Patents by Inventor James H. Ermer

James H. Ermer 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: 10066318
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter
  • Patent number: 9863890
    Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus may include an illuminator for directing light energy on a solar cell under test. The solar cell testing apparatus may also include a device for selectively positioning different filters of a multiplicity of filters in an optical path between the illuminator and the solar cell under test to at least one of measure performance and detect any defects in the solar cell. The multiplicity of filters may include a first set of filters and a second set of filters. Each filter of the first set of filters is adapted for passing a predetermined percentage of intensity of the light energy from the illuminator onto the solar cell under test. The second set of filters being adapted for testing the solar cell under different spectrums of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas R. Jungwirth, Emilio Quezada, Gregory A. Campbell, James H. Ermer, Russell K. Jones
  • Publication number: 20170321347
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher M. FETZER, James H. ERMER, Richard R. KING, Peter C. COLTER
  • Patent number: 9745668
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter
  • Publication number: 20170191185
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter
  • Publication number: 20150083037
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter
  • Patent number: 8846134
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter
  • Publication number: 20120313661
    Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus may include an illuminator for directing light energy on a solar cell under test. The solar cell testing apparatus may also include a device for selectively positioning different filters of a multiplicity of filters in an optical path between the illuminator and the solar cell under test to at least one of measure performance and detect any defects in the solar cell. The multiplicity of filters may include a first set of filters and a second set of filters. Each filter of the first set of filters is adapted for passing a predetermined percentage of intensity of the light energy from the illuminator onto the solar cell under test. The second set of filters being adapted for testing the solar cell under different spectrums of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: DOUGLAS R. JUNGWIRTH, EMILIO QUEZADA, GREGORY A. CAMPBELL, JAMES H. ERMER, RUSSELL K. JONES
  • Publication number: 20110011983
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic cell comprising a GaInP subcell comprising a disordered group-III sublattice, a Ga(In)As subcell disposed below the GaInP subcell, and a Ge substrate disposed below the Ga(In)As subcell comprising a surface misoriented from a (100) plane by an angle from about 8 degrees to about 40 degrees toward a nearest (111) plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Richard R. King, James H. Ermer, Peter C. Coller, Chris Fetzer
  • Patent number: 7812249
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic cell comprising a GaInP subcell comprising a disordered group-III sublattice, a Ga(In)As subcell disposed below the GaInP subcell, and a Ge substrate disposed below the Ga(In)As subcell comprising a surface misoriented from a (100) plane by an angle from about 8 degrees to about 40 degrees toward a nearest (111) plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard R. King, James H. Ermer, Peter C. Colter, Chris Fetzer
  • Patent number: 7687386
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor active region, a semiconductor contact layer, at least one metal migration semiconductor barrier layer, and a metal contact. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be embedded within the semiconductor contact layer. Furthermore, the metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be located underneath or above and in intimate contact with the semiconductor contact layer. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer and the semiconductor contact layer form a contact structure that prevents metals from migrating from the metal contact into the semiconductor active layer during long-term exposure to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hojun Yoon, Richard King, Jerry R. Kukulka, James H. Ermer, Maggy L. Lau
  • Patent number: 7626116
    Abstract: A method of reducing propagation of threading dislocations into active areas of an optoelectronic device having a III-V material system includes growing a metamorphic buffer region in the presence of an isoelectronic surfactant. A first buffer layer may be lattice matched to an adjacent substrate and a second buffer layer may be lattice matched to device layers disposed upon the second buffer layer. Moreover, multiple metamorphic buffer layers fabricated in this manner may be used in a single given device allowing multiple layers to have their band gaps and lattice constants independently selected from those of the rest of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Cotler
  • Publication number: 20090145476
    Abstract: A method of reducing propagation of threading dislocations into active areas of an optoelectronic device having a III-V material system includes growing a metamorphic buffer region in the presence of an isoelectronic surfactant. A first buffer layer may be lattice matched to an adjacent substrate and a second buffer layer may be lattice matched to device layers disposed upon the second buffer layer. Moreover, multiple metamorphic buffer layers fabricated in this manner may be used in a single given device allowing multiple layers to have their band gaps and lattice constants independently selected from those of the rest of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter
  • Patent number: 7202542
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor active region, a semiconductor contact layer, at least one metal migration semiconductor barrier layer, and a metal contact. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be embedded within the semiconductor contact layer. Furthermore, the metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be located underneath or above and in intimate contact with the semiconductor contact layer. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer and the semiconductor contact layer form a contact structure that prevents metals from migrating from the metal contact into the semiconductor active layer during long-term exposure to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hojun Yoon, Richard King, Jerry R. Kukulka, James H. Ermer, Maggy L. Lau
  • Patent number: 7126052
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Cotler
  • Patent number: 7122734
    Abstract: A method of reducing propagation of threading dislocations into active areas of an optoelectronic device having a III–V material system includes growing a metamorphic buffer region in the presence of an isoelectronic surfactant. A first buffer layer may be lattice matched to an adjacent substrate and a second buffer layer may be lattice matched to device layers disposed upon the second buffer layer. Moreover, multiple metamorphic buffer layers fabricated in this manner may be used in a single given device allowing multiple layers to have their band gaps and lattice constants independently selected from those of the rest of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Cotler
  • Patent number: 7119271
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell or other optoelectronic device having a wide-bandgap semiconductor used in the window layer. This wider bandgap is achieved by using a semiconductor composition that is not lattice-matched to the cell layer directly beneath it and/or to the growth substrate. The wider bandgap of the window layer increases the transmission of short wavelength light into the emitter and base layers of the photovoltaic cell. This in turn increases the current generation in the photovoltaic cell. Additionally, the wider bandgap of the lattice mismatched window layer inhibits minority carrier injection and recombination in the window layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard Roland King, Peter C. Colter, James H. Ermer, Moran Haddad, Nasser H. Karam
  • Publication number: 20040200523
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic cell comprising a GaInP subcell comprising a disordered group-III sublattice, a Ga(In)As subcell disposed below the GaInP subcell, and a Ge substrate disposed below the Ga(In)As subcell comprising a surface misoriented from a (100) plane by an angle from about 8 degrees to about 40 degrees toward a nearest (111) plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard R. King, James H. Ermer, Peter C. Colter, Chris Fetzer
  • Publication number: 20040079408
    Abstract: A method of reducing propagation of threading dislocations into active areas of an optoelectronic device having a III-V material system includes growing a metamorphic buffer region in the presence of an isoelectronic surfactant. A first buffer layer may be lattice matched to an adjacent substrate and a second buffer layer may be lattice matched to device layers disposed upon the second buffer layer. Moreover, multiple metamorphic buffer layers fabricated in this manner may be used in a single given device allowing multiple layers to have their band gaps and lattice constants independently selected from those of the rest of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter
  • Publication number: 20040065363
    Abstract: A method of disordering a layer of an optoelectronic device including; growing a plurality of lower layers; introducing an isoelectronic surfactant; growing a layer; allowing the surfactant to desorb; and growing subsequent layers all performed at a low pressure of 25 torr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Fetzer, James H. Ermer, Richard R. King, Peter C. Colter