Solid-state device
First Claim
1. A method of making an active solid-state device comprising:
- forming by a process which includes directional melt growth a structure having first phase bodies which are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced from each other by second phase bodies, each of the bodies of at least one of the phases being a single crystal semiconductor substance, the first phase bodies physically contacting the second phase bodies, and the structure including PN junctions which are within the semiconductor material bodies and said structure being crystallographically discontinuous at said physical contact between the first and second phase bodies, andproviding electrical contact to the bodies of at least one of said phases to enable the structure to operate as an active device.
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Abstract
The ultra-miniaturized, active solid-state devices and circuitries have unique material bodies having signal-translating regions attached thereto for active signal translation. These regions, comprising melt-grown, or simulated melt-grown, metallurgical compounds including oxides, eutectics, and intermetallics, are of controlled compositions, concentration profiles, and electronic or other optoelectromagnetic properties. In some devices, the microstructure of the compounds comprises a plurality of microscopically thin, regularly-shaped and uniformly-spaced bodies of one phase material dispersed in a matrix of another phase material. The electronic conductivity of the bodies is substantially different from that of the matrix, and the bodies all terminate at microscopic distance from the pn junction (or other interfacial rectifying barrier region), so as to confine the signal current carries to flow mainly in only one of the phases. This achieves carriers microstreaming or microbranching effects. Described also herein are different devices including micron-size eutectic devices, dendritic devices, cellular devices, and granular devices; and their methods of manufacture. The barrier regions may be further modified by diffusion, ion implantation, selective oxidation, electrolytic etching, and surface-contouring. In addition, selected circuit elements may be embedded into these devices to achieve additional carriers movement control or to obtain special beneficial effects.
55 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of making an active solid-state device comprising:
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forming by a process which includes directional melt growth a structure having first phase bodies which are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced from each other by second phase bodies, each of the bodies of at least one of the phases being a single crystal semiconductor substance, the first phase bodies physically contacting the second phase bodies, and the structure including PN junctions which are within the semiconductor material bodies and said structure being crystallographically discontinuous at said physical contact between the first and second phase bodies, and providing electrical contact to the bodies of at least one of said phases to enable the structure to operate as an active device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of making an active solid-state device comprising:
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forming by a process which includes directional melt growth a structure having first phase semiconductor bodies spaced from each other by second phase metal, the semiconductor bodies physically contacting the metal and forming, at said physical contact, respective metal-semiconductor barriers; and providing electrical contact to at least the metal to enable operation of the structure as an active solid-state device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification