Infrared photoemitting diode having reduced work function

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:865124

Hirschfeld, Tomas B ^[1]

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1. Livermore, CA

In electro-optical detectors which include as elements a photoemitting photocathode and anode, a photoemitting diode is fabricated which lowers the diode's work function, thus reducing the cooling requirement typically needed for this type of device. The work function is reduced by sandwiching between the photocathode and anode a liquid medium of the formula NR.sub.3 and having an electron affinity for the electrons of the photocathode, which liquid medium permits free electrons leaving the photocathode to remain as stable solvated species in the liquid medium. Thus, highly light-absorbent, and therefore thin, metallic layers can be used for detection, thereby reducing dark current at a given temperature, with a consequent reduction in cooling requirements at constant detector performance.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4464572
• OSTI ID: 865124
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

infrared
photoemitting
diode
reduced
function
electro-optical
detectors
elements
photocathode
anode
fabricated
lowers
reducing
cooling
requirement
typically
type
device
sandwiching
liquid
medium
formula
nr
electron
affinity
electrons
permits
free
leaving
remain
stable
solvated
species
highly
light-absorbent
metallic
layers
detection
dark
current
temperature
consequent
reduction
requirements
constant
detector
performance
optical detector
emitting diode
free electron
electron affinity
liquid medium
metallic layers
optical detectors
metallic layer
dark current
detector performance
photoemitting diode
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