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:
Sep. 24, 1991
Filed:
Feb. 27, 1989
Aram Tanielian, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
W Edward Naugler, Jr, Seal Beach, CA (US);
Revtek Inc., Torrance, CA (US);
Abstract
A plurality of semi-conductor diodes disposed in an array may be constructed to emit light when subjected to a particular voltage. This voltage reversely biases the semi-conductor diodes to break down the semi-conductor diodes and to provide for the emission of light upon breakdown. The breakdown occurs at the junction between a pair of electrodes in each semi-conductor diode. One of the electrodes may be an n electrode and the other electrode may be a p electrode. To break down the diode, a positive voltage (e.g. 3-5 volts) may be applied to the n electrode and a ground voltage may be applied to the p electrode. The diodes are so small that an array of 1024.times.1024 diodes can be disposed in a space approximately 0.4' square to act as pixels. The diodes may be scanned, as in a raster scan, preferably on a repetitive basis. During such scan, individual ones of the diodes receive the breakdown voltage in representation of a visual image to provide a visual display of the image in the pixels defined by the diodes. The emitted light for each pixel is visible at the junction between the p electrode and the n electrode in the diode representing such pixel. The n electrode may be shaped, as in a tear drop, to facilitate the production of the light at such junction, which may be at the pointed end of the tear drop. The light may be formed by the emission of photons when electrons are momentarily trapped in an oxide layer above the junction and then fall back to ground.