Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Lockhead Martin Corp.

Darryl Lyle Smith

R Andrew Wood

M Walter Scott

Jaan Jurisson

David K Arch

Leonard R Weisberg

An electromagnetic radiation detector system is disclosed which includes a detector of semiconductor material in the form of a superlattice having a plurality of layers of a first conductivity type spaced by alternate layers of a second conductivity type forming a layered structure having distinct natural energy band gap responsive to a narrow band of electromagnetic wavelengths, but which can be tuned by physical or electromagnetic devices to alter the band of wavelengths to which the detector responds. The system includes electrodes connecting the sensor to an output device.

Superlattice tunable detector system

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.

Electromagnetic radiation detectors

Growing community of inventors

Edina, MN, United States of America

Darryl Lyle Smith