Method and apparatus for a photodetector responsive over a selectable wavelength range

Abstract

Photodetectors are constructed with ternary semiconductor alloys, for which the band gap varies with composition, to fabricate a photodetector and optical filter combination. The detectors are part of a measuring system that measures, stores and displays UV intensity versus time, peak intensity, total UV energy and temperature. It simultaneously measures a plurality of different UV ranges and temperatures. The output of the sensing system is converted to digital form and displayed on a visually perceptible device. Preferably total UV dosage and peak intensity are displayed for each monitored UV band, together with the maximum temperature. By manufacturing the photodetectors and filters with a ternary semiconductor alloy, sensors can be constructed which have a photoresponse to light in a narrow wavelength band and are blind to light outside of the wavelength band. Each sensor includes a filter and photodetector section, each of which includes ternary semiconductor alloys (i.e., both the filter and photodetector are fabricated at least in part with ternary semiconductor alloys).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.