Patents by Inventor Nang T. Tran

Nang T. Tran 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: 5254480
    Abstract: A process for producing an array of solid state radiation detectors includes depositing on a substrate one or more layers of silicon-based materials and then depositing a metal layer overlying silicon-based substance. The metal layer is formed into an array of metal layer regions, and then the metal layer is used as a mask to remove exposed adjacent silicon-based substance layers thereby forming an array of silicon-based substance layers that are aligned with the array of metal layers for forming an array of photosensitive sensing devices. The process of the present invention reduces the number of microlithography steps that are used in forming an array of layered amorphous silicon photosensitive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Nang T. Tran
  • Patent number: 5235195
    Abstract: The present invention provides a large area, high pixel density solid state radiation detector with a real-time and a non-destructive read-out. The solid state detector comprises a plurality of field effect transistors deposited onto a substrate to form an array. A planarization layer is deposited over the array of transistors. An energy sensitive layer is deposited onto the planarization layer. Means is provided for electrically connecting the energy sensitive layer with each transistor of the array. A top electrode layer is deposited onto the energy sensitive layer. The solid state detector also comprises circuitry means for providing electronic read-out from each FET of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nang T. Tran, Neil W. Loeding, David V. Nins, deceased
  • Patent number: 5182624
    Abstract: The present invention provides a large area, high pixel density solid state radiation detector with a real-time and a non-destructive read-out. The solid state detector comprises a plurality of field effect transistors deposited onto a substrate to form an array. A planarization layer is deposited over the array of transistors. An energy sensitive layer is deposited onto the planarization layer. Means is provided for electrically connecting the energy sensitive layer with each transistor of the array. A top electrode layer is deposited onto the energy sensitive layer. The solid state detector also comprises circuitry means for providing electronic read-out from each FET of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nang T. Tran, Neil W. Loeding, David V. Nins
  • Patent number: 5155565
    Abstract: A thin film p-i-n solar cell and Schottky barrier diode are fabricated adjacent one another on a common flexible polyimide substrate. A titanium nitride diffusion barrier prevents contaminants of an aluminum contact layer on the substrate from reacting with the semiconductor body of the solar cell and diode during subsequent fabrication. An n.sup.+ -type hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer overlies the layer of titanium nitride, and forms an ohmic contact with the solar cell and diode. The diode includes an n-type layer of silicon doped with phosphorus to a concentration of 10.sup.18 to 10.sup.20 atoms per cubic centimeter to increase its forward current density. The solar cell and diode are separated from one another by an epoxy strip. A top conducting oxide layer forms a Schottky barrier with the semiconductor body of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Wenz, Nang T. Tran
  • Patent number: 5135581
    Abstract: A light transmissive, electrically conductive oxide is doped with a stabilizing gas such as H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. The oxide is formed by sputtering a light transmissive, electrically conductive oxide precursor onto a substrate at a temperature from 20.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. Sputtering occurs in a gaseous mixture including a sputtering gas and the stabilizing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nang T. Tran, James R. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 4940495
    Abstract: A light transmitting electrically conductive stacked film, useful as a light transmitting electrode, including a first light transmitting electrically conductive layer, having a first optical thickness, a second light transmitting layer, having a second optical thickness different from the optical thickness of the first layer, and an electrically conductive metallic layer interposed between and in initimate contact with the first and second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Nang T. Tran, Frank R. Jeffrey, James R. Gilbert, Frank E. Aspen
  • Patent number: 4623601
    Abstract: A photoconductive device of decreased resistivity is provided by using at least one zinc oxide transparent conductive layer in conjunction with a thin film amorphous silicon photoconductor. The zinc oxide layer can be used as the front contact, the back contact or both the front and back contacts of the photoconductive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Lewis, Robert B. Love, Stephen C. Miller, Yuh-han Shing, John W. Sibert, David P. Tanner, Nang T. Tran