Infrared-sensitive photocathode
Abstract
A single-crystal, multi-layer device is described incorporating an IR absorbing layer that is compositionally different from the Ga{sub x}Al{sub 1{minus}x}Sb layer which acts as the electron emitter. Many different IR absorbing layers can be envisioned for use in this embodiment, limited only by the ability to grow quality material on a chosen substrate. A non-exclusive list of possible IR absorbing layers would include GaSb, InAs and InAs/Ga{sub w}In{sub y}Al{sub 1{minus}y{minus}w}Sb superlattices. The absorption of the IR photon excites an electron into the conduction band of the IR absorber. An externally applied electric field then transports electrons from the conduction band of the absorber into the conduction band of the Ga{sub x}Al{sub 1{minus}x}Sb, from which they are ejected into vacuum. Because the band alignments of Ga{sub x}Al{sub 1{minus}x}Sb can be made the same as that of GaAs, emitting efficiencies comparable to GaAs photocathodes are obtainable. The present invention provides a photocathode that is responsive to wavelengths within the range of 0.9 {mu}m to at least 10 {mu}m. 9 figures.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Univ. of California (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 35052
- Patent Number(s):
- 5404026
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-004,766
- Assignee:
- Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 4 Apr 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 40 CHEMISTRY; PHOTOCATHODES; DESIGN; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; INFRARED RADIATION; GALLIUM ALLOYS; ALUMINIUM ALLOYS; ANTIMONY ALLOYS; INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS; OPTICAL PROPERTIES; GALLIUM ARSENIDES; PHOTOELECTRIC EMISSION
Citation Formats
Mariella, Jr, R P, and Cooper, G A. Infrared-sensitive photocathode. United States: N. p., 1995.
Web.
Mariella, Jr, R P, & Cooper, G A. Infrared-sensitive photocathode. United States.
Mariella, Jr, R P, and Cooper, G A. Tue .
"Infrared-sensitive photocathode". United States.
@article{osti_35052,
title = {Infrared-sensitive photocathode},
author = {Mariella, Jr, R P and Cooper, G A},
abstractNote = {A single-crystal, multi-layer device is described incorporating an IR absorbing layer that is compositionally different from the Ga{sub x}Al{sub 1{minus}x}Sb layer which acts as the electron emitter. Many different IR absorbing layers can be envisioned for use in this embodiment, limited only by the ability to grow quality material on a chosen substrate. A non-exclusive list of possible IR absorbing layers would include GaSb, InAs and InAs/Ga{sub w}In{sub y}Al{sub 1{minus}y{minus}w}Sb superlattices. The absorption of the IR photon excites an electron into the conduction band of the IR absorber. An externally applied electric field then transports electrons from the conduction band of the absorber into the conduction band of the Ga{sub x}Al{sub 1{minus}x}Sb, from which they are ejected into vacuum. Because the band alignments of Ga{sub x}Al{sub 1{minus}x}Sb can be made the same as that of GaAs, emitting efficiencies comparable to GaAs photocathodes are obtainable. The present invention provides a photocathode that is responsive to wavelengths within the range of 0.9 {mu}m to at least 10 {mu}m. 9 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 1995},
month = {Tue Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 1995}
}