Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Bower

Christopher A. Bower 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: 20180204772
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for controlling the release of micro devices. Prior to transferring micro devices to a destination substrate, a native substrate is formed with micro devices thereon. The micro devices can be distributed over the native substrate and spatially separated from each other by an anchor structure. The anchors are physically connected/secured to the native substrate. Tethers physically secure each micro device to one or more anchors, thereby suspending the micro device above the native substrate. In certain embodiments, single tether designs are used to control the relaxation of built-in stress in releasable structures on a substrate, such as Si (1 1 1). Single tether designs offer, among other things, the added benefit of easier break upon retrieval from native substrate in micro assembly processes. In certain embodiments, narrow tether designs are used to avoid pinning of the undercut etch front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl
  • Patent number: 10008465
    Abstract: An active substrate includes a plurality of active components distributed over a surface of a destination substrate, each active component including a component substrate different from the destination substrate, and each active component having a circuit and connection posts on a process side of the component substrate. The connection posts may have a height that is greater than a base width thereof, and may be in electrical contact with the circuit and destination substrate contacts. The connection posts may extend through the surface of the destination substrate contacts into the destination substrate connection pads to electrically connect the connection posts to the destination substrate contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Bower
  • Publication number: 20180166337
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for controlling the release of micro devices. Prior to transferring micro devices to a destination substrate, a native substrate is formed with micro devices thereon. The micro devices can be distributed over the native substrate and spatially separated from each other by an anchor structure. The anchors are physically connected/secured to the native substrate. Tethers physically secure each micro device to one or more anchors, thereby suspending the micro device above the native substrate. In certain embodiments, single tether designs are used to control the relaxation of built-in stress in releasable structures on a substrate, such as Si (1 0 0). Single tether designs offer, among other things, the added benefit of easier break upon retrieval from native substrate in micro assembly processes. In certain embodiments, narrow tether designs are used to avoid pinning of the undercut etch front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl
  • Patent number: 9997501
    Abstract: A compound light-emitting diode (LED) device includes a semiconductor substrate having an active electronic circuit formed in or on the semiconductor substrate. Two or more electrically conductive circuit connection pads are formed in or on the semiconductor substrate and are electrically connected to the active electronic circuit. One or more micro-transfer printed LEDs each have at least two LED electrodes or connection pads and a fractured LED tether. An adhesive layer is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and each LED to adhere the semiconductor substrate to the LED. Two or more electrical conductors electrically connect one of the electrodes or LED connection pads to one of the circuit connection pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 9991423
    Abstract: The disclosed technology provides micro-assembled micro-LED displays and lighting elements using arrays of micro-LEDs that are too small (e.g., micro-LEDs with a width or diameter of 10 ?m to 50 ?m), numerous, or fragile to assemble by conventional means. The disclosed technology provides for micro-LED displays and lighting elements assembled using micro-transfer printing technology. The micro-LEDs can be prepared on a native substrate and printed to a display substrate (e.g., plastic, metal, glass, or other materials), thereby obviating the manufacture of the micro-LEDs on the display substrate. In certain embodiments, the display substrate is transparent and/or flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl, David Gomez, Salvatore Bonafede, David Kneeburg, Alin Fecioru, Carl Prevatte
  • Patent number: 9991413
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to a method and system for micro assembling GaN materials and devices to form displays and lighting components that use arrays of small LEDs and high-power, high-voltage, and or high frequency transistors and diodes. GaN materials and devices can be formed from epitaxy on sapphire, silicon carbide, gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, or silicon substrates. The disclosed technology provides systems and methods for preparing GaN materials and devices at least partially formed on several of those native substrates for micro assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl
  • Patent number: 9991163
    Abstract: A small-aperture-ratio display includes a display substrate and a plurality of spatially separated pixel elements distributed over the display substrate. Each pixel element includes one or more light emitters. An active electrical component is electrically connected to each of the pixel elements and each active electrical component is located on the display substrate at least partly between the pixel elements. The display substrate has a contiguous display substrate area that includes the pixel elements, the light emitters each have a light-emissive area, and the substrate area is greater than or equal to one-quarter the combined light-emissive areas of the light emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Robert R. Rotzoll, Matthew Meitl, Ronald S. Cok
  • Publication number: 20180151664
    Abstract: A structure with an interconnection layer for redistribution of electrical connections includes a plurality of first electrical connections disposed on a substrate in a first arrangement. An insulating layer is disposed on the substrate over the first electrical connections. A plurality of second electrical connections is disposed on the insulating layer on a side of the insulating layer opposite the plurality of first electrical connections in a second arrangement. Each second electrical connection is electrically connected to a respective first electrical connection. An integrated circuit is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the first electrical connections. The first electrical connections in the first arrangement have a greater spatial density than the second electrical connections in the second arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl, Ronald S. Cok
  • Publication number: 20180145058
    Abstract: A method for producing a plurality of semiconductor components and a semiconductor component are disclosed. In an embodiment the component includes a light transmissive carrier, a semiconductor body disposed on the light transmissive carrier, the semiconductor body including a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active region being arranged between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor body includes a first patterned main surface facing the light transmissive carrier and a second main surface facing away from the carrier and a contact structure including a first contact area and a second contact area arranged on the second main surface, wherein the second contact area is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer, and wherein the contact structure comprises a via extending from the second main surface throughout the second semiconductor layer and the active region into the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Meitl, Christopher Bower, Tansen Varghese
  • Patent number: 9980341
    Abstract: A multi-LED component comprises a component substrate comprising a common electrode, a first electrode, a second electrode, a plurality of first LEDs, and a plurality of second LEDs all disposed on the component substrate. Each first LED and each second LED comprises first and second LED contacts for providing power to each corresponding LED to cause the LED to emit light. The first LED contact of each first LED and each second LED is electrically connected to the common electrode. The second LED contacts of the first LEDs are electrically connected to the first electrode. The second LED contacts of the second LEDs are electrically connected to the second electrode so that the first LEDs are electrically connected in parallel and the second LEDs are electrically connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, António José Marques Trindade, Ronald S. Cok
  • Publication number: 20180138071
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of making a semiconductor structure suitable for transfer printing (e.g., micro-transfer printing) includes providing a support substrate and disposing and processing one or more semiconductor layers on the support substrate to make a completed semiconductor device. A patterned release layer and, optionally, a capping layer are disposed on or over the completed semiconductor device and the patterned release layer or capping layer, if present, are bonded to a handle substrate with a bonding layer. The support substrate is removed to expose the completed semiconductor device and, in some embodiments, a portion of the patterned release layer. In some embodiments, an entry path is formed to expose a portion of the patterned release layer. In some embodiments, the release layer is etched and the completed semiconductor devices transfer printed (e.g., micro-transfer printed) from the handle substrate to a destination substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl, António José Marques Trindade, Ronald S. Cok, Brook Raymond, Carl Prevatte
  • Publication number: 20180130400
    Abstract: A high-resolution display includes a display substrate having an array of light-emitting display pixels disposed thereon for displaying an image comprising an array of image pixels. The total number of display pixels in the array of light-emitting display pixels is less than and evenly divides the total number of image pixels in the image in at least one dimension. An actuator physically moves a display substrate and light-emitting display pixels in one or two dimensions in a direction parallel to a surface of the display substrate. A controller controls the light-emitting operation of display pixels and controls physical location of the display pixels. In some embodiments, a controller controls an actuator to spatially interpolate the spatial location of display pixels at successive times and controls the light-emitting operation of display pixels to display a different subset of the image pixels at each successive time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Meitl, Ronald S. Cok, Christopher Bower
  • Publication number: 20180130829
    Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a sacrificial layer on a handling substrate and forming a semiconductor active layer on the sacrificial layer. The semiconductor active layer and the sacrificial layer may be selectively etched in sequence to define an semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, which includes a first portion of the semiconductor active layer. A multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be formed on the SOI substrate. This multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be encapsulated by an inorganic capping layer that contacts an upper surface of the first portion of the semiconductor active layer. The capping layer and the first portion of the semiconductor active layer may be selectively etched to thereby expose the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, Matthew Meitl, Joseph Carr
  • Publication number: 20180130751
    Abstract: An electronic component array includes a backplane substrate, and a plurality of integrated circuit elements on the backplane substrate. Each of the integrated circuit elements includes a chiplet substrate having a connection pad and a conductor element on a surface thereof. The connection pad and the conductor element are electrically separated by an insulating layer that exposes at least a portion of the connection pad. At least one of the integrated circuit elements is misaligned on the backplane substrate relative to a desired position thereon. A plurality of conductive wires are provided on the backplane substrate including the integrated circuit elements thereon, and the connection pad of each of the integrated circuit elements is electrically connected to a respective one of the conductive wires notwithstanding the misalignment of the at least one of the integrated circuit elements. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher Bower
  • Publication number: 20180119931
    Abstract: An light-emitting diode (LED) optical component includes a component substrate having an LED side, an opposite side opposing the LED side, and, optionally, a broken or separated component tether. An LED structure includes an LED and, optionally, a broken or separated LED tether separate from the component substrate. The LED structure is disposed on or adjacent to the LED side of the component substrate and the LED emits light when provided with electrical power. An optical element is disposed at least partly in contact with the component substrate such that at least a portion of the emitted light is incident on the optical element. A second optical element can optionally be disposed between the LED and the component substrate or on the opposite side of the component substrate. An LED optical system includes a system substrate on which one or more LED optical components are disposed. The system substrate can be or include one or more optical elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl, Ronald S. Cok, Brent Fisher
  • Patent number: 9947584
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for controlling the release of micro devices. Prior to transferring micro devices to a destination substrate, a native substrate is formed with micro devices thereon. The micro devices can be distributed over the native substrate and spatially separated from each other by an anchor structure. The anchors are physically connected/secured to the native substrate. Tethers physically secure each micro device to one or more anchors, thereby suspending the micro device above the native substrate. In certain embodiments, single tether designs are used to control the relaxation of built-in stress in releasable structures on a substrate, such as Si (1 1 1). Single tether designs offer, among other things, the added benefit of easier break upon retrieval from native substrate in micro assembly processes. In certain embodiments, narrow tether designs are used to avoid pinning of the undercut etch front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl
  • Publication number: 20180100902
    Abstract: A multi-element sensor for measuring a magnetic field. The multi-element sensor comprises a magnetic sensing element, and an electronic circuit. The magnetic sensing element is mounted on the electronic circuit and comprises a fractured tether. The magnetic sensing element is electrically connected with the electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is produced in a first technology and/or first material and the magnetic sensing element is produced in a second technology and/or second material different from the first technology/material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Christian SCHOTT, Matthew MEITL, Christopher BOWER
  • Patent number: 9929053
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for controlling the release of micro devices. Prior to transferring micro devices to a destination substrate, a native substrate is formed with micro devices thereon. The micro devices can be distributed over the native substrate and spatially separated from each other by an anchor structure. The anchors are physically connected/secured to the native substrate. Tethers physically secure each micro device to one or more anchors, thereby suspending the micro device above the native substrate. In certain embodiments, single tether designs are used to control the relaxation of built-in stress in releasable structures on a substrate, such as Si (1 0 0). Single tether designs offer, among other things, the added benefit of easier break upon retrieval from native substrate in micro assembly processes. In certain embodiments, narrow tether designs are used to avoid pinning of the undercut etch front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl
  • Publication number: 20180084614
    Abstract: A multi-LED component comprises a component substrate comprising a common electrode, a first electrode, a second electrode, a plurality of first LEDs, and a plurality of second LEDs all disposed on the component substrate. Each first LED and each second LED comprises first and second LED contacts for providing power to each corresponding LED to cause the LED to emit light. The first LED contact of each first LED and each second LED is electrically connected to the common electrode. The second LED contacts of the first LEDs are electrically connected to the first electrode. The second LED contacts of the second LEDs are electrically connected to the second electrode so that the first LEDs are electrically connected in parallel and the second LEDs are electrically connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, António José Marques Trindade, Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 9923133
    Abstract: A substrate includes an anchor area physically secured to a surface of the substrate and at least one printable electronic component. The at least one printable electronic component includes an active layer having one or more active elements thereon, and is suspended over the surface of the substrate by electrically conductive breakable tethers. The electrically conductive breakable tethers include an insulating layer and a conductive layer thereon that physically secure and electrically connect the at least one printable electronic component to the anchor area, and are configured to be preferentially fractured responsive to pressure applied thereto. Related methods of fabrication and testing are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, Matthew Meitl