Infrared photoemitting diode having reduced work function
Abstract
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 meidum 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.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6194530
- Application Number:
- ON: DE83010473
- Assignee:
- EDB-83-077844
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING; 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; PHOTODIODES; DESIGN; AFFINITY; AMINES; AMMONIA; COOLING; ELECTRONS; FAR INFRARED RADIATION; LIQUIDS; PHOTOANODES; PHOTOCATHODES; WORK FUNCTIONS; ANODES; CATHODES; ELECTRODES; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; FERMIONS; FLUIDS; FUNCTIONS; HYDRIDES; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; INFRARED RADIATION; LEPTONS; NITROGEN COMPOUNDS; NITROGEN HYDRIDES; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; RADIATIONS; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES; 420800* - Engineering- Electronic Circuits & Devices- (-1989); 440300 - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)
Citation Formats
Hirschfeld, T B. Infrared photoemitting diode having reduced work function. United States: N. p., 1982.
Web.
Hirschfeld, T B. Infrared photoemitting diode having reduced work function. United States.
Hirschfeld, T B. Thu .
"Infrared photoemitting diode having reduced work function". United States.
@article{osti_6194530,
title = {Infrared photoemitting diode having reduced work function},
author = {Hirschfeld, T B},
abstractNote = {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 meidum 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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1982},
month = {5}
}