Optical modulation element, beam steering device, and electronic device

Abstract

To provide a light modulation element, beam steering device having the same, and an electronic device having the beam steering device.SOLUTION: A light modulation element is provided, comprising a first contact layer, a second contact layer, an active layer provided between the first contact layer and the second contact layer, a first contact plug provided between the first contact layer and the active layer, and a second contact plug provided between the second contact layer and the active layer, where the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is less than the width of the active layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical modulation element, a beam steering device including an optical modulation element, and an electronic device including a beam steering device. [Background technology]

[0002] Optical modulators, which alter the transmission / reflection, polarization, phase, intensity, and path of incident light, are utilized in a wide variety of optical devices. Furthermore, various optical modulator structures have been proposed to control these properties of light in a desired manner within optical devices.

[0003] Examples of such devices include liquid crystals with optical anisotropy and MEMS (micro electro-mechanical system) structures that utilize minute mechanical movements of light-blocking / reflecting elements, which are widely used as general optical modulation elements. Due to the characteristics of their driving methods, such optical modulation elements have operating response times of several microseconds or more. There is also a method that uses the OPA (Optical Phased Array) method to modulate the phase of light by utilizing the interference of multiple pixel or waveguide-type light beams. In this case, the pixels or waveguides are electrically and thermally controlled to adjust the phase of the light.

[0004] When using MEMS structures that utilize mechanical motion, the volume of the optical modulation element increases, leading to a higher cost. Furthermore, factors such as vibration limit its applications.

[0005] In the OPA control method, each pixel or waveguide must have a drive pixel, and a drive driver for the pixel drive unit is also required, which makes the circuit and components complex and increases the cost of the process.

[0006] In recent years, there have been attempts to apply metasurfaces to optical modulation elements. These metasurfaces are structures in which values ​​smaller than the wavelength of incident light are applied to their thickness, pattern, or period. For example, optical devices utilizing tunable metasurfaces on semiconductor material substrates with variable optical properties (e.g., refractive index) and multiple quantum well structures are used in a wide range of technological fields, from optical communication to optical sensing. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an optical modulation element that can independently adjust the gain and phase of light.

[0008] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a beam steering device that can independently adjust the gain and phase of light.

[0009] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an electronic device that includes a beam steering device for independently adjusting the gain and phase of light.

[0010] However, the problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those disclosed above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In one aspect, the optical modulation element includes a first contact layer, a second contact layer, an active layer provided between the first contact layer and the second contact layer, a first contact plug provided between the first contact layer and the active layer, and a second contact plug provided between the second contact layer and the active layer, wherein the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is narrower than the width of the active layer.

[0012] The active layer includes a plurality of quantum dot layers stacked along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the first contact layer, and a plurality of well layers respectively provided on the plurality of quantum dot layers. The width of the active layer is smaller than the wavelength of light incident on the active layer, and a light modulation element is provided in which the band gap energy of the plurality of quantum dot layers is smaller than the band gap energy of the plurality of well layers.

[0013] It further includes a first insulating film provided between the first contact layer and the active layer, and a second insulating film provided between the second contact layer and the active layer. The first insulating film may cover the side surface of the first contact plug, and the second insulating film may cover the side surface of the second contact plug.

[0014] The first insulating film and the second insulating film can each have a refractive index lower than that of the first contact plug and the second contact plug.

[0015] It further includes a passivation film provided on the first contact layer. The passivation film may cover the side surfaces of the first contact layer, the first insulating film, the active layer, the second insulating film, and the second contact layer.

[0016] The first insulating film and the second insulating film contain a first oxide, and the passivation film may contain an electrical insulating substance different from the first oxide.

[0017] It further includes a first charge injection layer provided between the active layer and the first contact plug, and a second charge injection layer provided between the active layer and the second contact plug. Each of the first charge injection layer and the second charge injection layer can have a wider width than each of the first contact plug and the second contact plug.

[0018] The first contact layer and the first charge injection layer may contain a first conductivity type of GaAs, the second contact layer and the second charge injection layer may contain a second conductivity type of GaAs different from the first conductivity type, the first contact plug may contain a first conductivity type of AlGaAs, and the second contact plug may contain a second conductivity type of AlGaAs.

[0019] The first contact layer, the first contact plug, and the first charge injection layer contain Si of a first conductivity type, the second contact layer, the second contact plug, and the second charge injection layer contain Si of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, the active layer contains intrinsic Si, and the plurality of quantum dot layers may contain Ge.

[0020] The conductivity type of the first contact layer, the first contact plug, and the first charge injection layer is n-type, the conductivity type of the second contact layer, the second contact plug, and the second charge injection layer is p-type, the active layer is intrinsic, and the width of the first contact layer is wider than the width of the second contact layer.

[0021] The second contact layer may include a p-type electrode. The conductivity type of the first contact layer, the first contact plug, and the first charge injection layer is p-type, the conductivity type of the second contact layer, the second contact plug, and the second charge injection layer is n-type, the active layer is intrinsic, and the width of the first contact layer is wider than the width of the second contact layer.

[0022] The second contact layer may include an n-type electrode.

[0023] Each of the aforementioned quantum dot layers may contain multiple quantum dot patterns.

[0024] Each of the plurality of quantum dot layers further includes a plurality of connecting patterns provided between the plurality of quantum dot patterns, the plurality of quantum dot patterns being connected to one another by the plurality of connecting patterns, and the plurality of connecting patterns may have a thinner thickness than the plurality of quantum dot patterns.

[0025] The active layer further comprises a plurality of barrier layers, and among the plurality of quantum dot layers and the plurality of well layers, adjacent quantum dot layers and well layers may be arranged between a pair of adjacent barrier layers among the plurality of barrier layers.

[0026] The plurality of quantum dot layers may contain intrinsic InAs, the plurality of well layers may contain intrinsic InGaAs, and the plurality of barrier layers may contain intrinsic GaAs.

[0027] The second contact layer includes a high-concentration doping layer and a low-concentration doping layer provided between the high-concentration doping layer and the second contact plug, wherein the high-concentration doping layer and the low-concentration doping layer have the same conductivity type, and the doping concentration of the high-concentration doping layer is higher than the doping concentration of the low-concentration doping layer.

[0028] The first contact layer may further include a substrate provided on the opposite side of the first contact plug, and a reflective layer provided between the substrate and the first contact layer.

[0029] The reflective layer may include a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) comprising a plurality of alternately stacked low-refractive-index layers and a plurality of high-refractive-index layers.

[0030] In other aspects, a beam steering device is provided that includes a first optical modulation element and a second optical modulation element, each of which includes a first contact layer, a plurality of nanostructures provided on the first contact layer, and a plurality of second contact layers provided on the plurality of nanostructures, each of which includes a first contact plug, an active layer provided on the first contact plug, and a second contact plug provided on the active layer, wherein the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is narrower than the width of the active layer.

[0031] A reference voltage may be applied to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element and the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element, a first voltage may be applied to the second contact layer of the first optical modulation element, and a second voltage different from the first voltage may be applied to the second contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

[0032] The first contact layer of the first optical modulation element and the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element may be connected to each other.

[0033] The first optical modulation element further includes a substrate provided on the opposite side of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element, the substrate also extending onto the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

[0034] The first contact layer of the first optical modulation element and the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element may be separated from each other.

[0035] The first optical modulation element further includes a substrate provided on the opposite side of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element, the substrate also extending onto the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

[0036] A reference voltage may be applied to the plurality of second contact layers of the first optical modulation element and the plurality of second contact layers of the second optical modulation element, a first voltage may be applied to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element, and a second voltage different from the first voltage may be applied to the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

[0037] Each of the first and second optical modulation elements further includes electrodes provided on the plurality of second contact layers, the electrodes of which may be electrically connected to the plurality of second contact layers.

[0038] The active layer includes a plurality of quantum dot layers stacked along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the first contact layer, and a plurality of well layers provided on each of the plurality of quantum dot layers, wherein the width of the active layer is smaller than the wavelength of light incident on the nanostructure, and the band gap energy of the plurality of quantum dot layers is smaller than the band gap energy of the plurality of well layers.

[0039] Each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element and the second optical modulation element may further include a first insulating film surrounding the first contact plug and a second insulating film surrounding the second contact plug.

[0040] Each of the first and second optical modulation elements further includes a passivation film provided on the first contact layer, the passivation film may cover the sides of the nanostructure.

[0041] The second optical modulation element further includes a substrate provided on the opposite side of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element, and a reflective layer provided between the substrate and the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element, wherein the substrate and the reflective layer are also extended onto the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

[0042] The reflective layer may include a distributed Bragg reflector comprising a plurality of alternately stacked low-refractive-index layers and a plurality of high-refractive-index layers.

[0043] Each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element and the second optical modulation element further includes a first charge injection layer provided between the active layer and the first contact plug, and a second charge injection layer provided between the active layer and the second contact plug, wherein each of the first charge injection layer and the second charge injection layer may be wider than each of the first contact plug and the second contact plug.

[0044] In other aspects, the present invention provides an electronic device comprising a light source, a beam steering device for adjusting the direction of light incident from the light source so that the light is directed toward an object, a sensor for receiving light reflected from the object, and a processor for analyzing the light received by the sensor, wherein the beam steering device comprises a first optical modulation element and a second optical modulation element, each of the first and second optical modulation elements comprising a first contact layer, a plurality of nanostructures provided on the first contact layer, and a plurality of second contact layers provided on the plurality of nanostructures, each of the plurality of nanostructures comprising a first contact plug, an active layer provided on the first contact plug, and a second contact plug provided on the active layer, wherein the width of at least one of the first and second contact plugs is narrower than the width of the active layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0045] This disclosure can provide an optical modulation element that independently adjusts the gain and phase of light.

[0046] This disclosure can provide a beam steering device that independently adjusts the gain and phase of light.

[0047] This disclosure can provide an electronic device including a beam steering device for independently adjusting the gain and phase of light.

[0048] However, the effects of the invention are not limited to those disclosed above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0049] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of an optical modulation element according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of an active layer. [Figure 3] This diagram shows another example of an active layer. [Figure 4] This diagram shows yet another example of an active layer. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a graph showing the characteristics of the optical modulation element. [Figure 6] This diagram shows a simplified illustration of the process by which density inversion occurs in the optical modulation element in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This diagram shows a simplified representation of the process by which stimulated emission occurs in the optical modulation element shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a simplified representation of the process by which the refractive index changes in the optical modulation element in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manufacturing method of the optical modulation element described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manufacturing method of the optical modulation element described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manufacturing method of the optical modulation element described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manufacturing method of the optical modulation element described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view of a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device including a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device including a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view of an optical modulation element according to another exemplary embodiment. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device including a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 18] This block diagram shows a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0050] The embodiments described below will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described below are merely illustrative, and various modifications are possible from them. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same components, and the size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.

[0051] In the following, "top" or "above" refers not only to things immediately above, below, left, and right upon contact, but also to things above, below, left, and right without direct contact.

[0052] A singular expression includes multiple expressions unless explicitly stated otherwise in the context. Furthermore, when a part "includes" a component, it does not exclude other components, unless otherwise specified.

[0053] The use of the term "the foregoing," and similar demonstrative terms, applies to both singular and plural forms.

[0054] In this specification, when light is deflected in one direction, it means that the direction of light propagation newly has a component in that one direction, or has further such a component. For example, when light traveling in a first direction is deflected in a second direction, the light travels in a direction that is a combination of the first and second directions.

[0055] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an optical modulation element according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0056] Referring to Figure 1, the optical modulation element 10 includes a first contact layer 100, a second contact layer 500, a nanostructure ST, a passivation film 110, and an electrode 600. The first contact layer 100 may include a semiconductor material, such as a group IV semiconductor material (e.g., Si) or a compound semiconductor material (e.g., GaAs). The first contact layer 100 has a first conductivity type, and the doping concentration of the first contact layer 100 is about 2 × 10⁻¹⁶. 18 cm -3 But so.

[0057] The nanostructure ST is provided on the first contact layer 100, and the width of the nanostructure ST is narrower than the width of the first contact layer 100. The width of the nanostructure ST can be measured along a direction parallel to the upper surface 100u of the first contact layer 100 and is smaller than the wavelength of the incident light IL incident on the optical modulation element 10. For example, the width of the nanostructure ST is also about 600 nanometers (nm) or less. The nanostructure ST includes a first insulating film 210, a first contact plug 220, a first charge injection layer 230, an active layer 300, a second charge injection layer 410, a second insulating film 420, and a second contact plug 430.

[0058] The first insulating film 210 is provided on the first contact layer 100. The first insulating film 210 is an electrical insulating material, for example, an oxide (e.g., SiO₂). x or AlO x ) may include. The first insulating film 210 may have a lower refractive index than the first contact layer 100, the first contact plug 220, and the first charge injection layer 230. The first insulating film 210 may include a first hole 210h that penetrates the first insulating film 210 and exposes the first contact layer 100.

[0059] The first contact plug 220 is provided within the first hole 210h and can fill the first hole 210h. As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the first contact plug 220 is narrower than the width of the active layer 300. The first contact plug 220 can be electrically connected to the first contact layer 100. For example, the first contact plug 220 can penetrate through the first insulating film 210 and directly contact the first contact layer 100. The first contact plug 220 may include a semiconductor material, for example, a group 4 semiconductor material (e.g., Si) or a compound semiconductor material (e.g., Al x Ga 1-x As). If the first contact plug 220 contains Al x Ga 1-x As, x may also be from 0.8 to 0.98. As an example, in GaAs in which Ga and As are contained in a ratio of 1:1, 80 at% to 98 at% of Ga is replaced by Al, and Al x Ga 1-x As is generated. The first contact plug 220 has a first conductivity type, and the doping concentration of the first contact plug 220 is about 2×10 18 cm -3 as well.

[0060] The first charge injection layer 230 extends on the first insulating film 210 and is provided on the first contact plug 220. The first charge injection layer 230 may include a semiconductor material, for example, a group 4 semiconductor material (e.g., Si) or a compound semiconductor material (e.g., GaAs). The first charge injection layer 230 has a first conductivity type, and the doping concentration of the first charge injection layer 230 is lower than the doping concentration of the first contact plug 220. For example, the doping concentration of the first charge injection layer 230 is about 1×10 17 cm -3 as well.

[0061] The active layer 300 is provided on the first charge injection layer 230, and the width of the active layer 300 is narrower than the wavelength of the incident light IL. For example, the width of the active layer 300 is also about 600 nanometers (nm) or less.

[0062] FIG. 2 is an example of the active layer.

[0063] Referring to Figure 2, the active layer 300a according to one embodiment includes a plurality of barrier layers 310, a plurality of well layers 330, and a plurality of quantum dot layers. The barrier layers 310 are stacked along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 100u of the first contact layer 100 and may have a bandgap energy greater than that of the well layers 330 and the quantum dot layers. The barrier layers 310 may include a compound semiconductor material having an intrinsic conductivity type (e.g., GaAs). The well layers 330 are located between the barrier layers 310 and may have a bandgap energy greater than that of the quantum dot pattern 320. This allows electrons and holes within the well layers 330 to have quantized energy levels. The well layers 330 may include a compound semiconductor material having an intrinsic conductivity type. For example, if the barrier layers 310 include GaAs, the well layers 330 include InGaAs.

[0064] Each quantum dot layer may contain multiple quantum dot patterns 320. The bandgap energy of the quantum dot patterns 320 is substantially the same as the energy of the incident light IL. The quantum dot patterns 320 may contain compound semiconductor materials having an intrinsic conductivity type. For example, if the barrier layer 310 contains GaAs and the well layer 330 contains InGaAs, the quantum dot patterns 320 contain InAs.

[0065] Figure 3 shows another example of the active layer.

[0066] Referring to Figure 3, unlike the active layer 300a shown in Figure 2, the active layer 300b does not contain the well layer 330 (Figure 2). The active layer 300b in Figure 3 is also an active layer 300b made of a group 4 semiconductor material, for example, a Si substrate.

[0067] The barrier layer 310 and the quantum dot pattern 320 may contain a group 4 semiconductor material. For example, the barrier layer 310 may contain Si and the quantum dot pattern 320 may contain Ge.

[0068] Figure 4 shows yet another example of the active layer.

[0069] Referring to Figure 4, unlike the active layers 300a and 300b shown in Figures 2 and 3, the active layer 300c may further include a connecting film 322. The connecting film 322 is located between the quantum dot patterns 320 and can connect the quantum dot patterns 320 to each other. As shown in Figure 4, the connecting film 322 is located between the barrier layer 310 and the well layer 330 and may contain substantially the same material as the quantum dot patterns 320. The connecting film 322 may contain a semiconductor material having an intrinsic conductivity type. For example, if the quantum dot patterns 320 contain InAs or Ge, the connecting film 332 may also contain InAs or Ge.

[0070] Referring to Figure 1, a second charge injection layer 410 is provided on the active layer 300. The second charge injection layer 410 may contain a semiconductor material, such as a group IV semiconductor material (e.g., Si) or a compound semiconductor material (e.g., GaAs). The second charge injection layer 410 may have a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The doping concentration of the second charge injection layer 410 is lower than the doping concentration of the second contact plug 430, and is about 1 × 10⁻⁶. 17 cm -3 But so.

[0071] The second insulating film 420 is provided on the second charge injection layer 410. The second insulating film 420 is an electrical insulating material, for example, an oxide (SiO₂). x or AlO x The second insulating film 420 may include a second hole 420h that penetrates the second insulating film 420 and exposes the second charge injection layer 410.

[0072] The second contact plug 430 is provided within the second hole 420h and can fill the second hole 420h. The second contact plug 430 penetrates the second insulating film 420 and can be directly electrically connected to the second charge injection layer 410. The second contact plug 430 is made of a semiconductor material, for example, a group 4 semiconductor material (e.g., Si) or a compound semiconductor material (e.g., Al) x Ga 1-xIt may include As. The second contact plug 430 is Al x Ga 1-x When As is present, x is also 0.8 or 0.98. In GaAs, where Ga and As are present in a 1:1 ratio, Ga is replaced by Al at a rate of 80 at% to 98 at%, and Al x Ga 1-x As is generated. The second contact plug 430 has a second conductivity type, and the doping concentration of the second contact plug 430 is approximately 2 × 10⁻⁶. 18 cm -3 But so.

[0073] The second contact layer 500 is provided on the second contact plug 430 and extends onto the second insulating film 420. The second contact layer 500 includes a low-concentration doping layer 510 and a high-concentration doping layer 520 that are sequentially stacked. The low-concentration doping layer 510 and the high-concentration doping layer 520 may contain substantially the same semiconductor material, for example, a group 4 semiconductor material (e.g., Si) or a compound semiconductor material (e.g., GaAs). The low-concentration doping layer 510 and the high-concentration doping layer 520 may have a second conductivity type. The doping concentration of the low-concentration doping layer 510 is approximately 2 × 10⁻⁶. 18 cm -3 Therefore, the doping concentration of the high-concentration doping layer 520 is approximately 1 × 10⁻⁶. 19 cm -3 But so.

[0074] The passivation film 110 is located on the first contact layer 100 and can cover the sides of the nanostructure ST. The passivation film 110 may contain an electrical insulating material, such as SiOx.

[0075] The electrode 600 is provided on the second contact layer 500. The conductivity type of the electrode 600 is also determined by the conductivity type of the second contact layer 500. If the conductivity type of the second contact layer 500 is p-type (i.e., the second conductivity type is p-type), then the electrode 600 is also a p-type electrode, for example, an ITO electrode. If the conductivity type of the second contact layer 500 is n-type (i.e., the second conductivity type is n-type), then the electrode 600 is also an n-type electrode, for example, an electrode containing gold (Au). If the electrode 600 contains gold (Au), the electrode 600 is provided at a position deviating from the optical path of the output light OL.

[0076] The characteristics of the optical modulation element 10 will be described below.

[0077] Figure 5 is a graph showing the characteristics of the optical modulation element in Figure 1.

[0078] Referring to Figure 5, the intensity of the output light OL emitted from the optical modulation element 10 gradually increases as the current I applied to the active layer 300 increases. However, at currents above a certain value Ia, the intensity of the output light OL does not increase further. The active layer 300 can have a saturation gain at applied currents above a predetermined value Ia, because the number of electrons that can enter the ground state of the conduction band of the quantum dot pattern 320, which are directly involved in stimulated emission, is limited in the active layer 300. Even in the region where the gain of the active layer 300 does not increase further, i.e., the region where the intensity of the output light OL does not increase further, the refractive index of the active layer 300 and the phase p of the incident light IL can be changed.

[0079] As described above, the optical modulation element 10 can continuously change the phase of incident light while having a saturation gain due to the applied current. The optical modulation element 10 may further include a processor (not shown) capable of independently controlling the gain and refractive index, and can apply a current to the active layer 300 to independently adjust the refractive index and gain of the active layer 300. The principle by which the optical modulation element 10 independently controls the gain and refractive index will be described later.

[0080] Figure 6 shows a simplified diagram illustrating the process by which density inversion occurs in the optical modulation element shown in Figure 1.

[0081] Referring to Figure 6, the band gap energy Eb of barrier layers a1 and a4 is greater than the band gap energy Ew of well layer a2. The band gap energy Ew of well layer a2 is greater than the band gap energy Ed of quantum dot pattern a3.

[0082] The current applied to the active layer 300 allows electrons that were remaining in the valence band of the quantum dot pattern a3 to gain energy and move to the conduction band. For example, electrons remaining in the valence band of the quantum dot pattern a3 gain energy and fill the ground state S1 of the conduction band. When a current equal to the band gap energy Ed of the quantum dot pattern a3 is applied to the active layer 300, a density inversion occurs in which electrons in the valence band of the quantum dot pattern a3 gain energy and move to the conduction band. If the current is continuously applied, even more electrons can move, which can cause even more density inversions.

[0083] Figure 7 shows a simplified diagram of the process by which stimulated emission occurs in an optical modulation device.

[0084] Referring to Figure 7, when incident light IL with a wavelength having the same energy as the bandgap energy of the quantum dot pattern a3 where density inversion has occurred is incident on the optical modulator 10, stimulated emission occurs and the intensity of the incident light IL is amplified. Therefore, output light OL with a stronger intensity than the incident light IL is output from the optical modulator 10. Stimulated emission also occurs due to electrons filling the ground state S1 of the conduction band of the quantum dot pattern a3. Since the number of electrons filling the ground state S1 is limited, stimulated emission does not increase further even if a current is continuously applied to the active layer 300. As a result, the amplification factor for the incident light IL also saturates without becoming larger than a certain value. In other words, the active layer 300 can have a saturation gain when a current greater than a certain value is applied.

[0085] Figure 8 shows a simplified diagram illustrating the process by which the refractive index changes in an optical modulation element.

[0086] Referring to Figure 8, as the magnitude of the current applied to the active layer 300 increases, electrons are filled into multiple quantized states of the quantum dot pattern a3 and the well layer a2. Even after electrons have been filled into all of the multiple states of the quantum dot pattern a3, if the current is continuously applied to the active layer 300, electrons will continue to be filled into multiple states of the well layer a2, and the refractive index of the active layer 300 may change. As mentioned above, the gain of the active layer 300 saturates above a certain value, and does not increase further even if the applied current value increases. However, even when the gain of the active layer 300 is saturated, the refractive index of the active layer 300 can continue to change by continuously applying current. In this way, the gain and phase of light can be controlled independently by applying current to the active layer 300.

[0087] This disclosure provides a transmissive optical modulation element 10 that independently adjusts the gain and phase of light.

[0088] Figures 9 to 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating the manufacturing method of the optical modulation element described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. For the sake of brevity, explanations that are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 are omitted.

[0089] Referring to Figure 9, a spare first contact plug layer 220P, a spare first charge injection layer 230P, a spare active layer 300P, a spare second charge injection layer 410P, a spare second contact plug layer 430P, and a spare second contact layer 500P are formed on the first contact layer 100. The spare active layer 300P may include a plurality of spare barrier layers, a plurality of spare well layers, and a plurality of spare quantum dot layers. The spare second contact layer 500P may include a spare low-concentration doping layer 510P and a spare high-concentration doping layer 520P which are sequentially stacked on the spare second contact plug layer 430P. The first contact layer 100, the spare first contact plug layer 220P, the spare first charge injection layer 230P, the spare active layer 300P, the spare second charge injection layer 410P, the spare second contact plug layer 430P, and the spare second contact layer 500P may each contain substantially the same material as the first contact plug 220, the first charge injection layer 230, the active layer 300, the second charge injection layer 410, the second contact plug 430, and the second contact layer 500, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0090] The spare first contact plug layer 220P, spare first charge injection layer 230P, spare active layer 300P, spare second charge injection layer 410P, spare second contact plug layer 430P, and spare second contact layer 500P can be formed by sequentially depositing the materials contained in each layer onto the first contact layer 100. The deposition process includes, for example, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, or an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. Furthermore, the spare first contact plug layer 220P, spare first charge injection layer 230P, spare active layer 300P, spare second charge injection layer 410P, spare second contact plug layer 430P, and spare second contact layer 500P can also be formed by an epitaxial growth process, such as a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) process or a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process.

[0091] Referring to Figure 10, the preliminary first contact plug layer 220P, preliminary first charge injection layer 230P, preliminary active layer 300P, preliminary second charge injection layer 410P, preliminary second contact plug layer 430P, and preliminary second contact layer 500P are patterned by an anisotropic etching process utilizing an etching mask provided on the preliminary second contact layer 500P until the first contact layer 100 is exposed. The etching mask can be removed during or after the etching process. The patterning process makes it possible to form the first contact plug 220, first charge injection layer 230, active layer 300, second charge injection layer 410, and second contact plug 430 on the first contact layer 100.

[0092] Referring to Figure 11, an oxidation process is carried out on the first contact plug 220 and the second contact plug 430, forming a first insulating film 210 surrounding the first contact plug 220 and a second insulating film 420 surrounding the second contact plug 430. If the first contact plug 220 and the second contact plug 430 contain Si or AlGaAs, the first insulating film 210 and the second insulating film 420 are SiO x or AlO x It may include.

[0093] Referring to Figure 12, a passivation film 110, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, is formed on the first contact layer 100. The passivation film 110 is formed on the first contact layer 100 exposed by the patterning process described with reference to Figure 9, using an electrical insulating material (e.g., SiO₂). x The passivation film 110 can be formed by vapor deposition. The vapor deposition process includes, for example, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), or atomic layer deposition (ALD). The passivation film 110 can also be formed by an epitaxial growth process, for example, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) or metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD).

[0094] Referring again to Figure 1, the electrode 600 is formed by a deposition process carried out on the second contact layer 500. For example, if the conductivity type of the second contact layer 500 is p-type or n-type, an ITO electrode or a gold (Au) electrode is deposited on the second contact layer 500.

[0095] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment. For the sake of brevity, descriptions that are substantially the same as those given with reference to Figures 1 to 4 are omitted.

[0096] Referring to Figure 13, a beam steering device 20 is provided which includes a first contact layer 100, a plurality of nanostructures ST, a second contact layer 500, a passivation film 110, and a plurality of electrodes 600. The conductivity type of the first contact layer 100 is n-type, and a reference voltage (or ground voltage) is applied to the first contact layer 100.

[0097] The nanostructure ST can be arranged along a first direction DR1 parallel to the upper surface 100u of the first contact layer 100. The conductivity type of the first contact plug 220 and the first charge injection layer 230 of the nanostructure ST is n-type, and the conductivity type of the second charge injection layer 410 and the second contact plug 430 is p-type.

[0098] Each second contact layer 500 is provided on a nanostructure ST. Each second contact layer 500 is sequentially stacked and may include a low-concentration doping layer and a high-concentration doping layer having a p-type conductivity.

[0099] Between the nanostructures ST, a passivation film 110, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, is provided.

[0100] The electrodes 600 are provided on the second contact layer 500 and the passivation film 110, with each electrode 600 corresponding to a portion of the second contact layer 500. Although it is shown that each electrode 600 corresponds to three layers of the second contact layer 500, this is illustrative, and the number of layers of the second contact layer 500 corresponding to each electrode 600 is determined as needed. The electrodes 600 can be electrically coupled to the corresponding second contact layer 500. For example, the electrode 600 can be in direct contact with the high-concentration doping layer of the corresponding second contact layer 500. Different voltages, such as a first voltage V1, a second voltage V2, and a third voltage V3, are applied to the electrodes 600.

[0101] The beam steering device 20 includes optical modulation groups G1, G2, and G3. Each optical modulation group includes multiple optical modulation elements having the same degree of optical amplification and phase modulation with respect to the incident light IL. Exemplary examples include the first optical modulation group G1, the second optical modulation group G2, and the third optical modulation group G3.

[0102] On the first contact layer 100, control elements (not shown) for controlling each optical modulation group G1, G2, and G3, such as thin-film transistors for controlling the voltage applied to the electrode 600, can be provided. These control elements are provided between the optical modulation groups.

[0103] The incident light IL that enters the beam steering device 20 is supplied to different optical modulation groups G1, G2, and G3, and can be modulated in different directions by these groups. As a result, the output light OL will include portions with different phases, and can be deflected in a direction different from that of the incident light IL.

[0104] This disclosure can provide a transmission beam steering device 20 including optical modulation groups G1, G2, and G3 that independently adjust the gain and phase of light.

[0105] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device including a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment. For the sake of brevity, the same explanations that were given with reference to Figure 13 are omitted.

[0106] The embodiment in Figure 14 may further include a substrate 1000 in addition to the embodiment in Figure 13. The substrate 1000 is provided on the opposite side of the nanostructure ST so as to be in contact with the first contact layer 100 and is also a semiconductor device layer that controls the beam steering device 21. The substrate 1000 includes wiring, electronic elements and insulating films, the electronic elements which can control optical modulation groups G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The substrate 1000 may also include a seed layer for growing the first contact layer 100.

[0107] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device including a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment. For the sake of brevity, the same explanations that were given with reference to Figure 14 are omitted.

[0108] Referring to Figure 15, the first contact layers 102 can be spaced apart and arranged along a first direction DR1 parallel to the upper surface of the substrate 1000. Each of the first contact layers 102 is substantially the same as the first contact layer 100 described with reference to Figure 1.

[0109] A portion of the nanostructure ST is provided on each of the first contact layers 102. Figure 15 shows an example in which three nanostructure STs are provided on one first contact layer 102, but this is illustrative.

[0110] The passivation film 110 is provided between the nanostructures ST and can fill the region between the first contact layers 102. The passivation film 110 is substantially the same as the passivation film 110 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0111] Electrode 602 is provided on the second contact layer 500 and the passivation film 110, and corresponds to the entirety of the second contact layer 500. Electrode 602 is also an n-type electrode, for example, a gold (Au) electrode. Electrode 602 can be electrically connected to the second contact layer 500 and can, for example, directly contact the high-concentration doping layer of the second contact layer 500.

[0112] A reference voltage (or ground voltage) is applied to electrode 602. Different voltages, for example, the first to third voltages V1, V2, and V3 as described with reference to Figure 13, are applied to the first contact layer 102. Thus, the optical modulation groups G1, G2, and G3 of the beam steering device 22 are defined by the first contact layer 102, respectively.

[0113] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of an optical modulation element according to another exemplary embodiment. For the sake of brevity, the same explanations that have been given with reference to Figures 1 to 4 are omitted.

[0114] The embodiment shown in Figure 16 further includes a substrate 1000 and a reflective layer 2000 in addition to the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The substrate 1000 is a semiconductor device layer that controls the optical modulation element 11, and is also a layer that includes wiring, electronic elements and an insulating film.

[0115] The reflective layer 2000 is provided on the opposite side of the nanostructure ST so as to be in contact with the first contact layer 100. The reflective layer 2000 may include a distributed Bragg reflector comprising a plurality of alternately stacked low refractive index layers and a plurality of high refractive index layers. Light incident on the distributed Bragg reflector is reflected at the boundaries between the low refractive index layers and the high refractive index layers. The thicknesses of the low refractive index layers and the high refractive index layers may be determined so as to cause reinforcing interference between the reflected light. For example, the reflective layer 2000 may consist of a plurality of alternately stacked AlAs layers and a plurality of Al 0.5 Ga 0.5 It may include an As layer, and multiple Al layers may be stacked alternately. 0.9 Ga 0.1 As layer and multiple Al layers 0.3 Ga 0.7 The AS layer may also be included.

[0116] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device including a beam steering device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0117] Figure 18 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0118] Referring to Figure 18, the electronic device 3000 includes an illumination device 3100 that shines light toward the subject object OBJ, a sensor 3300 that receives light reflected from the subject object OBJ, and a processor 3200 that performs calculations to obtain information about the subject object OBJ from the light received by the sensor 3300. The electronic device 3000 may also include a memory 3400 where code and data for the execution of the processor 3200 are stored.

[0119] The illumination device 3100 includes a light source 3120 and a beam steering device 3110. The light source 3120 can generate source light, such as a pulsed laser, for scanning the object object (OBJ). The beam steering device 3110 illuminates the object object (OBJ) by changing the direction of light propagation from the light source 3120 and may include any one of the beam steering devices 20, 21, 22, or 23 shown in Figures 13, 14, 15, and 17.

[0120] Between the illumination device 3100 and the subject OBJ, additional optical elements may be placed to adjust the direction of the light from the illumination device 3100 or for further modulation, so that the light is directed toward the subject OBJ.

[0121] The sensor 3300 can sense light Lr reflected by the object OBJ and includes an array of photodetectors. The sensor 3300 may further include a spectroscopic element for analyzing the light reflected from the object OBJ by wavelength.

[0122] The processor 3200 can perform calculations to acquire information about the subject object (OBJ) from the light received by the sensor 3300, and can oversee the processing and control of the entire electronic device 3000. The processor 3200 can acquire and process information about the subject object (OBJ), such as two-dimensional or three-dimensional image information. In addition, the processor 3200 can generally control the driving of the light source provided in the lighting device 3100 and the operation of the sensor 3300, and can, for example, calculate the value of the current applied to the light modulation element included in the lighting device 3100. Furthermore, the processor 3200 can determine whether user authentication is permitted or not based on the information acquired from the subject object (OBJ), and can also execute other applications.

[0123] Memory 3400 may store code for execution by processor 3200. In addition, memory 3400 may store various execution modules executed by the electronic device 3000, data for them, such as program code used by processor 3200 for calculations to acquire information about the subject object (OBJ), and code for application modules that can be executed using the information of the subject object (OBJ). Furthermore, memory 3400 may store data for devices to be further equipped in the electronic device 3000, and programs to drive them, such as a communication module, camera module, video playback module, and audio playback module.

[0124] The calculation results from the processor 3200, i.e., information about the shape and position of the object OBJ, can be transmitted to other devices or units as needed. For example, information about the object OBJ can be transmitted to the control unit of other electronic devices or units that use information about the object OBJ (e.g., display devices, printers, smartphones, mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), laptops, PCs (personal computers), various wearable devices, and other mobile or non-mobile computing devices). The memory 3400 can also be flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD memory or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.

[0125] The electronic device 3000 may also be, for example, a portable mobile communication device, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a PDA, a laptop, a PC, or other mobile or non-mobile computing device, an autonomous vehicle, an autonomous vehicle, a robot, a drone or other autonomous driving device, or an Internet of Things device.

[0126] The above description provides examples for illustrating the technical concept of the Disclosure. It is evident that the technical concept of the Disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified and altered in various ways by those with ordinary skill in the art. [Industrial applicability]

[0127] The present invention is applicable, for example, to the field of electro-optical devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 10 Optical Modulator 100, 102 First Contact Layer 100u Upper surface of the first contact layer 110 Passivation membrane 210 First insulating film 210h Hall 1 220 First Contact Plug 230 First charge injection layer 300 active layer 310 Barrier layer 320 quantum dot patterns 322 Connecting membrane 330 well layer 410 Second charge injection layer 420 Second insulating film 420h Second Hall 430 Second contact plug 500 Second Contact Layer 510 Low-concentration doping layer 520 High-concentration doping layer 600 electrodes IL incident light OL output light ST Nanostructures

Claims

1. The first contact layer, The second contact layer, An active layer provided between the first contact layer and the second contact layer, A first contact plug provided between the first contact layer and the active layer, A second contact plug provided between the second contact layer and the active layer, A first insulating film is provided between the first contact layer and the active layer, A second insulating film is provided between the second contact layer and the active layer, The present invention includes a passivation film provided on the first contact layer, The first insulating film covers the side surface of the first contact plug. The second insulating film covers the side surface of the second contact plug. The passivation film covers the first contact layer, the first insulating film, the active layer, the second insulating film, and the side surface of the second contact layer. The first insulating film and the second insulating film each contain the first oxide. The passivation film comprises an electrical insulating material different from the first oxide, An optical modulation element characterized in that the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is narrower than the width of the active layer.

2. The active layer includes a plurality of quantum dot layers stacked along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the first contact layer, and a plurality of well layers provided on each of the plurality of quantum dot layers. The width of the active layer is smaller than the wavelength of light incident on the active layer. The optical modulation element according to claim 1, characterized in that the band gap energy of the plurality of quantum dot layers is smaller than the band gap energy of the plurality of well layers.

3. The optical modulation element according to claim 1, characterized in that the first insulating film and the second insulating film each have a refractive index lower than that of the first contact plug and the second contact plug.

4. The first contact layer, The second contact layer, An active layer provided between the first contact layer and the second contact layer, A first contact plug provided between the first contact layer and the active layer, A second contact plug provided between the second contact layer and the active layer, A first charge injection layer provided between the active layer and the first contact plug, The active layer and the second contact plug are provided together, and the second charge injection layer is provided between them. Each of the first charge injection layer and the second charge injection layer has a wider width than each of the first contact plug and the second contact plug. An optical modulation element characterized in that the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is narrower than the width of the active layer.

5. The first contact layer and the first charge injection layer contain GaAs of a first conductivity type. The second contact layer and the second charge injection layer contain GaAs of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The first contact plug comprises the first conductive type of AlGaAs, The optical modulation element according to claim 4, characterized in that the second contact plug contains the second conductive type of AlGaAs.

6. The first contact layer, the first contact plug, and the first charge injection layer each contain a first conductivity type of Si. The second contact layer, the second contact plug, and the second charge injection layer contain Si of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The active layer is based on intrinsic Si and includes a plurality of quantum dot layers stacked along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the first contact layer. The optical modulation element according to claim 4, characterized in that the plurality of quantum dot layers contain Ge.

7. The conductivity type of the first contact layer, the first contact plug, and the first charge injection layer is n-type. The conductivity type of the second contact layer, the second contact plug, and the second charge injection layer is p-type. The active layer is intrinsic, The optical modulation element according to claim 4, characterized in that the width of the first contact layer is wider than the width of the second contact layer.

8. The optical modulation element according to claim 7, further comprising a p-type electrode provided on the second contact layer.

9. The conductivity type of the first contact layer, the first contact plug, and the first charge injection layer is p-type. The conductivity type of the second contact layer, the second contact plug, and the second charge injection layer is n-type. The active layer is intrinsic, The optical modulation element according to claim 4, characterized in that the width of the first contact layer is wider than the width of the second contact layer.

10. The optical modulation element according to claim 4, further comprising an n-type electrode provided on the second contact layer.

11. The optical modulation element according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the plurality of quantum dot layers includes a plurality of quantum dot patterns.

12. The active layer further comprises a plurality of barrier layers, The optical modulation element according to claim 2, characterized in that, among the plurality of quantum dot layers and the plurality of well layers, adjacent quantum dot layers and well layers are arranged between a pair of adjacent barrier layers among the plurality of barrier layers.

13. The plurality of quantum dot layers include intrinsic InAs, The aforementioned multiple well layers contain true InGaAs, The optical modulation element according to claim 12, characterized in that the plurality of barrier layers include intrinsic GaAs.

14. The aforementioned second contact layer is A high-concentration doping layer, The system includes a low-concentration doping layer provided between the high-concentration doping layer and the second contact plug, The high-concentration doping layer and the low-concentration doping layer have the same conductivity type. The optical modulation element according to claim 1, characterized in that the doping concentration of the high-concentration doping layer is higher than the doping concentration of the low-concentration doping layer.

15. The first contact layer, The second contact layer, An active layer provided between the first contact layer and the second contact layer, A first contact plug provided between the first contact layer and the active layer, A second contact plug provided between the second contact layer and the active layer, A substrate provided on the opposite side of the first contact plug to the first contact layer, The substrate and the first contact layer are provided together, An optical modulation element characterized in that the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is narrower than the width of the active layer.

16. The optical modulation element according to claim 15, characterized in that the reflective layer includes a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) comprising a plurality of alternately stacked low refractive index layers and a plurality of high refractive index layers.

17. First optical modulation element, Includes a second optical modulation element, Each of the first and second optical modulation elements includes a first contact layer, a plurality of nanostructures provided on the first contact layer, and a plurality of second contact layers provided on each of the plurality of nanostructures. Each of the plurality of nanostructures includes a first contact plug, an active layer provided on the first contact plug, and a second contact plug provided on the active layer. A beam steering device characterized in that the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is narrower than the width of the active layer.

18. A reference voltage is applied to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element and the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element. A first voltage is applied to the second contact layer of the first optical modulation element. The beam steering device according to claim 17, characterized in that a second voltage different from the first voltage is applied to the second contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

19. The beam steering device according to claim 17, characterized in that the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element and the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element are connected to each other.

20. The first contact layer of the first optical modulation element further includes a substrate provided on the opposite side of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element, The beam steering device according to claim 19, characterized in that the substrate extends onto the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

21. The beam steering device according to claim 17, characterized in that the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element and the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element are separated from each other.

22. The first contact layer of the first optical modulation element further includes a substrate provided on the opposite side of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element, The beam steering device according to claim 21, characterized in that the substrate extends onto the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

23. A reference voltage is applied to the plurality of second contact layers of the first optical modulation element and the plurality of second contact layers of the second optical modulation element. A first voltage is applied to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element. The beam steering device according to claim 21, characterized in that a second voltage different from the first voltage is applied to the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

24. The first optical modulation element and the second optical modulation element are, The present invention further includes electrodes provided on the plurality of second contact layers, The beam steering device according to claim 17, characterized in that the electrode is electrically connected to the plurality of second contact layers.

25. The active layer includes a plurality of quantum dot layers stacked along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the first contact layer, and a plurality of well layers provided on each of the plurality of quantum dot layers. The width of the active layer is smaller than the wavelength of light incident on the nanostructure. The beam steering apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the band gap energies of the plurality of quantum dot layers are smaller than the band gap energies of the plurality of well layers.

26. Each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element and the second optical modulation element is, The first insulating film surrounding the first contact plug, The beam steering device according to claim 17, further comprising a second insulating film surrounding the second contact plug.

27. The first optical modulation element and the second optical modulation element are, The present invention further includes a passivation film provided on the first contact layer, The beam steering apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the passivation film covers the side surface of the nanostructure.

28. A substrate provided on the opposite side of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element to the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element, The present invention further includes a reflective layer provided between the substrate and the first contact layer of the first optical modulation element, The beam steering device according to claim 27, characterized in that the substrate and the reflective layer are extended onto the first contact layer of the second optical modulation element.

29. The beam steering device according to claim 28, characterized in that the reflective layer includes a distributed Bragg reflector comprising a plurality of alternately stacked low refractive index layers and a plurality of high refractive index layers.

30. Each of the plurality of nanostructures of the first optical modulation element and the second optical modulation element is, A first charge injection layer provided between the active layer and the first contact plug, The present invention further includes a second charge injection layer provided between the active layer and the second contact plug, The beam steering device according to claim 17, characterized in that each of the first charge injection layer and the second charge injection layer has a width greater than each of the first contact plug and the second contact plug.

31. Light source and A beam steering device that adjusts the direction of light incident from the light source so that the light is directed toward the subject, A sensor that receives light reflected from the subject, The system includes a processor that analyzes the light received by the sensor, The beam steering device includes a first optical modulation element and a second optical modulation element. Each of the first and second optical modulation elements includes a first contact layer, a plurality of nanostructures provided on the first contact layer, and a plurality of second contact layers provided on each of the plurality of nanostructures. Each of the plurality of nanostructures includes a first contact plug, an active layer provided on the first contact plug, and a second contact plug provided on the active layer. An electronic device characterized in that the width of at least one of the first contact plug and the second contact plug is narrower than the width of the active layer.

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