The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 03, 1984
Filed:
Nov. 20, 1981
Robert J McIntyre, Pointe-Claire, CA;
Paul P Webb, Beaconsfield, CA;
RCA Inc., Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue, CA;
Abstract
The invention is an APD array having a plurality of p-n junctions. The p-n junctions comprise a plurality of separate regions which extend a distance into a semiconductor body from a surface thereof and have a conductivity type opposed to that of the body. A region of the same conductivity type as that of the body extends a further distance into the body and is composed of sub-regions which overlap one another in the direction parallel to the surface of the body. The elements so formed have a more uniform avalanche gain and, because of the overlap of the sub-regions of first conductivity type, the likelihood of electric breakdown at the surface is reduced and the electrical isolation between the elements is increased. Moreover, because of the proximity of the adjacent elements the likelihood of breakdown at the junction edges is reduced.