Patents by Inventor Anneli Munkholm

Anneli Munkholm 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).

  • Patent number: 11195973
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for improving the light emitting efficiency of micro light emitting diodes. According to certain embodiments, micro-LEDs having small physical dimensions are fabricated on III-nitride materials with semi-polar crystal lattice orientations to reduce the surface recombination of excess charge carriers that does not generate photons and to reduce the polarization induced internal field that may cause energy band shift and aggravate the Quantum-Confined Stark Effect, thereby increasing the peak quantum efficiencies and/or reducing the peak efficiency current density of the micro-LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Pynn, Anneli Munkholm
  • Patent number: 11175447
    Abstract: An optical system includes an optical waveguide, a micro light emitting diode (micro-LED) configured to emit at least partially polarized light, and a waveguide coupler configured to couple the at least partially polarized light from the micro-LED into the optical waveguide with a coupling efficiency higher than a coupling efficiency of the waveguide coupler for unpolarized light. The micro-LED includes a substrate including a hexagonal lattice and having a first surface parallel to a semi-polar plane of the hexagonal lattice, and a plurality of layers grown on the first surface. The plurality of layers includes an active layer that includes a III-nitride material and has a top surface parallel to the semi-polar plane and the first surface of the substrate, such that the light emitted by the micro-LED is at least partially polarized and can be more efficiently coupled into the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Pynn, Anneli Munkholm, Hee Yoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10923630
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for improving performance of micro light emitting diodes. According to certain embodiments, a semi-polar-oriented light emitting diode (LED) (e.g., grown on (2021) plane or (1122) plane) includes a buried p-GaN layer that is grown before the active region and the n-GaN layer of the LED are grown, such that the polarization-induced (including strain-induced piezoelectric polarization and spontaneous polarization) electrical field and the built-in depletion field in the active region are in opposite directions during normal operations, thereby reducing or minimizing the overall internal electric field that can contribute to Quantum-Confined Stark Effect. The buried p-GaN layer is grown on an n-i-n sacrificial etch junction, which can be laterally wet-etched to separate the semi-polar-oriented LED from the underlying substrate and expose the p-GaN layer for planar or vertical (rather than horizontal or lateral) activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Pynn, Anneli Munkholm, David Hwang
  • Patent number: 10573781
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) is manufactured using a process in which hydrogen diffuses out of a p-doped semiconductor layer via an exposed side wall of the p-doped semiconductor layer. The process includes forming a light generation layer on a base semiconductor layer and forming the p-doped semiconductor layer on the light generation layer. A tunnel junction layer is formed on the p-doped semiconductor layer and a contact layer is formed on the junction layer. The process also includes etching through at least the contact layer, the tunnel junction layer, and the p-doped semiconductor layer to expose the side wall of the p-doped semiconductor layer and enabling hydrogen to diffuse out of the p-doped semiconductor layer at least partially through the exposed side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anneli Munkholm, David Massoubre
  • Patent number: 9905730
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes an etch stop layer that may be less absorbing than a conventional etch stop layer. In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes a bonded interface that may be configured to give a lower forward voltage than a conventional bonded interface. Reducing the absorption and/or the forward voltage in a device may improve the efficiency of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Patrick N. Grillot, Rafael I. Aldaz, Deborah L. Colbentz, Anneli Munkholm, Hanmin Zhao
  • Patent number: 8816368
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure with at least one III-P light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure further includes a GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer, wherein x<0.45. A first metal contact is in direct contact with the GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer. A second metal contact is electrically connected to the n-type region. The first and second metal contacts are formed on a same side of the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Theodore Chung, Anneli Munkholm
  • Publication number: 20140183595
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes an etch stop layer that may be less absorbing than a conventional etch stop layer. In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes a bonded interface that may be configured to give a lower forward voltage than a conventional bonded interface. Reducing the absorption and/or the forward voltage in a device may improve the efficiency of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick N. GRILLOT, Rafael I. ALDAZ, Deborah L. COLBENTZ, Anneli MUNKHOLM, Hanmin ZHAO
  • Patent number: 8692286
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes an etch stop layer that may be less absorbing than a conventional etch stop layer. In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes a bonded interface that may be configured to give a lower forward voltage than a conventional bonded interface. Reducing the absorption and/or the forward voltage in a device may improve the efficiency of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Philips Lumileds Lighing Company LLC
    Inventors: Patrick N. Grillot, Rafael I. Aldaz, Deborah L. Coblentz, Anneli Munkholm, Hanmin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20110284891
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure with at least one III-P light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure further includes a GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer, wherein x<0.45. A first metal contact is in direct contact with the GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer. A second metal contact is electrically connected to the n-type region. The first and second metal contacts are formed on a same side of the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: THEODORE CHUNG, ANNELI MUNKHOLM
  • Patent number: 8017958
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure with at least one III-P light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure further includes a GaAsxP1?x p-contact layer, wherein x<0.45. A first metal contact is in direct contact with the GaAsxP1?x p-contact layer. A second metal contact is electrically connected to the n-type region. The first and second metal contacts are formed on a same side of the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Co., LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Chung, Anneli Munkholm
  • Publication number: 20110121358
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a light emitting region, a p-type region disposed on a first side of the light emitting region, and an n-type region disposed on a second side of the light emitting region. At least 10% of a thickness of the semiconductor structure on the first side of the light emitting region comprises indium. Some examples of such a semiconductor light emitting device may be formed by growing an n-type region, growing a p-type region, and growing a light emitting layer disposed between the n-type region and the p-type region. The difference in temperature between the growth temperature of a part of the n-type region and the growth temperature of a part of the p-type region is at least 140° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicants: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V., PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: JUNKO KOBAYASHI, WERNER K. GOETZ, ANNELI MUNKHOLM
  • Patent number: 7906357
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a light emitting region, a p-type region disposed on a first side of the light emitting region, and an n-type region disposed on a second side of the light emitting region. At least 10% of a thickness of the semiconductor structure on the first side of the light emitting region comprises indium. Some examples of such a semiconductor light emitting device may be formed by growing an n-type region, growing a p-type region, and growing a light emitting layer disposed between the n-type region and the p-type region. The difference in temperature between the growth temperature of a part of the n-type region and the growth temperature of a part of the p-type region is at least 140° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: Junko Kobayashi, Werner K. Goetz, Anneli Munkholm
  • Publication number: 20100327299
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure with at least one III-P light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure further includes a GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer, wherein x<0.45. A first metal contact is in direct contact with the GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer. A second metal contact is electrically connected to the n-type region. The first and second metal contacts are formed on a same side of the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicants: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V., PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Chung, Anneli Munkholm
  • Publication number: 20090152584
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes an etch stop layer that may be less absorbing than a conventional etch stop layer. In some embodiments of the invention, a transparent substrate AlInGaP device includes a bonded interface that may be configured to give a lower forward voltage than a conventional bonded interface. Reducing the absorption and/or the forward voltage in a device may improve the efficiency of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: PATRICK N. GRILLOT, RAFAEL I. ALDAZ, DEBORAH L. COBLENTZ, ANNELI MUNKHOLM, HANMIN ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20070262342
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a light emitting region, a p-type region disposed on a first side of the light emitting region, and an n-type region disposed on a second side of the light emitting region. At least 10% of a thickness of the semiconductor structure on the first side of the light emitting region comprises indium. Some examples of such a semiconductor light emitting device may be formed by growing an n-type region, growing a p-type region, and growing a light emitting layer disposed between the n-type region and the p-type region. The difference in temperature between the growth temperature of a part of the n-type region and the growth temperature of a part of the p-type region is at least 140° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: Junko Kobayashi, Werner Goetz, Anneli Munkholm
  • Patent number: 6989555
    Abstract: In a III-nitride light emitting device, a ternary or quaternary light emitting layer is configured to control the degree of phase separation. In some embodiments, the difference between the InN composition at any point in the light emitting layer and the average InN composition in the light emitting layer is less than 20%. In some embodiments, control of phase separation is accomplished by controlling the ratio of the lattice constant in a relaxed, free standing layer having the same composition as the light emitting layer to the lattice constant in a base region. For example, the ratio may be between about 1 and about 1.01.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Lumileds Lighting U.S., LLC
    Inventors: Werner K. Goetz, Michael R. Krames, Anneli Munkholm
  • Publication number: 20060011937
    Abstract: In a III-nitride light emitting device, a ternary or quaternary light emitting layer is configured to control the degree of phase separation. In some embodiments, the difference between the InN composition at any point in the light emitting layer and the average InN composition in the light emitting layer is less than 20%. In some embodiments, control of phase separation is accomplished by controlling the ratio of the lattice constant in a relaxed, free standing layer having the same composition as the light emitting layer to the lattice constant in a base region. For example, the ratio may be between about 1 and about 1.01.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Werner Goetz, Michael Krames, Anneli Munkholm
  • Publication number: 20050236641
    Abstract: In a III-nitride light emitting device, a ternary or quaternary light emitting layer is configured to control the degree of phase separation. In some embodiments, the difference between the InN composition at any point in the light emitting layer and the average InN composition in the light emitting layer is less than 20%. In some embodiments, control of phase separation is accomplished by controlling the ratio of the lattice constant in a relaxed, free standing layer having the same composition as the light emitting layer to the lattice constant in a base region. For example, the ratio may be between about 1 and about 1.01.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Werner Goetz, Michael Krames, Anneli Munkholm
  • Patent number: 6630692
    Abstract: III-Nitride light emitting diodes having improved performance are provided. In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a substrate, a nucleation layer disposed on the substrate, a defect reduction structure disposed above the nucleation layer, and an n-type III-Nitride semiconductor layer disposed above the defect reduction structure. The n-type layer has, for example, a thickness greater than about one micron and a silicon dopant concentration greater than or equal to about 1019 cm−3. In another embodiment, a light emitting device includes a III-Nitride semiconductor active region that includes at least one barrier layer either uniformly doped with an impurity or doped with an impurity having a concentration graded in a direction substantially perpendicular to the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Lumileds Lighting U.S., LLC
    Inventors: Werner Goetz, Nathan Fredrick Gardner, Richard Scott Kern, Andrew Youngkyu Kim, Anneli Munkholm, Stephen A. Stockman, Christopher P. Kocot, Richard P. Schneider, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020190259
    Abstract: III-Nitride light emitting diodes having improved performance are provided. In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a substrate, a nucleation layer disposed on the substrate, a defect reduction structure disposed above the nucleation layer, and an n-type III-Nitride semiconductor layer disposed above the defect reduction structure. The n-type layer has, for example, a thickness greater than about one micron and a silicon dopant concentration greater than or equal to about 1019 cm−3. In another embodiment, a light emitting device includes a III-Nitride semiconductor active region that includes at least one barrier layer either uniformly doped with an impurity or doped with an impurity having a concentration graded in a direction substantially perpendicular to the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Werner Goetz, Nathan Fredrick Gardner, Richard Scott Kern, Andrew Youngkyu Kim, Anneli Munkholm, Stephen A. Stockman, Christopher P. Kocot, Richard P. Schneider