With Means For Increasing Light Absorption (e.g., Redirection Of Unabsorbed Light) Patents (Class 257/436)
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Patent number: 8119965Abstract: An image sensor able to capture an image with a suitable dynamic range even in a case where a bright/dark difference within an imaging range is large is provided. An image sensor 1 is provided with a substrate 2, a plurality of first photodiodes 5 arranged on the substrate 2 corresponding to a plurality of pixels 3, receiving light incident upon a first principal surface S1, and generating charges in accordance with the amounts of light received, and a plurality of second photodiodes 6 arranged at positions in behind side of the plurality of first photodiodes 5 corresponding to the plurality of pixels 3, receiving light incident upon the first principal surface S1 and passing through at least one of the plurality of first photodiodes 5 and the substrate 2, and generating charges in accordance with amounts of light received.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventor: Katsuhide Setoguchi
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Patent number: 8115097Abstract: Electrical contact to the front side of a photovoltaic cell is provided by an array of conductive through-substrate vias, and optionally, an array of conductive blocks located on the front side of the photovoltaic cell. A dielectric liner provides electrical isolation of each conductive through-substrate via from the semiconductor material of the photovoltaic cell. A dielectric layer on the backside of the photovoltaic cell is patterned to cover a contiguous region including all of the conductive through-substrate vias, while exposing a portion of the backside of the photovoltaic cell. A conductive material layer is deposited on the back surface of the photovoltaic cell, and is patterned to form a first conductive wiring structure that electrically connects the conductive through-substrate vias and a second conductive wiring structure that provides electrical connection to the backside of the photovoltaic cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Supratik Guha, Yves Martin, Naim Moumen, Robert L. Sandstrom, Theodore G. van Kessel
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Publication number: 20120032292Abstract: The instant disclosure describes a photodetector that includes at least one portion of a semiconducting layer formed directly on at least a portion of a reflective layer and to be illuminated with a light beam, at least one pad being formed on the portion of the semiconducting layer opposite the reflective layer portion, wherein the pad and the reflective layer portion are made of a metal or of a negative permittivity material, the optical cavity formed between said at least one reflective layer portion and said at least one pad has a thickness strictly lower than a quarter of the ratio of the light beam wavelength to the optical index of the semiconducting layer, and typically representing about one tenth of said ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Jerome Le Perchec, Yohan Desieres
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Patent number: 8110427Abstract: A stacked-layered thin film solar cell and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The stacked-layered thin film solar cell includes a front electrode layer, a stacked-layered light-absorbing structure, and a back electrode layer. The stacked-layered light-absorbing structure has a p-i-n-type layered structure and consists essentially of I-III-VI compounds, wherein the group III elements at least include indium (In) and aluminum (Al). The p-type layer of the stacked-layered light-absorbing structure is near the front electrode layer while the n-type layer is near the back electrode layer. The Al/In concentration ratio in the p-type layer is higher than that in the n-type layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Nexpower Technology Corp.Inventor: Feng-Chien Hsieh
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Patent number: 8101901Abstract: Method and apparatus for acquiring physical information, method for manufacturing semiconductor device including array of a plurality of unit components for detecting physical quantity distribution, light-receiving device and manufacturing method therefor, and solid-state imaging device and manufacturing method therefore are provided. The method for acquiring physical information uses a device for detecting a physical distribution, the device including a detecting part for detecting an electromagnetic wave and a unit signal generating part for generating a corresponding unit signal on the basis of the quantity of the detected electromagnetic wave.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Atsushi Toda
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Patent number: 8102016Abstract: In a light detector that is a semiconductor integrated circuit, a wiring structure is disposed on a semiconductor substrate along a periphery of a rectangular region that corresponds to a light receiver, and an interlayer insulating film composed of an SOG film is layered over the wiring structure. In this structure, the interlayer insulating film is thicker at a corner than at a center part of the light receiver. In order to increase efficiency of the incidence of light on the light receiver, the planar shape of the open part is formed so that the corners of the rectangle that surrounds the wiring structure are removed when the interlayer insulating film is etched and the open part is formed (i.e., yielding an octagonal shape).Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuya Yamada
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Publication number: 20120008026Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes the following elements. A photoelectric conversion section is arranged in a semiconductor layer having a first surface through which light enters the photoelectric conversion section. A signal circuit section is arranged in a second surface of the semiconductor layer opposite to the first surface. The signal circuit section processes signal charge obtained by photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion section. A reflective layer is arranged on the second surface of the semiconductor layer opposite to the first surface. The reflective layer reflects light transmitted through the photoelectric conversion section back thereto. The reflective layer is composed of a single tungsten layer or a laminate containing a tungsten layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Kentaro Akiyama
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Publication number: 20110309240Abstract: Described herein is a device operable to detect polarized light comprising: a substrate; a first subpixel; a second subpixel adjacent to the first subpixel; a first plurality of features in the first subpixel and a second plurality of features in the second subpixel, wherein the first plurality of features extend essentially perpendicularly from the substrate and extend essentially in parallel in a first direction parallel to the substrate and the second plurality of features extend essentially perpendicularly from the substrate and extend essentially in parallel in a second direction parallel to the substrate; wherein the first direction and the second direction are different; the first plurality of features and the second plurality of features react differently to the polarized light.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: ZENA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Young-June YU, Munib Wober
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Publication number: 20110297984Abstract: A photoelectrical element having a thermal-electrical structure including: a photoelectrical transforming layer, two semiconductor layers formed on the two opposite sides of the photoelectrical transforming layer respectively, an electrically conductive structure formed on at least one of the semiconductor layer, and a thermal-electrical structure formed in the electrically conductive structure, wherein the thermal-electrical structure performs the thermal-electrical transformation to promote current spreading effect, or proceed electrical-thermal transformation to dissipate the heat from the photoelectrical transforming layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventor: Ming-Chi HSU
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Patent number: 8072039Abstract: An energy conversion film and a quantum dot film which contain a quantum dot compound, an energy conversion layer including the quantum dot film, and a solar cell including the energy conversion layer. The films act as cut-off filters blocking light of a particular energy level using the light absorption and emission effects of quantum dots and can convert high energy light to low energy light. The efficiency of a solar cell may be improved by providing the cell with a film that converts light above the spectrum-responsive region to light in the cell's spectrum-responsive region. The absorption wavelength region of the films can be broadened by providing the quantum dot compound in a variety of average particle sizes, for example, by providing a mixture of a first quantum dot compound having a first average particle size and a first quantum dot compound having a second average particle size.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyung-sang Cho, Byung-ki Kim
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Patent number: 8053801Abstract: A photodetector including a photodiode formed in a semiconductor substrate and a waveguide element formed of a block of a high-index material extending above the photodiode in a thick layer of a dielectric superposed to the substrate, the thick layer being at least as a majority formed of silicon oxide and the block being formed of a polymer of the general formula R1R2R3SiOSiR1R2R3 where R1, R2, and R3 are any carbonaceous or metal substituents and where one of R1, R2, or R3 is a carbonaceous substituent having at least four carbon atoms and/or at least one oxygen atom.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: STMicroelectronics SAInventors: Cyril Fellous, Nicolas Hotellier, Christophe Aumont, Francois Roy
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Patent number: 8049239Abstract: Provided are a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. A light emitting device includes an active layer; a first conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer; a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer so that the active layer is disposed between the first and second conductive semiconductor layers; and a photonic crystal structure comprising a first light extraction pattern on the first conductive semiconductor layer having a first period, and second light extraction pattern on the first conductive semiconductor layer having a second period, the first period being greater than ?/n, and the second period being identical to or smaller than ?/n, where n is a refractive index of the first conductive semiconductor layer, and ? is a wavelength of light emitted from the active layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sun Kyung Kim, Jin Wook Lee, Hyun Kyong Cho
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Patent number: 8044476Abstract: A radiation detector comprising a II-VI compound semiconductor substrate that absorbs radiation having a first energy, a II-VI compound semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type provided on a main surface of the II-VI compound semiconductor substrate, a metal layer containing at least one of a group III element and a group V element provided on the II-VI compound semiconductor layer, a IV semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type provided on the metal layer, and a IV semiconductor substrate that absorbs radiation having a second energy different from the first energy provided on the IV semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: National University Corporation Shizuoka UniversityInventors: Yoshinori Hatanaka, Toru Aoki
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Patent number: 8035180Abstract: Provided is an image sensor and method for manufacturing the same. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a photodiode for each unit pixel, an interlayer insulating layer including metal lines on the semiconductor substrate, and an optical refractive part in a region of the interlayer insulating layer corresponding to the photodiode for focusing light on the photodiode. The optical refractive part can be formed by implanting impurities into the interlayer insulating layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seung Ryong Park
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Patent number: 8035181Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a first multilayer reflective layer on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate and including semiconductor layers; a first optically-resonant layer on the first multilayer reflective layer; a second multilayer reflective layer on the first optically-resonant layer and including semiconductor layers; a light absorbing layer on the second multilayer reflective layer; a reflective film on the light absorbing layer; and an antireflective film on a second surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first optically-resonant layer has a larger thickness than the semiconductor layers of the first and second multilayer reflective layers. The combined optical thickness of the layers between the second multilayer reflective layer and the reflective film is not equal to the optical thickness of the first optically-resonant layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Eitaro Ishimura, Masaharu Nakaji
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Publication number: 20110233708Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor light receiving device including: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer laminated on the semiconductor substrate and including an upper surface portion; a reflecting film formed to cover the upper surface portion of the semiconductor layer and including a principal reflecting region and an upper surface; and an upper electrode formed to cover at least one portion of the upper surface of the reflecting film, and including a junction portion extending through the reflecting file to be provided in contact with the upper surface portion of the semiconductor layer, the junction portion of the upper electrode surrounding a portion of a circumference of the principal reflecting region of the reflecting film, the principal reflecting region being connected to a region of the reflecting film located outside the junction portion, in which the semiconductor light receiving device detects light entering from another side of the semiconductor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Ryu WASHINO, Yasushi SAKUMA, Hiroshi HAMADA
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Patent number: 8018012Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes: a photoelectric conversion region formed in an upper part of a semiconductor substrate, for generating charges by photoelectric conversion; a transfer region formed in the upper part of the semiconductor substrate and located on a side of the photoelectric conversion region, for transferring the charges; and a transfer electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate and located above the transfer region. The solid-state image sensor further includes: a first insulating film which covers the photoelectric conversion region and the transfer electrode; an antireflection film which covers the first insulating film; and a first light-shielding film which is formed on the antireflection film and covers at least the transfer electrode. The antireflection film and the first light-shielding film have an opening above the transfer electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Atsuo Nakagawa, Ichiroh Murakami, Masanori Murakami, legal representative
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Patent number: 8013927Abstract: Solid-state image sensors are disclosed that include one or more pixels formed on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel includes a photoelectric converter to convert light to an electric signal, and a microlens above the photoelectric converter. The microlens has a plan profile in which the direct distance from a center to a lens edge is variable. The microlens has first base regions and second base regions not including the first base regions. The first base regions are provided near n positions (n being a natural number) of the lens edge from which the direct distance is relatively long. The vertical height of the first base regions from an upper surface of the photoelectric converter is less than the vertical height of the second base regions from the upper surface of the photoelectric converter.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Toru Takagi
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Patent number: 8012787Abstract: The manufacturing method includes: forming a P-type silicon substrate and a high-concentration N-type diffusion layer, in which an N-type impurity is diffused in a first concentration, on an entire surface at a light-incident surface side; forming an etching resistance film on the high-concentration N-type diffusion layer and forming fine pores at a predetermined position within a recess forming regions on the etching resistance film; forming recesses by etching the silicon substrate around a forming position of the fine pores, so as not to leave the high-concentration N-type diffusion layer within the recess forming region; forming the low-concentration N-type diffusion layer, in which an N-type impurity is diffused in a second concentration that is lower than the first concentration, on a surface on which the recesses are formed; and forming a grid electrode in an electrode forming region at a light-incident surface side of the silicon substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Masato Yonezawa, Kimikazu Hazumi, Akihiro Takami, Hiroaki Morikawa, Kunihiko Nishimura
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Patent number: 8013409Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprises a high-refractive-index portion at a position close to a photoelectric conversion element therein. And, the high-refractive-index portion has first and second horizontal cross-section surfaces. The first cross-section surface is at a position closer to the photoelectric conversion element rather than the second cross-section surface, and is larger than an area of the second cross-section surface, so as to guide an incident light into the photoelectric conversion element without reflection.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masatsugu Itahashi
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Patent number: 8003425Abstract: Protuberances, having vertical and lateral dimensions less than the wavelength range of lights detectable by a photodiode, are formed at an optical interface between two layers having different refractive indices. The protuberances may be formed by employing self-assembling block copolymers that form an array of sublithographic features of a first polymeric block component within a matrix of a second polymeric block component. The pattern of the polymeric block component is transferred into a first optical layer to form an array of nanoscale protuberances. Alternately, conventional lithography may be employed to form protuberances having dimensions less than the wavelength of light. A second optical layer is formed directly on the protuberances of the first optical layer. The interface between the first and second optical layers has a graded refractive index, and provides high transmission of light with little reflection.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James W. Adkisson, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Charles F. Musante
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Patent number: 7994601Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor light receiving device that prevents local heat generation, has high-speed, high-sensitivity characteristics even at the time of an intensive light input, and exhibits high resistance to light inputs. The semiconductor light receiving device includes light absorption layers (3, 4) formed on an InP semiconductor substrate (1) wherein a buffer layer (21) containing a quaternary compositional material is formed between the InP semiconductor substrate (1) and the light absorption layers (3, 4).Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Takeshi Nakata
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Patent number: 7994420Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell including an upper electrode, a layer with light scattering and/or reflection properties, and a lower electrode. The layer with light scattering and/or reflection properties is located between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Nils-Peter Harder, Paul Mogensen, Ulf Blieske
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Patent number: 7986021Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device that solves a problem of reflection of a pattern of a wiring formed on a back surface of a semiconductor substrate on an output image. A reflection layer is formed between a light receiving element and a wiring layer, that reflects an infrared ray toward a light receiving element the without transmitting it to the wiring layer, the infrared ray entering from a light transparent substrate toward the wiring layer through a semiconductor substrate. The reflection layer is formed at least in a region under the light receiving element uniformly or only under the light receiving element. Alternatively, an anti-reflection layer having a function of absorbing the entering infrared ray to prevent transmission thereof may be formed instead of the reflection layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Katsuhiko Kitagawa, Takashi Noma, Shigeki Otsuka, Hiroshi Yamada, Shinzo Ishibe, Yuichi Morita, Noboru Okubo, Hiroyuki Shinogi, Mitsuru Okigawa
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Patent number: 7982177Abstract: An array of pixels is formed using a substrate, where each pixel has a substrate having an incident side for receiving incident light, a photosensitive region formed in the substrate, and a reflector having a complex-shaped surface. The reflector is formed in a portion of the substrate that is opposed to the incident side such that light incident on the complex-shaped surface of the reflector is reflected towards the photosensitive region.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hidetoshi Nozaki, Howard E. Rhodes
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Patent number: 7973378Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device that realizes sensitivity improvement while maintaining flare prevention effect even when miniaturization of cell is advanced. The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes: light receiving units formed on a semiconductor substrate; an antireflection film arranged above the semiconductor substrate, except above the light receiving units; and microlenses arranged above the light receiving units, in which the antireflection film is formed at a position equal to or higher than a position of the microlenses.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Sakoh, Yoshiaki Nishi, Yasuo Takeuchi
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Publication number: 20110156194Abstract: This photodetector comprises a doped semiconductor layer; a reflective layer located underneath semiconductor layer; a metallic structure placed on semiconductor layer that forms, with semiconductor layer, a surface plasmon resonator, a plurality of semiconductor zones formed in semiconductor layer and oppositely doped to the doping of the semiconductor layer; and for each semiconductor zone, a conductor that passes through the photodetector from reflective layer to at least semiconductor zone and is electrically insulated from metallic structure, with semiconductor zone associated with corresponding conductor thus determining an elementary detection surface of the photodetector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Olivier Gravrand, Gerard Destefanis, Jérôme Le Perchec
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Publication number: 20110156184Abstract: A method and system for detecting light in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention includes providing at least one imaging sensor that detects a band of wavelengths. At least one layer of undoped quantum dots is optically coupled to the at least one imaging sensor. The at least one layer of undoped quantum dots absorbs at one or more wavelengths outside the band of wavelengths and outputs at least partially in the band of wavelengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: Rochester Institute of TechnologyInventors: Zoran Ninkov, Ross Robinson
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Publication number: 20110149423Abstract: This method for producing a non-plane comprises fitting a flexible component onto a carrier by means of hybridization columns, each column having a first height and including a volume of solder material formed between two surfaces wettable by said solder material added to the flexible component and to the carrier respectively, said wettable surfaces being surrounded by zones non-wettable by the solder material, the wettable surfaces and the volume of solder material being determined as a function of a second height required for the flexible component relative to the carrier at the place where the column is formed, such that the column varies from the first height to the second height when the volume of material is brought to a temperature higher than or equal to its melting point and heating the volumes of solder material of the columns to a temperature higher than or equal to the melting point of said material in order to melt it.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Gilles Lasfargues, Delphine Dumas, Manuel Fendler
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Publication number: 20110147874Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, a current blocking layer is provided between output waveguides carrying light to be sensed by the photodiodes in a balanced photodetector, and the photodiodes themselves. Preferably, the photodiodes are provided above the waveguides and sense light through evanescently coupling with the waveguides. In addition, the current blocking layer may include alternating p and n-type conductivity layers, such that, between adjacent ones of such layers, a reverse biased pn-junction is formed. The pn-junctions, therefore, limit the amount of current flowing from one photodiode of the balanced detector to the other, thereby improving performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: RADHAKRISHNAN L. NAGARAJAN, ANDREW G. DENTAI, SCOTT CORZINE, STEVEN NGUYEN, VIKRANT LAL, Jacco L. Pleumeekers, Peter W. Evans
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Publication number: 20110140224Abstract: A bolometer has a semiconductor membrane having a single-crystalline portion, and spacers so as to keep the semiconductor membrane at a predetermined distance from an underlying substrate. The complementarily doped regions of the single-crystalline portion form a diode and the predetermined distance corresponds to a fourth of an infrared wavelength.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Piotr Kropelnicki, Marco Russ, Holger Vogt
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Patent number: 7960749Abstract: A light-emitting device structure comprises a substrate having a first region and a second region outside the first region, a first conductive type semiconductor layer positioned on the first region, a light-emitting structure positioned on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer positioned on the light-emitting structure, and a wall structure positioned on the second region.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Huga Optotech Inc.Inventor: Shu Hui Lin
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Patent number: 7956347Abstract: A novel package that integrates components for a modulating retro reflector into a single package is disclosed according to various embodiments. According to some embodiments the package is configured to secure a retro reflector, a quantum well modulator and photodiode. In some embodiments, the package may include interconnects to surface mount to a circuit board. Such interconnects may be coupled with the photodiode and/or the quantum well modulator. In some embodiments, the package may be constructed of liquid crystal polymers and/or may include one or more windows.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Cubic CorporationInventors: Mahyar Dadkhah, Tony Maryfield, Thomas Davidson
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Patent number: 7952158Abstract: An elevated photosensor for image sensors and methods of forming the photosensor. The photosensor may have light sensors having indentation features including, but not limited to, v-shaped, u-shaped, or other shaped features. Light sensors having such an indentation feature can redirect incident light that is not absorbed by one portion of the photosensor to another portion of the photosensor for additional absorption. In addition, the elevated photosensors reduce the size of the pixel cells while reducing leakage, image lag, and barrier problems.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Salman Akram
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Publication number: 20110116154Abstract: A device comprising: two mutually immiscible conductive liquids arranged to form an interface therebetween; a plurality of nanoparticles localised at the said interface, the said nanoparticles each having a first region formed of a semiconductor having a first bandgap, the first region being surrounded by a second region having a second bandgap, the second bandgap being larger than the first bandgap; and means for applying an electric field to the said nanoparticles and thus, through the Stark effect, altering the optical absorption or emission characteristics of the nanoparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Michael Edward Flatte, Alexei Kornyshev, Michael Urbakh
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Patent number: 7939840Abstract: A nitride-based light emitting device capable of achieving an enhancement in emission efficiency and an enhancement in reliability is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, and a light extracting layer arranged on the semiconductor layer and made of a material having a refractive index equal to or higher than a reflective index of the semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignees: LG Innotek Co., Ltd., LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyun Kyong Cho, Sun Kyung Kim, Jun Ho Jang
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Patent number: 7923799Abstract: An image sensor may be formed from a planar semiconductor substrate. The image sensor may have an array of pixels. Each pixel may have a photosensitive element that is formed in the substrate and may have a light guide in a dielectric stack that guides light from a microlens and color filter to the photosensitive element. The light guides in pixels that are offset from the center of the image sensor may be tilted so that their longitudinal axes each form a non-zero angle with a vertical axis that lies perpendicular to the planar semiconductor substrate. These light guides may have laterally elongated openings that help collect light. A light guide may have a lower opening that matches the size of an associated photosensitive element. Photosensitive elements that are laterally offset from the center of the image sensor may be tilted. Pixels of different colors may have off-center photosensitive elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventor: Victor Lenchenkov
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Patent number: 7924380Abstract: Disclosed is light-receiving device (1) comprising semiconductor substrate (101), a light-receiving layer arranged on semiconductor substrate (101), and filter layer (103) arranged between semiconductor substrate (101) and the light-receiving layer to absorb light other than reception light. First mesa (11) serving as the light-receiving layer is surrounded by third mesa (13) for absorbing at least light other than reception light. Consequently, even when filter layer (103) is too thin to sufficiently absorb light other than reception light, third mesa (13) absorbs the light, thereby preventing the light from reaching first mesa (11).Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Sawaki Watanabe
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Publication number: 20110073172Abstract: A dye-sensitized semiconductor includes a semiconductor, and a copper(I) coordination compound comprising 2,9-dialkyl-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate, on the semiconductor. The dye-sensitized semiconductor may be used as part of a photoanode in a solar cell, which also contains a counter-electrode, and a conductive medium containing a redox-active mediator, in contact with and separating the photoanode and the counter-electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicants: CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY, AMERICAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Robert J. LeSuer, Kristy L. Mardis, Ali Manesh
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Publication number: 20110073973Abstract: A semiconductor light detecting element includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a distributed Bragg reflector layer of a first conductivity type, an optical absorption layer, and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, sequentially laminated on the semiconductor substrate. The distributed Bragg reflector layer includes first and second alternately laminated semiconductor layers with different band-gap wavelengths, sandwiching the wavelength of detected incident light. The sum of thicknesses a first and a second semiconductor layer is approximately one-half the wavelength of the incident light detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Masaharu Nakaji, Ryota Takemura
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Patent number: 7915068Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making solar cells with sensitized quantum dots in the form of nanometer metal crystals. Firstly, a first substrate is provided. Then, a silicon-based film is grown on a side of the first substrate. A pattern mask process is executed to etch areas of the silicon-based film. Nanometer metal particles are provided on areas of the first substrate exposed from the silicon-based film. A metal electrode is attached to an opposite side of the first substrate. A second substrate is provided. A transparent conductive film is grown on the second substrate. A metal catalytic film is grown on the transparent conductive film. The second substrate, the transparent conductive film and the metal catalytic film together form a laminate. The laminate is inverted and provided on the first substrate. Finally, electrolyte is provided between the first substrate and the metal catalytic film.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Atomic Energy Council—Institute of Nuclear Energy ResearchInventors: Meng-Chu Chen, Shan-Ming Lan, Tsun-Neng Yang, Zhen-Yu Li, Yu-Han Su, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
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Patent number: 7906827Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer, a substrate contact, and a first contact. The arrangement of the substrate contact with respect to a light-receiving section forming a peripheral pixel is shifted, or not shifted, from the arrangement of the substrate contact with respect to a light-receiving section forming a central pixel, by a shift amount r from the peripheral portion toward the central portion. The arrangement of the first contact with respect to the light-receiving section of the peripheral pixel is shifted from the arrangement of the first contact with respect to the light-receiving section of the central pixel, by a shift amount s1 from the peripheral portion toward the central portion. The shift amount s1 is greater than the shift amount r.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Motonari Katsuno, Ryohei Miyagawa, Hirohisa Ohtsuki
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Patent number: 7902540Abstract: A lateral p-i-n photodetector is provided that includes an array of vertical semiconductor nanowires of a first conductivity type that are grown over a semiconductor substrate also of the first conductivity type. Each vertically grown semiconductor nanowires of the first conductivity type is surrounded by a thick epitaxial intrinsic semiconductor film. The gap between the now formed vertically grown semiconductor nanowires-intrinsic semiconductor film columns (comprised of the semiconductor nanowire core surrounded by intrinsic semiconductor film) is then filled by forming an epitaxial semiconductor material of a second conductivity type which is different from the first conductivity type. In a preferred embodiment, the vertically grown semiconductor nanowires of the first conductivity type are n+ silicon nanowires, the intrinsic epitaxial semiconductor layer is comprised of intrinsic epitaxial silicon, and the epitaxial semiconductor material of the second conductivity type is comprised of p+ silicon.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Guy M. Cohen
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Patent number: 7902622Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion section which is provided for each pixel and which converts light incident on a first surface of a substrate into signal charges, a circuit region which reads signal charges accumulated by the photoelectric conversion section, a multilayer film including an insulating film and a wiring film, the multilayer film being disposed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, and a transmission-preventing film disposed at least between the wiring film in the multilayer film and the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masakazu Furukawa, Keiji Mabuchi
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Patent number: 7902623Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion section which is provided for each pixel and which converts light incident on a first surface of a substrate into signal charges, a circuit region which reads signal charges accumulated by the photoelectric conversion section, a multilayer film including an insulating film and a wiring film, the multilayer film being disposed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, and a transmission-preventing film disposed at least between the wiring film in the multilayer film and the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masakazu Furukawa, Keiji Mabuchi
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Patent number: 7898050Abstract: An image sensor and a method for manufacturing the sensor are provided for reducing loss of light reflected from photodiodes, and thus, improving light efficiency. The method of manufacturing an image sensor can include providing a semiconductor substrate having a photodiode; and then forming a reflective film frame on the photodiode, the reflective film frame having sidewalls that are inclined with respect to the uppermost surface of the photodiode; and then forming an opening over the surface of the reflective film frame and corresponding to the photodiode by forming a reflective film on the sidewalls of the reflective film frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dae-Young Kim
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Patent number: 7880255Abstract: A pixel cell having a photosensor within a silicon substrate; and an oxide layer provided over the photosensor, the oxide layer having a grated interface with said silicon substrate, and a method of fabricating the pixel cell having a grated interface.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: William J. Baggenstoss
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Patent number: 7875945Abstract: A photovoltaic device including a rear electrode which may also function as a rear reflector. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the rear electrode includes a metallic based reflective film that is oxidation graded, so as to be more oxided closer to a rear substrate (e.g., glass substrate) supporting the electrode than at a location further from the rear substrate. In other words, the rear electrode is oxidation graded so as to be less oxided closer to a semiconductor absorber of the photovoltaic device than at a location further from the semiconductor absorber in certain example embodiments. In certain example embodiments, the interior surface of the rear substrate may optionally be textured so that the rear electrode deposited thereon is also textured so as to provide desirable electrical and reflective characteristics. In certain example embodiments, the rear electrode may be of or include Mo and/or MoOx, and may be sputter-deposited using a combination of MoOx and Mo sputtering targets.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Willem den Boer, Scott V. Thomsen, Leonard L. Boyer, Jr.
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Patent number: 7873092Abstract: The present invention provides a laser diode realizing improved light detection precision. The laser diode includes a stack structure in which a first semiconductor layer of a first conduction type, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer of a second conduction type are included in this order; a photodetection layer; and a plurality of light absorption layers provided on the corresponding position of antinodes or nodes of standing waves of light output from the active layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yuji Masui, Takahiro Arakida, Yoshinori Yamauchi, Norihiko Yamaguchi, Rintaro Koda, Tomoyuki Oki
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Patent number: 7868406Abstract: A waveguide-integrated photodiode for high bandwidths with a semi-insulating monomode supply waveguide monolithically integrated on a substrate, together with an overlying photodiode mesa structure having an electroconducting n-contact layer, an absorption layer, a p+-contact layer and a metallic p-contact, the refraction index of the n-contact layer being greater than the refraction index of the semi-insulating waveguide layer. Lengthening the n-contact layer by a predetermined length L in the direction of the supply waveguide in relation to the overlying layers correspondingly increases at least one factor of the product of quantum efficiency and bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Heinz-Gunter Bach, Andreas Beling