Thin films of semiconductor materials

Photon detectors consist of a thin film of semiconductor material, such as lead sulfide, lead telluride, indium antimonide, or germanium doped with copper or mercury, deposited on a nonconducting glass and sealed into an evacuated envelope. Photon flux impinging on the semiconductor increases its conductivity. Lead-sulfide detectors are sensitive to radiation below about 3 fj.m in wavelength and have a response time of about 10 /nsec. Doped germanium detectors cooled to liquid-helium temperatures are sensitive to radiation up to about 120 jitm in wavelength, and have a response time of approximately 1 nsec. 

Vacuum Evaporation - The deposition of thin films of semiconductor material by the evaporation of elemental sources In a vacuum. 

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