Patents by Inventor Claude C. A. Weisbuch

Claude C. A. Weisbuch 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: 20230006426
    Abstract: A Group-III nitride light emitting device that utilizes scattering of hot carriers generated by Auger recombination from an externally electrically-driven, relatively narrow band gap carrier generation region into a relatively wide band gap carrier recombination region, such that the relatively wide band gap carrier recombination region of the Group-III nitride light emitting device is internally electrically injected by the hot carriers generated in the externally electrically-injected relatively narrow band gap carrier generation region. The device is used for generation of incoherent light (a light-emitting diode) or coherent light (a laser diode).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel A. Cohen, Daniel Myers, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 10186835
    Abstract: The monolithic integration of optically-pumped and electrically-injected III-nitride light-emitting devices. This structure does not involve the growth of p-type layers after an active region for a first III-nitride light-emitting device, and thus avoids high temperature growth steps after the fabrication of the active region for the first III-nitride light emitting device. Since electrical injection in such a structure cannot be possible, a second III-nitride light-emitting device is used to optically pump the first III-nitride light emitting device. This second III-nitride light emitting device emits light at a shorter wavelength region of the optical spectrum than the first III-nitride light emitting device, so that it can be absorbed by the active region of the first III-nitride light-emitting device, which in turn emits light at a longer wavelength region of the optical spectrum than the second III-nitride light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Robert M. Farrell, Shuji Nakamura, Claude C. A. Weisbuch
  • Publication number: 20160322782
    Abstract: The monolithic integration of optically-pumped and electrically-injected III-nitride light-emitting devices. This structure does not involve the growth of p-type layers after an active region for a first III-nitride light-emitting device, and thus avoids high temperature growth steps after the fabrication of the active region for the first III-nitride light emitting device. Since electrical injection in such a structure cannot be possible, a second III-nitride light-emitting device is used to optically pump the first III-nitride light emitting device. This second III-nitride light emitting device emits light at a shorter wavelength region of the optical spectrum than the first III-nitride light emitting device, so that it can be absorbed by the active region of the first III-nitride light-emitting device, which in turn emits light at a longer wavelength region of the optical spectrum than the second III-nitride light emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Robert M. Farrell, Shuji Nakamura, Claude C.A. Weisbuch
  • Publication number: 20130207237
    Abstract: A method for separating a III-nitride layer from a substrate. This is done by fabricating a detachment porous region between the III-nitride layer and the substrate through etching. The porous region allows for easy detachment of the III-nitride layer from the substrate. Active layers for electronic and optoelectronic devices can then be grown on the III-nitride layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Claude C.A. Weisbuch, James S. Speck
  • Patent number: 8390011
    Abstract: An opto-electronic device, and a method of fabricating same, wherein the device has a patterned layer that includes a patterned, pierced or perforated mask, and an active layer formed over the patterned layer, wherein a refractive index of the patterned layer and a pattern of holes in the patterned layer are configured for controlling confinement or extraction of light emissions of the active layer into radiative and guided modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Aurelien J. F. David, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 8227818
    Abstract: A structure using integrated optical elements is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate, one or more first patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, wherein each of the first patterned layers is comprised of a bottom lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the bottom LEO mask layer, one or more active layers formed on the first patterned layers, and one or more second patterned layers deposited on top of the active layer, wherein each of the second patterned layers is comprised of a top LEO mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the top LEO mask layer, wherein the top and/or bottom LEO mask layers act as a mirror, optical confinement layer, grating, wavelength selective element, beam shaping element or beam directing element for the active layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8227825
    Abstract: A high efficiency light emitting diode (LED) comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate (if such a layer is needed), a first active region comprising primary emitting species (PES) that are electrically-injected, a second active region comprising secondary emitting species (SES) that are optically-pumped by the light emitted from the PES, and photonic crystals, wherein the photonic crystals act as diffraction gratings to provide high light extraction efficiency, to provide efficient excitation of the SES, and/or to modulate the far-field emission pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Frederic S. Diana, Aurelien J. F. David, Pierre M. Petroff, Claude C. A. Weisbuch
  • Publication number: 20120018755
    Abstract: A method of fabricating optoelectronic devices with embedded void-gap structures on semiconductor layers through bonding is provided. The embedded void-gaps are fabricated on a semiconductor structure by bonding a patterned layer or slab onto a flat surface, or by bonding a flat layer or slab onto a patterned surface. The void-gaps can be filled with air, gases, conductive or dielectric materials, or other substances, in order to provide better isolation of optical modes from dissipative regions, or better light extraction properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James S. Speck, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Elison de Nazareth Matioli
  • Publication number: 20120018758
    Abstract: An optoelectronic structure, and method of fabricating same, comprised of semiconductors having growth-embedded void-gap gratings or photonic crystals in one or two dimensions, which are optimized to yield high interaction of the guided light and the photonic crystals and planar epitaxial growth. Such structure can be applied to increase light extraction efficiency in LEDs, increase modal confinement in lasers or increase light absorption in solar cells. The optimal dimensions of the growth-embedded void-gap gratings or photonic crystals are calculated by numerical simulation using scattering matrix formalism. The growth-embedded void-gap gratings are applicable to any semiconductor device, as well as optoelectronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes, laser diodes and solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Elison de Nazareth Matioli, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, James S. Speck, Evelyn L. Hu
  • Patent number: 7977694
    Abstract: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) where the emission region, usually a (Al,In,Ga)N layer, is structured for efficient light extraction, are disclosed. The structuring is designed for light extraction from thin films, such as a photonic crystal acting as a diffraction grating. In addition, the structuring controls the in-plane emission and allows new modes into which light will be emitted. Various electrode designs are proposed, including ZnO structures which are known to lead to both excellent electrical properties, such as good carrier injection, and high transparency. Alternatively, the (Al,In,Ga)N layer can be replaced by structures with other materials compositions, in order to achieve efficient light extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Aurelien J. F. David, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Steven P. DenBaars, Stacia Keller
  • Publication number: 20100327305
    Abstract: A high efficiency light emitting diode (LED) comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate (if such a layer is needed), a first active region comprising primary emitting species (PES) that are electrically-injected, a second active region comprising secondary emitting species (SES) that are optically-pumped by the light emitted from the PES, and photonic crystals, wherein the photonic crystals act as diffraction gratings to provide high light extraction efficiency, to provide efficient excitation of the SES, and/or to modulate the far-field emission pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Frédéric S. Diana, Aurélien J.F. David, Pierre M. Petroff, Claude C.A. Weisbuch
  • Publication number: 20100301369
    Abstract: A high efficiency, and possibly highly directional, light emitting diode (LED) with an optimized photonic crystal extractor. The LED is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate (if needed), an active layer including emitting species, one or more optical confinement layers that tailor the structure of the guided modes in the LED, and one or more diffraction gratings, wherein the diffraction gratings are two-dimensional photonic crystal extractors. The substrate may be removed and metal layers may be deposited on the buffer layer, photonic crystal and active layer, wherein the metal layers may function as a mirror, an electrical contact, and/or an efficient diffraction grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Aurelien J.F. David, Claude C.A. Weisbuch, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Publication number: 20100295081
    Abstract: A single or multi-color light emitting diode (LED) with high extraction efficiency is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer formed on the substrate, one or more patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, and one or more active layers formed on or between the patterned layers, for example by Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth (LEO), and including one or more light emitting species, such as quantum wells. The patterned layers include a patterned, perforated or pierced mask made of insulating, semiconducting or metallic material, and materials filling holes in the mask. The patterned layer acts as an optical confining layer due to a contrast of a refractive index with the active layer and/or as a buried diffraction grating due to variation of a refractive index between the mask and the material filling the holes in the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Aurelien J. F. David, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Publication number: 20100289043
    Abstract: An (Al,In,Ga)N and ZnO direct wafer bonded light emitting diode (LED), combined with a second light extractor acting as an additional light extraction method. This second light extraction method aims at extracting the light which has not been extracted by the ZnO structure, and more specifically the light which is trapped in the (Al,In,Ga)N layer. This second method is suited for light extraction from thin films, using surface patterning or texturing, or a photonic crystal acting as a diffraction grating. The combination of both the ZnO structure and the second light extraction method enables most of the emitted light from the LED to be extracted. In a more general extension of the present invention, the ZnO structure can be replaced by another material in order to achieve additional light extraction. In another extension, the (Al,In,Ga)N layer can be replaced by structures comprising other materials compositions, in order to achieve additional light extraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: David J. F. Aurelien, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Akihiko Murai, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Publication number: 20100265979
    Abstract: A structure using integrated optical elements is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate, one or more first patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, wherein each of the first patterned layers is comprised of a bottom lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the bottom LEO mask layer, one or more active layers formed on the first patterned layers, and one or more second patterned layers deposited on top of the active layer, wherein each of the second patterned layers is comprised of a top LEO mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the top LEO mask layer, wherein the top and/or bottom LEO mask layers act as a mirror, optical confinement layer, grating, wavelength selective element, beam shaping element or beam directing element for the active layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Claude C.A. Weisbuch, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7776629
    Abstract: A high efficiency, and possibly highly directional, light emitting diode (LED) with an optimized photonic crystal extractor. The LED is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate (if needed), an active layer including emitting species, one or more optical confinement layers that tailor the structure of the guided modes in the LED, and one or more diffraction gratings, wherein the diffraction gratings are two-dimensional photonic crystal extractors. The substrate may be removed and metal layers may be deposited on the buffer layer, photonic crystal and active layer, wherein the metal layers may function as a mirror, an electrical contact, and/or an efficient diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Aurelien J. F. David, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 7768023
    Abstract: A high efficiency light emitting diode (LED) comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate (if such a layer is needed), a first active region comprising primary emitting species (PES) that are electrically-injected, a second active region comprising secondary emitting species (SES) that are optically-pumped by the light emitted from the PES, and photonic crystals, wherein the photonic crystals act as diffraction gratings to provide high light extraction efficiency, to provide efficient excitation of the SES, and/or to modulate the far-field emission pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Frédéric S. Diana, Aurélien J. F. David, Pierre M. Petroff, Claude C. A. Weisbuch
  • Patent number: 7768024
    Abstract: A structure using integrated optical elements is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate, one or more first patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, wherein each of the first patterned layers is comprised of a bottom lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the bottom LEO mask layer, one or more active layers formed on the first patterned layers, and one or more second patterned layers deposited on top of the active layer, wherein each of the second patterned layers is comprised of a top LEO mask layer and a LEO nitride layer filling holes in the top LEO mask layer, wherein the top and/or bottom LEO mask layers act as a mirror, optical confinement layer, grating, wavelength selective element, beam shaping element or beam directing element for the active layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7755096
    Abstract: A single or multi-color light emitting diode (LED) with high extraction efficiency is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer formed on the substrate, one or more patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, and one or more active layers formed on or between the patterned layers, for example by Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth (LEO), and including one or more light emitting species, such as quantum wells. The patterned layers include a patterned, perforated or pierced mask made of insulating, semiconducting or metallic material, and materials filling holes in the mask. The patterned layer acts as an optical confining layer due to a contrast of a refractive index with the active layer and/or as a buried diffraction grating due to variation of a refractive index between the mask and the material filling the holes in the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, David J. F. Aurelien, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 7723745
    Abstract: A structure using integrated optical elements is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate, one or more patterned layers formed on the buffer layer and one or more active layers formed on or between the patterned layers, for instance by Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth (LEO), and including one or more light emitting species. The patterned layer comprises a mask (made of insulating, semiconducting or metallic material) and material filling holes in the mask. The patterned layer, due to a large index difference with the active layer and/or variations of a refractive index between the mask and materials filling holes in the mask, acts as an optical confinement layer, a mirror, a diffraction grating, a wavelength selective element, a beam shaping element or a beam directing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Aurelien J. F. David, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars