ATOMIC LAYER CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION OF ALGAN FOR SOLAR BLIND ULTRAVIOLET DETECTORS

USE OF ATOMIC LAYER EPITAXY IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR GROWING SINGLE CRYSTAL ALGAN LAYERS. THE FORMATION OF NITROGEN VACANCIES IS EXPECTEDTO BE SUPPRESSED BY THE UNIQUE ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITIONS AND THE EXCITATION OF NH3 GAS BY A LASER SOURCE. THIS SHOULD RESULT IN HIGH QUALITY LARGE AREA SINGLE CRYSTAL LAYERS OF ALGAN WHICH COULD BE USED TO MAKE SOLAR BLIND ULTRA-VIOLET (UV) SENSORS. THESE THIN EPI-LAYERS COULD ALSO BE USED AS SHARP CUT-OFF RUGGED SOLAR BLIND PHOTOCATHODES. ULTRA-VIOLET SENSORS MADE FROM THE MATERIAL ARE USABLE ALSO IN FIRE PROTECTION AND BOILER SAFETY SYSTEMS. ULTRA-VIOLET SENSING IS THE BASIS FOR SEVERAL DEFENSE AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS. THESE INCLUDE FLAME SENSING, MISSILE PLUME DETECTION AND UV SPECTROSCOPY. FLAME SENSING IS A KEY SAFETY REQUIREMENT FOR ALL COMMERCIAL BOILER SYSTEMS AND INSTALLATIONS DEALING WITH OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION.