Patents by Inventor Hirokazu Iwata

Hirokazu Iwata 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: 9869033
    Abstract: A crystal has a diameter of 1 cm or more and shows a strongest peak in cathode luminescent spectrum at a wavelength of 360 nm in correspondence to a band edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Masahiko Shimada, Hisanori Yamane, Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 9856575
    Abstract: A crystal growth apparatus comprises a reaction vessel holding a melt mixture containing an alkali metal and a group III metal, a gas supplying apparatus supplying a nitrogen source gas to a vessel space exposed to the melt mixture inside the reaction vessel, a heating unit heating the melt mixture to a crystal growth temperature, and a support unit supporting a seed crystal of a group III nitride crystal inside the melt mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata, Akihiro Fuse
  • Publication number: 20170187349
    Abstract: An AT-cut crystal element includes a crystal element having two side surfaces (namely, a Z?-surface) intersecting with a Z-axis of a crystallographic axis thereof. At least one of the two side surfaces is constituted of three of first to third surfaces. The first to the third surfaces meeting following conditions: the first to the third surfaces intersect with one another in this order and formed by rotating a principal surface of the crystal element by predetermined angles; and expressing the angle of the first surface as ?1, a length of the first surface as D, a thickness of a part of the crystal element having the principal surface as t, and M=D/t, and a conversion percentage as fn (M, (?1)), the ?1 and the M are set such that the conversion percentage fn (M, (?1)) becomes a predetermined value Th or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu SATO, Yoshiro TESHIMA, Hirokazu IWATA, Kazuhiro HIROTA
  • Publication number: 20170070207
    Abstract: A crystal unit includes an AT-cut crystal element and a container. The AT-cut crystal element has an approximately rectangular planar shape. The AT-cut crystal element includes a first inclined portion, second inclined portions, and a first secured portion. The first inclined portion is inclined such that the crystal element decreases in thickness from a proximity of the first side to the first side. The second inclined portions are disposed on respective both ends of the first side, the second inclined portions being formed integrally with the first inclined portion. The second inclined portions are inclined gentler than the first inclined portion. The first secured portion and a second secured portion are formed integrally with the second inclined portion. The first secured portion and the second secured portion each project out from the first side to outside the crystal element to be used for securing with the securing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji SHIMAO, Yoshiharu SATO, Hirokazu IWATA
  • Publication number: 20170070206
    Abstract: A crystal unit includes an AT-cut crystal element, excitation electrodes, extraction electrodes. The AT-cut crystal element has an approximately rectangular planar shape. The excitation electrodes are disposed on front and back of principal surfaces of the AT-cut crystal element. The extraction electrodes are extended from the excitation electrodes to a side of one side of the AT-cut crystal element via a side surface of the AT-cut crystal element. Assuming that an extraction angle of the extraction electrode from the principal surface to the side surface is defined as an angle ? with respect to an X-axis of a crystallographic axis of a crystal, the angle ? is equal to or greater than 59 degrees and equal to or less than 87 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu SATO, Kenji SHIMAO, Hirokazu IWATA
  • Publication number: 20160362815
    Abstract: A method of producing an n-type group III nitride single crystal includes putting raw materials that include at least a substance including a group III element, an alkali metal, and boron oxide into a reaction vessel; melting the boron oxide by heating the reaction vessel to a melting point of the boron oxide; forming a mixed melt which includes the group III element, the alkali metal, and the boron oxide, in the reaction vessel by heating the reaction vessel to a crystal growth temperature of a group III nitride; dissolving nitrogen into the mixed melt by bringing a nitrogen-containing gas into contact with the mixed melt; and growing an n-type group III nitride single crystal, which is doped with oxygen as a donor, from the group III element, the nitrogen, and oxygen in the boron oxide that are dissolved in the mixed melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hirokazu IWATA
  • Patent number: 9464367
    Abstract: A method of producing an n-type group III nitride single crystal includes putting raw materials that include at least a substance including a group III element, an alkali metal, and boron oxide into a reaction vessel; melting the boron oxide by heating the reaction vessel to a melting point of the boron oxide; forming a mixed melt which includes the group III element, the alkali metal, and the boron oxide, in the reaction vessel by heating the reaction vessel to a crystal growth temperature of a group III nitride; dissolving nitrogen into the mixed melt by bringing a nitrogen-containing gas into contact with the mixed melt; and growing an n-type group III nitride single crystal, which is doped with oxygen as a donor, from the group III element, the nitrogen, and oxygen in the boron oxide that are dissolved in the mixed melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Iwata
  • Publication number: 20160294356
    Abstract: An AT-cut crystal element is provided. The AT-cut crystal element includes side surfaces intersecting with a Z?-axis of a crystallographic axis of a crystal. At least one side surface of the side surfaces is constituted of three surfaces of a first surface to a third surface. Besides, a crystal resonator including the AT-cut crystal element, and a crystal unit including the crystal resonator are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki KUWAHARA, Kenji SHIMAO, Hirokazu IWATA
  • Patent number: 9376763
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a group III nitride crystal on a seed crystal in a holding vessel holding therein a melt containing a group III metal, an alkali metal and nitrogen. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of causing the seed crystal to make a contact with the melt, setting an environment of the seed crystal to a first state offset from a crystal growth condition while in a state in which said seed crystal is in contact with the melt, increasing a nitrogen concentration in the melt, and setting the environment of the seed crystal to a second state suitable for crystal growth when the nitrogen concentration of the melt has reached a concentration suitable for growing the seed crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Minoru Fukuda, Tetsuya Takahashi, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9365948
    Abstract: A group III nitride crystal containing therein an alkali metal element comprises a base body, a first group III nitride crystal formed such that at least a part thereof makes a contact with the base body, the first group III nitride crystal deflecting threading dislocations in a direction different from a direction of crystal growth from the base body and a second nitride crystal formed adjacent to the first group III nitride crystal, the second nitride crystal having a crystal growth surface generally perpendicular to the direction of the crystal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Akihiro Fuse
  • Publication number: 20160002818
    Abstract: A crystal growth apparatus comprises a reaction vessel holding a melt mixture containing an alkali metal and a group III metal, a gas supplying apparatus supplying a nitrogen source gas to a vessel space exposed to the melt mixture inside the reaction vessel, a heating unit heating the melt mixture to a crystal growth temperature, and a support unit supporting a seed crystal of a group III nitride crystal inside the melt mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Seiji SARAYAMA, Hirokazu Iwata, Akihiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 9222199
    Abstract: A crystal manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a group III nitride crystal includes a crucible that holds a mixed molten liquid including an alkali metal and a group III metal; a reaction vessel accommodating the crucible in the reaction vessel; a heating device that heats the crucible with the reaction vessel; a holding vessel having a lid that is capable of opening and closing, accommodating the reaction vessel and the heating device in the holding vessel; a sealed vessel accommodating the holding vessel in the sealed vessel, having an operating device that enables opening the lid of the holding vessel for supplying source materials into the crucible and taking out a manufactured GaN crystal under a sealed condition, and closing the lid of the holding vessel that is sealed in the sealed vessel, the sealed vessel including an inert gas atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere; and a gas supplying device for supplying a nitrogen gas to the mixed molten liquid through each of the vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata
  • Publication number: 20150315723
    Abstract: A nitride crystal which encircles an outer periphery of a seed crystal, the nitride crystal in an embodiment includes: a first partial region, and a second partial region that has optical characteristics different from those of the first partial region and has optical characteristics which indicate the crystal orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicants: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED, OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Takashi Satoh, Seiji SARAYAMA, Hirokazu IWATA, Yusuke MORI, Yasuo KITAOKA
  • Patent number: 9163325
    Abstract: A crystal growth apparatus comprises a reaction vessel holding a melt mixture containing an alkali metal and a group III metal, a gas supplying apparatus supplying a nitrogen source gas to a vessel space exposed to the melt mixture inside the reaction vessel, a heating unit heating the melt mixture to a crystal growth temperature, and a support unit supporting a seed crystal of a group III nitride crystal inside the melt mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata, Akihiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 9096950
    Abstract: A nitride crystal which encircles an outer periphery of a seed crystal, the nitride crystal in an embodiment includes: a first partial region, and a second partial region that has optical characteristics different from those of the first partial region and has optical characteristics which indicate the crystal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: RICOH COMPANY, LTD., OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Takashi Satoh, Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata, Yusuke Mori, Yasuo Kitaoka
  • Publication number: 20150152568
    Abstract: A crystal has a diameter of 1 cm or more and shows a strongest peak in cathode luminescent spectrum at a wavelength of 360 nm in correspondence to a band edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Masahiko Shimada, Hisanori Yamane, Hirokazu Iwata
  • Publication number: 20140369917
    Abstract: A method of producing an n-type group III nitride single crystal includes putting raw materials that include at least a substance including a group III element, an alkali metal, and boron oxide into a reaction vessel; melting the boron oxide by heating the reaction vessel to a melting point of the boron oxide; forming a mixed melt which includes the group III element, the alkali metal, and the boron oxide, in the reaction vessel by heating the reaction vessel to a crystal growth temperature of a group III nitride; dissolving nitrogen into the mixed melt by bringing a nitrogen-containing gas into contact with the mixed melt; and growing an n-type group III nitride single crystal, which is doped with oxygen as a donor, from the group III element, the nitrogen, and oxygen in the boron oxide that are dissolved in the mixed melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 8888912
    Abstract: In a method of producing a group III nitride crystal in which a melt holding vessel where a melt containing a group III metal and flux is held is accommodated in a reaction vessel and a group III nitride crystal is produced as a substance containing nitrogen is supplied from an outside to the reaction vessel through a pipe, the method includes a step of forming an accumulated part of a liquid in the pipe to thereby temporarily close the pipe before growing the group III nitride crystal in the melt holding vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata, Akihiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 8858908
    Abstract: A method of producing an n-type group III nitride single crystal includes putting raw materials that include at least a substance including a group III element, an alkali metal, and boron oxide into a reaction vessel; melting the boron oxide by heating the reaction vessel to a melting point of the boron oxide; forming a mixed melt which includes the group III element, the alkali metal, and the boron oxide, in the reaction vessel by heating the reaction vessel to a crystal growth temperature of a group III nitride; dissolving nitrogen into the mixed melt by bringing a nitrogen-containing gas into contact with the mixed melt; and growing an n-type group III nitride single crystal, which is doped with oxygen as a donor, from the group III element, the nitrogen, and oxygen in the boron oxide that are dissolved in the mixed melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 8829530
    Abstract: A crystal producing apparatus includes a crystal forming unit and a crystal growing unit. The crystal forming unit forms a first gallium nitride (GaN) crystal by supplying nitride gas into melt mixture containing metal sodium (Na) and metal gallium (Ga). The first GaN crystal is sliced and polished to form GaN wafers. The crystal growing unit grows a second GaN crystal on a substrate formed by using a GaN wafer, by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy method, thus producing a bulked GaN crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata