George A Tanton

Title: George A. Tanton: Innovator in Infrared Polarimetry

Introduction

George A. Tanton is a notable inventor based in Huntsville, Alabama. He has made significant contributions to the field of infrared polarimetry, holding a total of 7 patents. His work focuses on enhancing the sensitivity and accuracy of measurements in semiconductor materials.

Latest Patents

One of Tanton's latest inventions is the high-sensitivity infrared polarimeter. This device measures the degree of rotation of the plane of polarization of plane polarized radiation after it passes through a wafer of cadmium sulfide. The wafer is placed in a small magnetic field that is varied to achieve increased sensitivity. Tanton's design incorporates a chopping wheel to modulate the laser beam, providing a reference frequency. The use of a synchronous detector, such as a lock-in amplifier, allows for high signal-to-noise ratios in the detected signal. This enhanced sensitivity enables the measurement of electronic carrier concentrations as low as 10¹⁵ cm^-3 in cadmium sulfide with magnetic fields as low as 0.1 Tesla.

Another significant patent is a nondestructive, noncontact device designed to characterize semiconductor material. In this invention, a wafer is positioned in a magnetic field, and a computer initializes the light level and electronic gain of each detector preamp linked to a fiber optic connection from the analyzer. The magnetic field direction can be reversed by computer command, resulting in a localized change in the intensity of light passing through the wafer due to Faraday Rotation. The changes in detector output, along with location and wavelength data, can be used to compute a detailed map of the wafer.

Career Highlights

George A. Tanton works for the U.S. Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army. His role involves applying his expertise in infrared polarimetry to advance military and defense technologies. His innovative approaches have led to significant improvements in the characterization of semiconductor materials.

Collaborations

Tanton has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Harry C. Meyer III and John A. Grisham. These partnerships have fostered a collaborative environment that enhances the development of cutting-edge technologies.

Conclusion

George A. Tanton's contributions to the field of infrared polarimetry exemplify the impact of innovative thinking in technology. His patents