressure transmitting means is an elastomeric button.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 19 and wherein said frame includes a front portion and a back portion and said flexible diaphragm is attached to said back portion of said frame.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 19 and wherein said frame includes a flat plate of rigid transparent material having a front surface and a back surface and a spacer attached to the front surface of the flat plate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 19 and further including a guard electrode, said guard electrode comprising a coating of conductive material on said sheet of transparent insulating material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
97 words
A capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: a. a support having a back portion and a front portion, b. an insulator attached to the front portion of the support, and c. a reference electrode disposed behind the insulator, d. one of said reference electrode and said support being flexible, e. means between said back portion of said support and said reference electrode for transmitting pressure applied to said back portion of said support to said reference electrode, and
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
97 words
A capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: a. a support having a back portion and a front portion, b. an insulator attached to the front portion of the support, and c. a reference electrode disposed behind the insulator, d. one of said reference electrode and said support being flexible, e. means between said back portion of said support and said reference electrode for transmitting pressure applied to said back portion of said support to said reference electrode, and
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 26 and wherein said reference electrode is smaller than said specimen.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly of claim 27 and wherein said reference electrode is flexible.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reference electrode assembly of claim 27 and wherein said support is flexible.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
113 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in an apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: (i) a frame, (ii)a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and (iii) means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm, (iv) said first sheet of flexible transparent insulating material also including a conductive coating serving as a guard electrode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
113 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in an apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: (i) a frame, (ii)a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and (iii) means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm, (iv) said first sheet of flexible transparent insulating material also including a conductive coating serving as a guard electrode.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
118 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: (a) a frame, (b) a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and (c) means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm, said means comprising an elastomeric button, said elastomeric button having: (a) a conductive, elastomeric inner section, and (b) a transparent, insulating, elastomeric outer section.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
118 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: (a) a frame, (b) a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and (c) means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm, said means comprising an elastomeric button, said elastomeric button having: (a) a conductive, elastomeric inner section, and (b) a transparent, insulating, elastomeric outer section.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reference electrode assembly of claim 31 and further including a light source.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
125 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: (a) a frame, (b) a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and (c) means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm, said means comprising an elastomeric button, said elastomeric button having: (i) a transparent inner elastomeric section, (ii) a conductive, opaque, elastomeric intermediate section, and (iii) an insulating, opaque, elastomeric outer section.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
125 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: (a) a frame, (b) a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and (c) means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm, said means comprising an elastomeric button, said elastomeric button having: (i) a transparent inner elastomeric section, (ii) a conductive, opaque, elastomeric intermediate section, and (iii) an insulating, opaque, elastomeric outer section.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material under variable dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for illuminating at least a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, (b) a back electrode adapted to receive said second major surface of said specimen, (c) a flexible reference electrode assembly positionable in the path of said light beam in close proximity to said first major surface of said specimen, (d) means for applying a variable dc bias voltage between said back electrode and said reference electrode, and (e) the ac surface photovoltage signals generated by said light beam appearing between said reference electrode and said back electrode.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for use in making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material under variable dc bias voltage conditions, said specimen having first and second major surfaces, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for illuminating at least a portion of said first major surface of said specimen with a beam of intensity modulated light, (b) a back electrode adapted to receive said second major surface of said specimen, (c) a flexible reference electrode assembly positionable in the path of said light beam in close proximity to said first major surface of said specimen, (d) means for applying a variable dc bias voltage between said back electrode and said reference electrode, and (e) the ac surface photovoltage signals generated by said light beam appearing between said reference electrode and said back electrode.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
111 words
A capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly comprising: a. a rigid support having a back portion and a front portion, b. a flexible reference electrode attached to the front portion of said support, c. an elastomeric button for transmitting pressure applied to the back portion of said rigid support to said flexible reference electrode and d. a sheet of flexible insulating material having a back surface and a front surface, said flexible reference electrode comprising a coating on said back surface of said sheet of flexible insulating material.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
111 words
A capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said capacitive pickup type reference electrode assembly comprising: a. a rigid support having a back portion and a front portion, b. a flexible reference electrode attached to the front portion of said support, c. an elastomeric button for transmitting pressure applied to the back portion of said rigid support to said flexible reference electrode and d. a sheet of flexible insulating material having a back surface and a front surface, said flexible reference electrode comprising a coating on said back surface of said sheet of flexible insulating material.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
114 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material comprising: a. a plate of transparent rigid material having a top side and a bottom side, b. a sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a top side and a bottom side attached along the periphery of its top side to the bottom side of the plate of transparent rigid material, c. an elastomeric button sandwiched between said plate of transparent rigid material and said sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, and d. a conductive coating on the top side of said sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, said conductive coating constituting a reference electrode.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
114 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material comprising: a. a plate of transparent rigid material having a top side and a bottom side, b. a sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a top side and a bottom side attached along the periphery of its top side to the bottom side of the plate of transparent rigid material, c. an elastomeric button sandwiched between said plate of transparent rigid material and said sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, and d. a conductive coating on the top side of said sheet of transparent flexible insulating material, said conductive coating constituting a reference electrode.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
117 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a frame, ii. a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, a second sheet of flexible transparent insulating material, said second sheet being fixed to said first sheet and having thereon a guard electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and iii. means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
117 words
A reference electrode assembly for use in apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material, said reference electrode assembly comprising: i. a frame, ii. a flexible diaphragm attached to said frame, said flexible diaphragm comprising a first sheet of transparent flexible insulating material having a coating of transparent conductive material on at least a portion of one side thereof, said coating constituting a reference electrode, a second sheet of flexible transparent insulating material, said second sheet being fixed to said first sheet and having thereon a guard electrode, said frame and said diaphragm defining a chamber, and iii. means in said chamber for transmitting pressure applied to said frame to said diaphragm.