Patents by Inventor Leo J. Schowalter

Leo J. Schowalter 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: 11939700
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates are formed from the vapor phase with controlled levels of impurities such as carbon. Single-crystal aluminum nitride may be heat treated via quasi-isothermal annealing and controlled cooling to improve its ultraviolet absorption coefficient and/or Urbach energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, James R. Grandusky, Jianfeng Chen, Shichao Wang, Toru Kimura, Thomas Miebach, Keisuke Yamaoka, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11913136
    Abstract: In various embodiments, controlled heating and/or cooling conditions are utilized during the fabrication of aluminum nitride single crystals and aluminum nitride bulk polycrystalline ceramics. Thermal treatments may also be utilized to control properties of aluminum nitride crystals after fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, Jianfeng Chen, Keisuke Yamaoka, Shichao Wang, Shailaja P. Rao, Takashi Suzuki, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11840773
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates are highly visibly transparent and have low Urbach energies and/or absorption coefficients at deep-ultraviolet wavelengths. The single-crystal aluminum nitride may function as a platform for the fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, James R. Grandusky, Jianfeng Chen, Sean P. Branagan, Shichao Wang, Toru Kimura, Thomas Miebach, Keisuke Yamaoka, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11828002
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates having high transparency to ultraviolet light and low defect density are formed. The single-crystal aluminum nitride may function as a platform for the fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, Jianfeng Chen, Keisuke Yamaoka, Shichao Wang, Shailaja P. Rao, Takashi Suzuki, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Publication number: 20230183883
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates have low Urbach energies and/or absorption coefficients at deep-ultraviolet wavelengths. The single-crystal aluminum nitride may function as a platform for the fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Robert T. BONDOKOV, James R. GRANDUSKY, Jianfeng CHEN, Shichao WANG, Toru KIMURA, Thomas MIEBACH, Keisuke YAMAOKA, Leo J. SCHOWALTER
  • Publication number: 20230167584
    Abstract: In various embodiments, controlled heating and/or cooling conditions are utilized during the fabrication of aluminum nitride single crystals and aluminum nitride bulk polycrystalline ceramics. Thermal treatments may also be utilized to control properties of aluminum nitride crystals after fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Robert T. BONDOKOV, Jianfeng CHEN, Keisuke YAMAOKA, Shichao WANG, Shailaja P. RAO, Takashi SUZUKI, Leo J. SCHOWALTER
  • Patent number: 11578425
    Abstract: In various embodiments, controlled heating and/or cooling conditions are utilized during the fabrication of aluminum nitride single crystals and aluminum nitride bulk polycrystalline ceramics. Thermal treatments may also be utilized to control properties of aluminum nitride crystals after fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, Jianfeng Chen, Keisuke Yamaoka, Shichao Wang, Shailaja P. Rao, Takashi Suzuki, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11555256
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates have low Urbach energies and/or absorption coefficients at deep-ultraviolet wavelengths. The single-crystal aluminum nitride may function as a platform for the fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, James R. Grandusky, Jianfeng Chen, Shichao Wang, Toru Kimura, Thomas Miebach, Keisuke Yamaoka, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11530141
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system includes a reactor chamber fluidly coupled with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The reactor chamber is defined by one or more chamber walls. The system includes a UV LED, and a light pipe. The light pipe extends into the reactor chamber through at least one of the chamber walls. The light pipe has a proximal end disposed outside of the reactor chamber. The proximal end is coupled with the UV LED to transmit UV light into the reactor chamber through the light pipe. To that end, the light pipe also has a distal end, opposite the proximal end, that is disposed within an interior volume of the reactor chamber. The light pipe includes a central section disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The central section is configured to transmit the UV light from UV LED to the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo J. Schowalter, Amy C. Wilson Miller
  • Patent number: 11515455
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a layer of organic encapsulant is provided over a surface of an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting semiconductor die, and at least a portion of the encapsulant is exposed to UV light to convert at least some of said portion of the encapsulant into non-stoichiometric silica material. The non-stoichiometric silica material includes silicon, oxygen, and carbon, and a carbon content of the non-stoichiometric silica material is greater than 1 ppm and less than 40 atomic percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Ken Kitamura, Masato Toita, Hironori Ishii, Yuting Wang, Leo J. Schowalter, Jianfeng Chen, James R. Grandusky
  • Patent number: 11384449
    Abstract: In various embodiments, growth of large, high-quality single crystals of aluminum nitride is enabled via a two-stage process utilizing two different crystalline seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Leo J. Schowalter, Robert T. Bondokov, James R. Grandusky
  • Patent number: 11355664
    Abstract: In various embodiments, extraction efficiency of light-emitting devices fabricated on aluminum nitride substrates is enhanced via removal of at least a portion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Grandusky, Leo J. Schowalter, Craig Moe
  • Publication number: 20220074072
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates are formed from the vapor phase with controlled levels of impurities such as carbon. Single-crystal aluminum nitride may be heat treated via quasi-isothermal annealing and controlled cooling to improve its ultraviolet absorption coefficient and/or Urbach energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Robert T. BONDOKOV, James R. GRANDUSKY, Jianfeng CHEN, Shichao WANG, Toru KIMURA, Thomas MIEBACH, Keisuke YAMAOKA, Leo J. SCHOWALTER
  • Patent number: 11251330
    Abstract: In various embodiments, light-emitting devices incorporate smooth contact layers and polarization doping (i.e., underlying layers substantially free of dopant impurities) and exhibit high photon extraction efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Grandusky, Leo J. Schowalter, Muhammad Jamil, Mark C. Mendrick, Shawn R. Gibb
  • Publication number: 20220040365
    Abstract: A system disinfects air. The system includes an elongated chamber having an inlet configured for air to flow into the chamber. The chamber also has an outlet configured for air to flow out of the chamber, and a sidewall formed from a material that is at least 90% UVC reflective. The chamber defines a longitudinal axis. A LED is positioned to emit UVC radiation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber. A filter is configured to trap pathogens. The filter is formed of a material that is UVC reflective and UVC transmissive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Leo J. Schowalter, James Davis
  • Patent number: 11225731
    Abstract: Reducing the microvoid (MV) density in AlN ameliorates numerous problems related to cracking during crystal growth, etch pit generation during the polishing, reduction of the optical transparency in an AlN wafer, and, possibly, growth pit formation during epitaxial growth of AlN and/or AlGaN. This facilitates practical crystal production strategies and the formation of large, bulk AlN crystals with low defect densities—e.g., a dislocation density below 104 cm?2 and an inclusion density below 104 cm?3 and/or a MV density below 104 cm?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Bondokov, Kenneth E. Morgan, Glen A. Slack, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11183567
    Abstract: Fabrication of doped AlN crystals and/or AlGaN epitaxial layers with high conductivity and mobility is accomplished by, for example, forming mixed crystals including a plurality of impurity species and electrically activating at least a portion of the crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Slack, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11168411
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates are formed from the vapor phase with controlled levels of impurities such as carbon. Single-crystal aluminum nitride may be heat treated via quasi-isothermal annealing and controlled cooling to improve its ultraviolet absorption coefficient and/or Urbach energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, James R. Grandusky, Jianfeng Chen, Shichao Wang, Toru Kimura, Thomas Miebach, Keisuke Yamaoka, Leo J. Schowalter
  • Patent number: 11124892
    Abstract: Bulk single crystal of aluminum nitride (AlN) having an areal planar defect density ?100 cm?2. Methods for growing single crystal aluminum nitride include melting an aluminum foil to uniformly wet a foundation with a layer of aluminum, the foundation forming a portion of an AlN seed holder, for an AlN seed to be used for the AlN growth. The holder may consist essentially of a substantially impervious backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bondokov, Kenneth E. Morgan, Leo J. Schowalter, Glen A. Slack
  • Publication number: 20210254240
    Abstract: In various embodiments, single-crystal aluminum nitride boules and substrates having high transparency to ultraviolet light and low defect density are formed. The single-crystal aluminum nitride may function as a platform for the fabrication of light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Robert T. BONDOKOV, Jianfeng CHEN, Keisuke YAMAOKA, Shichao WANG, Shailaja P. RAO, Takashi SUZUKI, Leo J. SCHOWALTER