Patents by Inventor John Bergmann

John Bergmann 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).

  • Patent number: 9318327
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures are provided that are suitable for use in the fabrication of electronic devices such as light emitting diodes. The semiconductor device structures include a substrate having a roughened growth surface suitable for supporting the growth of an epitaxial region thereon. The device structure can include an epitaxial region having reduced defects and/or improved radiation extraction efficiency on the roughened growth surface of the substrate. The roughened growth surface of the substrate can have an average roughness Ra of at least about 1 nanometer (nm) and an average peak to valley height Rz of at least about 10 nanometers (nm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael John Bergmann, Jason Hansen, David Todd Emerson, Kevin Ward Haberern
  • Patent number: 9112083
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that includes a Group III nitride based superlattice and a Group III nitride based active region comprising at least one quantum well structure on the superlattice. The quantum well structure includes a well support layer comprising a Group III nitride, a quantum well layer comprising a Group III nitride on the well support layer and a cap layer comprising a Group III nitride on the quantum well layer. A Group III nitride based semiconductor device is also provided that includes a gallium nitride based superlattice having at least two periods of alternating layers of InXGa1-XN and InYGa1-YN, where 0?X<1 and 0?Y<1 and X is not equal to Y. The semiconductor device may be a light emitting diode with a Group III nitride based active region. The active region may be a multiple quantum well active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, James Ibbetson, Michael John Bergmann, Kathleen Marie Doverspike, Michael John O'Loughlin, Howard Dean Nordby, Jr., Amber Christine Abare
  • Publication number: 20150221815
    Abstract: A solid state light emitting device includes a solid state light emitter and a lumiphoric material that are selected for use with one another to provide light emissions with improved (i.e., reduced) thermal droop A solid state emitter having a short peak emission wavelength (e.g., in a visible range at or below 440 nm) seemingly less than optimal at room temperature for use with a particular lumiphor can trigger more efficient stimulation of lumiphor emissions at high temperatures. Enhanced epitaxial structures also inhibit decrease of radiant flux by LEDs at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: David Clatterbuck, Harry Seibel, Romit Dhar, Robert David Schmidt, Daniel Carleton Driscoll, Michael John Bergmann
  • Patent number: 9054253
    Abstract: Group III nitride based light emitting devices and methods of fabricating Group III nitride based light emitting devices are provided. The emitting devices include an n-type Group III nitride layer, a Group III nitride based active region on the n-type Group III nitride layer and comprising at least one quantum well structure, a Group III nitride layer including indium on the active region, a p-type Group III nitride layer including aluminum on the Group III nitride layer including indium, a first contact on the n-type Group III nitride layer and a second contact on the p-type Group III nitride layer. The Group III nitride layer including indium may also include aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Bergmann, David Todd Emerson
  • Patent number: 8888917
    Abstract: A vapor deposition reactor and associated method are disclosed that increase the lifetime and productivity of a filament-based resistive-heated vapor deposition system. The reactor and method provide for heating the filament while permitting the filament to move as it expands under the effect of increasing temperature while limiting the expanding movement of the filament to an amount that prevents the expanding movement of the filament from creating undesired contact with any portions of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Robert Allen Garner, Michael John Bergmann, Keenan Carlyle Brown, Michael Allen Pennington, Thomas Goldthwaite Coleman
  • Patent number: 8877524
    Abstract: A method for fabricating light emitting diode (LED) chips comprising providing a plurality of LEDs, typically on a wafer, and coating the LEDs with a conversion material so that at least some light from the LEDs passes through the conversion material and is converted. The light emission from the LED chips comprises light from the conversion material, typically in combination with LED light. The emission characteristics of at least some of the LED chips is measured and at least some of the conversion material over the LEDs is removed to alter the emission characteristics of the LED chips. The invention is particularly applicable to fabricating LED chips on a wafer where the LED chips have light emission characteristics that are within a range of target emission characteristics. This target range can fall within an emission region on a CIE curve to reduce the need for binning of the LEDs from the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashay Chitnis, John Edmond, Jeffrey Carl Britt, Bernd P. Keller, David Todd Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Jasper S. Cabalu
  • Patent number: 8853712
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting apparatus a semiconductor light emitting device configured to emit light inside a hollow shell including wavelength conversion material dispersed therein or thereon. A semiconductor light emitting apparatus according to some embodiments is capable of generating in excess of 250 lumens per watt, and in some cases up to 270 lumens per watt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Hussell, Florin Tudorica, David Todd Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Arthur Fong-Yuen Pun
  • Publication number: 20140291715
    Abstract: LED packages are disclosed that are compact and efficiently emit light, and can comprise encapsulants with curved and planar surfaces. The packages can comprise a submount with a one or a plurality of LEDs, and in those with a plurality of LEDs each of the LEDs can emit the same or different wavelengths of light than the others. A blanket conversion material layer can be included on at least some of the LEDs and the submount. The encapsulant can be on the submount, over at least some of the LEDs, with each of the planar surfaces being vertical and aligned with one of the edges of the submount. The packages can also comprise reflective layers to minimize losses due to light absorption, which in turn can increase the overall package emission efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: JESSE REIHERZER, Jeremy Nevins, Michael John Bergmann, Joseph Gates Clark
  • Publication number: 20140217435
    Abstract: A light emitting diode chip a support layer having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a diode region on the first face of the support layer, and a bond pad on the second face of the support layer. The bond pad includes a gold-tin structure having a weight percentage of tin of 50% or more. The light emitting diode chip may include a plurality of active regions that are connected in electrical series on the light emitting diode chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Bergmann, Christopher D. Williams, Kevin Shawne Schneider, Kevin Haberern, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 8772757
    Abstract: Light emitting devices and methods of fabricating light emitting devices that emit at wavelengths less than 360 nm with wall plug efficiencies of at least than 4% are provided. Wall plug efficiencies may be at least 5% or at least 6%. Light emitting devices and methods of fabricating light emitting devices that emit at wavelengths less than 345 nm with wall plug efficiencies of at least than 2% are also provided. Light emitting devices and methods of fabricating light emitting devices that emit at wavelengths less than 330 nm with wall plug efficiencies of at least than 0.4% are provided. Light emitting devices and methods of fabricating light emitting devices having a peak output wavelength of not greater than 360 nm and an output power of at least 5 mW, having a peak output wavelength of 345 nm or less and an output power of at least 3 mW and/or a peak output wavelength of 330 nm or less and an output power of at least 0.3 mW at a current density of less than about 0.35 ?A/?m2 are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Amber Abare, Kevin Haberern
  • Publication number: 20140167601
    Abstract: Light emitting devices include an LED that emits light having a dominant wavelength in the blue color range and a recipient luminophoric medium that is configured to down-convert at least some of the light emitted by the LED. In these devices, the recipient luminophoric medium may include at least a green phosphor that down-converts the radiation emitted by the LED to radiation having a peak wavelength that is between about 525 nanometers and about 545 nanometers, a yellow phosphor that down-converts the radiation emitted by the LED to radiation having a peak wavelength that is between about 550 nanometers and about 570 nanometers, and a red (Ca1-x-ySrxEu2+y)SiAlN3 phosphor. The red (Ca1-x-ySrxEu2+y)SiAlN3 phosphor may have a europium content of at least 0.025.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Seibel Harry, David Clatterbuck, Brian Collins, Michael John Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20140150283
    Abstract: A conveyor dryer for curing ink on a substrate is provided. The dryer comprises a dryer body, a housing functionally coupled to the dryer body, the housing and dryer body defining a heat zone, a heating element functionally disposed within the heat zone and configured to provide thermal energy, an infeed extension functionally coupled to the dryer body, such that the infeed extension extends substantially horizontally from the dryer body, a conveyor belt functionally coupled to the infeed extension, the conveyor belt being configured to transition from the infeed extension into the heat zone, and a sensor functionally coupled to the infeed extension and configured to sense the substrate on the conveyor belt, wherein under the condition that the substrate is placed on the conveyor belt, the sensor senses the substrate and results in the dryer transitioning from a standby state to an operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: BERGMANN PRECISION, INC.
    Inventor: John Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8742654
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes an LED and a layer of luminophoric particles, such as phosphor, that are non-homogeneous in size as a function of distance away from the LED. For example, a first layer of relatively large size phosphor particles may be provided between a second layer of relatively small size phosphor particles and the LED. The large particles can provide high brightness and the small particles can reduce angular color temperature variation in emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Jasper Cabalu, Michael John Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8704240
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer and an active region between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. A bond pad is provided on one of the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer, opposite the active region, the bond pad being electrically connected to the one of the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer. A conductive finger extends from and is electrically connected to the bond pad. A reduced conductivity region is provided in the light emitting device that is aligned with the conductive finger. A reflector may also be provided between the bond pad and the reduced conductivity region. A reduced conductivity region may also be provided in the light emitting device that is not aligned with the bond pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, David B. Slater, Jr., Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond
  • Patent number: 8698184
    Abstract: A light emitting diode chip a support layer having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a diode region on the first face of the support layer, and a bond pad on the second face of the support layer. The bond pad includes a gold-tin structure having a weight percentage of tin of 50% or more. The light emitting diode chip may include a plurality of active regions that are connected in electrical series on the light emitting diode chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Bergmann, Christopher D. Williams, Kevin Shawne Schneider, Kevin Haberern, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20140070245
    Abstract: Monolithic LED chips are disclosed comprising a plurality of active regions on a submount, wherein the submount comprises integral electrically conductive interconnect elements in electrical contact with the active regions and electrically connecting at least some of the active regions in series. The submount also comprises an integral insulator element electrically insulating at least some of the interconnect elements and active regions from other elements of the submount. The active regions are mounted in close proximity to one another with at least some of the active regions having a space between adjacent ones of the active regions that is 10 percent or less of the width of one or more of the active regions. The space is substantially not visible when the LED chip is emitting, such that the LED chips emits light similar to a filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: KEVIN W. HABERERN, MATTHEW DONOFRIO, BENNETT LANGSDORF, THOMAS PLACE, MICHAEL JOHN BERGMANN
  • Patent number: 8669563
    Abstract: Light emitting devices include an active region of semiconductor material and a first contact on the active region. The first contact is configured such that photons emitted by the active region pass through the first contact. A photon absorbing wire bond pad is provided on the first contact. The wire bond pad has an area less than the area of the first contact. A reflective structure is disposed between the first contact and the wire bond pad such that the reflective structure has substantially the same area as the wire bond pad. A second contact is provided opposite the active region from the first contact. The reflective structure may be disposed only between the first contact and the wire bond pad. Methods of fabricating such devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, Van Mieczkowski, David Todd Emerson
  • Publication number: 20140027795
    Abstract: LED packages are disclosed that are compact and efficiently emit light, and can comprise encapsulants with curved and planar surfaces. The packages can comprise a submount with a one or a plurality of LEDs, and in those with a plurality of LEDs each of the LEDs can emit the same or different wavelengths of light than the others. A blanket conversion material layer can be included on at least some of the LEDs and the submount. The encapsulant can be on the submount, over at least some of the LEDs, with each of the planar surfaces being vertical and aligned with one of the edges of the submount. The encapsulant can also have a upper curved surface with a relatively large radius of curvature, with the combination of curved and planar surfaces resulting in efficient emission of light with a relatively narrow emission profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Reiherzer, Andrew Signor, Joseph Gates Clark, Michael John Bergmann
  • Patent number: RE45059
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Adam Edmond, Kathleen Marie Doverspike, Hua-shuang Kong, Michael John Bergmann
  • Patent number: D718725
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Reiherzer, Andrew Signor, Joseph Gates Clark, Michael John Bergmann