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:
Oct. 02, 2007
Filed:
Feb. 24, 2006
Peter Martin, Haiku, HI (US);
Michael G. Engelman, Pukalani, HI (US);
Calvin Chao, Cupertino, CA (US);
Teu Chiang Hsieh, Fremont, CA (US);
Milan Pender, Kihei, HI (US);
Peter Martin, Haiku, HI (US);
Michael G. Engelman, Pukalani, HI (US);
Calvin Chao, Cupertino, CA (US);
Teu Chiang Hsieh, Fremont, CA (US);
Milan Pender, Kihei, HI (US);
e-Phocus, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A microcrystalline germanium image sensor array. The array includes a number of pixel circuits fabricated in or on a substrate. Each pixel circuit comprises a charge collecting electrode for collecting electrical charges and a readout means for reading out the charges collected by the charge collecting electrode. A photodiode layer of charge generating material located above the pixel circuits convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical charges. This photodiode layer includes microcrystalline germanium and defines at least an n-layer, and i-layer and a p-layer. The sensor array also includes and a surface electrode in the form of a grid or thin transparent layer located above the layer of charge generating material. The sensor is especially useful for imaging in visible and near infrared spectral regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and provides imaging with starlight illumination.