Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Processes and products
Patent
1983-03-28
1984-08-14
Williams, Howard S.
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Processes and products
204 15, 204 86, 250370, 250332, C25D 908, C25D 712, C25D 502
Patent
active
044655657
ABSTRACT:
A thin passivating layer (14) of CdTe is formed on a layer of photoconductive HgCdTe (4) by means of electrochemical deposition. The photoconductive layer (4) is used as a cathode. A first anode (26) is fabricated of tellurium and a second anode (28) is fabricated of an inert substance such as graphite. An electrolyte (30) comprises an aqueous solution of CdSO.sub.4 and unsaturated TeO.sub.2. Alternatively, electrolyte (30) can be saturated with TeO.sub.2, in which case a first anode is fabricated of an inert substance, and an optional second anode is fabricated of cadmium. After purifying the cathode (1) and the electrolyte (30), cadmium and tellurium are simultaneously deposited upon cathode (1). Stoichiometric balance is maintained to maximize the resistivity of the passivating CdTe layer (14). This is accomplished by regulating the deposition voltage of cathode (1) with respect to a saturated calomel electrode (22). In a first embodiment, an n-type region (16) is formed in the p-type photoconductive layer (4) subsequent to electrochemical deposition of the passivating CdTe layer (14). In a second embodiment, the n-type region (16) is formed in the p-type layer (4) prior to electrochemical deposition of the CdTe passivating layer (14).
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Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
Radlo Edward J.
Sanborn Robert D.
Williams Howard S.
Williams T. L.
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