Patents by Inventor Tadao Hashimoto

Tadao Hashimoto 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).

  • Publication number: 20240021724
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a GaN trench MOSFET and its fabrication method. The GaN trench MOSFET of the current invention has an n-GaN region having both Mg and donor impurities below a trench bottom, extending to an n?-GaN drift layer. By utilizing multiple step ion implantations, an n-type GaN region is formed in Mg-doped p-GaN region below the trench bottom. Also, multiple steps of dry etching remove a portion of ion-implanted sidewall and enable formation of electron channel on the interface of p-GaN and oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: Tadao Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11767609
    Abstract: GaN wafers and bulk crystal have dislocation density approximately 1/10 of dislocation density of seed used to form the bulk crystal and wafers. Masks are formed selectively on GaN seed dislocations, and new GaN grown on the seed has fewer dislocations and often 1/10 or less of dislocations present in seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadao Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11742800
    Abstract: The present invention provides a terahertz oscillator utilizing a GaN Gunn diode. A terahertz wave is generated in the active layer of the Gunn diode fabricated on GaN substrate. A GaN substrate is designed to act as a waveguide of the terahertz wave. Since the waveguide and the Gunn diodes are integrated, the terahertz wave generated in the active layer couples well with the waveguide made of the GaN substrates. The terahertz wave is emitted from the edge of the waveguide efficiently. To ensure high-reliability through reduction of radiation loss and mitigation of electromigration of anode metal, a GaN substrate with low dislocation density is used. The dislocation density of the GaN substrate is less than 1×106 cm?2. Particularly, usage of a GaN substrate made by the ammonothermal method is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadao Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20210355598
    Abstract: GaN wafers and bulk crystal have dislocation density approximately 1/10 of dislocation density of seed used to form the bulk crystal and wafers. Masks are formed selectively on GaN seed dislocations, and new GaN grown on the seed has fewer dislocations and often 1/10 or less of dislocations present in seed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventor: Tadao Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20210114646
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a load-carrying device such as a suitcase, a carry-bag and a hand truck, which can ascend and descend stairs without changing the position of the person relative to the device. The load-carrying device is constructed with a main frame which defines a main plane of the device, at least two main wheels, and a support frame which can swing out of the main plane. The support frame is equipped with a caterpillar mechanism and optional bottom wheels. When ascending stairs, the support frame is pushed against the main frame by the edge of the stairs and the caterpillar with a ratchet mechanism helps slide the load-carrying device upward. When descending stairs, the support frame swings down toward the lower step before the main wheels go off the upper step so that the support frame enables soft-landing of the main wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventor: Tadao Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20190249333
    Abstract: GaN wafers and bulk crystal have dislocation density approximately 1/10 of dislocation density of seed used to form the bulk crystal and wafers. Masks are formed selectively on GaN seed dislocations, and new GaN grown on the seed has fewer dislocations and often 1/10 or less of dislocations present in seed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventor: Tadao Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10355115
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic device formed of a group III nitride. In one embodiment, a substrate is fabricated by the ammonothermal method and a drift layer is fabricated by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. After etching a trench, p-type contact pads are made by pulsed laser deposition followed by n-type contact pads by pulsed laser deposition. The bandgap of the p-type contact pad is designed larger than that of the drift layer. Upon forward bias between p-type contact pads (gate) and n-type contact pads (source), holes and electrons are injected into the drift layer from the p-type contact pads and n-type contact pads. Injected electrons drift to the backside of the substrate (drain).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 10354863
    Abstract: In one instance, the seed crystal of this invention provides a nitrogen-polar c-plane surface of a GaN layer supported by a metallic plate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic plate matches that of GaN layer. The GaN layer is bonded to the metallic plate with bonding metal. The bonding metal not only bonds the GaN layer to the metallic plate but also covers the entire surface of the metallic plate to prevent corrosion of the metallic plate and optionally spontaneous nucleation of GaN on the metallic plate during the bulk GaN growth in supercritical ammonia. The bonding metal is compatible with the corrosive environment of ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Daryl Key
  • Patent number: 10316431
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of growing an ingot of group III nitride. Group III nitride crystals such as GaN are grown by the ammonothermal method on both sides of a seed to form an ingot and the ingot is sliced into wafers. The wafer including the first-generation seed is sliced thicker than the other wafers so that the wafer including the first-generation seed does not break. The wafer including the first-generation seed crystal can be used as a seed for the next ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: SixPoint Materials, Inc., Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Sierra Hoff
  • Patent number: 10287709
    Abstract: In one instance, the seed crystal of this invention provides a nitrogen-polar c-plane surface of a GaN layer supported by a metallic plate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic plate matches that of GaN layer. The GaN layer is bonded to the metallic plate with bonding metal. The bonding metal not only bonds the GaN layer to the metallic plate but also covers the entire surface of the metallic plate to prevent corrosion of the metallic plate and optionally spontaneous nucleation of GaN on the metallic plate during the bulk GaN growth in supercritical ammonia. The bonding metal is compatible with the corrosive environment of ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Daryl Key
  • Publication number: 20190093256
    Abstract: In one instance, the seed crystal of this invention provides a nitrogen-polar c-plane surface of a GaN layer supported by a metallic plate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic plate matches that of GaN layer. The GaN layer is bonded to the metallic plate with bonding metal. The bonding metal not only bonds the GaN layer to the metallic plate but also covers the entire surface of the metallic plate to prevent corrosion of the metallic plate and optionally spontaneous nucleation of GaN on the metallic plate during the bulk GaN growth in supercritical ammonia. The bonding metal is compatible with the corrosive environment of ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Daryl Key
  • Publication number: 20190096668
    Abstract: In one instance, the seed crystal of this invention provides a nitrogen-polar c-plane surface of a GaN layer supported by a metallic plate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic plate matches that of GaN layer. The GaN layer is bonded to the metallic plate with bonding metal. The bonding metal not only bonds the GaN layer to the metallic plate but also covers the entire surface of the metallic plate to prevent corrosion of the metallic plate and optionally spontaneous nucleation of GaN on the metallic plate during the bulk GaN growth in supercritical ammonia. The bonding metal is compatible with the corrosive environment of ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Daryl Key
  • Publication number: 20190096667
    Abstract: In one instance, the seed crystal of this invention provides a nitrogen-polar c-plane surface of a GaN layer supported by a metallic plate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic plate matches that of GaN layer. The GaN layer is bonded to the metallic plate with bonding metal. The bonding metal not only bonds the GaN layer to the metallic plate but also covers the entire surface of the metallic plate to prevent corrosion of the metallic plate and optionally spontaneous nucleation of GaN on the metallic plate during the bulk GaN growth in supercritical ammonia. The bonding metal is compatible with the corrosive environment of ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Daryl Key
  • Publication number: 20190091807
    Abstract: In one instance, the seed crystal of this invention provides a nitrogen-polar c-plane surface of a GaN layer supported by a metallic plate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic plate matches that of GaN layer. The GaN layer is bonded to the metallic plate with bonding metal. The bonding metal not only bonds the GaN layer to the metallic plate but also covers the entire surface of the metallic plate to prevent corrosion of the metallic plate and optionally spontaneous nucleation of GaN on the metallic plate during the bulk GaN growth in supercritical ammonia. The bonding metal is compatible with the corrosive environment of ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Daryl Key
  • Patent number: 10242868
    Abstract: In one instance, the seed crystal of this invention provides a nitrogen-polar c-plane surface of a GaN layer supported by a metallic plate. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic plate matches that of GaN layer. The GaN layer is bonded to the metallic plate with bonding metal. The bonding metal not only bonds the GaN layer to the metallic plate but also covers the entire surface of the metallic plate to prevent corrosion of the metallic plate and optionally spontaneous nucleation of GaN on the metallic plate during the bulk GaN growth in supercritical ammonia. The bonding metal is compatible with the corrosive environment of ammonothermal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts, Daryl Key
  • Patent number: 10161059
    Abstract: In one instance, the invention provides a bulk crystal of group III nitride having a thickness of more than 1 mm without cracking above the sides of a seed crystal. This bulk group III nitride crystal is expressed as Gax1Aly1In1-x1-y1N (0?x1?1, 0?x1+y1?1) and the seed crystal is expressed as Gax2Aly2In1-x2-y2N (0?x2?1, 0?x2+y2?1). The bulk crystal of group III nitride can be grown in supercritical ammonia or a melt of group III metal using at least one seed crystal having basal planes of c-orientation and sidewalls of m-orientation. By exposing only c-planes and m-planes in this instance, cracks originating from the sides of the seed crystal are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignees: SixPoint Materials, Inc., Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Edward Letts
  • Patent number: 10156530
    Abstract: The invention provides, in one instance, a group III nitride wafer sliced from a group III nitride ingot, polished to remove the surface damage layer and tested with x-ray diffraction. The x-ray incident beam is irradiated at an angle less than 15 degree and diffraction peak intensity is evaluated. The group III nitride wafer passing this test has sufficient surface quality for device fabrication. The invention also provides, in one instance, a method of producing group III nitride wafer by slicing a group III nitride ingot, polishing at least one surface of the wafer, and testing the surface quality with x-ray diffraction having an incident beam angle less than 15 degree to the surface. The invention also provides, in an instance, a test method for testing the surface quality of group III nitride wafers using x-ray diffraction having an incident beam angle less than 15 degree to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignees: SixPoint Materials, Inc., Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadao Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10141435
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic device formed of a group III nitride. In one embodiment, a substrate is fabricated by the ammonothermal method and a drift layer is fabricated by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. After etching a trench, p-type contact pads are made by pulsed laser deposition followed by n-type contact pads by pulsed laser deposition. The bandgap of the p-type contact pad is designed larger than that of the drift layer. Upon forward bias between p-type contact pads (gate) and n-type contact pads (source), holes and electrons are injected into the drift layer from the p-type contact pads and n-type contact pads. Injected electrons drift to the backside of the substrate (drain).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 10134884
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic device formed of a group III nitride. In one embodiment, a substrate is fabricated by the ammonothermal method and a drift layer is fabricated by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. After etching a trench, p-type contact pads are made by pulsed laser deposition followed by n-type contact pads by pulsed laser deposition. The bandgap of the p-type contact pad is designed larger than that of the drift layer. Upon forward bias between p-type contact pads (gate) and n-type contact pads (source), holes and electrons are injected into the drift layer from the p-type contact pads and n-type contact pads. Injected electrons drift to the backside of the substrate (drain).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 10134883
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic device formed of a group III nitride. In one embodiment, a substrate is fabricated by the ammonothermal method and a drift layer is fabricated by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. After etching a trench, p-type contact pads are made by pulsed laser deposition followed by n-type contact pads by pulsed laser deposition. The bandgap of the p-type contact pad is designed larger than that of the drift layer. Upon forward bias between p-type contact pads (gate) and n-type contact pads (source), holes and electrons are injected into the drift layer from the p-type contact pads and n-type contact pads. Injected electrons drift to the backside of the substrate (drain).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Daisuke Ueda