Optoelectronic Radiation Detector With Filter Layer Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation detectors are complex to produce and lack versatility in their applications, as they often require individual production of separate detector elements which can lead to crosstalk and difficulty in achieving desired spectral sensitivity distributions.

Innovation Solution

An optoelectronic radiation detector with multiple detector elements, each having a unique spectral sensitivity distribution, is designed using a base detector element and additional detector elements with filter layer structures. The filter layer structure absorbs specific wavelengths, allowing for different sensitivity ranges and reducing crosstalk by arranging detector elements laterally on a common support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate detector elements are individually produced, then each element can be optimized for specific spectral sensitivity, but the production process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral sensitivity distributionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detector structure into modular components: a common support substrate and multiple detector elements that can be independently designed with different spectral sensitivity distributions. Each detector element contains specific filter layers (e.g., first filter layer for blue light, second filter layer for green light) arranged in segmented patterns, allowing independent optimization while maintaining production efficiency through standardized manufacturing processes for the common support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for all detector elements, enables lateral arrangement of multiple elements, and facilitates integrated production. This universal base structure allows different detector elements with varying spectral sensitivities to be produced together on the same platform, resolving the contradiction between customization and production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple detector elements are arranged close together, then device compactness is improved, but crosstalk between elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector areaVSAvoidcrosstalk
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes intermediate filter layers in specific regions between adjacent detector elements. By taking out these filter layers laterally between elements, the design eliminates the source of crosstalk (radiation that would otherwise pass through intermediate layers and contaminate adjacent element signals) while maintaining compact lateral arrangement. This selective removal strategy allows compact positioning without sacrificing signal purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If filter layers are added to achieve specific spectral sensitivity, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral detection accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying different filter layer configurations to different detector elements based on their specific spectral sensitivity requirements. Each element can have tailored filter combinations (e.g., certain elements have first filter layers but not second filter layers, others have both) rather than uniform filtering across all elements. This localized approach achieves precise spectral detection for each element's purpose while avoiding unnecessary complexity in elements that don't require specific filtering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution simplifies the production of radiation detectors, enables them to be used in various applications, and reduces crosstalk between detector elements by allowing separate signal pickup from each element, achieving tailored spectral sensitivity distributions.

Implementation Method 1

The filter layer structure is designed such that the filter layer structure absorbs radiation with wavelengths smaller than the maximum wavelength and larger than the lower limit wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

An optoelectronic radiation detector with a spectral sensitivity distribution corresponding to that of the human eye is known... a plurality of detector elements for signal generation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2269221B1Optoelectronic radiation detector and method for producing a plurality of detector elements
Publication Date: 2017.03.08 OSRAM OPTO SEMICON GMBH & CO OHG
  • EP2269221B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2269221B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP2269221B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The invention specifies an optoelectronic radiation detector (100) having a plurality of detector elements (1, 2, 3) for generating signals, wherein the detector elements each have a spectral sensitivity distribution, a detector element (1) has a basic detector element, the spectral sensitivity distribution of the basic detector element (1) has a lower limiting wavelength, another detector element (2, 3) has a filter layer structure (13) with at least one filter layer (14, 15), the sensitivity distribution of the other detector element (2, 3) has a maximum at a maximum wavelength, and wherein the filter layer structure is designed in such a manner that the filter layer structure absorbs radiation at wavelengths which are shorter than the maximum wavelength and longer than the lower limiting wavelength.