Patents by Inventor Christiaan Werkhoven

Christiaan Werkhoven 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: 20240084446
    Abstract: A reaction chamber component for use in a deposition apparatus for depositing a layer of a first material on a substrate is provided. The component may have a base material being partially coated with a liner of the first material. The component may have a protective layer of a second material different than the first material on top of the liner of the first material to protect the component. This may be useful during a removal process for removing a parasitic coating of the same first material deposited during use of the reaction chamber component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Iordan Iordanov, Christiaan Werkhoven, Loke Yuen Wong, Ivo Johannes Raaijmakers, Osama Khalil
  • Patent number: 9580836
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus that are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically GaN wafers. Specifically, the methods relate to substantially preventing the formation of unwanted materials on an isolation valve fixture within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. The invention provides apparatus and methods for limiting deposition/condensation of GaCl3 and reaction by-products on an isolation valve that is used in the system and method for forming a monocrystalline Group III-V semiconductor material by reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 9481944
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved gas injectors for use with CVD (chemical vapor deposition) systems that thermalize gases prior to injection into a CVD chamber. The provided injectors are configured to increase gas flow times through heated zones and include gas-conducting conduits that lengthen gas residency times in the heated zones. The provided injectors also have outlet ports sized, shaped, and arranged to inject gases in selected flow patterns. The invention also provides CVD systems using the provided thermalizing gas injectors. The present invention has particular application to high-volume manufacturing of GaN substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Ronald Thomas Bertram, Jr., Ed Lindow, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 9481943
    Abstract: A system for epitaxial deposition of a Group III-V semiconductor material that includes gallium. The system includes sources of the reactants, one of which is a gaseous Group III precursor having one or more gaseous gallium precursors and another of which is a gaseous Group V component, a reaction chamber wherein the reactants combine to deposit Group III-V semiconductor material, and one or more heating structures for heating the gaseous Group III precursors prior to reacting to a temperature to decompose substantially all dimers, trimers or other molecular variations of such precursors into their monomer forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SOITEC
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 9038565
    Abstract: Systems for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, or for wafers. The equipment is optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. The method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber to form the semiconductor material; removing exhaust gases including unreacted Group III precursor, unreacted Group V component and reaction byproducts; and heating the exhaust gases to a temperature sufficient to reduce condensation thereof and enhance manufacture of the semiconductor material. Advantageously, the exhaust gases are heated to sufficiently avoid condensation to facilitate sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 8887650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the methods relate to substantially preventing the formation of unwanted materials on an isolation valve fixture within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. In particular, the invention provides apparatus and methods for limiting deposition/condensation of GaCl3 and reaction by-products on an isolation valve that is used in the system and method for forming a monocrystalline Group III-V semiconductor material by reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20140041584
    Abstract: Systems for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, or for wafers. The equipment is optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. The method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber to form the semiconductor material; removing exhaust gases including unreacted Group III precursor, unreacted Group V component and reaction byproducts; and heating the exhaust gases to a temperature sufficient to reduce condensation thereof and enhance manufacture of the semiconductor material. Advantageously, the exhaust gases are heated to sufficiently avoid condensation to facilitate sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal ARENA, Christiaan WERKHOVEN
  • Publication number: 20130327266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the methods relate to substantially preventing the formation of unwanted materials on an isolation valve fixture within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. In particular, the invention provides apparatus and methods for limiting deposition/condensation of GaCl3 and reaction by-products on an isolation valve that is used in the system and method for forming a monocrystalline Group III-V semiconductor material by reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal ARENA, Christiaan WERKHOVEN
  • Patent number: 8585820
    Abstract: Methods for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, or for wafers. The equipment and methods are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. The method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber to form the semiconductor material; removing exhaust gases including unreacted Group III precursor, unreacted Group V component and reaction byproducts; and heating the exhaust gases to a temperature sufficient to reduce condensation thereof and enhance manufacture of the semiconductor material. Advantageously, the exhaust gases are heated to sufficiently avoid condensation to facilitate sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 8545628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the methods relate to substantially preventing the formation of unwanted materials on an isolation valve fixture within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. In particular, the invention provides apparatus and methods for limiting deposition/condensation of GaCl3 and reaction by-products on an isolation valve that is used in the system and method for forming a monocrystalline Group III-V semiconductor material by reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 8382898
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor processing equipment and methods and provides, in particular, methods for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, for wafers and so forth. In preferred embodiments, these methods are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber under conditions sufficient to provide sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material on one or more substrates, with the gaseous Group III precursor continuously provided at a mass flow of 50 g Group III element/hour for at least 48 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 8323407
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for epitaxial deposition of a Group III-V semiconductor material that includes gallium. The method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor having one or more gaseous gallium precursors as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber; and supplying sufficient energy to the gaseous gallium precursor(s) prior to their reacting so that substantially all such precursors are in their monomer forms. The system includes sources of the reactants, a reaction chamber wherein the reactants combine to deposit Group III-V semiconductor material, and one or more heating structures for heating the gaseous Group III precursors prior to reacting to a temperature to decompose substantially all dimers, trimers or other molecular variations of such precursors into their component monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Patent number: 8197597
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor processing equipment and methods and provides, in particular, methods and equipment for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, for wafers and so forth. In preferred embodiments, these methods are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber under conditions sufficient to provide sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material on one or more substrates, with the gaseous Group III precursor continuously provided at a mass flow of 50 g Group III element/hour for at least 48 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20120132922
    Abstract: A structure and a method can provide a crystalline seed layer material, such as GaN, on a crystalline carrier material, such as sapphire, aligned such that a common crystal plane exists between the two materials. The common crystal plane may provide for a fracture surface along a cleavage plane that may be oriented to be perpendicular to the top surface of an optoelectronic device as well as perpendicular to a light emission direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SOITEC
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20120048182
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for epitaxial deposition of a Group III-V semiconductor material that includes gallium. The method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor having one or more gaseous gallium precursors as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber; and supplying sufficient energy to the gaseous gallium precursor(s) prior to their reacting so that substantially all such precursors are in their monomer forms. The system includes sources of the reactants, a reaction chamber wherein the reactants combine to deposit Group III-V semiconductor material, and one or more heating structures for heating the gaseous Group III precursors prior to reacting to a temperature to decompose substantially all dimers, trimers or other molecular variations of such precursors into their component monomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20090283029
    Abstract: Methods for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, or for wafers. The equipment and methods are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. The method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber to form the semiconductor material; removing exhaust gases including unreacted Group III precursor, unreacted Group V component and reaction byproducts; and heating the exhaust gases to a temperature sufficient to reduce condensation thereof and enhance manufacture of the semiconductor material. Advantageously, the exhaust gases are heated to sufficiently avoid condensation to facilitate sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20090223453
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus that are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically GaN wafers. Specifically, the methods relate to substantially preventing the formation of unwanted materials on an isolation valve fixture within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. The invention provides apparatus and methods for limiting deposition/condensation of GaCl3 and reaction by-products on an isolation valve that is used in the system and method for forming a monocrystalline Group III-V semiconductor material by reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20090223442
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor processing equipment and methods and provides, in particular, methods for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, for wafers and so forth. In preferred embodiments, these methods are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber under conditions sufficient to provide sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material on one or more substrates, with the gaseous Group III precursor continuously provided at a mass flow of 50 g Group III element/hour for at least 48 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20090223441
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor processing equipment and methods and provides, in particular, methods and equipment for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, for wafers and so forth. In preferred embodiments, these methods and equipment are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the precursor is provided at a mass flow of at least 50 g Group III element/hour for a time of at least 48 hours to facilitate high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material. Advantageously, the mass flow of the gaseous Group III precursor is controlled to deliver the desired amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven
  • Publication number: 20090205563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus that are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the methods relate to substantially preventing the formation of unwanted materials on an isolation valve fixture within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. In particular, the invention provides apparatus and methods for limiting deposition/condensation of GaCl3 and reaction by-products on an isolation valve that is used in the system and method for forming a monocrystalline Group III-V semiconductor material by reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies
    Inventors: Chantal Arena, Christiaan Werkhoven