Abstract:
A structure for passivating semiconductor material comprises a substrate of crystalline semiconductor material, a relatively thin film of carbon disposed on a surface of the crystalline material, and a layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon deposited on the carbon film.
Abstract:
In a semiconductor device, a thin, synthetic diamond film (i.e. a man made film) enhances the transfer of heat from a semiconductor circuit chip to a cooling medium. The heat generating semiconductor circuit chip is located in efficient thermal transfer engagement with one surface of a synthetically deposited diamond film. The opposite surface of the diamond film forms the bottom wall of a cavity that contains a cooling medium. In one embodiment of the invention, the cavity is formed by depositing the diamond film on the surface of a silicon substrate, and then etching the silicon substrate to form an open-top cavity having side walls that comprise the silicon substrate, and having a bottom wall that comprises the diamond film. In a second embodiment of the invention, the open-top cavity is formed by an apertured silicon preform that is bonded to the diamond film. A capping member closes the top of the cavity. A cooling medium is placed within the cavity. A fluid cooling medium may be circulated through the cavity by the use of an inlet and an outlet that are located in the capping member.
Abstract:
A semiconductor, injection mode light emitting device includes a body of a semiconductor material having a quantum mode region formed of alternating layers of gallium nitride and either indium nitride or aluminum nitride. A region of N-type gallium nitride is on one side of the quantum well region and is adapted to inject electrons into the quantum mode region. A region of P-type gallium phosphide is on the other side of the quantum well region and is adapted to inject holes into the quantum mode region. A barrier region of insulating gallium nitride is between the P-type region and the quantum well region and serves to block the flow of electrons from the quantum well region into the P-type region. Conductive contacts are provided on the N-type region and the P-type region.
Abstract:
A technique for passivating a PN junction adjacent a surface of a semiconductor substrate comprises coating the area of the surface adjacent the PN junction with a layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon containing between about 5 and about 50 atomic percent of hydrogen.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating adjacent electrically conducting and insulating regions in a silicon film is described. A substantially insulating layer of oxygenated, N or P doped, non-single crystalline silicon film is first formed. The film is then selectively laser irradiated so as to form an irradiated portion which is substantially conducting.
Abstract:
A method of passivating a silicon semiconductor device having at least one active component disposed in a crystalline region thereof comprises the steps of bombarding a surface of the crystalline region with ions to convert a part of the region adjacent the surface into an amorphous layer of graded crystallinity, and then exposing the amorphous layer to atomic hydrogen, whereby an integral layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon is formed adjacent the crystalline region.
Abstract:
A number of light sensitive/generating devices are arranged in rows and columns to thereby form an X-Y pixel matrix. All devices are interconnected to a source of operating voltage such that the first device to turn on, i.e., the first device to receive an actuating intensity of light is actuated to thereafter emit light. The current flow through this one activated device causes a voltage drop that prevents any other light sensitive/generating device from turning on. In this way, the pixel that receives the maximum light intensity is identified by its position in the X-Y matrix. Both optical and electrical means are provided to locate the X-Y matrix position of the activated light sensitive/generating device. In an optical embodiment, two orthogonal cylindrical lenses are placed in front of two linear CCDs in order to find the X-Y coordinates of the active light sensitive/generating device. In an electrical embodiment, the X-Y coordinates of the active light sensitive/generating device is electrical read out by reading the current through row/column resistors that are associated with the active light sensitive/generating device. The use of a saw tooth source of operating voltage enables determination of the illumination intensity of the maximum light intensity pixel.
Abstract:
A surface emitting semiconductor laser includes a body of a semiconductor material having a pair of opposed surfaces and a plurality of active regions stacked one on the other between the surfaces. Each of the active regions includes a p-type conductivity layer, an n-type conductivity layer and an active layer therebetween. The active layer can either be intrinsic or a quantum well. The p-type and n-type layers are doped to provide a tunneling junction between the layers of adjacent active regions. The active layers of the active regions are spaced apart a multiple of one-half a wavelength to provide distributed feedback. Contacts are on the surfaces of the body with one of the contacts having an opening therethrough through which a generated light beam can emerge.
Abstract:
A device having high temperature operating characteristics is provided by depositing n-type cubic gallium nitride on n-type cubic silicon carbide to provide an ohmic contact or electrode. High temperature operating characteristics are also provided in a device having a pn heterojunction between a layer of cubic p-type silicon carbide or gallium arsenide and a first layer of cubic n-type gallium nitride. In a power transistor, a second layer of n-type gallium nitride is deposited on the other surface of the silicon carbide or gallium arsenide to form a pn heterojunction. The gallium nitride layer that is connected as an emitter is forward biased to cause electron injection into the silicon carbide or gallium arsenide layer. In a phototransistor device having high temperature operating characteristics, a transparent layer of cubic n-type gallium nitride is deposited on each side of either cubic p-type silicon carbide or gallium arsenide. Small electrodes are connected to the gallium nitride to minimize blockage of radiation. The radiation passes through either or both gallium nitride layers and across the pn junction to generate a potential between the electrodes. Direction-sensing and position-sensing devices having high temperature and high photon energy operating characteristics are also provided using layers of silicon carbide or gallium arsenide, and gallium nitride.
Abstract:
A light emitting device comprises a body of silicon having regions of opposite conductivity type and a region about the p-n junction between the regions of opposite conductivity type which contains lattice defects and excess hydrogen. This device emits light at a wavelength between about 1.2 and about 1.3 micrometers. The method of the invention includes the steps of damaging the region about the p-n junction and hydrogenating the damage region.