US 6,476,423 B2 · Optical detector

Abstract

Optical detectors used for remote controls must be able to function over long distances and under various environmental conditions. They must therefore have a high sensitivity, which means they also respond to electrical and magnetic inference fields. The present optical detector avoids the need of being packed in an assembly, which has an additional internal metal shield for protection against electromagnetic interference. In this optical detector, the surface is coated with polysilicon, except for the top-lying cathode contact. Furthermore, a thick oxide layer is arranged between the substrate and the polysilicon coating, which is contacted to a highly p+-doped region of the substrate. Such optical detectors, which are not subject to electromagnetic interference, are primarily required for remote controls.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A semiconductor optical detector, comprising:

a p-type doped substrate;
an n-type doped active region, in which incident optical radiation is converted into an electrical current, and which is arranged on or embedded in said substrate;
a coating layer of an electrically conductive and optically transparent material arranged over said n-type doped active region;
and
an insulating layer arranged between said coating layer and said n-type doped active region;
wherein said coating layer is directly physically and electrically contacted onto a portion of said p-type doped substrate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical detector

Life of this patent

Optical detector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16