Solid-State Photospectrometer Carrier Drift Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photospectrometry methods are complex and costly due to the use of extra optical components like filters, diffractive, refractive, and dispersive components, which increase the complexity and expense of the devices.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state photospectrometer device that generates majority and minority carriers in a semiconductor substrate, using a majority carrier current to direct minority carriers to detection regions for spectral information determination, eliminating the need for additional optical components and allowing for a simple, cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional optical components (filters, diffractive, refractive, interferometric, or dispersive components) are used to extract spectral information, then spectral measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex optical components (filters, diffractive, refractive, interferometric, or dispersive components) by using a solid-state detector with multiple detection regions that directly measure spectral information through carrier collection, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining spectral measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/optical system of traditional spectrometers with a solid-state electronic system. Instead of using physical optical components to separate and detect wavelengths, the patent uses an electric field generated by a voltage source to separate and collect charge carriers generated by different wavelengths at different detection regions, substituting optical mechanics with electrical control
2Measurement precision
If traditional optical components are used for spectral detection, then spectral information can be obtained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes expensive optical components from the system and replaces them with a solid-state detector structure that can be manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to obtain spectral information
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from optical manipulation to electrical control. By applying different voltages to different detection regions, the system can selectively collect carriers generated by different wavelengths, enabling spectral measurement through electrical parameter modulation rather than expensive optical components
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 provides a reduced complexity and cost-effective means of retrieving spectral information by using a semiconductor substrate to generate and direct minority carriers, enabling efficient spectral response curve determination without the need for extra optical components, and allows for controllable windowing in time for measuring electromagnetic radiation.
Implementation Method 1
Impinging electromagnetic radiation generates pairs of majority and minority carriers in the substrate
Implementation Method 2
the minority carriers being directed under influence of the majority carrier current
Data Source
AI summary
Impinging electromagnetic radiation generates pairs of majority and minority carriers in a substrate. A spectrometer device for detection of electromagnetic radiation impinging on a substrate comprises means for generating, in the substrate, a majority carrier current; at least one detection region for collecting generated minority carriers, the minority carriers being directed under influence of the majority carrier current; and means for determining spectral information based on minority carriers collected at the at least one detection region.