Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. McKee

Jeffrey A. McKee 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: 20230352511
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Martin U. PRALLE, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Publication number: 20230335544
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Jutao JIANG, Jeffrey MCKEE, Martin U. PRALLE
  • Patent number: 11728322
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SIONYX, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 11721714
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Publication number: 20220359481
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Jutao JIANG, Jeffrey MCKEE, Martin U. PRALLE
  • Patent number: 11264371
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20220052102
    Abstract: Photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming at least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation, and an electrical transfer element coupled to the semiconductor substrate and operable to transfer an electrical signal from the at least one junction. In one aspect, the textured region is operable to facilitate generation of an electrical signal from the detection of infrared electromagnetic radiation. In another aspect, interacting with electromagnetic radiation further includes increasing the semiconductor substrate's effective absorption wavelength as compared to a semiconductor substrate lacking a textured region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Homayoon Haddad, Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Drake Miller, Leonard Forbes, Chintamani Palsule
  • Publication number: 20210217788
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Patent number: 10985198
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Publication number: 20200365644
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jutao JIANG, Jeffrey MCKEE, Martin U. PRALLE
  • Patent number: 10748956
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20200105822
    Abstract: Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation where the textured region includes surface features sized and positioned to facilitate tuning to a preselected wavelength of light, and a dielectric region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The dielectric region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Homayoon HADDAD, Jeffrey MCKEE, Jutao JIANG, Drake MILLER, Chintamani PALSULE, Leonard FORBES
  • Patent number: 10484855
    Abstract: Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation where the textured region includes surface features sized and positioned to facilitate tuning to a preselected wavelength of light, and a dielectric region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The dielectric region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Homayoon Haddad, Jeffrey McKee, Jutao Jiang, Drake Miller, Chintamani Palsule, Leonard Forbes
  • Publication number: 20190289451
    Abstract: Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation where the textured region includes surface features sized and positioned to facilitate tuning to a preselected wavelength of light, and a dielectric region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The dielectric region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Homayoon Haddad, Jeffrey McKee, Jutao Jiang, Drake Miller, Chintamani Palsule, Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 10361232
    Abstract: Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation, and a passivation region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The passivation region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region. Additionally, the device includes an electrical transfer element coupled to the semiconductor substrate to transfer an electrical signal from the at least one junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Homayoon Haddad, Jeffrey McKee, Jutao Jiang, Chintamani Palsule, Leonard Forbes
  • Publication number: 20190206923
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Publication number: 20190198538
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler
  • Patent number: 10269861
    Abstract: Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation where the textured region includes surface features sized and positioned to facilitate tuning to a preselected wavelength of light, and a dielectric region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The dielectric region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Homayoon Haddad, Jeffrey McKee, Jutao Jiang, Drake Miller, Chintamani Palsule, Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 10229951
    Abstract: A monolithic sensor for detecting infrared and visible light according to an example includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a device surface opposite the semiconductor substrate. A visible light photodiode is formed at the device surface. An infrared photodiode is also formed at the device surface and in proximity to the visible light photodiode. A textured region is coupled to the infrared photodiode and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Jutao Jiang, Jeffrey McKee, Martin U. Pralle
  • Patent number: 10224359
    Abstract: Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SiOnyx, LLC
    Inventors: Martin U. Pralle, Jeffrey McKee, Jason Sickler