Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Jason Blackstock

David A Fattal

Theodore I Kamins

Philip John Kuekes

Duncan R Stewart

Raymond G Beausoleil

Carrie L Donley

Zhiyong Li

Richard Stanley Williams

Shih-Yuan Wang

Alexandre M Bratkovski

Mihail Sigalas

William M Tong

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus for performing self-aligned, sub-wavelength optical lithography. One embodiment provides a region of photoresist above a conductive surface having a plurality of periodically arrayed openings extending therethrough. At least a portion of the region of photoresist is then exposed to a light, wherein the intensity of the light is less than the intensity required to cure the photoresist. In so doing, at least one self-aligned, sub-wavelength location in at least one location of the region of photoresist is cured.

Self-aligned, sub-wavelength optical lithography

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photodiode module including a structure configured to selectively couple light to a dielectric-surface mode of a photonic crystal of the photodiode module. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode module includes a semiconductor structure having a p-region and an n-region. The photodiode module further includes a photonic crystal having a surface positioned adjacent to the semiconductor structure. A diffraction grating of the photodiode module may be positioned and configured to selectively couple light incident on the diffraction grating to a dielectric-surface mode associated with the surface of the photonic crystal. In another embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode apparatus includes multiple, stacked photodiode modules, each of which is configured to selectively absorb light at a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths.

Photodiode module and apparatus including multiple photodiode modules

A method for forming a photodiode is provided. The method comprises: providing a region of semiconductor material having a first surface and a second surface; coupling a first conductive layer to the first surface of the semiconductor material; and coupling a second conductive surface to the second surface of the semiconductor material to form a photodiode, the second conductive surface comprising a metal surface having a two-dimensional periodic array of openings therethrough, wherein the photodiode is configured to be operated such that light is incident on the second conductive surface. A method for reducing the required thickness of a photodiode is also provided.

Method and apparatus for forming a photodiode

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus for forming a photodiode. One embodiment provides a thin dielectric layer sandwiched between two metallic plates (electrodes), one or both of which are periodically patterned in one or two dimensions. The effect of the pattern is to couple incident light within some range of wavelength and/or incidence angles to surface excitations of the metal surface called surface plasmons, enhancing the electric field near the surface and resulting in dramatically increased photo-absorption and carrier generation in the dielectric layer.

Embodiments of the present invention are related to nanowire-based devices that can be configured and operated as modulators, chemical sensors, and light-detection devices. In one aspect, a nanowire-based device includes a reflective member, a resonant cavity surrounded by at least a portion of the reflective member, and at least one nanowire disposed within the resonant cavity. The nanowire includes at least one active segment selectively disposed along the length of the nanowire to substantially coincide with at least one antinode of light resonating within the cavity. The active segment can be configured to interact with the light resonating within the cavity.

Nanowire-based photonic devices

A method of making a sensor comprises substantially laterally growing at least one nanowire having at least two segments between two electrodes, whereby a junction or connection is formed between the at least two segments; and establishing a sensing material adjacent to the junction or connection, and adjacent to at least a portion of each of the at least two segments, wherein the sensing material has at least two states.

Sensor and method for making the same

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to electric-field-enhancement structures and detection apparatuses that employ such electric-field-enhancement structures. In one aspect of the present invention, an electric-field-enhancement structure includes a substrate having a surface. The substrate is capable of supporting a planar mode having a planar-mode frequency. A plurality of nanofeatures is associated with the surface, and each of nanofeatures exhibits a localized-surface-plasmon mode having a localized-surface-plasmon frequency approximately equal to the planar-mode frequency.

Electric-field-enhancement structure and detection apparatus using same

A sensor includes at least two electrodes, and at least one nanowire extending substantially laterally between the electrodes. The at least one nanowire has at least two segments with a junction or connection formed therebetween. A sensing material changeable between at least two states is positioned adjacent to the junction or connection, and adjacent to at least a portion of each of the segments.

A nanowire device includes a nanowire formed between two surfaces, and a gap formed at a predetermined location in the nanowire.

Nanowire device and method of making the same

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to analyte detection methods and to photonic-based sensors that employ photonic crystal gratings to detect analytes. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic-based sensor includes a source, a photonic crystal, and a photodetector. The source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation. The photonic crystal includes a photonic crystal grating positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation interacts with the photonic crystal grating and an analyte situated on or in the photonic crystal grating to produce a transmission spectrum that characterizes the analyte. The photodetector is positioned to detect the transmission spectrum.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Jason Blackstock