Patents by Inventor John E. Epler

John E. Epler 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: 20120187372
    Abstract: An AlGaInP light emitting device is formed as a thin, flip chip device. The device includes a semiconductor structure comprising an AlGaInP light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. N- and p-contacts electrically connected to the n- and p-type regions are both formed on the same side of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure is connected to the mount via the contacts. The growth substrate is removed from the semiconductor structure and the thick transparent substrate is omitted, such that the total thickness of semiconductor layers in the device is less than 15 ?m in some embodiments, less than 10 ?m in some embodiments. The top side of the semiconductor structure may be textured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Rafael I. Aldaz, John E. Epler, Patrick N. Grillot, Michael R. Krames
  • Patent number: 8202741
    Abstract: A compliant bonding structure is disposed between a semiconductor device and a mount. In some embodiments, the device is a light emitting device. When the semiconductor light emitting device is attached to the mount, for example by providing ultrasonic energy to the semiconductor light emitting device, the compliant bonding structure collapses to partially fill a space between the semiconductor light emitting device and the mount. In some embodiments, the compliant bonding structure is plurality of metal bumps that undergo plastic deformation during bonding. In some embodiments, the compliant bonding structure is a porous metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Neff, John E. Epler, Stefano Schiaffino
  • Patent number: 8202742
    Abstract: A light emitting device is produced by depositing a layer of wavelength converting material over the light emitting device, testing the device to determine the wavelength spectrum produced and correcting the wavelength converting member to produce the desired wavelength spectrum. The wavelength converting member may be corrected by reducing or increasing the amount of wavelength converting material. In one embodiment, the amount of wavelength converting material in the wavelength converting member is reduced, e.g., through laser ablation or etching, to produce the desired wavelength spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Paolini, Michael D. Camras, Oscar A. Chao Pujol, Frank M. Steranka, John E. Epler
  • Patent number: 8188508
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure includes an n-contact region and a p-contact region. A cross section of the n-contact region comprises a plurality of first regions wherein portions of the light emitting layer and p-type region are removed to expose the n-type region. The plurality of first regions are separated by a plurality of second regions wherein the light emitting layer and p-type region remain in the device. The device further includes a first metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the p-contact region and a second metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the n-contact region. The second metal contact is in electrical contact with at least one of the second regions in the n-contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Epler
  • Patent number: 8174025
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a semiconductor structure having a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A porous region is disposed between the light emitting layer and a contact electrically connected to one of the n-type region and the p-type region. The porous region scatters light away from the absorbing contact, which may improve light extraction from the device. In some embodiments the porous region is an n-type semiconductor material such as GaN or GaP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Epler, Michael R. Krames, Hanmin Zhao, James C. Kim
  • Publication number: 20120074457
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure includes an n-contact region and a p-contact region. A cross section of the n-contact region comprises a plurality of first regions wherein portions of the light emitting layer and p-type region are removed to expose the n-type region. The plurality of first regions are separated by a plurality of second regions wherein the light emitting layer and p-type region remain in the device. The device further includes a first metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the p-contact region and a second metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the n-contact region. The second metal contact is in electrical contact with at least one of the second regions in the n-contact region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: JOHN E. EPLER
  • Publication number: 20120045858
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A p-electrode is disposed on a portion of the p-type region. The p-electrode includes a reflective first material in direct contact with a first portion of the p-type region and a second material in direct contact with a second portion of the p-type region adjacent to the first portion. The first material and second material are formed in planar layers of substantially the same thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicants: PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: John E. Epler
  • Publication number: 20120025231
    Abstract: LED layers are grown over a sapphire substrate. Individual flip chip LEDs are formed by trenching or masked ion implantation. Modules containing a plurality of LEDs are diced and mounted on a submount wafer. A submount metal pattern or a metal pattern formed on the LEDs connects the LEDs in a module in series. The growth substrate is then removed, such as by laser lift-off. A semi-insulating layer is formed, prior to or after mounting, that mechanically connects the LEDs together. The semi-insulating layer may be formed by ion implantation of a layer between the substrate and the LED layers. PEC etching of the semi-insulating layer, exposed after substrate removal, may be performed by biasing the semi-insulating layer. The submount is then diced to create LED modules containing series-connected LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael R. Krames, John E. Epler, Daniel A. Steigerwald, Tal Margalith
  • Patent number: 8089091
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure includes an n-contact region and a p-contact region. A cross section of the n-contact region comprises a plurality of first regions wherein portions of the light emitting layer and p-type region are removed to expose the n-type region. The plurality of first regions are separated by a plurality of second regions wherein the light emitting layer and p-type region remain in the device. The device further includes a first metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the p-contact region and a second metal contact formed over the semiconductor structure in the n-contact region. The second metal contact is in electrical contact with at least one of the second regions in the n-contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: John E. Epler
  • Patent number: 8080828
    Abstract: Low profile, side-emitting LEDs are described that generate white light, where all light is emitted within a relatively narrow angle generally parallel to the surface of the light-generating active layer. The LEDs enable the creation of very thin backlights for backlighting an LCD. In one embodiment, the LED emits blue light and is a flip chip with the n and p electrodes on the same side of the LED. Separately from the LED, a transparent wafer has deposited on it a red and green phosphor layer. The phosphor color temperature emission is tested, and the color temperatures vs. positions along the wafer are mapped. A reflector is formed over the transparent wafer. The transparent wafer is singulated, and the phosphor/window dice are matched with the blue LEDs to achieve a target white light color temperature. The phosphor/window is then affixed to the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Krames, Gerd Mueller, Oleg Borisovich Shchekin, Mark Pugh, Gerard Harbers, John E. Epler, Serge Bierhuizen, Regina Mueller-Mach
  • Patent number: 8076682
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A p-electrode is disposed on a portion of the p-type region. The p-electrode includes a reflective first material in direct contact with a first portion of the p-type region and a second material in direct contact with a second portion of the p-type region adjacent to the first portion. The first material and second material are formed in planar layers of substantially the same thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Epler
  • Patent number: 8062916
    Abstract: LED layers are grown over a sapphire substrate. Individual flip chip LEDs are formed by trenching or masked ion implantation. Modules containing a plurality of LEDs are diced and mounted on a submount wafer. A submount metal pattern or a metal pattern formed on the LEDs connects the LEDs in a module in series. The growth substrate is then removed, such as by laser lift-off. A semi-insulating layer is formed, prior to or after mounting, that mechanically connects the LEDs together. The semi-insulating layer may be formed by ion implantation of a layer between the substrate and the LED layers. PEC etching of the semi-insulating layer, exposed after substrate removal, may be performed by biasing the semi-insulating layer. The submount is then diced to create LED modules containing series-connected LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Krames, John E. Epler, Daniel A. Steigerwald, Tal Margalith
  • Patent number: 8053905
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region, a metal p-contact disposed on the p-type region, and a metal n-contact disposed on the n-type region. The metal p-contact and the metal n-contact are both formed on the same side of the semiconductor structure. The light emitting device is connected to a mount by a bonding structure. The bonding structure includes a plurality of metal regions separated by gaps and a metal structure disposed between the light emitting device and the mount proximate to an edge of the light emitting device. The metal structure is configured such that during bonding, the metal structure forms a continuous seal between the light emitting device and the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: John E. Epler, Michael R. Krames, James G. Neff, Stefano Schiaffino
  • Publication number: 20110193059
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising a III-nitride light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region is grown over a porous III-nitride region. A III-nitride layer comprising InN is disposed between the light emitting layer and the porous III-nitride region. Since the III-nitride layer comprising InN is grown on the porous region, the III-nitride layer comprising InN may be at least partially relaxed, i.e. the III-nitride layer comprising InN may have an in-plane lattice constant larger than an in-plane lattice constant of a conventional GaN layer grown on sapphire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: JONATHAN J. WIERER, JR., JOHN E. EPLER
  • Publication number: 20110132521
    Abstract: A light emitting device is produced by depositing a layer of wavelength converting material over the light emitting device, testing the device to determine the wavelength spectrum produced and correcting the wavelength converting member to produce the desired wavelength spectrum. The wavelength converting member may be corrected by reducing or increasing the amount of wavelength converting material. In one embodiment, the amount of wavelength converting material in the wavelength converting member is reduced, e.g., through laser ablation or etching, to produce the desired wavelength spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: STEVEN PAOLINI, MICHAEL D. CAMRAS, OSCAR ARTURO CHAO PUJOL, FRANK M. STERANKA, JOHN E. EPLER
  • Publication number: 20110121332
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a III-nitride light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. A transparent, conductive non-III-nitride material is disposed in direct contact with the n-type region. A total thickness of semiconductor material between the light emitting layer and the transparent, conductive non-III-nitride material is less than one micron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicants: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V., PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Frédéric DUPONT, John E. EPLER
  • Publication number: 20110114987
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region, a metal p-contact disposed on the p-type region, and a metal n-contact disposed on the n-type region. The metal p-contact and the metal n-contact are both formed on the same side of the semiconductor structure. The light emitting device is connected to a mount by a bonding structure. The bonding structure includes a plurality of metal regions separated by gaps and a metal structure disposed between the light emitting device and the mount proximate to an edge of the light emitting device. The metal structure is configured such that during bonding, the metal structure forms a continuous seal between the light emitting device and the mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: John E. Epler, Michael R. Krames, James G. Neff, Stefano Schiaffino
  • Patent number: 7928448
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising a III-nitride light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region is grown over a porous III-nitride region. A III-nitride layer comprising InN is disposed between the light emitting layer and the porous III-nitride region. Since the III-nitride layer comprising InN is grown on the porous region, the III-nitride layer comprising InN may be at least partially relaxed, i.e. the III-nitride layer comprising InN may have an in-plane lattice constant larger than an in-plane lattice constant of a conventional GaN layer grown on sapphire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Wierer, Jr., John E. Epler
  • Patent number: 7902566
    Abstract: A light emitting device is produced by depositing a layer of wavelength converting material over the light emitting device, testing the device to determine the wavelength spectrum produced and correcting the wavelength converting member to produce the desired wavelength spectrum. The wavelength converting member may be corrected by reducing or increasing the amount of wavelength converting material. In one embodiment, the amount of wavelength converting material in the wavelength converting member is reduced, e.g., through laser ablation or etching, to produce the desired wavelength spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Paolini, Michael D. Camras, Oscar A. Chao Pujol, Frank M. Steranka, John E. Epler
  • Publication number: 20110027975
    Abstract: A substrate including a host and a seed layer bonded to the host is provided, then a semiconductor structure including a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region is grown on the seed layer. In some embodiments, a bonding layer bonds the host to the seed layer. The seed layer may be thinner than a critical thickness for relaxation of strain in the semiconductor structure, such that strain in the semiconductor structure is relieved by dislocations formed in the seed layer, or by gliding between the seed layer and the bonding layer an interface between the two layers. In some embodiments, the host may be separated from the semiconductor structure and seed layer by etching away the bonding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael R. Krames, Nathan F. Gardner, John E. Epler