Back to results
US 4,058,729 AGranted
Pyroelectric apparatus including effectively intrinsic semiconductor for converting radiant energy into electric energy
OwnerArden Sherinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerArden Sherinventor
Estimating the term…
Radiant energy is converted into electric energy by irradiating a capacitor including a layer of an intrinsic or lightly doped semiconductor, having opposite faces on which first and second insulating layers are respectively provided. First and second metallic contacts are respectively provided on the first and second insulating layers. The radiant energy cyclically heats the dielectric to cause cyclic changes in the capacitance and resistance of the capacitor. The capacitor is initially charged to a voltage just below the breakdown voltage of the insulating and semiconductor layers by temporarily connecting it across a D.C. source to cause a current to flow through a charging resistor to the capacitor. The device can be utilized as a radiant energy detector, as well as a solar energy cell.
A device for converting radiant energy into electric energy comprising a capacitor responsive to the radiant energy, said capacitor comprising a layer of an intrinsic semiconductor, first and second insulating layers on the semiconductor layer, first and second metallic contacts respectively on the first and second insulating layers, said contacts, semiconductor layer and insulating layers being such that no junction barrier exists between the contacts;
A device for converting radiant energy into electric energy comprising a capacitor responsive to the radiant energy, said capacitor comprising a layer of an intrinsic semiconductor, an insulating layer on the semiconductor layer, a pair of contacts for said capacitor, said contacts, insulating layer and semiconductor layer being such that no junction barrier layer exists between the contacts;
A device for converting radiant energy into electric energy comprising a capacitor responsive to the radiant energy, said capacitor comprising a layer of an effectively intrinsic semiconductor, first and second insulating layers on the semiconductor layer, first and second metallic contacts respectively on the first and second insulating layers, said contacts, semiconductor layer and insulating layers being such that no junction barrier exists between the contacts;
A device for converting radiant energy into electric energy comprising a capacitor responsive to the radiant energy, said capacitor comprising a layer of an effectively intrinsic semiconductor, an insulating layer on the semiconductor layer, a pair of contacts for said capacitor, said contacts, insulating layer and semiconductor layer being such that no junction barrier layer exists between the contacts;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.