Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Prunty

Thomas R. Prunty 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: 20130112985
    Abstract: An integrated device including a vertical III-nitride FET and a Schottky diode includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction, and a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drift region. The integrated device also includes a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, a source coupled to the channel region, and a Schottky contact coupled to the drift region. 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 FET and the Schottky diode is along the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130087879
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate characterized by a first conductivity type and having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, a III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first side of the III-nitride substrate, and a plurality of III-nitride epitaxial structures of a second conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride epitaxial layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a III-nitride epitaxial formation of the first conductivity type coupled to the plurality of III-nitride epitaxial structures, and a metallic structure forming a Schottky contact with the III-nitride epitaxial formation and coupled to at least one of the plurality of III-nitride epitaxial structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Richard J. Brown, David P. Bour, Linda Romano, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130087878
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate with a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The semiconductor structure also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure including a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first side of the III-nitride substrate and a plurality of III-nitride regions of a second conductivity type. The plurality of III-nitride regions have at least one III-nitride epitaxial region of the first conductivity type between each of the plurality of III-nitride regions. The semiconductor structure further includes a first metallic structure electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of III-nitride regions and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region. A Schottky contact is created between the first metallic structure and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130087835
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate with a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The semiconductor structure further includes a III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, a first metallic structure electrically coupled to the second surface of the III-nitride substrate, and a III-nitride epitaxial structure of a second conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride epitaxial layer. The III-nitride epitaxial structure comprises at least one edge termination structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Richard J. Brown, David P. Bour, Linda Romano, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130087803
    Abstract: An integrated device including a III-nitride HEMT and a Schottky diode includes a substrate comprising a first III-nitride material and a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the substrate and disposed adjacent to the substrate along a vertical direction. The integrated device also includes a first barrier layer coupled to the drift region and a channel layer comprising a third III-nitride material having a first bandgap and coupled to the barrier layer. The integrated device further includes a second barrier layer characterized by a second bandgap and coupled to the channel layer and a Schottky contact coupled to the drift region. The second bandgap is greater than the first bandgap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130075748
    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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Mahdan Raj
  • Publication number: 20130056743
    Abstract: A diode includes a substrate characterized by a first dislocation density and a first conductivity type, a first contact coupled to the substrate, and a masking layer having a predetermined thickness and coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The masking layer comprises a plurality of continuous sections and a plurality of openings exposing the substrate and disposed between the continuous sections. The diode also includes an epitaxial layer greater than 5 ?m thick coupled to the substrate and the masking layer. The epitaxial layer comprises a first set of regions overlying the plurality of openings and characterized by a second dislocation density and a second set of regions overlying the set of continuous sections and characterized by a third dislocation density less than the first dislocation density and the second dislocation density. The diode further includes a second contact coupled to the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Linda Romano, Thomas R. Prunty, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Richard J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130032811
    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 and a source contact electrically coupled to the source. 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130032813
    Abstract: A method of growing a III-nitride-based epitaxial structure includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor and heating the substrate to a predetermined temperature. The method also includes flowing a gallium-containing gas into the epitaxial growth reactor and flowing a nitrogen-containing gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The method further includes flowing a gettering gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The predetermined temperature is greater than 1000° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: ePowersoft, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130032814
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate having a first conductivity type and a first electrode electrically coupled to the III-nitride substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a III-nitride material having a second conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride substrate at a regrowth interface and a p-n junction disposed between the III-nitride substrate and the regrowth interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Andrew P. Edwards, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Richard J. Brown, Mahdan Raj
  • Publication number: 20130032812
    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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20120309172
    Abstract: A method of reusing a III-nitride growth substrate according to embodiments of the invention includes epitaxially growing a III-nitride semiconductor structure on a III-nitride substrate. The III-nitride semiconductor structure includes a sacrificial layer and an additional layer grown over the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is implanted with at least one implant species. The III-nitride substrate is separated from the additional layer at the implanted sacrificial layer. In some embodiments the III-nitride substrate is GaN and the sacrificial layer is GaN, an aluminum-containing III-nitride layer, or an indium-containing III-nitride layer. In some embodiments, the III-nitride substrate is separated from the additional layer by etching the implanted sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Linda T. Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Andrew P. Edwards, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20120248577
    Abstract: A method according to embodiments of the invention includes epitaxially growing a III-nitride semiconductor layer from a gas containing gallium, a gas containing nitrogen, and a gas containing indium. The concentration of indium in the III-nitride semiconductor structure is greater than zero and less than 1020 cm?3. A structure according to embodiments of the invention includes a super lattice of alternating first and second III-nitride layers. The first layers are more highly doped than the second layers. The average dopant concentration in the super lattice is less than 1020 cm?3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT INC.
    Inventors: Linda T. Romano, David P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Thomas R. Prunty