Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Lavelle

Christopher M. Lavelle 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: 11520066
    Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector includes a first common semiconductor substrate and a first plurality of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) microcell structures disposed at a top face of the first common semiconductor substrate. Each SPAD microcell structure includes a first semiconductor junction that is reverse-biased beyond a first breakdown threshold. The ionizing radiation detector may also include common anode and cathode connections to each of the SPAD microcell structures that operate as an output. The ionizing radiation detector may also include control circuitry connected to the SPAD microcell structures. The control circuitry may be configured to control biasing of the SPAD microcell structures and measure electrical characteristics of a signal provided on the output. Charge drift within the first common semiconductor substrate need not be inhibited from exciting more than one of the SPAD microcell structures of the first plurality of SPAD microcell structures by isolation barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Christopher M. Lavelle
  • Publication number: 20220035057
    Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector includes a first common semiconductor substrate and a first plurality of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) microcell structures disposed at a top face of the first common semiconductor substrate. Each SPAD microcell structure includes a first semiconductor junction that is reverse-biased beyond a first breakdown threshold. The ionizing radiation detector may also include common anode and cathode connections to each of the SPAD microcell structures that operate as an output. The ionizing radiation detector may also include control circuitry connected to the SPAD microcell structures. The control circuitry may be configured to control biasing of the SPAD microcell structures and measure electrical characteristics of a signal provided on the output. Charge drift within the first common semiconductor substrate need not be inhibited from exciting more than one of the SPAD microcell structures of the first plurality of SPAD microcell structures by isolation barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher M. Lavelle