Optical detection device with variable detection threshold
US5140381A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F30/21
Abstract
An optical detection device with a variable detection threshold. The optical detection device comprises at least one element having a heterostructure on a substrate, the heterostructure incorporating two conducting layers and, between the latter, a semiconducting layer forming a potential barrier with each of the conducting layers is provided. Excited electrons are formed when the heterostructure is illuminated by light radiation, whose energy is at least equal to the detection threshold of the heterostructure. This makes it possible to detect the radiation by an internal photoemission of electrons between one conducting layer and the other. The device also comprises variable biasing of the heterostructure, the biasing making it possible to vary the detection spectrum and threshold of the device. The optical detection device finds particular application to the detection of infrared radiation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.