Patents by Inventor Virginia D. Wheeler

Virginia D. Wheeler 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: 20230245901
    Abstract: A method for locally annealing and crystallizing a thin film by directing ultrashort optical pulses from an ultrafast laser into the film. The ultrashort pulses can selectively produce an annealed pattern and/or activate dopants on the surface or within the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marc Currie, Virginia D. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11631593
    Abstract: A method for locally annealing and crystallizing a thin film by directing ultrashort optical pulses from an ultrafast laser into the film. The ultrashort pulses can selectively produce an annealed pattern and/or activate dopants on the surface or within the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marc Currie, Virginia D. Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20220270891
    Abstract: A method for locally annealing and crystallizing a thin film by directing ultrashort optical pulses from an ultrafast laser into the film. The ultrashort pulses can selectively produce an annealed pattern and/or activate dopants on the surface or within the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marc Currie, Virginia D. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11322366
    Abstract: A method for locally annealing and crystallizing a thin film by directing ultrashort optical pulses from an ultrafast laser into the film. The ultrashort pulses can selectively produce an annealed pattern and/or activate dopants on the surface or within the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marc Currie, Virginia D. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11227943
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) and method of producing the same are provided. The HEMT includes a barrier layer formed on a GaN layer. The HEMT also includes a ZrO2 gate dielectric layer formed by either a ZTB precursor, a TDMA-Zr precursor, or both. The HEMT may also include a recess in the barrier layer in the gate region of the HEMT. The HEMTs may operate in an enhancement mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Travis J. Anderson, Virginia D. Wheeler, Karl D. Hobart, Francis J. Kub
  • Patent number: 11226503
    Abstract: A tunable spectral filter comprising a phase change material is incorporated into a multilayered dielectric structure. The dielectric permittivity, and thus the filter properties, of the structure can be modified by producing a change in the phase change material, e.g., causing a metal-insulator transition. By controllably causing such a change in the dielectric permittivity of the phase change material, the spectral transmittance and reflectance of the structure, and thus its filter properties, can be modified to provide a predetermined transmittance or reflectance of electromagnetic radiation incident on the structure. In preferred embodiments, the phase change material layer is a vanadium dioxide (VO2) film formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marc Currie, Virginia D. Wheeler, Guy Beadie
  • Publication number: 20210181542
    Abstract: A tunable spectral filter comprising a phase change material is incorporated into a multilayered dielectric structure. The dielectric permittivity, and thus the filter properties, of the structure can be modified by producing a change in the phase change material, e.g., causing a metal-insulator transition. By controllably causing such a change in the dielectric permittivity of the phase change material, the spectral transmittance and reflectance of the structure, and thus its filter properties, can be modified to provide a predetermined transmittance or reflectance of electromagnetic radiation incident on the structure. In preferred embodiments, the phase change material layer is a vanadium dioxide (VO2) film formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marc Currie, Virginia D. Wheeler, Guy Beadie
  • Patent number: 10266963
    Abstract: A method of growing crystalline materials on two-dimensional inert materials comprising functionalizing a surface of a two-dimensional inert material, growing a nucleation layer on the functionalized surface, and growing a crystalline material. A crystalline material grown on a two-dimensional inert material made from the process comprising functionalizing a surface of a two-dimensional inert material, growing a nucleation layer on the functionalized surface, and growing a crystalline material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Neeraj Nepal, Virginia D. Wheeler, Charles R. Eddy, Jr., Francis J. Kub, Travis J. Anderson, Michael A. Mastro, Rachael L. Myers-Ward, Sandra C. Hangarter
  • Patent number: 10256094
    Abstract: A method of: providing an off-axis 4H—SiC substrate, and etching the surface of the substrate with hydrogen or an inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Rachael L. Myers-Ward, David Kurt Gaskill, Charles R. Eddy, Jr., Robert E. Stahlbush, Nadeemmullah A. Mahadik, Virginia D. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10256090
    Abstract: A method of: providing an off-axis silicon carbide substrate, and etching the surface of the substrate with a dry gas, hydrogen, or an inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Rachael L. Myers-Ward, David Kurt Gaskill, Charles R. Eddy, Jr., Robert E. Stahlbush, Nadeemmullah A. Mahadik, Virginia D. Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20180374944
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) and method of producing the same are provided. The HEMT includes a barrier layer formed on a GaN layer. The HEMT also includes a ZrO2 gate dielectric layer formed by either a ZTB precursor, a TDMA-Zr precursor, or both. The HEMT may also include a recess in the barrier layer in the gate region of the HEMT. The HEMTs may operate in an enhancement mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Travis J. Anderson, Virginia D. Wheeler, Karl D. Hobart, Francis J. Kub
  • Patent number: 10002958
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for depositing metal on GaN transistors after gate formation using a metal nitride Schottky gate. Embodiments of the present disclosure use a “diamond last” process using thermally stable metal nitride gate electrodes to enable thicker heat spreading films and facilitate process integration. In an embodiment, the “diamond last” process with high thermal conductivity diamond is enabled by the integration of thermally stable metal-nitride gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Francis J. Kub, Travis J. Anderson, Virginia D. Wheeler, Andrew D. Koehler, Karl D. Hobart
  • Patent number: 9995858
    Abstract: IR emission devices comprising an array of polaritonic IR emitters arranged on a substrate, where the emitters are coupled to a heater configured to provide heat to one or more of the emitters. When the emitters are heated, they produce an infrared emission that can be polarized and whose spectral emission range, emission wavelength, and/or emission linewidth can be tuned by the polaritonic material used to form the elements of the array and/or by the size and/or shape of the emitters. The IR emission can be modulated by the induction of a strain into a ferroelectric, a change in the crystalline phase of a phase change material and/or by quickly applying and dissipating heat applied to the polaritonic nanostructure. The IR emission can be designed to be hidden in the thermal background so that it can be observed only under the appropriate filtering and/or demodulation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joshua D. Caldwell, Virginia D. Wheeler, Marc Currie, Igor Vurgaftman, Jon-paul Maria
  • Patent number: 9991354
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable the production of semiconductor devices having a metal nitride layer in direct contact with a semiconductor layer to form a Schottky diode, such as a TiN gate on an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). Metal nitrides offer exceptional thermal stability and a lower diffusion coefficient. Technology enabled by embodiments of the present disclosure improves the reliability of GaN-based microwave power transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Travis J. Anderson, Virginia D. Wheeler, David Shahin, Andrew D. Koehler, Karl D. Hobart, Francis J. Kub, Marko J. Tadjer
  • Patent number: 9971071
    Abstract: IR emission devices comprising an array of polaritonic IR emitters arranged on a substrate, where the emitters are coupled to a heater configured to provide heat to one or more of the emitters. When the emitters are heated, they produce an infrared emission that can be polarized and whose spectral emission range, emission wavelength, and/or emission linewidth can be tuned by the polaritonic material used to form the elements of the array and/or by the size and/or shape of the emitters. The IR emission can be modulated by the induction of a strain into a ferroelectric, a change in the crystalline phase of a phase change material and/or by quickly applying and dissipating heat applied to the polaritonic nanostructure. The IR emission can be designed to be hidden in the thermal background so that it can be observed only under the appropriate filtering and/or demodulation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joshua D. Caldwell, Virginia D. Wheeler, Marc Currie, Igor Vurgaftman, Jon-paul Maria
  • Publication number: 20180100955
    Abstract: IR emission devices comprising an array of polaritonic IR emitters arranged on a substrate, where the emitters are coupled to a heater configured to provide heat to one or more of the emitters. When the emitters are heated, they produce an infrared emission that can be polarized and whose spectral emission range, emission wavelength, and/or emission linewidth can be tuned by the polaritonic material used to form the elements of the array and/or by the size and/or shape of the emitters. The IR emission can be modulated by the induction of a strain into a ferroelectric, a change in the crystalline phase of a phase change material and/or by quickly applying and dissipating heat applied to the polaritonic nanostructure. The IR emission can be designed to be hidden in the thermal background so that it can be observed only under the appropriate filtering and/or demodulation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joshua D. Caldwell, Virginia D. Wheeler, Marc Currie, Igor Vurgaftman, Jon-Paul Maria
  • Publication number: 20180045861
    Abstract: IR emission devices comprising an array of polaritonic IR emitters arranged on a substrate, where the emitters are coupled to a heater configured to provide heat to one or more of the emitters. When the emitters are heated, they produce an infrared emission that can be polarized and whose spectral emission range, emission wavelength, and/or emission linewidth can be tuned by the polaritonic material used to form the elements of the array and/or by the size and/or shape of the emitters. The IR emission can be modulated by the induction of a strain into a ferroelectric, a change in the crystalline phase of a phase change material and/or by quickly applying and dissipating heat applied to the polaritonic nanostructure. The IR emission can be designed to be hidden in the thermal background so that it can be observed only under the appropriate filtering and/or demodulation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joshua D. Caldwell, Virginia D. Wheeler, Marc Currie, Igor Vurgaftman, Jon-paul Maria
  • Patent number: 9870839
    Abstract: IR emission devices comprising an array of polaritonic IR emitters arranged on a substrate, where the emitters are coupled to a heater configured to provide heat to one or more of the emitters. When the emitters are heated, they produce an infrared emission that can be polarized and whose spectral emission range, emission wavelength, and/or emission linewidth can be tuned by the polaritonic material used to form the elements of the array and/or by the size and/or shape of the emitters. The IR emission can be modulated by the induction of a strain into a ferroelectric, a change in the crystalline phase of a phase change material and/or by quickly applying and dissipating heat applied to the polaritonic nanostructure. The IR emission can be designed to be hidden in the thermal background so that it can be observed only under the appropriate filtering and/or demodulation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joshua D. Caldwell, Virginia D. Wheeler, Marc Currie, Igor Vurgaftman, Jon-paul Maria
  • Publication number: 20170358670
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for depositing metal on GaN transistors after gate formation using a metal nitride Schottky gate. Embodiments of the present disclosure use a “diamond last” process using thermally stable metal nitride gate electrodes to enable thicker heat spreading films and facilitate process integration. In an embodiment, the “diamond last” process with high thermal conductivity diamond is enabled by the integration of thermally stable metal-nitride gate electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Francis J. Kub, Travis J. Anderson, Virginia D. Wheeler, Andrew D. Koehler, Karl D. Hobart
  • Publication number: 20170330950
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable the production of semiconductor devices having a metal nitride layer in direct contact with a semiconductor layer to form a Schottky diode, such as a TiN gate on an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). Metal nitrides offer exceptional thermal stability and a lower diffusion coefficient. Technology enabled by embodiments of the present disclosure improves the reliability of GaN-based microwave power transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Travis J. Anderson, Virginia D. Wheeler, David Shahin, Andrew D. Koehler, Karl D. Hobart, Francis J. Kub, Marko J. Tadjer