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US5831294A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Quantum box structure and carrier conductivity modulating device

Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1997-01-16
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2017-01-16
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Abstract

Abstract A quantum box structure and a carrier conductivity modulating quantum device are disclosed. The quantum box structure comprises a quantum boxes array including a plurality of quantum boxes arranged adjacent to each other on a common plane. Each quantum box is asymmetric in a direction orthogonal to the plane in one of composition of materials constituting the quantum box and geometry of the quantum box. The carrier conductivity modulating quantum device comprises a plurality of regions including quantum boxes arrays including a plurality of quantum boxes arranged on a common plane. Each regions exhibits at least one of a metal phase and an insulator phase. Each quantum box is asymmetric in a direction orthogonal to the plane at least in one of composition of materials constituting the quantum box and geometry of the quantum box.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ryuichi Ugajin

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 23:46
CPC Classifications
B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; H; H10; H10D; H10D62/00; H10D62/80; H10D62/81; H10D62/812; H10D62/814; H10D62/815; H10D62/8181

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 40 words
A quantum box structure comprising a plurality of quantum boxes having a side substantially on a common plane, each said quantum box being asymmetric in a direction orthogonal to said plane in a composition of materials constituting said quantum box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 40 words
A quantum box structure comprising a plurality of quantum boxes having a side substantially on a common plane, each said quantum box being asymmetric in a direction orthogonal to said plane in a composition of materials constituting said quantum box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 1 wherein barrier heights for quantum confinement of said quantum boxes vary in said direction orthogonal to said plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 1 wherein respective said quantum boxes are surrounded by a barrier layer, said quantum boxes and said barrier layer being made by a heterojunction of compound semiconductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 3 wherein barrier heights for quantum confinement of said quantum boxes vary in said direction orthogonal to said plane with changes in mixture ratio of said compound semiconductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 4 wherein said barrier heights vary monotonously in said direction orthogonal to said plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 30 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 1 wherein electric conductivity in said quantum boxes is modulated by applying an external electric field in said direction orthogonal to said plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 6 wherein an electrode for applying said external electric field is provided adjacent to said quantum boxes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 6 wherein said quantum boxes exhibit an insulator phase.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
The quantum box structure according to claim 6 wherein said quantum boxes exhibit a metal phase.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4912531A Cited
US4942437A Cited
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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) 2001-11-02 2002-05-04 2002-11-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-11-02 2006-05-04 2006-11-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-11-02 2010-05-04 2010-11-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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