Chemical sensor using chemically induced electron-hole production at a schottky barrier
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a metal-semiconductor Schottky diode, characterized by an ultrathin metal film being less than 100 Angstroms thick located on a portion of a silicon substrate which together form a Schottky barrier that has current-voltage characteristics of a diode which enables detection of a surface adsorbate on said ultrathin metal film, wherein the presence of said surface adsorbate creates a measurable current due to production of electrons or holes that have sufficient energy to transverse said ultrathin metal film and cross said Schottky barrier; and
at least one zero force electrical contact, each zero force contact includes a metalized contact connected to said ultrathin metal film where the metalized contact is deposited on an oxide layer on top of said silicon substrate and said ultrathin metal has a portion of which is deposited on top of an inclination in the oxide layer before being connected to the metalized contact.
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Abstract
Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solide state chemical sensors. Detection of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a metal-semiconductor Schottky diode, characterized by an ultrathin metal film being less than 100 Angstroms thick located on a portion of a silicon substrate which together form a Schottky barrier that has current-voltage characteristics of a diode which enables detection of a surface adsorbate on said ultrathin metal film, wherein the presence of said surface adsorbate creates a measurable current due to production of electrons or holes that have sufficient energy to transverse said ultrathin metal film and cross said Schottky barrier; and
at least one zero force electrical contact, each zero force contact includes a metalized contact connected to said ultrathin metal film where the metalized contact is deposited on an oxide layer on top of said silicon substrate and said ultrathin metal has a portion of which is deposited on top of an inclination in the oxide layer before being connected to the metalized contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensor comprising:
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a semiconductor;
a metal film, less than 100 Angstroms thick, deposited on a top portion of said semiconductor wherein an interface between said metal film and the top portion of said semiconductor forms a Schottky Barrier;
at least one metal pad formed on at least one oxide layer located on top of said semiconductor;
said metal film connected to said at least one metal pad; and
a back ohmic contact formed on an oxide layer located on a bottom of said semiconductor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification