Patents by Inventor James S. Speck

James S. Speck 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: 20090294775
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a hexagonal würtzite type epitaxial layer with a low impurity concentration of alkali-metal by using a hexagonal würtzite substrate possessing a higher impurity concentration of alkali-metal, wherein a surface of the substrate upon which the epitaxial layer is grown has a crystal plane which is different from the c-plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Makoto Saito, Shin-Ichiro Kawabata, Derrick S. Kamber, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090250686
    Abstract: A yellow Light Emitting Diode (LED) with a peak emission wavelength in the range 560-580 nm is disclosed. The LED is grown on one or more III-nitride-based semipolar planes and an active layer of the LED is composed of indium (In) containing single or multi-quantum well structures. The LED quantum wells have a thickness in the range 2-7 nm. A multi-color LED or white LED comprised of at least one semipolar yellow LED is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sato, Hirohiko Hirasawa, Roy B. Chung, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090194761
    Abstract: An increase in the Indium (In) content in light-emitting layers of light-emitting diode (LED) structures prepared on nonpolar III-nitride substrates result in higher polarization ratios for light emission than LED structures containing lesser In content. Polarization ratios should be higher than 0.7 at wavelengths longer than 470 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Hisashi Masui, Hisashi Yamada, Kenji Iso, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Publication number: 20090189166
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting cells. The light emitting device comprises a thermally conductive substrate, such as a SiC substrate, having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a sapphire substrate. The plurality of light emitting cells are connected in series on the thermally conductive substrate. Meanwhile, a semi-insulating buffer layer is interposed between the thermally conductive substrate and the light emitting cells. For example, the semi-insulating buffer layer may be formed of AlN or semi-insulating GaN. Since the thermally conductive substrate having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a sapphire substrate is employed, heat-dissipating performance can be enhanced as compared with a conventional sapphire substrate, thereby increasing the maximum light output of a light emitting device that is driven under a high voltage AC power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Seoul Opto Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung Hoon LEE, Hong San Kim, James S. Speck
  • Publication number: 20090163002
    Abstract: A method of forming a p-type compound semiconductor layer includes increasing a temperature of a substrate loaded into a reaction chamber to a first temperature. A source gas of a Group III element, a source gas of a p-type impurity, and a source gas of nitrogen containing hydrogen are supplied into the reaction chamber to grow the p-type compound semiconductor layer. Then, the supply of the source gas of the Group III element and the source gas of the p-type impurity is stopped and the temperature of the substrate is lowered to a second temperature. The supply of the source gas of nitrogen containing hydrogen is stopped and drawn out at the second temperature, and the temperature of the substrate is lowered to room temperature using a cooling gas. Accordingly, hydrogen is prevented from bonding to the p-type impurity in the p-type compound semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: SEOUL OPTO DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Bum Nam, Hwa Mok Kim, James S. Speck
  • Publication number: 20090146170
    Abstract: A III-nitride light emitting diode (LED) and method of fabricating the same, wherein at least one surface of a semipolar or nonpolar plane of a III-nitride layer of the LED is textured, thereby forming a textured surface in order to increase light extraction. The texturing may be performed by plasma assisted chemical etching, photolithography followed by etching, or nano-imprinting followed by etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Hong Zhong, Anurag Tyagi, Kenneth J. Vampola, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090072353
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a high quality freestanding nonpolar and semipolar nitride substrate with increased surface area, comprising stacking multiple films by growing the films one on top of each other with different and non-orthogonal growth directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Asako Hirai, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7504274
    Abstract: A method for the fabrication of nonpolar indium gallium nitride (InGaN) films as well as nonpolar InGaN-containing device structures using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOVCD). The method is used to fabricate nonpolar InGaN/GaN violet and near-ultraviolet light emitting diodes and laser diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Arpan Chakraborty, Benjamin A. Haskell, Stacia Keller, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20090039356
    Abstract: A nonpolar III-nitride film grown on a miscut angle of a substrate. The miscut angle towards the <000-1> direction is 0.75° or greater miscut and less than 27° miscut towards the <000-1> direction. Surface undulations are suppressed and may comprise faceted pyramids. A device fabricated using the film is also disclosed. A nonpolar III-nitride film having a smooth surface morphology fabricated using a method comprising selecting a miscut angle of a substrate upon which the nonpolar III-nitride films are grown in order to suppress surface undulations of the nonpolar III-nitride films. A nonpolar III-nitride-based device grown on a film having a smooth surface morphology grown on a miscut angle of a substrate which the nonpolar III-nitride films are grown. The miscut angle may also be selected to achieve long wavelength light emission from the nonpolar film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Kenji Iso, Hisashi Yamada, Makoto Saito, Asako Hirai, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090001519
    Abstract: Growth methods for planar, non-polar, Group-III nitride films are described. The resulting films are suitable for subsequent device regrowth by a variety of growth techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Haskell, Paul T. Fini, Shigemasa Matsuda, Michael D. Craven, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080308907
    Abstract: A nonpolar III-nitride film grown on a miscut angle of a substrate, in order to suppress the surface undulations, is provided. The surface morphology of the film is improved with a miscut angle towards an a-axis direction comprising a 0.15° or greater miscut angle towards the a-axis direction and a less than 30° miscut angle towards the a-axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Asako Hirai, Zhongyuan Jia, Makoto Saito, Hisashi Yamada, Kenji Iso, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura, James S. Speck
  • Patent number: 7427555
    Abstract: Highly planar non-polar GaN films are grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The resulting films are suitable for subsequent device regrowth by a variety of growth techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Haskell, Paul T. Fini, Shigemasa Matsuda, Michael D. Craven, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080211421
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved light-emitting device for an AC power operation. A conventional light emitting device employs an AC light-emitting diode having arrays of light emitting cells connected in reverse parallel. The arrays in the prior art alternately repeat on/off in response to a phase change of an AC power source, resulting in short light emission time during a ½ cycle and the occurrence of a flicker effect. An AC light-emitting device according to the present invention employs a variety of means by which light emission time is prolonged during a ½ cycle in response to a phase change of an AC power source and a flicker effect can be reduced. For example, the means may be switching blocks respectively connected to nodes between the light emitting cells, switching blocks connected to a plurality of arrays, or a delay phosphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SEOUL OPTO DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung Hoon Lee, James S. Speck, Hong San Kim, Jae Jo Kim, Sung Han Kim, Jae Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20080198881
    Abstract: Optical gain of a nonpolar or semipolar Group-III nitride diode laser is controlled by orienting an axis of light propagation in relation to an optical polarization direction or crystallographic orientation of the diode laser. The axis of light propagation is substantially perpendicular to the mirror facets of the diode laser, and the optical polarization direction is determined by the crystallographic orientation of the diode laser. To maximize optical gain, the axis of light propagation is oriented substantially perpendicular to the optical polarization direction or crystallographic orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Robert M. Farrell, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Hisashi Masui, Daniel F. Feezell, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080197363
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting cells. The light emitting device comprises a thermally conductive substrate, such as a SiC substrate, having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a sapphire substrate. The plurality of light emitting cells are connected in series on the thermally conductive substrate. Meanwhile, a semi-insulating buffer layer is interposed between the thermally conductive substrate and the light emitting cells. For example, the semi-insulating buffer layer may be formed of AlN or semi-insulating GaN. Since the thermally conductive substrate having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a sapphire substrate is employed, heat-dissipating performance can be enhanced as compared with a conventional sapphire substrate, thereby increasing the maximum light output of a light emitting device that is driven under a high voltage AC power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: SEOUL OPTO DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung Hoon Lee, Hong San Kim, James S. Speck
  • Publication number: 20080191223
    Abstract: A III-nitride edge-emitting laser diode is formed on a surface of a III-nitride substrate having a semipolar orientation, wherein the III-nitride substrate is cleaved by creating a cleavage line along a direction substantially perpendicular to a nonpolar orientation of the III-nitride substrate, and then applying force along the cleavage line to create one or more cleaved facets of the III-nitride substrate, wherein the cleaved facets have an m-plane or a-plane orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Shuji Nakamura, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Anurag Tyagi
  • Publication number: 20080191192
    Abstract: A method for fabricating AlxGa1-xN-cladding-free nonpolar III-nitride based laser diodes or light emitting diodes. Due to the absence of polarization fields in the nonpolar crystal planes, these nonpolar devices have thick quantum wells that function as an optical waveguide to effectively confine the optical mode to the active region and eliminate the need for Al-containing waveguide cladding layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Daniel F. Feezell, Matthew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Robert M. Farrell, Daniel A. Cohen, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080185690
    Abstract: A method of reducing threading dislocation densities in non-polar such as a-{11-20} plane and m-{1-100} plane or semi-polar such as {10-1n} plane III-Nitrides by employing lateral epitaxial overgrowth from sidewalls of etched template material through a patterned mask. The method includes depositing a patterned mask on a template material such as a non-polar or semi polar GaN template, etching the template material down to various depths through openings in the mask, and growing non-polar or semi-polar III-Nitride by coalescing laterally from the tops of the sidewalls before the vertically growing material from the trench bottoms reaches the tops of the sidewalls. The coalesced features grow through the openings of the mask, and grow laterally over the dielectric mask until a fully coalesced continuous film is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Bilge M. Imer, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Publication number: 20080179607
    Abstract: An (Al, Ga, In)N light emitting device, such as a light emitting diode (LED), in which high light generation efficiency is realized by fabricating the device on non-polar or semi-polar III-Nitride crystal geometries. Because non-polar and semi-polar emitting devices have significantly lower piezoelectric effects than c-plane emitting devices, higher efficiency emitting devices at higher current densities can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Steven P. DenBaars, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080163814
    Abstract: A method of reducing threading dislocation densities in non-polar such as a- {11-20} plane and m-{1-100} plane or semi-polar such as {10-1n} plane III-Nitrides by employing lateral epitaxial overgrowth from sidewalls of etched template material through a patterned mask. The method includes depositing a patterned mask on a template material such as a non-polar or semi polar GaN template, etching the template material down to various depths through openings in the mask, and growing non-polar or semi-polar III-Nitride by coalescing laterally from the tops of the sidewalls before the vertically growing material from the trench bottoms reaches the tops of the sidewalls. The coalesced features grow through the openings of the mask, and grow laterally over the dielectric mask until a fully coalesced continuous film is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Kwang Choong Kim, Mathew C. Schmidt, Feng Wu, Asako Hirai, Melvin B. McLaurin, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura, James S. Speck