Patents by Inventor Lothar Strueder

Lothar Strueder has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9159518
    Abstract: The invention concerns a radiation entry window (10) for a radiation detector (2), in particular for a semiconductor drift detector (2), with a flat window element (11), which is at least partially permeable for the radiation to be detected by the radiation detector (2), as well as with a window frame (12), which laterally frames the window element (11), wherein the window frame (12) consists of a semiconductor material and is considerably thicker than the window element (11). (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: PNSensor GMBH, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Heike Soltau, Bianca Schweinfest, Gerhard Lutz, Ladislav Andricek, Lothar Strueder
  • Publication number: 20140008538
    Abstract: The invention concerns a radiation entry window (10) for a radiation detector (2), in particular for a semiconductor drift detector (2), with a flat window element (11), which is at least partially permeable for the radiation to be detected by the radiation detector (2), as well as with a window frame (12), which laterally frames the window element (11), wherein the window frame (12) consists of a semiconductor material and is considerably thicker than the window element (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicants: MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN, E.V., PNSENSOR GMBH
    Inventors: Heike Soltau, Bianca Schweinfest, Gerhard Lutz, Ladislav Andricek, Lothar Strueder
  • Patent number: 8461635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DEPFET transistor (1) for detecting a radio-generated signal charge (2) and for generating an electronic output signal in a manner dependent on the detected signal charge (2) according to a predetermined characteristic curve. The invention provides for the characteristic curve to have a degressive characteristic curve profile in order to combine a high measurement sensitivity in the case of small signal charges (2) with a large measurement range through to large signal charges (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Lothar Strueder, Gerhard Lutz
  • Publication number: 20120097859
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for a semiconductor structure (1), particularly for a detecting element, in a semiconductor detector, particularly in a blocked impurity band detector, comprising the following steps: a) generating free signal charge carriers (2) in the semiconductor detector by impinging radiation, b) collecting the radiation-generated signal charge carriers (2) in a storage area (IG) in the semiconductor structure (1), wherein the storage area (IG) forms a potential well in which the signal charge carriers (2) are captured, c) deleting the signal charge carriers (2) collected in the storage area (IG) in IG that the signal charge carriers (2) are removed from the storage area (IG), d) generating an electric tunnel field in the area of the storage area (IG), so that the signal charge carriers (2) present in the storage area (IG) can tunnel out of the potential well of the storage area (IG) using the tunnel effect, into a conduction band in which the signal charge carriers (2) are f
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissens chaften e.V.
    Inventors: Gerhard Lutz, Lothar Strueder, Valentin Fedl
  • Patent number: 7847230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (1) for detecting low-intensity radiation, especially for detecting individual photons. The radiation detector includes a plurality of rows of image cells (5) with respective pluralities of image cells (5) disposed one after the other and respective signal outputs (6). The radiation to be detected generates signal charge carriers in the individual image cells (5), the charge carriers being transported along the rows of image cells to the respective signal output (6). A plurality of output amplifiers (7) are connected in parallel to one of the signal outputs each of the individual image cell columns and amplify the signal charge carriers. The invention is characterized in that the output amplifiers (7) include respective avalanche amplifiers (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Gerhard Lutz, Lothar Strueder, Peter Holl
  • Patent number: 7838837
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor detector, in particular a pnCCD detector, for radiation detection, including a guard ring (12, 14) and a readout anode (3, 4) arranged inside the guard ring (12, 14) for reading out radiation-generated signal charge carriers (e?), and also including a clearing contact (9) arranged outside the guard ring (12, 14) for removing the collected signal charge carriers (e?) from the readout anode (3, 4). According to the invention, the semiconductor detector furthermore includes a gap (15, 16) in the guard ring (12, 14) and also a controllable gate (17, 18) which is arranged over the gap (15, 16) in the guard ring (12, 14) and makes the gap (15, 16) in the guard ring (12, 14) permeable or impermeable to the signal charge carriers (e?) to be removed, depending on an electrical actuation of the gate (17, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Lothar Strueder, Peter Holl, Gerhard Lutz
  • Publication number: 20100237392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DEPFET transistor (1) for detecting a radio-generated signal charge (2) and for generating an electronic output signal in a manner dependent on the detected signal charge (2) according to a predetermined characteristic curve. The invention provides for the characteristic curve to have a degressive characteristic curve profile in order to combine a high measurement sensitivity in the case of small signal charges (2) with a large measurement range through to large signal charges (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Lothar Strueder, Gerhard Lutz
  • Patent number: 7518203
    Abstract: Semiconductor detector includes semiconductor substrate (HK), source region (S), drain region (D), external gate region (G) and inner gate region (IG) for collecting free charge carriers generated in semiconductor substrate, wherein inner gate region is arranged in semiconductor substrate at least partially under external gate region to control conduction channel (K) from below as a function of the accumulated charge carriers, as well as with clear contact (CL) for the removal of the accumulated charge carriers from inner gate region, as well as with drain-clear region (DCG) that can be selectively controlled as an auxiliary clear contact or as a drain. Barrier contact (B) is arranged in a lateral direction between external gate region and drain-clear region to build up a controllable potential barrier between inner gate region and clear contact that prevents the charge carriers accumulated in inner gate region from being removed by suction from clear contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften
    Inventors: Gerhard Lutz, Rainer Richter, Lothar Strueder
  • Publication number: 20090001274
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor detector, in particular a pnCCD detector, for radiation detection, including a guard ring (12, 14) and a readout anode (3, 4) arranged inside the guard ring (12, 14) for reading out radiation-generated signal charge carriers (e?), and also including a clearing contact (9) arranged outside the guard ring (12, 14) for removing the collected signal charge carriers (e?) from the readout anode (3, 4). According to the invention, the semiconductor detector furthermore includes a gap (15, 16) in the guard ring (12, 14) and also a controllable gate (17, 18) which is arranged over the gap (15, 16) in the guard ring (12, 14) and makes the gap (15, 16) in the guard ring (12, 14) permeable or impermeable to the signal charge carriers (e?) to be removed, depending on an electrical actuation of the gate (17, 18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Lothar STRUEDER, Peter HOLL, Gerhard LUTZ
  • Publication number: 20080191123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (1) for detecting low-intensity radiation, especially for detecting individual photons. The radiation detector includes a plurality of rows of image cells (5) with respective pluralities of image cells (5) disposed one after the other and respective signal outputs (6). The radiation to be detected generates signal charge carriers in the individual image cells (5), the charge carriers being transported along the rows of image cells to the respective signal output (6). A plurality of output amplifiers (7) are connected in parallel to one of the signal outputs each of the individual image cell columns and amplify the signal charge carriers. The invention is characterized in that the output amplifiers (7) include respective avalanche amplifiers (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Gerhard Lutz, Lothar Strueder, Peter Holl
  • Publication number: 20080001180
    Abstract: Semiconductor detector includes semiconductor substrate (HK), source region (S), drain region (D), external gate region (G) and inner gate region (IG) for collecting free charge carriers generated in semiconductor substrate, wherein inner gate region is arranged in semiconductor substrate at least partially under external gate region to control conduction channel (K) from below as a function of the accumulated charge carriers, as well as with clear contact (CL) for the removal of the accumulated charge carriers from inner gate region, as well as with drain-clear region (DCG) that can be selectively controlled as an auxiliary clear contact or as a drain. Barrier contact (B) is arranged in a lateral direction between external gate region and drain-clear region to build up a controllable potential barrier between inner gate region and clear contact that prevents the charge carriers accumulated in inner gate region from being removed by suction from clear contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Gerhard Lutz, Rainer Richter, Lothar Strueder
  • Patent number: 7105827
    Abstract: Described is a semiconductor detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, comprising a semiconductor body (10) of a first conduction type, comprising first and second main surfaces; a group of drift electrodes comprising a second, opposite, conduction type, with said drift electrodes being arranged on the first main surface for generating at least one drift field in the semiconductor body (10); and a counterelectrode arrangement (30) which is arranged on the second main surface, which comprises the second conduction type and which forms a radiation entry window, wherein the counterelectrode arrangement (30) comprises a two-dimensional main electrode (31) and at least one barrier electrode (32) which are electrically insulated from each other, and wherein the barrier electrode (32), of which there is at least one, is connected to a voltage source (50) and is designed such that a blocking voltage is applied to it relative to the semiconductor body (10), with said blocking voltage exce
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Peter Lechner, Gerhard Lutz, Lothar Strueder
  • Publication number: 20040149919
    Abstract: Described is a semiconductor detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation, comprising a semiconductor body (10) of a first conduction type, comprising first and second main surfaces; a group of drift electrodes comprising a second, opposite, conduction type, with said drift electrodes being arranged on the first main surface for generating at least one drift field in the semiconductor body (10); and a counterelectrode arrangement (30) which is arranged on the second main surface, which comprises the second conduction type and which forms a radiation entry window, wherein the counterelectrode arrangement (30) comprises a two-dimensional main electrode (31) and at least one barrier electrode (32) which are electrically insulated from each other, and wherein the barrier electrode (32), of which there is at least one, is connected to a voltage source (50) and is designed such that a blocking voltage is applied to it relative to the semiconductor body (10), with said blocking voltage exce
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Lechner, Gerhard Lutz, Lothar Strueder
  • Patent number: 6249033
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting energy and point of incidence of an ionizing event comprising a semiconductor layer with a first type of conductivity, in which at least one first doped region with the first type of conductivity and a corresponding plurality of second doped regions with a second type of conductivity associated to said at least one first doped region are formed on a first surface of said layer, said at least first doped region and said corresponding plurality of second doped regions defining a respective drift path for charge carriers with the first type of conductivity, and at least one third doped region with the second type of conductivity is formed on a second surface of said layer, and means for biasing said second doped regions and said third doped region which is capable of reversely biasing the junctions between the second doped regions and the semiconductor layer and between the third doped region and the semiconductor layer so as to deplete the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignees: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Andrea Castoldi, Emilio Gatti, Chiara Guazzoni, Antonio Longoni, Pavel Rehak, Lothar Strüder
  • Patent number: 4896201
    Abstract: A semiconductor radiation detector has an at least partially or even completely depleted base region of a first conductivity, to which a bias voltage is applied, and has at least one output or read-out electrode at which a signal is produced by the charge carriers generated by radiation incident on the detector. The read-out or output electrode includes a highly doped region of the first or a second conductivity, onto which an insulating layer and thereupon a conducting electrode layer are applied for outputting the generated or induced signals. The voltage application to the highly doped region of the read-out or output electrode is achieved through a high impedance through the base region of the detector, from at least one electrode of the same conductivity as that of the output or read-out electrode. Thus, it is simply possible to capacitively couple the detector to external circuitry even if these external circuits have a complex structure or arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignees: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm GmbH, Gerhard Lutz, Peter Holl, Lothar Strueder
    Inventors: Josef Kemmer, Gerhard Lutz, Peter Holl, Lothar Strueder