US5796119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Silicon resonant tunneling
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1993-10-29
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Granted: 1998-08-18
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Expires: 2013-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A resonant tunneling diode (400) made of a silicon quantum well (406) with silicon oxide tunneling barriers (404, 408). The tunneling barriers have openings (430) of size smaller than the electron wave packet spread to insure crystal alignment through the diode without affecting the tunneling barrier height.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan C. Seabaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:21
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D8/00; H10D8/01; H10D8/053; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; B82Y30/00; H10D8/70; H10D8/755
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A resonant tunneling diode, comprising: (a) a first terminal, a second terminal, and a quantum well; and (b) first and second tunneling barriers, said first tunneling barrier separating said quantum well from said first terminal and said second tunneling barrier separating said quantum well from said second terminal, said first tunneling barrier including a region of material having the same bandgap as at least one of said first terminal and said quantum well and which abuts both said quantum well and said first terminal and also including a second region of material having a bandgap larger than at least one of said first terminal and said quantum well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A resonant tunneling diode, comprising: (a) a first terminal, a second terminal, and a quantum well; and (b) first and second tunneling barriers, said first tunneling barrier separating said quantum well from said first terminal and said second tunneling barrier separating said quantum well from said second terminal, said first tunneling barrier including a region of material having the same bandgap as at least one of said first terminal and said quantum well and which abuts both said quantum well and said first terminal and also including a second region of material having a bandgap larger than at least one of said first terminal and said quantum well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The diode of claim 1, wherein: (a) said first terminal, said second terminal, and said quantum well are made of silicon; and (b) said first tunneling barrier and said second tunneling barrier include a compound of silicon and oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diode of claim 1, wherein: (a) said region has a grid pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The diode of claim 2, wherein: (a) said compound is silicon dioxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An integrated circuit, comprising: (a) a silicon-based transistor; and (b) a silicon resonant tunneling diode with tunneling barriers including an amorphous silicon-oxygen compound, said diode coupled to said transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An integrated circuit, comprising: (a) a silicon-based transistor; and (b) a silicon resonant tunneling diode with tunneling barriers including an amorphous silicon-oxygen compound, said diode coupled to said transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The integrated circuit of claim 5, wherein: (a) said tunneling barriers each includes a region of silicon which abuts silicon regions on both sides of one of said tunneling barriers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The integrated circuit of claim 6, wherein: (a) said region of silicon has a grid pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The integrated circuit of claim 5, wherein: (a) said silicon-oxygen compound is silicon dioxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The integrated circuit of claim 5, wherein: (a) said transistor is an insulated gate field effect transistor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |