Patents by Inventor Katherine A. Sheets

Katherine A. Sheets 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).

  • Photoconductive semiconductor switch assembly utilizing a resonant cavity
    Patent number: 11552203
    Abstract: A PCSS comprises a photoconductive semiconductor block that exhibits electrically-conductive behavior when exposed to light of a predetermined wavelength; two or more electrodes fixed to the photoconductive semiconductor block and connectable to a power supply; a resonance cavity enveloping the photoconductive semiconductor block, the resonance cavity having a reflective outer surface to trap light within the resonance cavity and the photoconductive semiconductor block, the resonance cavity having a window through the reflective outer surface to admit light of the predetermined wavelength, the resonance cavity being transmissive to light of the predetermined wavelength within the reflective outer surface; and a light source directed toward the photoconductive semiconductor block and through the window, and emitting light at the predetermined wavelength. The photoconductive semiconductor block may include Si, GaAs, GaN, AlN, SiC, and/or Ga2O3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Joseph D. Teague, Katherine A. Sheets
  • PHOTOCONDUCTIVE SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCH ASSEMBLY UTILIZING A RESONANT CAVITY
    Publication number: 20220209028
    Abstract: A PCSS comprises a photoconductive semiconductor block that exhibits electrically-conductive behavior when exposed to light of a predetermined wavelength; two or more electrodes fixed to the photoconductive semiconductor block and connectable to a power supply; a resonance cavity enveloping the photoconductive semiconductor block, the resonance cavity having a reflective outer surface to trap light within the resonance cavity and the photoconductive semiconductor block, the resonance cavity having a window through the reflective outer surface to admit light of the predetermined wavelength, the resonance cavity being transmissive to light of the predetermined wavelength within the reflective outer surface; and a light source directed toward the photoconductive semiconductor block and through the window, and emitting light at the predetermined wavelength. The photoconductive semiconductor block may include Si, GaAs, GaN, AlN, SiC, and/or Ga2O3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph D. Teague, Katherine A. Sheets