Apparatus comprising refractive means for elections

US5051791A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Bell Laboratories · US

Inventors

• Kirk W. Baldwin · New Providence, US
• Loren N. Pfeiffer · Morristown, US
• Joseph S. Spector · High Bridge, US
• Horst L. Stormer · Summit, US
• Kenneth William West · Morristown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 12, 1990
• Grant date: Sep 24, 1991
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10D30/475

Abstract

The disclosed novel solid state electronic devices comprise a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), emission means of ballistic 2DEG electrons, collection means of 2DEG electrons, and control means disposed between the emissions means and the collection means such that ballistic 2DEG electrons that travel from the emission means to the collections means pass through a portion of the device that underlies the control means. By means of the control means the electron density in the portion of the device can be changed, whereby the path of ballistic 2DEG electrons can be affected, in a manner analogous to refraction in optics. This "electron refraction" makes possible a variety of devices, e.g., switches and logic elements.