Single-element electron-transfer optical detector system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorJeffrey D. Jordan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical detector system includes an electrically resistive screen that is substantially transparent to radiation energy having a wavelength of interest. An electron transfer element (e.g., a low work function photoactive material or a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based element) has a first end and a second end with its first end spaced apart from the screen by an evacuated gap. When radiation energy passes through the screen with a bias voltage being applied thereto, transfer of electrons through the electron transfer element is induced from its first to its second end such that a quantity indicative of the electrons transferred can be detected.
Claims40
An optical detector system, comprising:
- means for supplying electrons, said means for supplying electrons being substantially transparent to radiation energy having a wavelength of interest, said means for supplying also being electrically resistive;
- a voltage source for applying a bias voltage to said means for supplying;
- means for transferring electrons, said means for transferring having a first end and a second end, said means for transferring having said first end thereof spaced apart from said means for supplying electrons by an evacuated gap wherein, when the radiation energy passes through said means for supplying with the bias voltage being applied thereto, transfer of electrons through said means for transferring is induced from said first end to said second end thereof;
- and
- detection means, electrically coupled to said second end of said means for transferring, for detecting a quantity indicative of the electrons transferred through said means for transferring.
An optical detector system, comprising:
- resistance means transparent to radiation energy having a wavelength of interest and being electrically resistive;
- a voltage source for applying a bias voltage to said resistance means;
- a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based element having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end thereof, said CNT-based element being capable of electron transfer therethrough, said CNT-based element positioned with the longitudinal axis approximately perpendicular to said resistance means with said first end thereof spaced apart from said resistance means by an evacuated gap wherein, when the radiation energy passes through said resistance means with the bias voltage being applied thereto, transfer of electrons through said CNT-based element is induced from said first end to said second end thereof;
- and
- detection means, electrically coupled to said second end of said CNT-based element, for detecting a quantity indicative of the electrons transferred through said CNT-based element.
An optical detector system, comprising:
- resistance means transparent to radiation energy having a wavelength of interest and being electrically resistive;
- a voltage source for applying a bias voltage to said resistance means;
- a multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end thereof, said MWCNT positioned with the longitudinal axis approximately perpendicular to said resistance means with said first end thereof spaced apart from said resistance means by a gap;
- evacuation means cooperating with said gap for placing said gap in an evacuated state wherein, when radiation energy passes through said resistance means with the bias voltage being applied thereto, transfer of electrons through said MWCNT is induced from said first end to said second end thereof;
- and
- detection means, electrically coupled to said second end of said MWCNT, for detecting a quantity indicative of the electrons transferred through said MWCNT.
An optical detector system, comprising:
- resistance means transparent to radiation energy having a wavelength of interest and being electrically resistive;
- a voltage source for applying a bias voltage to said resistance means;
- a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end thereof, said SWCNT positioned with the longitudinal axis approximately perpendicular to said resistance means with said first end thereof spaced apart from said resistance means by a gap;
- evacuation means cooperating with said gap for placing said gap in an evacuated state wherein, when radiation energy passes through said resistance means with the bias voltage being applied thereto, transfer of electrons through said SWCNT is induced from said first end to said second end thereof;
- and
- detection means, electrically coupled to said second end of said SWCNT, for detecting a quantity indicative of the electrons transferred through said SWCNT.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.