Semiconductor device

Patent 6204545 Issued on March 20, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 8, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3025335

3350775

Solar cell with semiconductor particles and method of fabrication
Patent #: 3998659
Issued on: 12/21/1976
Inventor: Wakefield

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Issued on: 11/21/1995
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Inventor

Nakata, Josuke

Application

No. 077656 filed on 06/08/1998

US Classes:

257/459, With particular contact geometry (e.g., ring or grid, or bonding pad arrangement)136/250, Particulate or spherical semiconductor257/466, External physical configuration of semiconductor (e.g., mesas, grooves)257/E31.038, Shape of body (EPO)257/E31.039, Shape of potential or surface barrier (EPO)257/E33.006, Shape of semiconductor body (EPO)257/E33.007Shape of potential barrier (EPO)

Examiners

Primary: Jackson, Jerome

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Morrison Law firm

Foreign Patent References

0396266 EP. 11/19/1990
50-124586 JP. 09/19/1975
50-137488 JP. 10/19/1975
52-17229 JP. 02/19/1977
53-43885 JP. 04/19/1978
60-41063 JP. 03/19/1985
61-220482 JP. 09/19/1986
329685 JP. 02/19/1991
5-36997 JP. 02/19/1993
5-53511 JP. 03/19/1993
6302853 JP. 10/19/1994
8064860 JP. 03/19/1996
8125210 JP. 05/19/1996

International Classes

H01L 031/035.2
H01L 031/022.4

Abstract

The present invention is a semiconductor device which has one or a plurality of spherical semiconductor elements as its main component. The spherical semiconductor element is a spherical semiconductor crystal with a photovoltaic part and a pair of electrodes. The present invention is also a semiconductor device of a semiconductor photocatalyst, photodiode or solar battery. The present invention is also a semiconductor device which has one or a plurality of spherical semiconductor elements as its main component. This spherical semiconductor element is a spherical semiconductor crystal with a pn junction and a pair of electrodes. Semiconductor devices of light-emitting diodes, various diodes, or display panels are disclosed. Referring to semiconductor photocatalyst 1 of the figure, a p-type diffusion layer 6 and a pn junction 7 is formed on an n-type silicon semiconductor spherical crystal. There is formed a micro photocell 17 which includes: photovoltaic part 16; a pair of electrodes 14, 15 which are opposite each other and which sandwiches the center of spherical crystal 2; a SiO2 coating 9; a TiO2 coating 10 which has photocatalytic function.

Other References

Maugh, "Fuels from Solar Energy . . . " Science: Oct. 14, 1983, pp. 151-153.
Johnson, "The Texas Ins. . . . Development" Conf. Proc. 16^th Int. En. Conv. Engin. Conf. Atlanta GA. pp. 798-804, Aug. 198