Carbon nanotube based light sensor

US7129467B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Russell A. Wincheski · Williamsburg, US
• Jan M. Smits · Monument, US
• Jeffrey D. Jordan · Williamsburg, US
• Anthony Watkins · Hampton, US
• JoAnne L. Ingram · Norfolk, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 10, 2004
• Grant date: Oct 31, 2006
• Expiry date: Sep 29, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S977/954
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A light sensor substrate comprises a base made from a semi-conductive material and topped with a layer of an electrically non-conductive material. A first electrode and a plurality of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based conductors are positioned on the layer of electrically non-conductive material with the CNT-based conductors being distributed in a spaced apart fashion about a periphery of the first electrode. Each CNT-based conductor is coupled on one end thereof to the first electrode and extends away from the first electrode to terminate at a second free end. A second or gate electrode is positioned on the non-conductive material layer and is spaced apart from the second free end of each CNT-based conductor. Coupled to the first and second electrode is a device for detecting electron transfer along the CNT-based conductors resulting from light impinging on the CNT-based conductors.