Patents by Inventor David B. Slater

David B. Slater 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: 9608166
    Abstract: A method of forming an ohmic contact for a semiconductor device can be provided by thinning a substrate to provide a reduced thickness substrate and providing a metal on the reduced thickness substrate. Laser annealing can be performed at a location of the metal and the reduced thickness substrate at an energy level to form a metal-substrate material to provide the ohmic contact thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., John Edmond, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 9484499
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes an active structure formed of at least p-type and n-type epitaxial layers of Group III nitride on a conductive carrier substrate. A conductive bonding system joins the active structure to the conductive carrier substrate. A first transparent ohmic contact is on the active structure adjacent the conductive carrier substrate, a second transparent ohmic contact is on the active structure opposite the conductive carrier substrate, and a third ohmic contact is on the conductive carrier substrate opposite from the active structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr., Michael J. Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20160189954
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are fabricated by providing a growth substrate having a thickness within a preselected range and then bonding a lower surface of the growth substrate to an upper surface of the carrier substrate to form a composite substrate. One or more semiconductor growth processes are performed at one or more growth temperatures of at least 500° C. to form one or more semiconductor layers on an upper surface of the composite substrate. The growth substrate is separated from the carrier substrate after the one or more semiconductor growth processes are completed so that the carrier substrate may be reused with a second growth substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Hua-Shuang Kong, John A. Edmond, Matthew Donofrio, Michael J. Bergmann, David B. Slater, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160079472
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a substrate and an active area disposed over the substrate. The active area includes at least one or more corner region having a non-orthogonal angled edge. A method of providing a semiconductor device is also provided. The method includes providing a substrate and fabricating an active area over the substrate. The active area includes at least one or more corner region with a non-orthogonal angled edge. LED chips and methods herein have a reduced sensitivity to corner cracking, fracturing, or chipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Arthur Fong-Yuen Pun, David B. Slater, JR.
  • Patent number: 8907366
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a current spreading layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the current spreading layer and extending on a sidewall of the current spreading layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Patent number: 8878209
    Abstract: A high efficiency Group III nitride light emitting diode is disclosed. The diode includes a Group III nitride-based light emitting region including a plurality of Group III nitride-based layers. A lenticular surface directly contacts one of the Group III nitride-based layers of the light emitting region. The lenticular surface includes a transparent material that is different from the Group III nitride-based layer of the light emitting region that the lenticular surface directly contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Adam Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr., Jayesh Bharathan, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20140167089
    Abstract: A high efficiency Group III nitride light emitting diode is disclosed. The diode includes a Group III nitride-based light emitting region including a plurality of Group III nitride-based layers. A lenticular surface directly contacts one of the Group III nitride-based layers of the light emitting region. The lenticular surface includes a transparent material that is different from the Group III nitride-based layer of the light emitting region that the lenticular surface directly contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Adam Edmond, David B. Slater, JR., Jayesh Bharathan, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 8704240
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer and an active region between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. A bond pad is provided on one of the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer, opposite the active region, the bond pad being electrically connected to the one of the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer. A conductive finger extends from and is electrically connected to the bond pad. A reduced conductivity region is provided in the light emitting device that is aligned with the conductive finger. A reflector may also be provided between the bond pad and the reduced conductivity region. A reduced conductivity region may also be provided in the light emitting device that is not aligned with the bond pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, David B. Slater, Jr., Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond
  • Patent number: 8692277
    Abstract: Light emitting diodes include a diode region comprising a gallium nitride-based n-type layer, an active region and a gallium nitride-based p-type layer. A substrate is provided on the gallium nitride-based n-type layer and optically matched to the diode region. The substrate has a first face remote from the gallium nitride-based n-type layer, a second face adjacent the gallium nitride-based n-type layer and a sidewall therebetween. At least a portion of the sidewall is beveled, so as to extend oblique to the first and second faces. A reflector may be provided on the gallium nitride-based p-type layer opposite the substrate. Moreover, the diode region may be wider than the second face of the substrate and may include a mesa remote from the first face that is narrower than the first face and the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Robert C. Glass, Charles M. Swoboda, Bernd Keller, James Ibbetson, Brian Thibeault, Eric J. Tarsa
  • Publication number: 20140048822
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a current spreading layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the current spreading layer and extending on a sidewall of the current spreading layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, JR., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Patent number: 8643195
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer, substrate, and bonding structure is disclosed that includes a device wafer that includes, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes, a contact metal layer (or layers) on one side of the device wafer opposite the light emitting diodes, and a bonding metal system on the contact metal layer that predominates by weight in nickel and tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 8604502
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a reflector layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the reflector layer and extending on a sidewall of the reflector layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Publication number: 20130292639
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer and an active region between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. A bond pad is provided on one of the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer, opposite the active region, the bond pad being electrically connected to the one of the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer. A conductive finger extends from and is electrically connected to the bond pad. A reduced conductivity region is provided in the light emitting device that is aligned with the conductive finger. A reflector may also be provided between the bond pad and the reduced conductivity region. A reduced conductivity region may also be provided in the light emitting device that is not aligned with the bond pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, David B. Slater, JR., Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond
  • Patent number: 8436368
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and an active region between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. A non-transparent feature, such as a wire bond pad, is on the p-type semiconductor layer or on the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer, and a reduced conductivity region is in the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer and is aligned with the non-transparent feature. The reduced conductivity region may extend from a surface of the p-type semiconductor layer opposite the n-type semiconductor layer towards the active region and/or from a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer towards the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, David B. Slater, Jr., Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond
  • Patent number: 8426881
    Abstract: A light emitting diode includes a diode region having a gallium nitride based n-type layer, an active region and a gallium nitride based p-type layer. A first reflector layer is provided on the gallium nitride based p-type layer, and a second reflector layer is provided on the gallium nitride based n-type layer. Bonding layers, a mounting support, a wire bond and/or transparent oxide layers also may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Robert C. Glass, Charles M. Swoboda, Bernd Keller, James Ibbetson, Brian Thibeault, Eric J. Tarsa
  • Patent number: 8357923
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a support structure and a Group III nitride light emitting active structure mesa on the support structure. The mesa has its sidewalls along an indexed crystal plane of the Group III nitride. A method of forming the diode is also disclosed that includes the steps of removing a substrate from a Group III nitride light emitting structure that includes a sub-mount structure on the Group III nitride light emitting structure opposite the substrate, and thereafter etching the surface of the Group III nitride from which the substrate has been removed with an anisotropic etch to develop crystal facets on the surface in which the facets are along an index plane of the Group III nitride. The method can also include etching the light emitting structure with an anisotropic etch to form a mesa with edges along an index plane of the Group III nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr., Hua Shuang Kong, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20120305939
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a reflector layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the reflector layer and extending on a sidewall of the reflector layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: David B. Slater, JR., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Patent number: 8269241
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a reflector layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the reflector layer and extending on a sidewall of the reflector layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Patent number: 8247836
    Abstract: A light emitting diode structure is disclosed that includes a light emitting active portion formed of epitaxial layers and carrier substrate supporting the active portion. A bonding metal system that predominates in nickel and tin joins the active portion to the carrier substrate. At least one titanium adhesion layer is between the active portion and the carrier substrate and a platinum barrier layer is between the nickel-tin bonding system and the titanium adhesion layer. The platinum layer has a thickness sufficient to substantially prevent tin in the nickel tin bonding system from migrating into or through the titanium adhesion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, David B. Slater, Jr., John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: RE45517
    Abstract: A vertical geometry light emitting diode is disclosed that is capable of emitting light in the red, green, blue, violet and ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The light emitting diode includes a conductive silicon carbide substrate, an InGaN quantum well, a conductive buffer layer between the substrate and the quantum well, a respective undoped gallium nitride layer on each surface of the quantum well, and ohmic contacts in a vertical geometry orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen Marie Doverspike, John Adam Edmond, Hua-shuang Kong, Heidi Marie Dieringer, David B. Slater, Jr.