Patents Assigned to Avogy, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9123799
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a lateral gallium nitride (GaN) field-effect transistor includes forming a first and second GaN layer coupled to a substrate, removing a first portion of the second GaN layer to expose a portion of the first GaN layer, and forming a third GaN layer coupled to the second GaN layer and the exposed portion of the first GaN layer. The method also includes removing a portion of the third GaN layer to expose a portion of the second GaN layer, forming a source structure coupled to the third GaN layer. A first portion of the second GaN layer is disposed between the source structure and the second GaN layer. A drain structure is formed that is coupled to the third GaN layer or alternatively to the substrate. The method also includes forming a gate structure coupled to the third GaN layer such that a second portion of the third GaN layer is disposed between the gate structure and the second GaN layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ozgur Aktas, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 9123533
    Abstract: A method of regrowing material includes providing a III-nitride structure including a masking layer and patterning the masking layer to form an etch mask. The method also includes removing, using an in-situ etch, a portion of the III-nitride structure to expose a regrowth region and regrowing a III-nitride material in the regrowth region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Hui Nie, Madhan M. Raj
  • Publication number: 20150243758
    Abstract: A vertical JFET includes a GaN substrate comprising a drain of the JFET and a plurality of patterned epitaxial layers coupled to the GaN substrate. A distal epitaxial layer comprises a first part of a source channel and adjacent patterned epitaxial layers are separated by a gap having a predetermined distance. The vertical JFET also includes a plurality of regrown epitaxial layers coupled to the distal epitaxial layer and disposed in at least a portion of the gap. A proximal regrown epitaxial layer comprises a second part of the source channel. The vertical JFET further includes a source contact passing through portions of a distal regrown epitaxial layer and in electrical contact with the source channel, a gate contact in electrical contact with a distal regrown epitaxial layer, and a drain contact in electrical contact with the GaN substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Isik Kizilyalli, David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Quentin Diduck
  • Patent number: 9117839
    Abstract: A vertical JFET includes a III-nitride substrate and a III-nitride epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride substrate. The first III-nitride epitaxial layer has a first dopant concentration. The vertical JFET also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure coupled to the first III-nitride epitaxial layer. The III-nitride epitaxial structure includes a set of channels of the first conductivity type and having a second dopant concentration, a set of sources of the first conductivity type, having a third dopant concentration greater than the first dopant concentration, and each characterized by a contact surface, and a set of regrown gates interspersed between the set of channels. An upper surface of the set of regrown gates is substantially coplanar with the contact surfaces of the set of sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Linda Romano, David P. Bour
  • Patent number: 9117850
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate, a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride substrate and having a mesa, and a second III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to a top surface of the mesa. The semiconductor device further includes a III-nitride gate structure coupled to a side surface of the mesa, and a spacer configured to provide electrical insulation between the second III-nitride epitaxial layer and the III-nitride gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Disney, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Madhan Raj
  • Patent number: 9105579
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power device can include providing a GaN substrate with a top surface and a bottom surface, forming a device layer coupled to the top surface of the GaN substrate, and forming a metal contact on a top surface of the vertical GaN power device. The method can further include forming a backside metal by forming an adhesion layer coupled to the bottom surface of the GaN substrate, forming a diffusion barrier coupled to the adhesion layer, and forming a protection layer coupled to the diffusion barrier. The vertical GaN power device can be configured to conduct electricity between the metal contact and the backside metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick James Lazlo Hyland, Brian Joel Alvarez, Donald R. Disney
  • Patent number: 9093395
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Linda Romano, Thomas R. Prunty, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Richard J. Brown
  • Patent number: 9093284
    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 layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, and a first metallic structure electrically coupled to the second surface of the III-nitride substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes an AlGaN epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type, and a III-nitride epitaxial structure of a second conductivity type coupled to the AlGaN epitaxial layer. The III-nitride epitaxial structure comprises at least one edge termination structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Linda Romano, Andrew P. Edwards, Richard J. Brown, David P. Bour, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Thomas R. Prunty, Mahdan Raj
  • Publication number: 20150200268
    Abstract: An MPS diode includes a III-nitride substrate characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration and having a first side and a second side. The MPS diode also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure comprising a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first side of the substrate, wherein a region of the first III-nitride epitaxial layer comprises an array of protrusions. The III-nitride epitaxial structure also includes a plurality of III-nitride regions of a second conductivity type, each partially disposed between adjacent protrusions. Each of the plurality of III-nitride regions of the second conductivity type comprises a first section laterally positioned between adjacent protrusions and a second section extending in a direction normal to the first side of the substrate. The MPS diode further includes a first metallic structure electrically coupled to one or more of the protrusions and to one or more of the second sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhan M. Raj, Brian Alvarez, David P. Bour, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 9059199
    Abstract: A vertical JFET includes a GaN substrate comprising a drain of the JFET and a plurality of patterned epitaxial layers coupled to the GaN substrate. A distal epitaxial layer comprises a first part of a source channel and adjacent patterned epitaxial layers are separated by a gap having a predetermined distance. The vertical JFET also includes a plurality of regrown epitaxial layers coupled to the distal epitaxial layer and disposed in at least a portion of the gap. A proximal regrown epitaxial layer comprises a second part of the source channel. The vertical JFET further includes a source contact passing through portions of a distal regrown epitaxial layer and in electrical contact with the source channel, a gate contact in electrical contact with a distal regrown epitaxial layer, and a drain contact in electrical contact with the GaN substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Isik Kizilyalli, David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Quentin Diduck
  • Publication number: 20150155775
    Abstract: An electrical adapter can include a rectifying circuit configured to receive an AC power input, a power factor corrector (PFC) circuit coupled with an output of the rectifying circuit, and a capacitive component coupled with an output of the PFC circuit. The electrical adapter can further include a DC-DC converter circuit coupled with an output of the capacitive component and configured to provide a power output of the electrical adapter, and an impedance-measuring circuit coupled with the power output and configured to measure impedance of a cable connected to the power output. The DC-DC converter circuit can be configured to adjust power of the power output based on the measured impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hemal N. Shah, Vinod Khosla
  • Publication number: 20150137134
    Abstract: An electronic package includes a leadframe and a plurality of pins. The electronic package also includes a first gallium nitride (GaN) transistor comprising a source, gate, and drain and a second GaN transistor comprising a source, gate, and drain. The source of the first GaN transistor is electrically connected to the leadframe and the drain of the second GaN transistor is electrically connected to the leadframe. The electronic package further includes a first GaN diode comprising an anode and cathode and a second GaN diode comprising an anode and cathode. The anode of the first GaN diode is electrically connected to the leadframe and the anode of the second GaN diode is electrically connected to the leadframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hemal N. Shah, Donald R. Disney
  • Publication number: 20150129886
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a lateral gallium nitride (GaN) field-effect transistor includes forming a first and second GaN layer coupled to a substrate, removing a first portion of the second GaN layer to expose a portion of the first GaN layer, and forming a third GaN layer coupled to the second GaN layer and the exposed portion of the first GaN layer. The method also includes removing a portion of the third GaN layer to expose a portion of the second GaN layer, forming a source structure coupled to the third GaN layer. A first portion of the second GaN layer is disposed between the source structure and the second GaN layer. A drain structure is formed that is coupled to the third GaN layer or alternatively to the substrate. The method also includes forming a gate structure coupled to the third GaN layer such that a second portion of the third GaN layer is disposed between the gate structure and the second GaN layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ozgur Aktas, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 9029210
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate of a first conductivity type, a first III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride substrate, and a first III-nitride epitaxial structure coupled to a first portion of a surface of the first III-nitride epitaxial layer. The first III-nitride epitaxial structure has a sidewall. The semiconductor device further includes a second III-nitride epitaxial structure of the first conductivity type coupled to the first III-nitride epitaxial structure, a second III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the sidewall of the second III-nitride epitaxial layer and a second portion of the surface of the first III-nitride epitaxial layer, and a third III-nitride epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type coupled to the second III-nitride epitaxial layer. The semiconductor device also includes one or more dielectric structures coupled to a surface of the third III-nitride epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Donald R. Disney, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Publication number: 20150123138
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a III-V substrate having a hexagonal crystal structure and a normal to a growth surface characterized by a misorientation from the <0001> direction of between 0.15° and 0.65°. The electronic device also includes a first epitaxial layer coupled to the III-V substrate and a second epitaxial layer coupled to the first epitaxial layer. The electronic device further includes a first contact in electrical contact with the substrate and a second contact in electrical contact with the second epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Gangfeng Ye
  • Patent number: 9006800
    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. The source includes a GaN-layer coupled to an InGaN layer. 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Romano, Andrew Edwards, Dave P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 8981432
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an electronic device includes providing an engineered substrate structure comprising a III-nitride seed layer, forming GaN-based functional layers coupled to the III-nitride seed layer, and forming a first electrode structure electrically coupled to at least a portion of the GaN-based functional layers. The method also includes joining a carrier substrate opposing the GaN-based functional layers and removing at least a portion of the engineered substrate structure. The method further includes forming a second electrode structure electrically coupled to at least another portion of the GaN-based functional layers and removing the carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Nie, Donald R. Disney, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 8969994
    Abstract: An MPS diode includes a III-nitride substrate characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration and having a first side and a second side. The MPS diode also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure comprising a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first side of the substrate, wherein a region of the first III-nitride epitaxial layer comprises an array of protrusions. The III-nitride epitaxial structure also includes a plurality of III-nitride regions of a second conductivity type, each partially disposed between adjacent protrusions. Each of the plurality of III-nitride regions of the second conductivity type comprises a first section laterally positioned between adjacent protrusions and a second section extending in a direction normal to the first side of the substrate. The MPS diode further includes a first metallic structure electrically coupled to one or more of the protrusions and to one or more of the second sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhan M. Raj, Brian Alvarez, David P. Bour, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli
  • Patent number: 8969912
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: D728475
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Béhar, Noah Murphy-Reinhertz, Diana Chang, Darin Smedberg, Frederick Allen Stillman