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: 20120063987
    Abstract: A method for ammonothermally growing group-III nitride crystals using an initially off-oriented non-polar and/or semi-polar growth surface on a group-III nitride seed crystal. Group-III-containing source materials and group-III nitride seed crystals are placed into a vessel, wherein the seed crystals have one or more non-polar or semi-polar growth surfaces. Group-III nitride crystals are ammonothermally grown by filling the vessel with a nitrogen-containing solvent for dissolving the source materials and transporting a fluid comprised of the solvent with the dissolved source materials to the seed crystals for growth of the group-III nitride crystals on the seed crystals. The growth surfaces are initially off-oriented growth surfaces, wherein the growth surfaces are off-oriented m-plane or highly vicinal m-plane growth surfaces. The growth surfaces of the seed crystals may be created by cutting group-III nitride crystals at a desired angle with respect to an m-plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Siddha Pimputkar, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120061645
    Abstract: A high-power and high-efficiency light emitting device with emission wavelength (?peak) ranging from 280 nm to 360 nm is fabricated. The new device structure uses non-polar or semi-polar AlInN and AlInGaN alloys grown on a non-polar or semi-polar bulk GaN substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Roy B. Chung, Zhen Chen, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8128756
    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: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Troy J. Baker, Benjamin A. Haskell, Paul T. Fini, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamua
  • Publication number: 20120049158
    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: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    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: 20120037884
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) having a p-type layer having a thickness of 100 nm or less, an n-type layer, and an active layer, positioned between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, for emitting light, wherein the LED does not include a separate electron blocking layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: HONG ZHONG, ANURAG TYAGI, JAMES S. SPECK, STEVEN P. DENBAARS, SHUJI NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8114698
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Hong Zhong, Anurag Tyagi, Kenneth J. Vampola, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8110482
    Abstract: A method for improved growth of a semipolar (Al,In,Ga,B)N semiconductor thin film using an intentionally miscut substrate. Specifically, the method comprises intentionally miscutting a substrate, loading a substrate into a reactor, heating the substrate under a flow of nitrogen and/or hydrogen and/or ammonia, depositing an InxGa1-xN nucleation layer on the heated substrate, depositing a semipolar nitride semiconductor thin film on the InxGa1-xN nucleation layer, and cooling the substrate under a nitrogen overpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: John F. Kaeding, Dong-Seon Lee, Michael Iza, Troy J. Baker, Hitoshi Sato, Benjamin A. Haskell, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8105919
    Abstract: A method for growing reduced defect density planar gallium nitride (GaN) films is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) growing at least one silicon nitride (SiNx) nanomask layer over a GaN template, and (b) growing a thickness of a GaN film on top of the SiNx nanomask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Arpan Chakraborty, Kwang-Choong Kim, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20120018758
    Abstract: An optoelectronic structure, and method of fabricating same, comprised of semiconductors having growth-embedded void-gap gratings or photonic crystals in one or two dimensions, which are optimized to yield high interaction of the guided light and the photonic crystals and planar epitaxial growth. Such structure can be applied to increase light extraction efficiency in LEDs, increase modal confinement in lasers or increase light absorption in solar cells. The optimal dimensions of the growth-embedded void-gap gratings or photonic crystals are calculated by numerical simulation using scattering matrix formalism. The growth-embedded void-gap gratings are applicable to any semiconductor device, as well as optoelectronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes, laser diodes and solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Elison de Nazareth Matioli, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, James S. Speck, Evelyn L. Hu
  • Publication number: 20120018755
    Abstract: A method of fabricating optoelectronic devices with embedded void-gap structures on semiconductor layers through bonding is provided. The embedded void-gaps are fabricated on a semiconductor structure by bonding a patterned layer or slab onto a flat surface, or by bonding a flat layer or slab onto a patterned surface. The void-gaps can be filled with air, gases, conductive or dielectric materials, or other substances, in order to provide better isolation of optical modes from dissipative regions, or better light extraction properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James S. Speck, Claude C. A. Weisbuch, Elison de Nazareth Matioli
  • Patent number: 8097481
    Abstract: A method of growing non-polar m-plane III-nitride film, such as GaN, AlN, AlGaN or InGaN, wherein the non-polar m-plane III-nitride film is grown on a suitable substrate, such as an m-SiC, m-GaN, LiGaO2 or LiAlO2 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 aluminum nitride (AlN), on the annealed substrate, and growing the non-polar m-plane III-nitride film on the nucleation layer using MOCVD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    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
  • Publication number: 20120000415
    Abstract: Techniques for processing materials in supercritical fluids include processing in a capsule disposed within a high-pressure apparatus enclosure. The invention is useful for growing crystals of: GaN; AN; InN; and their alloys, namely: InGaN; AlGaN; and AlInGaN; for manufacture of bulk or patterned substrates, which in turn can be used to make optoelectronic devices, lasers, light emitting diodes, solar cells, photoelectrochemical water splitting and hydrogen generation, photodetectors, integrated circuits, and transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. D'Evelyn, James S. Speck
  • Patent number: 8084763
    Abstract: A high-power and high-efficiency light emitting device with emission wavelength (?peak) ranging from 280 nm to 360 nm is fabricated. The new device structure uses non-polar or semi-polar AlInN and AlInGaN alloys grown on a non-polar or semi-polar bulk GaN substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Roy B. Chung, Zhen Chen, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8080469
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Asako Hirai, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110300051
    Abstract: A method to improve the crystal purity of a group-I11 nitride crystal grown in an ammonothermal growth system by removing any undesired material (i.e., impurities) from within the system prior to, in-between, or after the growth steps for the group-I11 nitride crystal. Impurities are removed from the ammonothermal growth system by first bringing the impurities into solution and then removing part or all of the solution from the growth system. The result is a high purity group-I11 nitride crystal grown in the ammonothermal growth system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Derrick S. Kamber, Siddha Pimputkar, Makoto Saito, Steven P. Denbaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110278585
    Abstract: Lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) of non-polar gallium nitride (GaN) films results in significantly reduced defect density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, 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
  • Publication number: 20110262773
    Abstract: A high-quality, large-area seed crystal for ammonothermal GaN growth and method for fabricating. The seed crystal comprises double-side GaN growth on a large-area substrate. The seed crystal is of relatively low defect density and has flat surfaces free of bowing. The seed crystal is useful for producing large-volume, high-quality bulk GaN crystals by ammonothermal growth methods for eventual wafering into large-area GaN substrates for device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Soraa, Inc
    Inventors: Christiane Poblenz, James S. Speck, Derrick S. Kamber
  • Patent number: 8044383
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) having a p-type layer having a thickness of 100 nm or less, an n-type layer, and an active layer, positioned between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, for emitting light, wherein the LED does not include a separate electron blocking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Hong Zhong, Anurag Tyagi, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8044417
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Hisashi Masui, Hisashi Yamada, Kenji Iso, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Publication number: 20110256693
    Abstract: A large area nitride crystal, comprising gallium and nitrogen, with a non-polar or semi-polar large-area face, is disclosed, along with a method of manufacture. The crystal is useful as a substrate for a light emitting diode, a laser diode, a transistor, a photodetector, a solar cell, or for photoelectrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Mark P. D`Evelyn, James S. Speck