US5168321A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Doped-germanium sensor for use in a system to control the alignment of a CO2 laser beam
Assignee: Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
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Filing: 1990-11-26
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Granted: 1992-12-01
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Expires: 2010-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A photoconductive sensor responsive to a CO 2 laser beam. The sensor comprises a silver-doped germanium semiconductor. The silver dopant changes the conductive characteristics of the semiconductor which results in the doped germanium semiconductor being responsive to a wavelength range it would not normally be responsive to.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto J. Gregory
- 👤 Kenneth A. Burbank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:27
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/95; H10F77/953; H10F77/957; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/422; G02B6/4227; H10F30/00; H10F30/10; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/122; H10F77/1223; H10F77/50; G02B6/4292; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/50; H10W72/551; H10W72/552; H10W72/5522; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A photoconductive sensor responsive to a laser beam which sensor comprises a doped semiconductor, the semiconductor being germanium and the dopant silver, the dopant changing the conductive characteristics of the semiconductor, the doped semiconductor being responsive to a wavelength range of an incident beam that the semiconductor would not be responsive to in its undoped state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A photoconductive sensor responsive to a laser beam which sensor comprises a doped semiconductor, the semiconductor being germanium and the dopant silver, the dopant changing the conductive characteristics of the semiconductor, the doped semiconductor being responsive to a wavelength range of an incident beam that the semiconductor would not be responsive to in its undoped state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor is photoconduction responsive to CO 2 laser light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor comprises four quadrants arrayed in a circular pattern, the vertices of the quadrants defining a central aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sensor of claim 1, wherein the surface of the sensor includes a plurality of striations thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sensor of claim 1, or to 3 which comprises: means to secure the sensor to a substrate; and means to secure the substrate to a sensor block.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for detecting carbon dioxide laser light which includes: contacting a sensor comprising a germanium semiconductor doped with silver with an incident beam of light, the sensor being responsive to a wavelength range of the incident beam to the light in its doped state which the sensor would not be responsive to in its undoped state; and providing an output from the sensor to a control system whereby the position of the beam striking the sensor can be controlled.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for detecting carbon dioxide laser light which includes: contacting a sensor comprising a germanium semiconductor doped with silver with an incident beam of light, the sensor being responsive to a wavelength range of the incident beam to the light in its doped state which the sensor would not be responsive to in its undoped state; and providing an output from the sensor to a control system whereby the position of the beam striking the sensor can be controlled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the sensor is photoconduction responsive to CO 2 laser light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3746454A
Cited
US4376659A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-06-01 | 1996-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-01 | 2000-06-01 | 2000-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-01 | 2004-06-01 | 2004-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |