Light memory function in a double pin SiC device

• Volatile memory using a a-SiC:H tandem structure.
• Information stored with ultra-violet illumination at the front or back surface of the device.
• Data read with visible light from the front surface of the device.

A double pi’npin heterostructure based on amorphous SiC has a non linear spectral gain which is a function of the signal wavelength that impinges on its front or back surface. An impulse of a configurable length and amplitude is applied to a 390 nm LED which illuminates one of the sensor surfaces, followed by a time period without any illumination after which an input signal with a different wavelength is impinged upon the front surface. Results show that the intensity and duration of the impulse illumination of the surfaces influences the sensor’s response with different output for the same input signal. This paper studies this effect and proposes an application as a short term light memory.

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