Patents by Inventor John A. Edmond

John A. Edmond 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: 20080179611
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating light emitting diode (LED) chips comprising providing a plurality of LEDs typically on a substrate. Pedestals are deposited on the LEDs with each of the pedestals in electrical contact with one of the LEDs. A coating is formed over the LEDs with the coating burying at least some of the pedestals. The coating is then planarized to expose at least some of the buried pedestals while leaving at least some of said coating on said LEDs. The exposed pedestals can then be contacted such as by wire bonds. The present invention discloses similar methods used for fabricating LED chips having LEDs that are flip-chip bonded on a carrier substrate and for fabricating other semiconductor devices. LED chip wafers and LED chips are also disclosed that are fabricated using the disclosed methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Ashay Chitnis, James Ibbetson, Bernd Keller, David T. Emerson, John Edmond, Michael J. Bergmann, Jasper S. Cabalu, Jeffrey C. Britt, Arpan Chakraborty, Eric Tarsa, James Seruto, Yankun Fu
  • Patent number: 7402837
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating light emitting diodes and light emitting devices are provided that include a substrate, an n-type epitaxial region on the substrate and a p-type epitaxial region on the n-type epitaxial region. At least a portion of the p-type epitaxial region comprises a mesa with respect to the substrate. An ohmic contact is provided on an exposed portion of the p-type epitaxial layer. The ohmic contact is self aligned to a sidewall of the mesa and to the p-type epitaxial layer such that a sidewall of the ohmic contact is substantially aligned with a sidewall of the mesa and to the p-type epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Beardsley Slater, Jr., John Edmond, Ian Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20080142820
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a light emitting active structure formed from the Group III nitride material system, a bonding structure supporting the Group III nitride active structure, and a mounting substrate supporting the bonding structure. The mounting substrate includes a material that reflects at least fifty percent of light having the frequencies emitted by the active structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Publication number: 20080083930
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a growth substrate, a substantially transparent ohmic contact on a first surface of the growth substrate, a Group III nitride, light-emitting active region on a second surface of the growth substrate, a p-type Group III nitride contact layer on the active region that transmits light generated in the active region, and a substantially transparent ohmic contact on the p-type contact layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Michael J. Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20080073665
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a bonding method are disclosed that includes a device wafer, a substrate wafer, and a metal bonding system between the device wafer and the substrate wafer. The metal bonding system includes gold, tin, and nickel, and includes at least one discrete layer of gold and tin that is at least about 88 percent gold by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: David B. Slater, John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 7341175
    Abstract: Bonding of flip-chip mounted light emitting devices having an irregular configuration is provided. Light emitting diodes having a shaped substrate are bonded to a submount by applying forces to the substrate an a manner such that shear forces within the substrate do not exceed a failure threshold of the substrate. Bonding a light emitting diode to a submount may be provided by applying force to a surface of a substrate of the light emitting diode that is oblique to a direction of motion of the light emitting diode to thermosonically bond the light emitting diode to the submount. Collets for use in bonding shaped substrates to a submount and systems for bonding shaped substrates to a submount are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Jayesh Bharathan, John Edmond, Mark Raffetto, Anwar Mohammed, Peter S. Andrews, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 7332365
    Abstract: A method according to the present invention for fabricating high light extraction photonic devices comprising growing an epitaxial semiconductor structure on a substrate and depositing a first mirror layer on the epitaxial semiconductor structure such that the epitaxial semiconductor structure is sandwiched between the first mirror layer and the substrate. Flip-chip mounting the epitaxial semiconductor structure, with its first mirror and substrate on a submount such that the epitaxial semiconductor device structure is sandwiched between the submount and substrate. The substrate is then removed from the epitaxial structure by introducing an etch environment to the substrate. A second mirror layer is deposited on the epitaxial semiconductor structure such that the epitaxial semiconductor structure is sandwiched between the first and second mirror layers. A device according to the present invention comprising a resonant cavity light emitting diode (RCLED) mounted to a submount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuji Nakamura, Steven DenBaars, John Edmond, Chuck Swoboda, Umesh Mishra
  • Publication number: 20080003777
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer, substrate, and bonding structure is disclosed that includes a device wafer that includes, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes, a contact metal layer (or layers) on one side of the device wafer opposite the light emitting diodes, and a bonding metal system on the contact metal layer that predominates by weight in nickel and tin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: David B. Slater, John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Publication number: 20070241360
    Abstract: Light emitting device die having a mesa configuration on a substrate and an electrode on the mesa are attached to a submount in a flip-chip configuration by forming predefined pattern of conductive die attach material on at least one of the electrode and the submount and mounting the light emitting device die to the submount. The predefined pattern of conductive die attach material is selected so as to prevent the conductive die attach material from contacting regions of having opposite conductivity types when the light emitting device die is mounted to the submount. The predefined pattern of conductive die attach material may provide a volume of die attach material that is less than a volume defined by an area of the electrode and a distance between the electrode and the submount. Light emitting device dies having predefined patterns of conductive die attach material are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: David Slater, Jr., Jayesh Bharathan, John Edmond, Mark Raffetto, Anwar Mohammed, Peter Andrews, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20070210318
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a conductive n-type substrate, a Group III nitride active region, an n-type Group III-nitride layer in vertical relationship to the substrate and the active layer, at least one p-type layer, and means for providing a non-rectifying conductive path between the p-type layer and the n-type layer or the substrate. The non-rectifying conduction means may include a degenerate junction structure or a patterned metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: John Edmond, Kathleen Doverspike, Michael Bergmann, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 7259033
    Abstract: Light emitting device die having a mesa configuration on a substrate and an electrode on the mesa are attached to a submount in a flip-chip configuration by forming predefined pattern of conductive die attach material on at least one of the electrode and the submount and mounting the light emitting device die to the submount. The predefined pattern of conductive die attach material is selected so as to prevent the conductive die attach material from contacting regions of having opposite conductivity types when the light emitting device die is mounted to the submount. The predefined pattern of conductive die attach material may provide a volume of die attach material that is less than a volume defined by an area of the electrode and a distance between the electrode and the submount. Light emitting device dies having predefined patterns of conductive die attach material are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Cree, Inc., Cree Microwave, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Jayesh Bharathan, John Edmond, Mark Raffetto, Anwar Mohammed, Peter S. Andrews, Gerald H. Negley
  • Publication number: 20070161137
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a reflector layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the reflector layer and extending on a sidewall of the reflector layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: David Slater, Bradley Williams, Peter Andrews, John Edmond, Scott Allen
  • Publication number: 20070145392
    Abstract: Light emitting devices and methods of fabricating light emitting devices having a current blocking mechanism below the wire bond pad are provided. The current blocking mechanism may be a reduced conduction region in an active region of the device. The current blocking mechanism could be a damage region of a layer on which a contact is formed. The current blocking mechanism could be a Schottky contact between an ohmic contact and the active region of the device. A semiconductor junction, such as a PN junction could also be provided between the ohmic contact and the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin Haberern, Michael Bergmann, Van Mieczkowski, David Emerson, John Edmond
  • Publication number: 20070114541
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a conductive n-type substrate, a Group III nitride active region, an n-type Group III-nitride layer in vertical relationship to the substrate and the active layer, at least one p-type layer, and means for providing a non-rectifying conductive path between the p-type layer and the n-type layer or the substrate. The non-rectifying conduction means may include a degenerate junction structure or a patterned metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: John Edmond, Kathleen Doverspike, Michael Bergmann, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 7211833
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a reflector layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the reflector layer and extending on a sidewall of the reflector layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Publication number: 20070085104
    Abstract: A physically robust light emitting diode is disclosed that offers high-reliability in standard packaging and that will withstand high temperature and high humidity conditions. The diode comprises a Group III nitride heterojunction diode with a p-type Group III nitride contact layer, an ohmic contact to the p-type contact layer, and a sputter-deposited silicon nitride composition passivation layer on the ohmic contact. The contact layer, the ohmic contact and the passivation layer are made of materials that transmit light generated in the active heterojunction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edmond, Brian Thibeault, David Slater, Gerald Negley, Van Allen Mieczkowski
  • Publication number: 20060286305
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophobic coatings comprising reactive inorganic nano-particles, as well as their use in industrial processes. These coatings combine hydrophobic or even super-hydrophobic properties with superior mechanical properties and easy proccessability. Some super-hydrophobic coatings may even have self-cleaning properties. These hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic coatings may be applied in the food industry, exterior or interior decoration, automobile industry and display industry. Also comprised within the invention are finished articles comprising a coating of inorganic nano-particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Jens Christoph Thies, Guido Jozefina Wilhelmus Meijers, Jonathan Andrew Pitkin, Edwin Currie, Christopher Frederic Tronche, John Edmond Southwell
  • Publication number: 20060233211
    Abstract: The present invention is a semiconductor structure for light emitting devices that can emit in the red to ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The semiconductor structure includes a Group III nitride active layer positioned between a first n-type Group III nitride cladding layer and a second n-type Group III nitride cladding layer, the respective bandgaps of the first and second n-type cladding layers being greater than the bandgap of the active layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a p-type Group III nitride layer, which is positioned in the semiconductor structure such that the second n-type cladding layer is between the p-type layer and the active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: John Edmond, Kathleen Doverspike, Hua-shuang Kong, Michael Bergmann
  • Patent number: D566056
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edmond, James Ibbetson, Michael John Bergmann, Amber Christine Salter, David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern
  • Patent number: D566057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edmond, James Ibbetson, Michael John Bergmann, Amber Christine Salter, David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern