A new concept silicon homojunction infrared sensor

A novel silicon photovoltaic infrared sensor is proposed. It consists of three regions with a homojunction structure that has a flexibility designed barrier height corresponding to the cutoff wavelength. The operation of the sensor is based on infrared absorption and internal photoemission by free-electrons in a conduction band in a degenerated n/sup ++/-type silicon. Results obtained with fabricated sensors have verified the basic operating principle and have shown that the detectable wavelength range extends past 12 mu m.<
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