Patents Assigned to Avogy, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9531256
    Abstract: An electrical adapter can include a rectifying circuit configured to receive an AC power input, a power factor corrector (PFC) circuit coupled with an output of the rectifying circuit, and a capacitive component coupled with an output of the PFC circuit. The electrical adapter can further include a DC-DC converter circuit coupled with an output of the capacitive component and configured to provide a power output of the electrical adapter, and an impedance-measuring circuit coupled with the power output and configured to measure impedance of a cable connected to the power output. The DC-DC converter circuit can be configured to adjust power of the power output based on the measured impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hemal N. Shah, Vinod Khosla
  • Patent number: 9525039
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a merged p-i-n Schottky (MPS) diode in gallium nitride (GaN) based materials includes providing an n-type GaN-based substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The method also includes forming an n-type GaN-based epitaxial layer coupled to the first surface of the n-type GaN-based substrate, and forming a p-type GaN-based epitaxial layer coupled to the n-type GaN-based epitaxial layer. The method further includes removing portions of the p-type GaN-based epitaxial layer to form a plurality of dopant sources, and regrowing a GaN-based epitaxial layer including n-type material in regions overlying portions of the n-type GaN-based epitaxial layer, and p-type material in regions overlying the plurality of dopant sources. The method also includes forming a first metallic structure electrically coupled to the regrown GaN-based epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Dave P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Hui Nie, Quentin Diduck, Ozgur Aktas
  • Patent number: 9508838
    Abstract: A vertical III-nitride field effect transistor includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drain contact electrically coupled to the drain, and a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction. The field effect transistor also includes a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drift region, a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, and a gate contact electrically coupled to the gate region. The field effect transistor further includes a source coupled to the channel region. The source includes a GaN-layer coupled to an InGaN layer. The channel region is disposed between the drain and the source along the vertical direction such that current flow during operation of the vertical III-nitride field effect transistor is along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Romano, Andrew Edwards, Dave P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 9502544
    Abstract: A vertical JFET includes a III-nitride substrate and a III-nitride epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride substrate. The first III-nitride epitaxial layer has a first dopant concentration. The vertical JFET also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure coupled to the first III-nitride epitaxial layer. The III-nitride epitaxial structure includes a set of channels of the first conductivity type and having a second dopant concentration, a set of sources of the first conductivity type, having a third dopant concentration greater than the first dopant concentration, and each characterized by a contact surface, and a set of regrown gates interspersed between the set of channels. An upper surface of the set of regrown gates is substantially coplanar with the contact surfaces of the set of sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Linda Romano, David P. Bour
  • Patent number: 9484470
    Abstract: A III-nitride semiconductor device includes an active region for supporting current flow during forward-biased operation of the III-nitride semiconductor device. The active region includes a first III-nitride epitaxial material having a first conductivity type, and a second III-nitride epitaxial material having a second conductivity type. The III-nitride semiconductor device further includes an edge-termination region physically adjacent to the active region and including an implanted region comprising a portion of the first III-nitride epitaxial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Richard J. Brown, Donald R. Disney
  • Patent number: 9472684
    Abstract: A gallium nitride (GaN)-based junction field-effect transistor (JFET) can include a GaN drain region having a top surface extending in a lateral dimension, a source region, and a GaN channel region of a first conductivity type coupled between the source region and the GaN drain region and operable to conduct electrical current between the source region and the GaN drain region. The JFET can also include a blocking layer disposed between the source region and the GaN drain region such that the GaN channel region is operable to conduct the electrical current substantially along the lateral dimension in a laterally-conductive region of the GaN channel region, and a GaN gate region of a second conductivity type coupled to the GaN channel region such that the laterally-conductive region of the GaN channel region is disposed between at least a portion of the blocking layer and the GaN gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Nie, Andrew Edwards, Isik Kizilyalli, Dave Bour, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 9450112
    Abstract: A Schottky diode and method of fabricating the Schottky diode using gallium nitride (GaN) materials is disclosed. The method includes providing an n-type GaN substrate having first and second opposing surfaces. The method also includes forming an ohmic metal contact electrically coupled to the first surface, forming an n-type GaN epitaxial layer coupled to the second surface, and forming an n-type aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) surface layer coupled to the n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The AlGaN surface layer has a thickness which is less than a critical thickness, and the critical thickness is determined based on an aluminum mole fraction of the AlGaN surface layer. The method also includes forming a Schottky contact electrically coupled to the n-type AlGaN surface layer, where, during operation, an interface between the n-type GaN epitaxial layer and the n-type AlGaN surface layer is substantially free from a two-dimensional electron gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty, David P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, Madhan Raj
  • Patent number: 9397186
    Abstract: An MPS diode includes a III-nitride substrate characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration and having a first side and a second side. The MPS diode also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure comprising a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first side of the substrate, wherein a region of the first III-nitride epitaxial layer comprises an array of protrusions. The III-nitride epitaxial structure also includes a plurality of III-nitride regions of a second conductivity type, each partially disposed between adjacent protrusions. Each of the plurality of III-nitride regions of the second conductivity type comprises a first section laterally positioned between adjacent protrusions and a second section extending in a direction normal to the first side of the substrate. The MPS diode further includes a first metallic structure electrically coupled to one or more of the protrusions and to one or more of the second sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhan M. Raj, Brian Alvarez, David P. Bour, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 9391179
    Abstract: An embodiment of a vertical power device includes a III-nitride substrate, a drift region coupled to the III-nitride substrate and comprising a III-nitride material of a first conductivity type, and a channel region coupled to the drift region and comprising a III-nitride material of the first conductivity type. The vertical power device also includes a source region coupled to the channel region and comprising a III-nitride material of the first conductivity type, and a gate region coupled to the channel region. The gate region includes a III-nitride material of a second conductivity type. The vertical power device further includes a source-coupled region coupled to the drift region and electrically connected with the source region. The source-coupled region includes a III-nitride material of the second conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Disney
  • Patent number: 9369059
    Abstract: An electrical circuit includes an input for an AC input voltage coupled to a first inductive element with first and second outputs coupled to respective first and second nodes, and a four-quadrant (4-Q) switch coupled between the first and second nodes. A capacitor is coupled between the first node and a third node, a second inductive element is coupled between the third node and the second node, and a first bidirectional device and a first diode are coupled in series between a positive output node and a negative output node. A first output of the second inductive element is coupled between the first bidirectional device and the first diode. A second bidirectional device and a second diode are coupled in series between the positive output node and the negative output node. A second output of the second inductive element is coupled between the second bidirectional device and the second diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Sitthipong Angkititrakul, Hemal N. Shah
  • Patent number: 9368582
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a III-V substrate having a hexagonal crystal structure and a normal to a growth surface characterized by a misorientation from the <0001> direction of between 0.15° and 0.65°. The electronic device also includes a first epitaxial layer coupled to the III-V substrate and a second epitaxial layer coupled to the first epitaxial layer. The electronic device further includes a first contact in electrical contact with the substrate and a second contact in electrical contact with the second epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Gangfeng Ye
  • Patent number: 9330918
    Abstract: A method of making an edge terminated semiconductor device includes providing a GaN substrate having a GaN epitaxial layer grown thereon and exposing a portion of the GaN epitaxial layer to ion implantation. The energy dose is selected to provide a resistivity that is at least 90% of maximum achievable resistivity. The method also includes depositing a conductive layer over a portion of the implanted region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 9324607
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power device can include providing a GaN substrate with a top surface and a bottom surface, forming a device layer coupled to the top surface of the GaN substrate, and forming a metal contact on a top surface of the vertical GaN power device. The method can further include forming a backside metal by forming an adhesion layer coupled to the bottom surface of the GaN substrate, forming a diffusion barrier coupled to the adhesion layer, and forming a protection layer coupled to the diffusion barrier. The vertical GaN power device can be configured to conduct electricity between the metal contact and the backside metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick James Lazlo Hyland, Brian Joel Alvarez, Donald R. Disney
  • Patent number: 9324809
    Abstract: An electronic package includes a leadframe and a plurality of pins. The electronic package also includes a first gallium nitride (GaN) transistor comprising a source, gate, and drain and a second GaN transistor comprising a source, gate, and drain. The source of the first GaN transistor is electrically connected to the leadframe and the drain of the second GaN transistor is electrically connected to the leadframe. The electronic package further includes a first GaN diode comprising an anode and cathode and a second GaN diode comprising an anode and cathode. The anode of the first GaN diode is electrically connected to the leadframe and the anode of the second GaN diode is electrically connected to the leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hemal N. Shah, Donald R. Disney
  • Patent number: 9324645
    Abstract: An electronic package includes a leadframe and a plurality of pins. The electronic package also includes a first gallium nitride (GaN) transistor comprising a source, gate, and drain and a second GaN transistor comprising a source, gate, and drain. The source of the first GaN transistor is electrically connected to the leadframe and the drain of the second GaN transistor is electrically connected to the leadframe. The electronic package further includes a first GaN diode comprising an anode and cathode and a second GaN diode comprising an anode and cathode. The anode of the first GaN diode is electrically connected to the leadframe and the cathode of the second GaN diode is electrically connected to the leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Hemal N. Shah
  • Patent number: 9324844
    Abstract: A vertical III-nitride field effect transistor includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drain contact electrically coupled to the drain, and a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain. The field effect transistor also includes a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction, a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, having a first surface coupled to the drift region and a second surface on a side of the gate region opposing the first surface, and a gate contact electrically coupled to the gate region. The field effect transistor further includes a source coupled to the channel region and a source contact electrically coupled to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 9318331
    Abstract: A method of forming a doped region in a III-nitride substrate includes providing the III-nitride substrate and forming a masking layer having a predetermined pattern and coupled to a portion of the III-nitride substrate. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and the predetermined pattern defines exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate. The method also includes heating the III-nitride substrate to a predetermined temperature and placing a dual-precursor gas adjacent the exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate. The dual-precursor gas includes a nitrogen source and a dopant source. The method further includes maintaining the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period, forming p-type III-nitride regions adjacent the exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate, and removing the masking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Mahdan Raj
  • Patent number: 9318619
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a GaN substrate with a first surface and a second surface. The GaN substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. A first electrode is electrically coupled to the second surface of the GaN substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a first GaN epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the GaN substrate and a second GaN layer of a second conductivity type coupled to the first GaN epitaxial layer. The first GaN epitaxial layer comprises a channel region. The second GaN epitaxial layer comprises a gate region and an edge termination structure. A second electrode coupled to the gate region and a third electrode coupled to the channel region are both disposed within the edge termination structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Richard J. Brown
  • Patent number: 9287389
    Abstract: A method of growing a III-nitride-based epitaxial structure is disclosed. The method includes forming a GaN-based drift layer coupled to the GaN-based substrate, where forming the GaN-based drift layer comprises doping the drift layer with indium to cause the indium concentration of the drift layer to be less than about 1×1016 cm?3 and to cause the carbon concentration of the drift layer to be less than about 1×1016 cm?3. The method also includes forming an n-type channel layer coupled to the GaN-based drift layer, forming an n-contact layer coupled to the GaN-based drift layer, and forming a second electrical contact electrically coupled to the n-contact layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: D762573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Béhar, Noah Murphy-Reinhertz, Diana Chang, Darin Smedberg, Frederick Allen Stillman