Electromagnetic radiation detectors

Patent · Tue Sep 30 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5048977

Arch, D K; Scott, M W; Smith, D L; Weisberg, L R

A photoconductive semiconductor device is described comprising: a substrate; a first layer of electromagnetic radiation sensitive semiconductor material of a given conductivity type and having a first energy bandgap on the substrate; a first region of a second layer of semiconductor material of the same conductivity type as the first layer of semiconductor material, but having a second energy bandgap greater than the first bandgap, and in electrical contact with the first layer; and a first ohmic contact means on and in electrical communication with the region of the second layer of semiconductor material and adapted to be connected to a first conductor of an external source of electrical voltage in a manner such that the ohmic contact will attract minority carriers; a second ohmic contact means on and in electrical communication with either the first or the second layer of semiconductor material and adapted to be connected to a second conductor of the external source of electrical voltage of opposite polarity to the first contact of the external source of electrical voltage; and wherein the first and second ohmic contact means on the semiconductor material are spaced from each other a sufficient distance such that external electromagnetic radiation may be sensed in the space therebetween.

• Assignee: Honeywell, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
• Patent Number(s): US 4614957
• OSTI ID: 5048977
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440101* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
GRADED BAND GAPS
LAYERS
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
SUBSTRATES