Segmented Infrared Detector Regions for Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The detection sensitivity of infrared light detectors is limited due to saturation of electric charge in the first electronic region, leading to a decrease in sensitivity when the source-drain voltage exceeds a certain threshold, limiting the applicability of existing infrared light detectors.
Innovation Solution
The infrared light detector is designed with a plurality of electrically independent first electronic regions arranged in a specific direction, allowing each region to be switched between disconnected and connected statuses, ensuring a sufficient high-low energy difference for electron transition, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single first electronic region is used to detect infrared light, then the device structure is simple, but the detection sensitivity saturates quickly due to limited charge accumulation capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The single first electronic region is divided into multiple first electronic regions (first through fourth regions) arranged in sequence. Each region can independently accumulate charge carriers, effectively increasing the total charge accumulation capacity while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. This segmentation allows continuous detection without early saturation.
2Power
If the source-drain voltage is increased to enhance signal current, then the signal strength improves, but the detection sensitivity decreases due to charge saturation in the first electronic region
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the first electronic region into multiple segments, the charge accumulation capacity is increased, allowing the detector to maintain high detection sensitivity even at higher source-drain voltages that generate stronger signal currents. The segmented structure prevents charge saturation that would otherwise occur in a single region.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple first electronic regions are arranged in a spatial sequence (along the transport direction), extending the charge accumulation in one dimension. This spatial arrangement allows the system to handle higher voltage conditions while maintaining sensitivity by distributing charge accumulation across multiple locations.
3Power
If electrons are allowed to escape to the conduction channel to generate signal, then the detection signal is produced, but the charge accumulation in the first electronic region becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the first electronic region into multiple regions creates multiple charge accumulation zones. Electrons can escape from any of these regions to the conduction channel, providing multiple pathways for signal generation while the remaining regions continue to accumulate charge, thereby maintaining overall charge accumulation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple first electronic regions enable continuous charge accumulation and electron escape processes. While electrons escape from one region to generate signal, other regions continue to accumulate charge, ensuring the detection process can continue without interruption or saturation.
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
This configuration significantly improves the detection accuracy and sensitivity of infrared light by allowing electrons to easily escape to the conduction channel, enabling a higher source-drain voltage and increased signal current, thus overcoming the limitations of single region detectors.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillating electric field is formed in a direction perpendicular to a first electronic region (2 direction) by a light coupling mechanism. By this oscillating electric field, electrons are transitioned from the ground sub-band (electron energy level ε 0 ) to the excited sub-band of the quantum well
Implementation Method 2
The electrons transitioned to the excited sub-band escape from a potential barrier of the quantum well in the tunneling process
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Provided is an infrared light detector 100 with a plurality of first electronic regions 10 which are electrically independent from each other and arranged in a specific direction, formed by dividing a single first electronic region. An outer electron system which is electrically connected to each of the plurality of first electronic regions 10 in a connected status is configured such that an electron energy level of excited sub-bands of each of the plurality of first electron regions 10 in a disconnected status is sufficiently higher than a Fermi level of each of second electronic regions 20 opposed to each of the first electronic regions 10 in a conduction channel 120.