Patent US3971932A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3971932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for enhancing the long wavelength response of photodetectors
Assignee: Varo Inc
•
Filing: 1974-12-02
•
Granted: 1976-07-27
•
Expires: 1994-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A photodetection device includes a photosensor usefully responsive to electromagnetic energy of a first band of wavelengths. An energy conversion unit is optically coupled to the photosensor for receiving incident electromagnetic energy of different, longer wavelength and emitting, in response, electromagnetic energy within the band of first wavelengths.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth G. Sewell
- 👤 William B. Volz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/38; H01J29/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
Photodetection apparatus comprising: photosensitive means usefully responsive to electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength region; passive energy conversion means for receiving electromagnetic energy of a wavelength longer than said first wavelength region and in a region to which said photosensitive means is insensitive and emitting electromagnetic energy in said first wavelength region in response thereto, said energy conversion means being substantially optically transparent to radiations in said first wavelength region; and means optically coupling said energy conversion means to said photosensitive means, whereby said photosensitive means provides information concerning incident electromagnetic energy in both said first wavelength region and at said longer wavelength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Photodetection apparatus comprising: photosensitive means usefully responsive to electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength region; passive energy conversion means for receiving electromagnetic energy of a wavelength longer than said first wavelength region and in a region to which said photosensitive means is insensitive and emitting electromagnetic energy in said first wavelength region in response thereto, said energy conversion means being substantially optically transparent to radiations in said first wavelength region; and means optically coupling said energy conversion means to said photosensitive means, whereby said photosensitive means provides information concerning incident electromagnetic energy in both said first wavelength region and at said longer wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said photosensitive means comprises an image intensifier tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said energy conversion means includes a substance that emits electromagnetic energy of shorter wavelength than the wavelength of an incident electromagnetic energy; and a carrier material for said substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said substance is a salt of a rare earth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said rare earth is neodymium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said rare earth is holmium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said carrier material includes yttrium aluminum garnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said carrier material is lanthanum chloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said energy conversion means further includes a compound of a transition metal selected from the class consisting of iron and yttrium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes housing means for said energy conversion means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes second energy conversion means for receiving electromagnetic energy of a second, different wavelength and emitting electromagnetic energy in said first wavelength region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
Photodetection apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes optical filter means disposed between said photosensitive means and said energy conversion means for blocking electromagnetic energy of said longer wavelength and for transmitting energy of said first wavelength region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-27 | 1980-01-26 | 1980-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-27 | 1984-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-27 | 1988-01-26 | 1988-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |