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US5349194A
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Microgap ultra-violet detector
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1993-02-01
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Granted: 1994-09-20
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Expires: 2013-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A microgap ultra-violet detector of photons with wavelengths less than 400 run (4000 Angstroms) which comprises an anode and a cathode separated by a gas-filled gap and having an electric field placed across the gap. Either the anode or the cathode is semi-transparent to UV light. Upon a UV photon striking the cathode an electron is expelled and accelerated across the gap by the electric field causing interactions with other electrons to create an electron avalanche which contacts the anode. The electron avalanche is detected and converted to an output pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig R. Wuest
- 👤 Richard M. Bionta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J47/00; H01J47/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A detector for ultra-violet photons comprising: a cathode composed of material that expels electrons when impinged on by ultra-violet photons; an anode composed of material that collects electrons; one of said cathode and anode being constructed of a layer of material which is semitransparent to ultra-violet photons; said layer of material semitransparent to ultra-violet photons extending over an entire surface of said one of said cathode and anode constructed thereof; a window composed of material transparent to ultra-violet photons; one of said cathode and anode being located adjacent to said window; aid cathode and said anode being located in spaced relation to form a gap therebetween; said gap being filled with a gas; means for applying an electric potential between said anode and said cathode for producing an electrical field in said gap; and means for detecting electron avalanches on said anode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A detector for ultra-violet photons comprising: a cathode composed of material that expels electrons when impinged on by ultra-violet photons; an anode composed of material that collects electrons; one of said cathode and anode being constructed of a layer of material which is semitransparent to ultra-violet photons; said layer of material semitransparent to ultra-violet photons extending over an entire surface of said one of said cathode and anode constructed thereof; a window composed of material transparent to ultra-violet photons; one of said cathode and anode being located adjacent to said window; aid cathode and said anode being located in spaced relation to form a gap therebetween; said gap being filled with a gas; means for applying an electric potential between said anode and said cathode for producing an electrical field in said gap; and means for detecting electron avalanches on said anode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 1, wherein said anode is constructed of material sen-ti-transparent to ultra-violet photons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The detector of claim 2, wherein said anode material is selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver and platinum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The detector of claim 3, wherein said anode material is gold having a thickness of about 200 Å.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The detector of claim 2, wherein said cathode is constructed of material selected from the group of yttrium, cesium iodide, gold, silver and chromium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The detector of claim 5, wherein said cathode is constructed of yttrium having a thickness of about 1000 Å.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The detector of claim 1, wherein said gap has a width of 5 μm to 1 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector of claim 7, wherein said gap has a width of about 100 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The detector of claim 1, wherein said gas has a pressure in the range of 0.1 atm to 2 atm, and is selected from the group consisting of 90% argon/10% methane, argon/isobutane mixtures, and CO 2 /CF 4 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The detector of claim 9, wherein said gas is composed of 90% argon/10% methane at a pressure of 1 atm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The detector of claim 1, wherein said electric field, E, is determined by the electric potential, V, applied between said anode and said cathode divided by the dimension, D, of said gap, namely, E=V/D.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The detector of claim 11, wherein said electric potential, V, is 500 volts and said dimension, D, is 100 microns, whereby said electric field is 5×10 6 volts/meter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector of claim 1, wherein said cathode is constructed of material semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The detector of claim 13, wherein said anode is constructed of opaque metallic material selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, chromium and platinum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The detector of claim 13, wherein said cathode is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of yttrium, cesium iodide, gold, silver and chromium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The detector of claim 15, wherein said cathode is constructed of semi-transparent yttrium having a thickness of 200 Å.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The detector of claim 16, wherein said anode is constructed of gold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector of claim 17, wherein said gold anode has a thickness of 1000 Å.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
A micro-gap ultra-violet detector comprising: a photocathode; an anode; one of said photocathode and said anode being constructed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons; said photocathode and said anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship along all surfaces thereof an forming a gap therebetween; said gap being filled with gas; means for applying an electrical potential between said anode and said photocathode for producing an electric field in said gap; and means for detecting and removing a charge on said anode created by a photon striking said photocathode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
A micro-gap ultra-violet detector comprising: a photocathode; an anode; one of said photocathode and said anode being constructed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons; said photocathode and said anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship along all surfaces thereof an forming a gap therebetween; said gap being filled with gas; means for applying an electrical potential between said anode and said photocathode for producing an electric field in said gap; and means for detecting and removing a charge on said anode created by a photon striking said photocathode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The detector of claim 19, wherein said anode is constructed of semi-transparent material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The detector of claim 19, wherein said photocathode is constructed of semi-transparent material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
A micro-gap detector for detecting photons with wavelengths less than 400 nm, comprising: a housing having an opening therein; a photocathode and an anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship at all points thereon, and located in said opening of said housing and forming a gap therebetween; one of said coplanar photocathode and anode being composed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons; said gap being filled with a gas; means for producing an electric filed in said gap; and means for detecting and removing electrons collected on said anode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
91 words
A micro-gap detector for detecting photons with wavelengths less than 400 nm, comprising: a housing having an opening therein; a photocathode and an anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship at all points thereon, and located in said opening of said housing and forming a gap therebetween; one of said coplanar photocathode and anode being composed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons; said gap being filled with a gas; means for producing an electric filed in said gap; and means for detecting and removing electrons collected on said anode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
137 words
A micro-gap detector for detecting photons with wavelengths less than 400 nm, comprising: a housing having an opening therein; a photocathode and an anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship, and located in said opening of said housing and forming a gap therebetween; one of said coplanar photocathode and anode being composed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons; said gap being filled with a gas; means for producing an electric field in said gap; and means for detecting and removing electron collected on said anode; each of said photocathode and said anode being configured to have a width and length, said photocathode having a width dependent upon the configuration of the anode, and said anode being configured in differing widths when selected from the group consisting of a continuous plane, and a plurality of sections.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
137 words
A micro-gap detector for detecting photons with wavelengths less than 400 nm, comprising: a housing having an opening therein; a photocathode and an anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship, and located in said opening of said housing and forming a gap therebetween; one of said coplanar photocathode and anode being composed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons; said gap being filled with a gas; means for producing an electric field in said gap; and means for detecting and removing electron collected on said anode; each of said photocathode and said anode being configured to have a width and length, said photocathode having a width dependent upon the configuration of the anode, and said anode being configured in differing widths when selected from the group consisting of a continuous plane, and a plurality of sections.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |