Patents by Inventor Linda Romano

Linda Romano 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: 20140374769
    Abstract: A Schottky diode and method of fabricating the Schottky diode using gallium nitride (GaN) materials is disclosed. The method includes providing an n-type GaN substrate having first and second opposing surfaces. The method also includes forming an ohmic metal contact electrically coupled to the first surface, forming an n-type GaN epitaxial layer coupled to the second surface, and forming an n-type aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) surface layer coupled to the n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The AlGaN surface layer has a thickness which is less than a critical thickness, and the critical thickness is determined based on an aluminum mole fraction of the AlGaN surface layer. The method also includes forming a Schottky contact electrically coupled to the n-type AlGaN surface layer, where, during operation, an interface between the n-type GaN epitaxial layer and the n-type AlGaN surface layer is substantially free from a two-dimensional electron gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty, David P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, Madhan Raj
  • Publication number: 20140370669
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate, a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride substrate and having a mesa, and a second III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to a top surface of the mesa. The semiconductor device further includes a III-nitride gate structure coupled to a side surface of the mesa, and a spacer configured to provide electrical insulation between the second III-nitride epitaxial layer and the III-nitride gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Don Disney, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Madhan Raj
  • Publication number: 20140361244
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first conductivity type semiconductor nanowire cores located over a support and extending from portions of a semiconductor surface of the support exposed through openings in the insulating mask layer, and a plurality of semiconductor shells extending over the respective nanowire cores. Each of the plurality of semiconductor shells includes at least one semiconductor interior shell extending around the respective one of the plurality nanowire cores, and a second conductivity type semiconductor outer shell extending around the at least one semiconductor interior shell. A first electrode layer contacts the second conductivity type semiconductor outer shell of the plurality of semiconductor shells and extends into spaces between the semiconductor shells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Carl Patrik Theodor Svensson, Linda Romano, Scott Brad Herner, Cynthia Lemay
  • Patent number: 8853063
    Abstract: A method of growing an n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor, forming a masking material coupled to a portion of a surface of the substrate, and flowing a first gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The first gas includes a group III element and carbon. The method further comprises flowing a second gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The second gas includes a group V element, and a molar ratio of the group V element to the group III element is at least 5,000. The method also includes growing the n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie
  • Patent number: 8846482
    Abstract: A method of forming a doped region in a III-nitride substrate includes providing the III-nitride substrate and forming a masking layer having a predetermined pattern and coupled to a portion of the III-nitride substrate. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and the predetermined pattern defines exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate. The method also includes heating the III-nitride substrate to a predetermined temperature and placing a dual-precursor gas adjacent the exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate. The dual-precursor gas includes a nitrogen source and a dopant source. The method further includes maintaining the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period, forming p-type III-nitride regions adjacent the exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate, and removing the masking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Mahdan Raj
  • Publication number: 20140287570
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate with a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The semiconductor structure also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure including a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first side of the III-nitride substrate and a plurality of III-nitride regions of a second conductivity type. The plurality of III-nitride regions have at least one III-nitride epitaxial region of the first conductivity type between each of the plurality of III-nitride regions. The semiconductor structure further includes a first metallic structure electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of III-nitride regions and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region. A Schottky contact is created between the first metallic structure and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20140284551
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first conductivity type semiconductor nanowire cores located over a support, and an insulating mask layer located over the support. The nanowire cores include semiconductor nanowires epitaxially extending from portions of a semiconductor surface of the support exposed through openings in the insulating mask layer. The device also includes a plurality of second conductivity type semiconductor shells extending over and around the respective nanowire cores, a first electrode layer that contacts the second conductivity type semiconductor shells and extends into spaces between the semiconductor shells, and an insulating layer located between the insulating mask layer and the first electrode in the spaces between the semiconductor shells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Scott Brad Herner, Cynthia Lemay, Carl Patrik Theodor Svensson, Linda Romano
  • Patent number: 8836071
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a Schottky diode using gallium nitride (GaN) materials includes providing an n-type GaN substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface opposes the first surface. The method also includes forming an ohmic metal contact electrically coupled to the first surface of the n-type GaN substrate and forming an n-type GaN epitaxial layer coupled to the second surface of the n-type GaN substrate. The method further includes forming an n-type aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) surface layer coupled to the n-type GaN epitaxial layer and forming a Schottky contact electrically coupled to the n-type AlGaN surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty, David P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, Madhan Raj
  • Patent number: 8829574
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate, a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride substrate and having a mesa, and a second III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to a top surface of the mesa. The semiconductor device further includes a III-nitride gate structure coupled to a side surface of the mesa, and a spacer configured to provide electrical insulation between the second III-nitride epitaxial layer and the III-nitride gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Madhan Raj
  • Publication number: 20140235030
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an edge termination structure includes providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface and a first conductivity type, forming a first GaN epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the substrate, and forming a second GaN epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The second GaN epitaxial layer is coupled to the first GaN epitaxial layer. The method also includes implanting ions into a first region of the second GaN epitaxial layer to electrically isolate a second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer from a third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer. The method further includes forming an active device coupled to the second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer and forming the edge termination structure coupled to the third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, David P. Bour, Linda Romano, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 8778788
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate with a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The semiconductor structure also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure including a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first side of the III-nitride substrate and a plurality of III-nitride regions of a second conductivity type. The plurality of III-nitride regions have at least one III-nitride epitaxial region of the first conductivity type between each of the plurality of III-nitride regions. The semiconductor structure further includes a first metallic structure electrically coupled to one or more of the plurality of III-nitride regions and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region. A Schottky contact is created between the first metallic structure and the at least one III-nitride epitaxial region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20140159051
    Abstract: An integrated device including a vertical III-nitride FET and a Schottky diode includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction, and a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drift region. The integrated device also includes a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, a source coupled to the channel region, and a Schottky contact coupled to the drift region. The channel region is disposed between the drain and the source along the vertical direction such that current flow during operation of the vertical III-nitride FET and the Schottky diode is along the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20140162416
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate with a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The semiconductor structure also includes a III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, and a first metallic structure electrically coupled to the second surface of the III-nitride substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes an AlGaN epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type, and a III-nitride epitaxial structure of a second conductivity type coupled to the AlGaN epitaxial layer. The III-nitride epitaxial structure comprises at least one edge termination structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Linda Romano, Andrew P. Edwards, Richard J. Brown, David P. Bour, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Thomas R. Prunty, Mahdan Raj
  • Patent number: 8749015
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an edge termination structure includes providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface and a first conductivity type, forming a first GaN epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the substrate, and forming a second GaN epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The second GaN epitaxial layer is coupled to the first GaN epitaxial layer. The method also includes implanting ions into a first region of the second GaN epitaxial layer to electrically isolate a second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer from a third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer. The method further includes forming an active device coupled to the second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer and forming the edge termination structure coupled to the third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, David P. Bour, Linda Romano, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 8741707
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an edge termination, which can be used in conjunction with GaN-based materials, includes providing a substrate of a first conductivity type. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The method also includes forming a first GaN epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the substrate and forming a second GaN epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The second GaN epitaxial layer is coupled to the first GaN epitaxial layer. The substrate, the first GaN epitaxial layer and the second GaN epitaxial layer can be referred to as an epitaxial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Linda Romano, Andrew Edwards, Hui Nie
  • Publication number: 20140116328
    Abstract: A method of growing an n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor, forming a masking material coupled to a portion of a surface of the substrate, and flowing a first gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The first gas includes a group III element and carbon. The method further comprises flowing a second gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The second gas includes a group V element, and a molar ratio of the group V element to the group III element is at least 5,000. The method also includes growing the n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie
  • Publication number: 20140051236
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a III-nitride semiconductor device includes providing a III-nitride substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, forming a III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, and removing at least a portion of the III-nitride epitaxial layer to form a first exposed surface. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer coupled to the first exposed surface, removing at least a portion of the dielectric layer, and forming a metallic layer coupled to a remaining portion of the dielectric layer such that the remaining portion of the dielectric layer is disposed between the III-nitride epitaxial layer and the metallic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Madhan Raj, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty, David P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano
  • Patent number: 8643134
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a III-nitride semiconductor device includes providing a III-nitride substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, forming a III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, and removing at least a portion of the III-nitride epitaxial layer to form a first exposed surface. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer coupled to the first exposed surface, removing at least a portion of the dielectric layer, and forming a metallic layer coupled to a remaining portion of the dielectric layer such that the remaining portion of the dielectric layer is disposed between the III-nitride epitaxial layer and the metallic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhan Raj, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty, David P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano
  • Patent number: 8592938
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a III-nitride semiconductor device includes providing a III-nitride substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, forming a III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, and removing at least a portion of the III-nitride epitaxial layer to form a first exposed surface. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer coupled to the first exposed surface, removing at least a portion of the dielectric layer, and forming a metallic layer coupled to a remaining portion of the dielectric layer such that the remaining portion of the dielectric layer is disposed between the III-nitride epitaxial layer and the metallic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhan Raj, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty, David P. Bour, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano
  • Patent number: 8592298
    Abstract: A method for fabricating edge termination structures in gallium nitride (GaN) materials includes providing a n-type GaN substrate having a first surface and a second surface, forming an n-type GaN epitaxial layer coupled to the first surface of the n-type GaN substrate, and forming a growth mask coupled to the n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The method further includes patterning the growth mask to expose at least a portion of the n-type GaN epitaxial layer, and forming at least one p-type GaN epitaxial structure coupled to the at least a portion of the n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The at least one p-type GaN epitaxial structure comprises at least one portion of an edge termination structure. The method additionally includes forming a first metal structure electrically coupled to the second surface of the n-type GaN substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Andrew Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty