Electro-optical detector array

Claim 2

An electro-optical detector for optical radiation in a predetermined wavelength band comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, a two-dimensional array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, adjacent ones of the diodes having both of said regions thereof mechanically spaced from each other, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first regions prior to being incident on the second regions, the first regions being made of a material and having a thickness such that charge carriers generated by optical energy absorbed in the first regions diffuse to the junction without substantial recombination, and a metal electrode extending in two coordinate directions electrically connecting the first regions together while enabling the optical energy to be incident on the first regions, the second regions being formed from thinned bulk material and the first regions being formed as ion-implanted layers on the bulk material, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 3

The electro-optical detector of claim 1 wherein the second regions are formed form thinned bulk material and the first regions are formed as gaseously diffused bulk material.

Claim 4

An elector-optical detector for optical radiation in a predetermined wavelength band comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, a two-dimensional array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped region, adjacent ones of the diodes having both of said regions thereof mechanically spaced from each other, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first regions prior to being incident on the second regions, the first regions being made of a material and having a thickness such that charge carriers generated by optical energy absorbed int eh first regions diffuse to the junction without substantial recombination, and a metal electrode extending in two coordinate directions electrically connecting the first regions together while enabling the optical energy to be incident on the first regions, said diodes being formed of InSb, the fist regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 5

An elector-optical detector for optical radiation in a predetermined wavelength band comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, a two-dimensional array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped region, adjacent ones of the diodes having both of said regions thereof mechanically spaced from each other, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first regions prior to being incident on the second regions, the first regions being made of a material and having a thickness such that charge carriers generated by optical energy absorbed int eh first regions diffuse to the junction without substantial recombination, and a metal electrode extending in two coordinate directions electrically connecting the first regions together while enabling the optical energy to be incident on the first regions, said diodes being formed of InSb, the fist regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 6

The electro-optical detector of claim 3 wherein the diodes are arranged in rows and columns and the metal electrode is arranged as a gird of intersecting strips extending in mutually perpendicular directions.

Claim 7

The electro-optical detector of claim 3 wherein the metal is arranged as a film having windows for enabling the optical energy to be detected to be incident on the first regions.

Claim 8

The elector-optical detector of claim 3 further including a multiplexer integrated circuit substrate extending parallel to the backing and including an array of elements for selective readout of the electric property of the diodes, the elements and the diodes having approximately the same topographical arrangement so that corresponding ones of the elements and diodes are aligned, and an array of metal bumps connecting the corresponding aligned elements and diodes.

Claim 9

The electro-optical detector of claim 3 wherein the second regions are formed form thinned bulk material and the first regions are formed as gaseously diffused layers on the bulk material.

Claim 10

The electro-optical detector of claim 1 wherein the second regions are formed from bulk material and the first regions are formed as ion-implanted layers on the bulk material.

Claim 11

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, a two-dimensional array of InSb semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes including a junction separating P- and N-doped regions, said regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the P-doped region prior to being incident on the N-doped region.

Claim 12

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, a two-dimensional array of InSb semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes including a junction separating P- and N-doped regions, said regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the P-doped region prior to being incident on the N-doped region.

Claim 13

The electro-optical detector of claim 9 wherein said diodes are configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both regions thereof spaced from each other.

Claim 14

The electro-optical detector of claim 10 further including a metal electrode extending in two coordinate directions on the backing electrically connecting the P-type regions together so as not to interfere substantially with the optical energy incident on the P-type region.

Claim 15

The electro-optical detector of claim 11 further including a multiplexer integrated circuit substrate extending parallel to the backing and including an array of elements for selective readout of the electric property of the diodes, the elements and the diodes having approximately the same topographical arrangement so that corresponding ones of the elements and diodes are aligned, and an array of metal bumps connecting the corresponding aligned elements and diodes.

Claim 16

The electro-optical detector of claim 10 further including a multiplexer integrated circuit substrate extending parallel to the backing and including an array of elements for selective readout of the electric property of the diodes, the elements and the diodes having approximately the same topographical arrangement so that corresponding ones of the elements and diodes are aligned, and an array of metal bumps connecting the corresponding aligned elements and diodes.

Claim 17

The electro-optical detector of claim 9 further including a metal electrode extending in two coordinate directions on the backing electrically connecting the P-type regions together so as not to interfere substantially with the optical energy incident on the P-type region.

Claim 18

The electro-optical detector of claim 9 further including a multiplexer integrated circuit substrate extending parallel to the backing and including an array of elements for selective readout of the electric property of the diodes, the elements and the diodes having approximately the same topographical arrangement so that corresponding one of the elements and diodes are aligned, and an array of metal bumps connecting the corresponding aligned elements and diodes.

Claim 19

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first region prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, a metal electrode abutting against the backing electrically connecting the first regions together so as not to interfere substantially with the optical energy incident on the first regions, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 20

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first region prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, a metal electrode abutting against the backing electrically connecting the first regions together so as not to interfere substantially with the optical energy incident on the first regions, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 21

The electro-optical detector of claim 16 wherein the second regions are formed from thinned and etched bulk material and the first regions are formed as gaseously diffused layers on the bulk material.

Claim 22

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first region prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, the second regions being formed from thinned and etched bulk material and the first regions being formed as ion-implanted layers on the bulk material, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 23

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first region prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, the second regions being formed from thinned and etched bulk material and the first regions being formed as ion-implanted layers on the bulk material, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 24

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first regions prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured a islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, a multiplexer integrated circuit substrate extending parallel tot eh backing and including an array of elements for selective readout of the electric property of the diodes, the elements and the diodes having approximately the same topographical arrangement so that corresponding ones of the elements and diodes are aligned, and an array of metal bumps connecting the corresponding aligned elements and diodes, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 25

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first regions prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured a islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, a multiplexer integrated circuit substrate extending parallel tot eh backing and including an array of elements for selective readout of the electric property of the diodes, the elements and the diodes having approximately the same topographical arrangement so that corresponding ones of the elements and diodes are aligned, and an array of metal bumps connecting the corresponding aligned elements and diodes, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 26

The electro-optical detector of claim 19 wherein the second regions are formed from thinned and etched bulk material and the first regions are formed as gaseously diffused layers on the bulk material.

Claim 27

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first region prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, a metal electrode abutting formed from thinned and etched bulk material and the first being formed as ion-implanted layers on the bulk material, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 28

An electro-optical detector comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, an array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranged so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first region prior to being incident on the second region, said diodes being configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both of said regions thereof spaced from each other, said second regions being thinned bulk semiconductor material, said first regions being layers of said semiconductor material formed on the thinned bulk semiconductor material, a metal electrode abutting formed from thinned and etched bulk material and the first being formed as ion-implanted layers on the bulk material, said diodes being formed of InSb, the first regions being P-type, the second regions being N-type bulk material.

Claim 29

An electro-optical detector for optical radiation in a predetermined wavelength band comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, a two-dimensional array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, adjacent ones of the diodes having both of said regions thereof mechanically spaced from each other, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranges so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first regions prior to being incident on the second regions, the first regions being made of a material and having a thickness such that charge carriers generated by optical energy absorbed int eh first regions diffuse to the junction without substantial recombination, and a metal electrode extending in tow coordinate directions electrically connecting the first regions together while enabling the optical energy to be incident on the first regions, the semiconductor optical array of diodes being formed as P-N junctions on a bulk semiconductor of a first conductivity type close to a surface of the bulk semiconductor, each of the junctions being between the first conductivity type bulk semiconductor and semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type, the electrode being formed by metallizing a portion of the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type, the array being joined to the backing by bonding the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type to the backing so that an optical path subsists through the backing to at least a segment of the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type, islands being formed by reducing the thickness of the bulk substrate while the semiconductor regions are bonded to the backing and by etching the reduced thickness bulk substrate so that each of the islands includes a corresponding region of the bulk semiconductor, a junction and one of the second conductivity type semiconductor regions.

Claim 30

An electro-optical detector for optical radiation in a predetermined wavelength band comprising a non-metallic mechanical support backing transparent to optical energy to be detected, a two-dimensional array of semiconductor diodes on said backing, said diodes having an electrical property affected by optical energy incident thereon and including a junction separating first and second differently doped regions, adjacent ones of the diodes having both of said regions thereof mechanically spaced from each other, said first and second regions being positioned on the backing and arranges so that the optical energy to be detected propagates through the backing to be incident on the first regions prior to being incident on the second regions, the first regions being made of a material and having a thickness such that charge carriers generated by optical energy absorbed int eh first regions diffuse to the junction without substantial recombination, and a metal electrode extending in tow coordinate directions electrically connecting the first regions together while enabling the optical energy to be incident on the first regions, the semiconductor optical array of diodes being formed as P-N junctions on a bulk semiconductor of a first conductivity type close to a surface of the bulk semiconductor, each of the junctions being between the first conductivity type bulk semiconductor and semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type, the electrode being formed by metallizing a portion of the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type, the array being joined to the backing by bonding the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type to the backing so that an optical path subsists through the backing to at least a segment of the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type, islands being formed by reducing the thickness of the bulk substrate while the semiconductor regions are bonded to the backing and by etching the reduced thickness bulk substrate so that each of the islands includes a corresponding region of the bulk semiconductor, a junction and one of the second conductivity type semiconductor regions.

Claim 31

The electro-optical detector of claim 22 wherein each of the diodes includes a separate electrode contacting the first conductivity type portion of each island.

Claim 32

The electro-optical detector of claim 22 wherein the bulk semiconductor is N-type indium antimonide.

Claim 33

The electro-optical detector of claim 24 wherein the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type are formed by gaseous diffusion of P-type dopant into the n-type bulk indium antimonide semiconductor.

Claim 34

The elector-optical detector of claim 24 wherein the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type are formed by ion bombardment of P-type dopant into the N-type bulk indium antimonide semiconductor.

Claim 35

The electro-optical detector of claim 22 wherein the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type are formed by gaseous diffusion of dopant into the bulk semiconductor.

Claim 36

The electro-optical detector of claim 22 wherein the semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type are formed by ion bombardment of dopant into the bulk semiconductor.

Claim 37

The electro-optical detector of claim 7 where said diodes are photovoltaic.

Claim 38

The electro-optical detector of claim 11 wherein the diodes are arranged in rows and columns and the metal electrode is arranged as a grid of intersecting strips extending in mutually perpendicular directions.

Claim 39

The electro-optical detector of claim 11 wherein the metal is arranged as a film having windows for enabling the optical energy to be detected to be incident on the first regions.

Claim 40

The electro-optical detector of claim 9 wherein the N-doped regions are formed form thinned bulk material.

Claim 41

The electro-optical detector of claim 32 wherein said diodes are configured as islands on the backing so adjacent ones of the diodes have both regions thereof spaced from each other.

Claim 42

The electro-optical detector of claim 22 wherein the layers of different diodes are initially divided as mesa structures.

Claim 43

The electro-optical detector of claim 9 wherein the optical energy to be detected extends over a wavelength band having relatively short and long wavelength and the first and second regions are made of a material and have a thickness such that (a) almost all of the short wavelength radiation of the optical energy incident on the first regions is absorbed either in the first regions and the junctions while the long wavelength radiation of the optical energy penetrates through the first regions and the junctions to the second regions, and (b) a significant number of photons in the optical energy are absorbed in or near the junction and charge carriers resulting from the optical energy incident on the first regions diffuse to the junction without recombining.

Claim 44

The electro-optical detector of claim 35 wherein the second region is substantially thicker than the first region.

Claim 45

The electro-optical detector of claim 16 wherein the optical energy to be detected extends over a wavelength band having relatively short and long wavelengths and the first and second regions are made of a material and have a thickness such that (a) almost all of the short wavelength radiation of the optical energy incident on the first regions is absorbed either in the first regions and the junctions while the long wavelength radiation of the optical energy penetrates through the first regions and the junctions to the second regions, and (b) a significant number of photons in the optical energy are absorbed in or near the junction and charge carriers resulting from the optical energy incident on the first regions diffuse to the junction without recombining.

Claim 46

The electro-optical detector of claim 37 wherein the second region is substantially thicker than the first region.