Patents by Inventor Hironobu Narui

Hironobu Narui 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: 7388893
    Abstract: A plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices each having a different lasing wavelength are arrayed by a simple structure and a manufacturing process without increasing device resistance. Each vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser device comprises a layered structure including an active layer and a current confinement layer. The area of current confinement portion in the laminate structures is set corresponding to a wavelength of laser light emitted from each vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser device. Thereby, the plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices emits laser light with different lasing wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Watanabe, Hironobu Narui, Yoshinori Yamauchi, Yuichi Kuromizu, Yoshiyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7332744
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device capable of improving device characteristics such as life and reliability is provided. A current confinement layer includes a non-oxidized region made of AlAs or the like corresponding to a current injection region in an active layer, and an oxidized region made of aluminum oxide corresponding to a non-current injection region. The oxidized region is formed by forming a non-oxidized layer made of AlAs or the like and then oxidizing part of the non-oxidized layer at a temperature from 240° C. to less than 375° C. The thickness of the oxidized region is preferably from 10 nm to 1000 nm. The width of the one side of the oxidized region is one time or more of the width of the non-oxidized region or seven times or less thereof The distance between current confinement layer and the active layer is preferably 50 nm or more, or 500 nm or less, and more preferably 180 nm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Hino, Hironobu Narui, Takayuki Kawasumi, Tsuyoshi Nagatake, Yuichi Kuromizu, Tadahiko Kawasaki, Noriko Kobayashi, Masaki Shiozaki, Jugo Mitomo, Michiko Komine
  • Publication number: 20070145396
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device having high reflectivity and a high electrical contact property between a light reflection layer and a semiconductor layer is provided. The semiconductor light emitting device is formed by laminating a semiconductor layer, a light reflection layer and a protective layer on a substrate in this order. The semiconductor layer is formed by laminating a buffer layer, a GaN layer, an n-type contact layer, an n-type cladding layer, an active layer, a p-type cladding layer and a p-type contact layer in this order. The light reflection layer is formed by depositing an Ag alloy on a surface of the p-type contact layer while heating the substrate at, for example, a temperature from 100° C. to less than 400° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Watanabe, Tomonori Hino, Toshimasa Kobayashi, Hironobu Narui
  • Publication number: 20070138487
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device having high reflectivity and a high electrical contact property between a light reflection layer and a semiconductor layer is provided. The semiconductor light emitting device is formed by laminating a semiconductor layer, a base layer and a light reflection layer in this order. The semiconductor layer is formed by laminating a buffer layer, a GaN layer, an n-type contact layer, an n-type cladding layer, an active layer, a p-type cladding layer and a p-type contact layer in this order. The base layer is formed on a surface of the p-type contact layer, and is made of a transition metal with Ag (silver) with a thickness of 1 nm to 10 nm inclusive. The light reflection layer is formed on a surface of the base layer, and is made of Ag with a predetermined material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Yoshiake Watanabe, Tomonori Hino, Toshimasa Kobayashi, Hironobu Narui
  • Publication number: 20070110449
    Abstract: The optical semiconductor apparatus includes, on an n-GaAs substrate, a surface-emitting semiconductor laser device and a photodiode integrated on the periphery of the laser device with an isolation region interposed there between. The laser device is composed of an n-DBR mirror, an active region, and a p-DBR mirror and includes a columnar layered structure with its sidewall covered with an insulating film. The photodiode is formed on the substrate and has a circular layered structure wherein an i-GaAs layer and a p-GaAs layer surrounds the laser device with an isolating region interposed between the i-GaAs and p-GaAs layers and the laser device. The diameter of the photodiode is smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber core optically coupled with the optical semiconductor apparatus. Since the laser device and the photodiode are monolithically integrated, the devices do not require optical alignment, and thus, facilitate optical coupling with an optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Hironobu Narui, Tomonori Hino, Nobukata Okano, Jugo Mitomo
  • Publication number: 20070091966
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device capable of improving device characteristics such as life and reliability is provided. A current confinement layer includes a non-oxidized region made of AlAs or the like corresponding to a current injection region in an active layer, and an oxidized region made of aluminum oxide corresponding to a non-current injection region. The oxidized region is formed by forming a non-oxidized layer made of AlAs or the like and then oxidizing part of the non-oxidized layer at a temperature from 240° C. to less than 375° C. The thickness of the oxidized region is preferably from 10 nm to 1000 nm. The width of the one side of the oxidized region is one time or more of the width of the non-oxidized region or seven times or less thereof. The distance between current confinement layer and the active layer is preferably 50 nm or more, or 500 nm or less, and more preferably 180 nm or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Tomonori Hino, Hironobu Narui, Takayuki Kawasumi, Tsuyoshi Nagatake, Yuichi Kuromizu, Tadahiko Kawasaki, Noriko Kobayashi, Masaki Shiozaki, Jugo Mitomo, Michiko Komine
  • Publication number: 20070086499
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device capable of improving device characteristics such as life and reliability is provided. A current confinement layer includes a non-oxidized region made of AlAs or the like corresponding to a current injection region in an active layer, and an oxidized region made of aluminum oxide corresponding to a non-current injection region. The oxidized region is formed by forming a non-oxidized layer made of AlAs or the like and then oxidizing part of the non-oxidized layer at a temperature from 240° C. to less than 375° C. The thickness of the oxidized region is preferably from 10 nm to 1000 nm. The width of the one side of the oxidized region is one time or more of the width of the non-oxidized region or seven times or less thereof. The distance between current confinement layer and the active layer is preferably 50 nm or more, or 500 nm or less, and more preferably 180 nm or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Tomonori Hino, Hironobu Narui, Takayuki Kawasumi, Tsuyoshi Nagatake, Yuichi Kuromizu, Tadahiko Kawasaki, Noriko Kobayashi, Masaki Shiozaki, Jugo Mitomo, Michiko Komine
  • Publication number: 20070085093
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light-emitting diode, which includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a plurality of protruded portions on one main surface thereof wherein the protruded portion is made of a material different in type from that of the substrate and growing a first nitride-based III-V Group compound semiconductor layer on each recess portion of the substrate through a state of making a triangle in section wherein a bottom surface of the recess portion becomes a base of the triangle; laterally growing a second nitride-based III-V Group compound semiconductor layer on the substrate from the first nitride-based III-V Group compound semiconductor layer; and successively growing, on the second nitride-based III-V Group compound semiconductor layer, a third nitride-based III-V Group compound semiconductor layer of a first conduction type, an active layer, and a fourth nitride-based III-V compound semiconductor layer of a second conduction type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Akira Ohmae, Michinori Shiomi, Noriyuki Futagawa, Takaaki Ami, Takao Miyajima, Yuuji Hiramatsu, Izuho Hatada, Nobukata Okano, Shigetaka Tomiya, Katsunori Yanashima, Tomonori Hino, Hironobu Narui
  • Patent number: 7196357
    Abstract: The optical semiconductor apparatus includes, on an n-GaAs substrate, a surface-emitting semiconductor laser device and a photodiode integrated on the periphery of the laser device with an isolation region interposed there between. The laser device is composed of an n-DBR mirror, an active region, and a p-DBR mirror and includes a columnar layered structure with its sidewall covered with an insulating film. The photodiode is formed on the substrate and has a circular layered structure wherein an i-GaAs layer and a p-GaAs layer surrounds the laser device with an isolating region interposed between the i-GaAs and p-GaAs layers and the laser device. The diameter of the photodiode is smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber core optically coupled with the optical semiconductor apparatus. Since the laser device and the photodiode are monolithically integrated, the devices do not require optical alignment, and thus, facilitate optical coupling with an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Narui, Tomonori Hino, Nobukata Okano, Jugo Mitomo
  • Publication number: 20060285568
    Abstract: A plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices each having a different lasing wavelength are arrayed by a simple structure and a manufacturing process without increasing device resistance. Each vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser device comprises a layered structure including an active layer and a current confinement layer. The area of current confinement portion in the laminate structures is set corresponding to a wavelength of laser light emitted from each vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser device. Thereby, the plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices emits laser light with different lasing wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Watanabe, Hironobu Narui, Yoshinori Yamauchi, Yuichi Kuromizu, Yoshiyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7099364
    Abstract: A plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices each having a different lasing wavelength are arrayed by a simple structure and a manufacturing process without increasing device resistance. Each vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser device comprises a layered structure including an active layer and a current confinement layer. The area of current confinement portion in the laminate structures is set corresponding to a wavelength of laser light emitted from each vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser device. Thereby, the plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices emits laser light with different lasing wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Watanabe, Hironobu Narui, Yoshinori Yamauchi, Yuichi Kuromizu, Yoshiyuki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20060187984
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device capable of realizing a long life, a method of manufacturing the same, and an optical module using the semiconductor light emitting device are provided. The semiconductor light emitting device has an active layer, in which a well layer made of a Ga1-xInxNyAs1-y-zSbz mixed crystal (0?x<1, 0<y<1, 0?z<1, and 0<y+z<1) and a barrier layer made of a GaNvAs1-v mixed crystal (0?v<1) are layered. The impurity concentration of hydrogen in the active layer is 3×1019 cm?3 or less, and the impurity concentration of aluminum in the active layer is 1×1018 cm?3 or less. Thereby, the operating current is inhibited from increasing, and a long life can be realized. The hydrogen concentration can be decreased by decreasing the flow rate of the organic nitrogen compound used as a raw material of nitrogen when the active layer is grown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Yasuo Sato, Jugo Mitomo, Mikihiro Yokozeki, Tomonori Hino, Hironobu Narui
  • Publication number: 20060120423
    Abstract: For manufacturing a long-wavelength semiconductor light emitting device having excellent characteristics and long lifetime, a highly reactive gas is supplied together with a source material of As while the supply of a source material of a group III element is interrupted during the growth of a layer (GaAs optical guide layer) anteriorly adjacent to the active layer or immediately before the growth of the active layer. The highly reactive gas may be di-methyl hydrazine or ammonia (NH3), for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Tomonori Hino, Hironobu Narui, Jugo Mitomo
  • Patent number: 7026183
    Abstract: For manufacturing a long-wavelength semiconductor light emitting device having excellent characteristics and long lifetime, a highly reactive gas is supplied together with a source material of As while the supply of a source material of a group III element is interrupted during the growth of a layer (GaAs optical guide layer) anteriorly adjacent to the active layer or immediately before the growth of the active layer. The highly reactive gas may be di-methyl hydrazine or ammonia (NH3), for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Hino, Hironobu Narui, Jugo Mitomo
  • Publication number: 20060060253
    Abstract: To provide an integrated gas valve in which there is no turbulent portion in carrying gas so that process gas supplied into the carrying gas is not diffused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Applicants: CKD CORPORATION, SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yoshida, Takashi Inoue, Jugo Mitomo, Hironobu Narui
  • Patent number: 7006544
    Abstract: A plane emission type semiconductor laser device includes, on an n-type GaAs stepped substrate, a laminate structure of a lower reflector, a lower clad layer, an active layer, an upper clad layer, an upper reflector, and a p-type contact layer. The stepped substrate includes a circular (100) plane upper level portion, a step portion, and an annular (100) plane lower level portion surrounding the upper level portion with the step portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Kuromizu, Hironobu Narui, Yoshinori Yamauchi, Yoshiyuki Tanaka, Yoshiaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7001851
    Abstract: This invention provides a steam oxidation method of a matter to be oxidized with proper controllability and reproducibility. It is provided a steam oxidation method, where a semiconductor substrate (a matter to be oxidized) is housed in a steam oxidation reactor and is subjected to: a first step of supplying N2 gas to the reactor housing the semiconductor substrate and substituting the inside of the reactor with N2 gas; a second step of stopping supply of the N2 gas and supplying a steam-accompanied N2 gas, in which the N2 gas is accompanied with steam, to the reactor; a third step of increasing a temperature of the semiconductor substrate to 450° C. (a steam oxidation temperature) while supplying the steam-accompanied N2 gas; and a fourth step of holding the semiconductor substrate for a predetermined time at 450° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Tanaka, Hironobu Narui, Yoshinori Yamauchi, Yuichi Kuromizu, Yoshiaki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20050274962
    Abstract: The optical semiconductor apparatus includes, on an n-GaAs substrate, a surface-emitting semiconductor laser device and a photodiode integrated on the periphery of the laser device with an isolation region interposed there between. The laser device is composed of an n-DBR mirror, an active region, and a p-DBR mirror and includes a columnar layered structure with its sidewall covered with an insulating film. The photodiode is formed on the substrate and has a circular layered structure wherein an i-GaAs layer and a p-GaAs layer surrounds the laser device with an isolating region interposed between the i-GaAs and p-GaAs layers and the laser device. The diameter of the photodiode is smaller than the diameter of the optical fiber core optically coupled with the optical semiconductor apparatus. Since the laser device and the photodiode are monolithically integrated, the devices do not require optical alignment, and thus, facilitate optical coupling with an optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Hironobu Narui, Tomonori Hino, Nobukata Okano, Jugo Mitomo
  • Publication number: 20050271106
    Abstract: A surface emitting semiconductor laser which can perform laser oscillation in a single peak beam like that in a single lateral mode and a manufacturing method which can easily manufacture such a laser at a high yield are provided. When a surface emitting semiconductor laser having a post type mesa structure is formed on an n-type semiconductor substrate, a mesa portion is formed and up to a p-side electrode and an n-side electrode are formed. Thereafter, a voltage is applied across the p-side and n-side electrodes and the laser is subjected to a steam atmosphere while extracting output light, thereby forming an Al oxide layer onto a p-type AlwGa1-wAs layer as a top layer of a p-type DBR layer and forming refractive index distribution like that of a concave lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Watanabe, Hironobu Narui, Yuichi Kuromizu, Yoshinori Yamauchi, Yoshiyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6960262
    Abstract: A thin film formation apparatus by which source gas is supplied uniformly to the surface of a substrate so that an organic thin film of a uniform film thickness can be formed on the surface of the substrate. The thin film formation apparatus includes a vacuum chamber (11), a substrate holder (12) provided in the vacuum chamber (11), and a gas supplying end element (22) for supplying gas toward a substrate mounting face (12a) of the substrate holder (12). The gas supplying end element (22) is formed so as to supply the source gas in an elongated rectangular shape to the substrate mounting face (12a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Sasaki, Hironobu Narui, Katsunori Yanashima, Akihiko Memezawa