Electromagnetic radiation detectors

US4614957A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Honeywell Limited · US

Inventors

• David K. Arch · Edina, US
• M. Walter Scott · Minnetonka, US
• Darryl L. Smith · Edina, US
• Leonard R Weisberg · Minneapolis, US
• R. Andrew Wood · Bloomington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 1984
• Grant date: Sep 30, 1986
• Expiry date: Dec 4, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/544
• WIPO field: Semiconductors
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An improved electromagnetic radiation-sensitive semiconductor device together with a method of making same is disclosed in which surface regions directly beneath the active portion of the electrical contacts are provided with a layer of semiconductor material having a higher bandgap than the radiation sensitive material which repels minority carriers but allows the passage of majority carriers. Because the rate of annihilation of minority carriers at the contact to which they are attracted is reduced, the responsivity of the detector is greatly enhanced.