US5438200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite photodetector substrate and method of forming the same
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1994-08-23
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Granted: 1995-08-01
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Expires: 2014-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A composite photodetector substrate is provided that can survive the expected functional stresses of a photodetector array and also reduce the number of photons that complete crosstalk paths in the radiation transparent substrates of typical prior photodetector arrays. The composite substrate includes a semiconductor substrate whose thickness is less than that required to survive typically expected functional stresses of the array, and a carrier bonded to the substrate to give the composite substrate the required strength. The reduced thickness of the semiconductor substrate increases the crosstalk path length which nonabsorbed photons travel between photodetectors. The increased path length includes a greater number of surface reflections, thus reducing the number of photons that complete the crosstalk path. The number is further increased by using a carrier that absorbs the radiation of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D. Thornton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:17
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A detector array, comprising: a composite substrate that includes; a) a carrier; and b) a semiconductor substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, said substrate carried along said second surface by said carrier; and a plurality of semiconductor photodetectors spaced apart on said semiconductor substrate first surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
A detector array, comprising: a composite substrate that includes; a) a carrier; and b) a semiconductor substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, said substrate carried along said second surface by said carrier; and a plurality of semiconductor photodetectors spaced apart on said semiconductor substrate first surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate has a thickness between said first and second surfaces that is less than 650 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate has a thickness between said first and second surfaces that is less than 200 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises the compound semiconductor CdTe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises the compound semiconductor CdZnTe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said photodetectors and said semiconductor substrate are crystallographically continuous.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The detector array of claim 6, wherein said photodetector comprises a photoconductor formed of the compound semiconductor HgCdTe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises sapphire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector array of claim 7, wherein said carrier has a thickness greater than 300 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate has a thickness between said first and second surfaces that is less than 200 microns and said carrier has a thickness greater than 300 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The detector array of claim 1, further including an adhesive bond between said carrier and said semiconductor substrate second surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said photodetectors are responsive to radiation in a predetermined bandwidth and said carrier absorbs radiation in said predetermined bandwidth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said photodetectors are responsive to radiation in a predetermined bandwidth and further including a material disposed between said semiconductor substrate and said carrier that absorbs radiation in said predetermined bandwidth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The detector array of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor substrate defines a channel extending from said first surface towards said second surface, said channel positioned between at least two of said photodetectors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
A detector array, comprising: a plurality of spaced semiconductor photodetectors responsive to radiation in a predetermined bandwidth; a carrier that absorbs radiation in said predetermined bandwidth; and a substrate having a thickness less than 650 microns and positioned between said photodetectors and said carrier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A detector array, comprising: a plurality of spaced semiconductor photodetectors responsive to radiation in a predetermined bandwidth; a carrier that absorbs radiation in said predetermined bandwidth; and a substrate having a thickness less than 650 microns and positioned between said photodetectors and said carrier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The detector array of claim 15, wherein said semiconductor substrate is substantially transparent to radiation in said predetermined bandwidth.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The detector array of claim 15, further including a material disposed between said semiconductor substrate and said carrier that absorbs radiation in said predetermined bandwidth.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The detector array of claim 15, further including an adhesive bond between said semiconductor substrate and said carrier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The detector array of claim 15, wherein said semiconductor substrate thickness is less than 200 microns.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of making a detector array, comprising the steps of: forming a semiconductor substrate with first and second spaced surfaces and a plurality of crystallographically continuous semiconductor photodetectors disposed along said first surface; temporarily supporting said semiconductor substrate along said first surface; removing material from said second surface to obtain a third surface that is spaced closer to said first surface than was said second surface; permanently bonding a carrier to said third surface to support said semiconductor substrate; and terminating said temporary supporting step.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of making a detector array, comprising the steps of: forming a semiconductor substrate with first and second spaced surfaces and a plurality of crystallographically continuous semiconductor photodetectors disposed along said first surface; temporarily supporting said semiconductor substrate along said first surface; removing material from said second surface to obtain a third surface that is spaced closer to said first surface than was said second surface; permanently bonding a carrier to said third surface to support said semiconductor substrate; and terminating said temporary supporting step.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said supporting step includes the step of removably bonding said semiconductor substrate to a support member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said bonding step includes the step of disposing an adhesive between said semiconductor substrate and said support member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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