Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates having high transparency to ultraviolet light and low defect density are formed. The single-crystal aluminum nitride may function as a platform for the fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.

Abstract: Bulk single crystal of aluminum nitride (AlN) having an areal planar defect density?100 cm?2. Methods for growing single crystal aluminum nitride include melting an aluminum foil to uniformly wet a foundation with a layer of aluminum, the foundation forming a portion of an AlN seed holder, for an AlN seed to be used for the AlN growth. The holder may consist essentially of a substantially impervious backing plate.

Abstract: In various embodiments, controlled heating and/or cooling conditions are utilized during the fabrication of aluminum nitride single crystals and aluminum nitride bulk polycrystalline ceramics. Thermal treatments may also be utilized to control properties of aluminum nitride crystals after fabrication.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a layer of organic encapsulant is provided over a surface of an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting semiconductor die, and at least a portion of the encapsulant is exposed to UV light to convert at least some of said portion of the encapsulant into non-stoichiometric silica material. The non-stoichiometric silica material includes silicon, oxygen, and carbon, and a carbon content of the non-stoichiometric silica material is greater than 1 ppm and less than 40 atomic percent.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a rigid lens is attached to a light-emitting semiconductor die via a layer of encapsulant having a thickness insufficient to prevent propagation of thermal expansion mismatch-induced strain between the rigid lens and the semiconductor die.

Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates having high transparency to ultraviolet light and low defect density are formed. The single-crystal aluminum nitride may function as a platform for the fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.

Abstract: A photoreactor for disinfecting water includes at least one wall defining a chamber configured to contain fluid. The reactor also includes an inlet through which water flows into the chamber, and an outlet through which water exits the chamber. The reactor also includes a UVC LED. The LED is configured power on for an active duration, and power off for an inactive duration. The active duration and the inactive duration define a period. The reactor also includes a controller configured to set a duty cycle for the period, where the duty cycle is a ratio of the active duration to the period. The duty cycle is less than or equal to about 1:100.

Abstract: In various embodiments, aluminum nitride single crystals have large crystal augmentation parameters and may therefore be suitable for the fabrication of numerous, large single-crystal aluminum nitride substrates having high crystalline quality. The aluminum nitride single crystals may have large boule masses and volumes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, aluminum nitride single crystals are rapidly diameter-expanded during growth by physical vapor transport. High rates of diameter expansion during growth may be enabled by the use of internal thermal shields and directed plasma-modification of the growth environment to augment radial thermal gradients and increase radial growth rates.

Abstract: In various embodiments, extraction efficiency of light-emitting devices fabricated on aluminum nitride substrates is enhanced via removal of at least a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a layer of organic encapsulant is provided over a surface of an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting semiconductor die, and at least a portion of the encapsulant is exposed to UV light to convert at least some of said portion of the encapsulant into non-stoichiometric silica material. The non-stoichiometric silica material includes silicon, oxygen, and carbon, and a carbon content of the non-stoichiometric silica material is greater than 1 ppm and less than 40 atomic percent.

Abstract: In various embodiments, controlled heating and/or cooling conditions are utilized during the fabrication of aluminum nitride single crystals and aluminum nitride bulk polycrystalline ceramics. Thermal treatments may also be utilized to control properties of aluminum nitride crystals after fabrication.

Abstract: Bulk single crystal of aluminum nitride (AlN) having an areal planar defect density ?100 cm?2. Methods for growing single crystal aluminum nitride include melting an aluminum foil to uniformly wet a foundation with a layer of aluminum, the foundation forming a portion of an AlN seed holder, for an AlN seed to be used for the AlN growth. The holder may consist essentially of a substantially impervious backing plate.

Abstract: Fabrication of doped AlN crystals and/or AlGaN epitaxial layers with high conductivity and mobility is accomplished by, for example, forming mixed crystals including a plurality of impurity species and electrically activating at least a portion of the crystal.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods of forming single-crystal AlN include providing a substantially undoped polycrystalline AlN ceramic having an oxygen concentration less than approximately 100 ppm, forming a single-crystal bulk AlN crystal by a sublimation-recondensation process at a temperature greater than approximately 2000° C., and cooling the bulk AlN crystal to a first temperature between approximately 1500° C. and approximately 1800° C. at a first rate less than approximately 250° C./hour.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a rigid lens is attached to a light-emitting semiconductor die via a layer of encapsulant having a thickness insufficient to prevent propagation of thermal expansion mismatch-induced strain between the rigid lens and the semiconductor die.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electrochemical process is utilized to remove at least a portion of a substrate from multiple singulated or unsingulated electronic-device or optoelectronic-device dies. The dies may be attached to a submount for the removal process, and the dies may be immersed in or non-immersively contact an electrolyte during the removal process.

Abstract: In various embodiments, growth of large, high-quality single crystals of aluminum nitride is enabled via a two-stage process utilizing two different crystalline seeds.

Abstract: In various embodiments, extraction efficiency of light-emitting devices fabricated on aluminum nitride substrates is enhanced via removal of at least a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: In various embodiments, light-emitting devices incorporate graded layers with compositional offsets at one or both end points of the graded layer to promote formation of two-dimensional carrier gases and polarization doping, thereby enhancing device performance.