Patent ID: 9645082
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: G01J,H01L,Y02E

Claim:
1. A ballistic carrier spectral sensor, comprising: a photon absorption region configured to generate photo-generated carriers from incident light; a first potential barrier region adjacent the photon absorption region in a thickness direction and having an adjustable height, the height of the first potential barrier region defining a minimum energy of the photo-generated carriers required to pass therethrough; a second potential barrier region having an adjustable height, the height of the second barrier adjustable independent of the height of the first potential barrier region and defining a minimum energy of the photo-generated carriers required to pass therethrough; a spillage well region disposed between the first potential barrier region and the second potential barrier region in the thickness direction, the spillage well region configured to collect photo-generated carriers having an energy lower than that required to pass through the second potential barrier region; and a collection region adjacent the second potential barrier region and configured to collect carriers that cross the second potential barrier region, wherein: a total thickness of the first potential barrier region and the spillage well region is less than a mean free path of the photo-generated carriers; and the thickness of the first potential barrier region reduces tunneling transfer of photo-generated carriers with an energy below its height to less than 5% of the total electron transfer.