Abstract
A microdischarge photodetector has a photocathode, an insulator and an anode. A cavity of limited size is disposed in the insulator and filled with gas. A voltage applied between the photocathode and the anode produces a plasma. Light incident on the photocathode having photon energies larger than about the work function produces photoelectrons are ejected from the photocathode and accelerated by the plasma electric field. The incident light is detected by detecting an increase in the plasma current or light emission from the plasma. The cavity may be flat or tapered and is designed to optimize detector performance.
| Original language | English (US) |
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| U.S. patent number | 6828730 |
| Filing date | 11/27/02 |
| State | Published - Dec 7 2004 |