Photodetector having high speed and sensitivity
Patent
·
OSTI ID:5321645
The present invention provides a photodetector having an advantageous combination of sensitivity and speed; it has a high sensitivity while retaining high speed. In a preferred embodiment, visible light is detected, but in some embodiments, x-rays can be detected, and in other embodiments infrared can be detected. The present invention comprises a photodetector having an active layer, and a recombination layer. The active layer has a surface exposed to light to be detected, and comprises a semiconductor, having a bandgap graded so that carriers formed due to interaction of the active layer with the incident radiation tend to be swept away from the exposed surface. The graded semiconductor material in the active layer preferably comprises Al{sub 1{minus}x}Ga{sub x}As. An additional sub-layer of graded In{sub 1-y}Ga{sub y}As may be included between the Al{sub 1{minus}x}Ga{sub x}As layer and the recombination layer. The recombination layer is positioned adjacent to the active layer so that carriers from the active layer tend to be swept into the recombination layer.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 5051804
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-444339
- OSTI ID:
- 5321645
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360606 -- Other Materials-- Physical Properties-- (1992-)
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400500 -- Photochemistry
440600* -- Optical Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ALUMINIUM ARSENIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
GRADED BAND GAPS
INFRARED RADIATION
LAYERS
MATERIALS
PHOTOCONDUCTIVE CELLS
PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY
PHOTODETECTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SENSITIVITY
WAVELENGTHS
360606 -- Other Materials-- Physical Properties-- (1992-)
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400500 -- Photochemistry
440600* -- Optical Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ALUMINIUM ARSENIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
GRADED BAND GAPS
INFRARED RADIATION
LAYERS
MATERIALS
PHOTOCONDUCTIVE CELLS
PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY
PHOTODETECTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SENSITIVITY
WAVELENGTHS