Patents by Inventor Davis Andrew McClure

Davis Andrew McClure has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9070654
    Abstract: A smoothing method for semiconductor material and semiconductor wafers produced by the method are disclosed. Semiconductor wafers with reduced atomic steps, as well with reduced scratches and subsurface defects can be produced. Such wafers feature an improved growth surface that can provide for the growth of an epilayer with reduced macroscopic defects and defect densities. A method of smoothing the surface of a wafer according to example embodiments of the invention includes planarizing the surface of a semiconductor wafer, and then oxidizing the wafer to achieve a specified thickness of oxide on the surface of the wafer. The oxide can then be stripped from the surface of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Nathaniel Mark Williams
  • Patent number: 8822315
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition thereon and for use as a precursor in the manufacture of devices such as light emitting diodes. The method includes the steps of implanting dopant atoms of a first conductivity type into the first surface of a conductive silicon carbide wafer having the same conductivity type as the implanting ions at one or more predetermined dopant concentrations and implant energies to form a dopant profile, annealing the implanted wafer, and growing an epitaxial layer on the implanted first surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Alexander Suvorov, John Adam Edmond, David Beardsley Slater, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130234162
    Abstract: A smoothing method for semiconductor material and semiconductor wafers produced by the method are disclosed. Semiconductor wafers with reduced atomic steps, as well with reduced scratches and subsurface defects can be produced. Such wafers feature an improved growth surface that can provide for the growth of an epilayer with reduced macroscopic defects and defect densities. A method of smoothing the surface of a wafer according to example embodiments of the invention includes planarizing the surface of a semiconductor wafer, and then oxidizing the wafer to achieve a specified thickness of oxide on the surface of the wafer. The oxide can then be stripped from the surface of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Nathaniel Mark Williams
  • Patent number: 8445386
    Abstract: A smoothing method for semiconductor material and semiconductor wafers produced by the method are disclosed. Semiconductor wafers with reduced atomic steps, as well with reduced scratches and subsurface defects can be produced. Such wafers feature an improved growth surface that can provide for the growth of an epilayer with reduced macroscopic defects and defect densities. A method of smoothing the surface of a wafer according to example embodiments of the invention includes planarizing the surface of a semiconductor wafer, and then oxidizing the wafer to achieve a specified thickness of oxide on the surface of the wafer. The oxide can then be stripped from the surface of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Nathaniel Mark Williams
  • Publication number: 20110291104
    Abstract: A smoothing method for semiconductor material and semiconductor wafers produced by the method are disclosed. Semiconductor wafers with reduced atomic steps, as well with reduced scratches and subsurface defects can be produced. Such wafers feature an improved growth surface that can provide for the growth of an epilayer with reduced macroscopic defects and defect densities. A method of smoothing the surface of a wafer according to example embodiments of the invention includes planarizing the surface of a semiconductor wafer, and then oxidizing the wafer to achieve a specified thickness of oxide on the surface of the wafer. The oxide can then be stripped from the surface of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Nathaniel Mark Williams
  • Patent number: 7675068
    Abstract: A silicon carbide structure is disclosed that is suitable for use as a substrate in the manufacture of electronic devices such as light emitting diodes. The structure includes a silicon carbide wafer having a first and second surface and having a predetermined conductivity type and an initial carrier concentration; a region of implanted dopant atoms extending from the first surface into the silicon carbide wafer to a predetermined depth, with the region having a higher carrier concentration than the initial carrier concentration in the remainder of the wafer; and an epitaxial layer on the first surface of the silicon carbide wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Alexander Suvorov, John Adam Edmond, David Beardsley Slater, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7422634
    Abstract: A high quality single crystal wafer of SiC is disclosed. The wafer has a diameter of at least about 3 inches, a warp of less than about 5 ?m, a bow less than about 5 ?m, and a total thickness variation of less than about 2.0 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Powell, William H. Brixius, Robert Tyler Leonard, Davis Andrew McClure, Michael Laughner
  • Patent number: 7294859
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition thereon and for use as a precursor in the manufacture of devices such as light emitting diodes. The method includes the steps of implanting dopant atoms of a first conductivity type into the first surface of a conductive silicon carbide wafer having the same conductivity type as the implanting ions at one or more predetermined dopant concentrations and implant energies to form a dopant profile, annealing the implanted wafer, and growing an epitaxial layer on the implanted first surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Alexander Suvorov, John Adam Edmond, David Beardsley Slater, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7138291
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition thereon and for use as a precursor in the manufacture of devices such as light emitting diodes. The method includes the steps of implanting dopant atoms of a first conductivity type into the first surface of a conductive silicon carbide wafer having the same conductivity type as the implanting ions at one or more predetermined dopant concentrations and implant energies to form a dopant profile, annealing the implanted wafer, and growing an epitaxial layer on the implanted first surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Alexander Suvorov, John Adam Edmond, David Beardsley Slater, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6995398
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition thereon and for use as a precursor in the manufacture of devices such as light emitting diodes. The method includes the steps of implanting dopant atoms of a first conductivity type into the first surface of a conductive silicon carbide wafer having the same conductivity type as the implanting ions at one or more predetermined dopant concentrations and implant energies to form a dopant profile, annealing the implanted wafer, and growing an epitaxial layer on the implanted first surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Alexander Suvorov, John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040149993
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition thereon and for use as a precursor in the manufacture of devices such as light emitting diodes. The method includes the steps of implanting dopant atoms of a first conductivity type into the first surface of a conductive silicon carbide wafer having the same conductivity type as the implanting ions at one or more predetermined dopant concentrations and implant energies to form a dopant profile, annealing the implanted wafer, and growing an epitaxial layer on the implanted first surface of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Davis Andrew McClure, Alexander Suvorov, John Adam Edmond, David Beardsley Slater