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: 20080164489
    Abstract: A method of device growth and p-contact processing that produces improved performance for non-polar III-nitride light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Key components using a low defect density substrate or template, thick quantum wells, a low temperature p-type III-nitride growth technique, and a transparent conducting oxide for the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Hitoshi Sato, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080135853
    Abstract: Lateral epitaxial overgrowth of non-polar III-nitride seed layers reduces threading dislocations in the non-polar III-nitride thin films. First, a thin patterned dielectric mask is applied to the seed layer. Second, a selective epitaxial regrowth is performed to achieve a lateral overgrowth based on the patterned mask. Upon regrowth, the non-polar III-nitride films initially grow vertically through openings in the dielectric mask before laterally overgrowing the mask in directions perpendicular to the vertical growth direction. Threading dislocations are reduced in the overgrown regions by (1) the mask blocking the propagation of dislocations vertically into the growing film and (2) the bending of dislocations through the transition from vertical to lateral growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael D. Craven, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080128731
    Abstract: An (Al, Ga, In)N light emitting diode (LED) in which multi-directional light can be extracted from one or more surfaces of the LED before entering a shaped optical element and subsequently being extracted to air. In particular, the (Al, Ga, In)N and transparent contact layers (such as ITO or ZnO) are embedded in or combined with a shaped optical element comprising an epoxy, glass, silicon or other material molded into a sphere or inverted cone shape, wherein most of the light entering the inverted cone shape lies within a critical angle and is extracted. The present invention also minimizes internal reflections within the LED by eliminating mirrors and/or mirrored surfaces, in order to minimize re-absorption of the LED's light by the emitting layer (or the active layer) of the LED. To assist in minimizing internal reflections, transparent electrodes, such as ITO or ZnO, may be used. Surface roughening by patterning or anisotropically etching (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura, James S. Speck
  • Publication number: 20080128737
    Abstract: A structure using integrated optical elements is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate, one or more patterned layers formed on the buffer layer and one or more active layers formed on or between the patterned layers, for instance by Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth (LEO), and including one or more light emitting species. The patterned layer comprises a mask (made of insulating, semiconducting or metallic material) and material filling holes in the mask. The patterned layer, due to a large index difference with the active layer and/or variations of a refractive index between the mask and materials filling holes in the mask, acts as an optical confinement layer, a mirror, a diffraction grating, a wavelength selective element, a beam shaping element or a beam directing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Claude C.A. Weisbuch, Aurelien J.F. David, James S. Speck, Steven P. Denbaars
  • Publication number: 20080121917
    Abstract: Light emitting diode (LED) structures with an overstructure material having a refractive-index matched to the active layer and ways to produce such materials are disclosed. Various implementations of such structures to provide very high extraction efficiency and color control such as white light emission are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 7361576
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Bilge M. Imer, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 7345298
    Abstract: A structure using integrated optical elements is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer grown on the substrate, one or more patterned layers formed on the buffer layer and one or more active layers formed on or between the patterned layers, for instance by Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth (LEO), and including one or more light emitting species. The patterned layer comprises a mask (made of insulating, semiconducting or metallic material) and material filling holes in the mask. The patterned layer, due to a large index difference with the active layer and/or variations of a refractive index between the mask and materials filling holes in the mask, acts as an optical confinement layer, a mirror, a diffraction grating, a wavelength selective element, a beam shaping element or a beam directing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Aurelien J. F. David, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 7338828
    Abstract: A method of growing planar non-polar m-plane III-Nitride material, such as an m-plane gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial layer, wherein the III-Nitride material is grown on a suitable substrate, such as an m-plane silicon carbide (m-SiC) substrate, using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The method includes performing a solvent clean and acid dip of the substrate to remove oxide from the surface, annealing the substrate, growing a nucleation layer such as an aluminum nitride (AlN) on the annealed substrate, and growing the non-polar m-plane III-Nitride epitaxial layer on the nucleation layer using MOCVD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Bilge M. Imer, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7291864
    Abstract: A single or multi-color light emitting diode (LED) with high extraction efficiency is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer formed on the substrate, one or more patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, and one or more active layers formed on or between the patterned layers, for example by Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth (LEO), and including one or more light emitting species, such as quantum wells. The patterned layers include a patterned, perforated or pierced mask made of insulating, semiconducting or metallic material, and materials filling holes in the mask. The patterned layer acts as an optical confining layer due to a contrast of a refractive index with the active layer and/or as a buried diffraction grating due to variation of a refractive index between the mask and the material filling the holes in the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Aurelien J. F. David, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Patent number: 7220658
    Abstract: Lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) of non-polar a-plane gallium nitride (GaN) films by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) results in significantly reduced defect density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Benjamin A Haskell, Michael D. Craven, Paul T. Fini, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7220324
    Abstract: A method for growing planar, semi-polar nitride film on a miscut spinel substrate, in which a large area of the planar, semi-polar nitride film is parallel to the substrate's surface. The planar films and substrates are: (1) {10 11} gallium nitride (GaN) grown on a {100} spinel substrate miscut in specific directions, (2) {10 13} gallium nitride (GaN) grown on a {110} spinel substrate, (3) {11 22} gallium nitride (GaN) grown on a {1 100} sapphire substrate, and (4) {10 13} gallium nitride (GaN) grown on a {1 100} sapphire substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Troy J. Baker, Benjamin A. Haskell, Paul T. Fini, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6583436
    Abstract: A method for growing strain-engineered, self-assembled, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) into ordered lattices. The nucleation and positioning of QDs into lattices is achieved using a periodic sub-surface lattice built-up on a substrate, stressor layer, and spacer layer. The unit cell dimensions, orientation and the number of QDs in the basis are tunable. Moreover, a 2D lattice can be replicated at periodic intervals along the growth direction to form a three-dimensional (3D) lattice of QDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Pierre M. Petroff, James S. Speck, Jo Anna Johnson, Hao Lee
  • Publication number: 20020074543
    Abstract: A method for growing strain-engineered, self-assembled, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) into ordered lattices. The nucleation and positioning of QDs into lattices is achieved using a periodic sub-surface lattice built-up on a substrate, stressor layer, and spacer layer. The unit cell dimensions, orientation and the number of QDs in the basis are tunable. Moreover, a 2D lattice can be replicated at periodic intervals along the growth direction to form a three-dimensional (3D) lattice of QDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Pierre M. Petroff, James S. Speck, Jo Anna Johnson, Hao Lee
  • Patent number: 5796771
    Abstract: The present invention is an integrated, diode laser-pumped, solid state lr which can be fabricated entirely with semiconductor fabrication techniques. The laser includes a substrate, a semiconductor light source grown over the substrate to provide pump light and a solid state laser grown over the substrate. The semiconductor light source produces pump light at a wavelength useful for pumping the solid state laser. The solid state laser includes a pump mirror transparent to the pump light, an output mirror, and a doped semiconductor layer deposited between the pump and output mirrors, the semiconductor, dielectric or polymer layer being doped with active metal ions. The pump light from the semiconductor light source is closely coupled to the solid state laser and passes through the pump mirror to pump the active metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Hughes Electronics
    Inventors: Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Charles H. Church, Robert G. Wilson, John M. Zavada
  • Patent number: 5650198
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method to produce Group III nitride thin film having a lower defect density, which method comprises:(a) combining under metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) conditions at least one Group III metalorganic compound with ammonia, hydrazine, nitrogen-hydrogen, or combinations thereof in a molar ratio of between about 1/10000 and 2/1 of metalorganic to the ammonia, hydrazine, nitrogen-hydrogen, or combinations thereof, at a low pressure of about 100 torr or less, to produce a first nitride layer;(b) combining under metalorganic chemical vapor deposition conditions at least one Group III metalorganic compound with ammonia, hydrazine, nitrogen-hydrogen, or combinations thereof in a molar ratio of between about 1/10000 and 2/1 of metalorganic to the ammonia, hydrazine, nitrogen-hydrogen, or combinations thereof, at a high pressure of about 700 to 760 torr or greater for between about 5 and 60 min to produce a nitride layer having a reduced defect density and;(c)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Steven P. Denbaars, James S. Speck