Microgap ultra-violet detector
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsCraig R. Wuest, Richard M. Bionta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microgap ultra-violet detector of photons with wavelengths less than 400 run (4000 Angstroms) which comprises an anode and a cathode separated by a gas-filled gap and having an electric field placed across the gap. Either the anode or the cathode is semi-transparent to UV light. Upon a UV photon striking the cathode an electron is expelled and accelerated across the gap by the electric field causing interactions with other electrons to create an electron avalanche which contacts the anode. The electron avalanche is detected and converted to an output pulse.
Claims23
A detector for ultra-violet photons comprising:
- a cathode composed of material that expels electrons when impinged on by ultra-violet photons;
- an anode composed of material that collects electrons;
- one of said cathode and anode being constructed of a layer of material which is semitransparent to ultra-violet photons;
- said layer of material semitransparent to ultra-violet photons extending over an entire surface of said one of said cathode and anode constructed thereof;
- a window composed of material transparent to ultra-violet photons;
- one of said cathode and anode being located adjacent to said window;
- aid cathode and said anode being located in spaced relation to form a gap therebetween;
- said gap being filled with a gas;
- means for applying an electric potential between said anode and said cathode for producing an electrical field in said gap;
- and
- means for detecting electron avalanches on said anode.
A micro-gap ultra-violet detector comprising:
- a photocathode;
- an anode;
- one of said photocathode and said anode being constructed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons;
- said photocathode and said anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship along all surfaces thereof an forming a gap therebetween;
- said gap being filled with gas;
- means for applying an electrical potential between said anode and said photocathode for producing an electric field in said gap;
- and
- means for detecting and removing a charge on said anode created by a photon striking said photocathode.
A micro-gap detector for detecting photons with wavelengths less than 400 nm, comprising:
- a housing having an opening therein;
- a photocathode and an anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship at all points thereon, and located in said opening of said housing and forming a gap therebetween;
- one of said coplanar photocathode and anode being composed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons;
- said gap being filled with a gas;
- means for producing an electric filed in said gap;
- and
- means for detecting and removing electrons collected on said anode.
A micro-gap detector for detecting photons with wavelengths less than 400 nm, comprising:
- a housing having an opening therein;
- a photocathode and an anode being located in coplanar spaced relationship, and located in said opening of said housing and forming a gap therebetween;
- one of said coplanar photocathode and anode being composed of material which is semi-transparent to ultra-violet photons;
- said gap being filled with a gas;
- means for producing an electric field in said gap;
- and
- means for detecting and removing electron collected on said anode;
- each of said photocathode and said anode being configured to have a width and length, said photocathode having a width dependent upon the configuration of the anode, and said anode being configured in differing widths when selected from the group consisting of a continuous plane, and a plurality of sections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.