Patents by Inventor Mark Loboda

Mark Loboda 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: 20230167582
    Abstract: A doped SiOC liquid starting material provides a p-type polymer derived ceramic SiC crystalline materials, including boules and wafers. P-type SiC electronic devices. Low resistivity SiC crystals, wafers and boules, having phosphorous as a dopant. Polymer derived ceramic doped SiC shaped charge source materials for vapor deposition growth of doped SiC crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Pallidus, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Dukes, Darren Hansen, Mark Loboda, Mark Land, Victor Torres, Juan Carlos Rojo
  • Publication number: 20230167583
    Abstract: A doped SiOC liquid starting material provides a p-type polymer derived ceramic SiC crystalline materials, including boules and wafers. P-type SiC electronic devices. Low resistivity SiC crystals, wafers and boules, having phosphorous as a dopant. Polymer derived ceramic doped SiC shaped charge source materials for vapor deposition growth of doped SiC crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Pallidus, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Hansen, Douglas Dukes, Mark Loboda, Mark Land, Victor Torres, Juan Carlos Rojo
  • Publication number: 20230167580
    Abstract: A doped SiOC liquid starting material provides a p-type polymer derived ceramic SiC crystalline materials, including boules and wafers. P-type SiC electronic devices. Low resistivity SiC crystals, wafers and boules, having phosphorous as a dopant. Polymer derived ceramic doped SiC shaped charge source materials for vapor deposition growth of doped SiC crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Pallidus, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Dukes, Darren Hansen, Mark Loboda, Mark Land, Victor Torres, Juan Carlos Rojo
  • Patent number: 11131038
    Abstract: An apparatus for physical vapor transport growth of semiconductor crystals having a cylindrical vacuum enclosure defining an axis of symmetry; a reaction-cell support for supporting a reaction cell inside the vacuum enclosure; a cylindrical reaction cell made of material that is transparent to RF energy and having a height Hcell defined along the axis of symmetry; an RF coil provided around exterior of the vacuum enclosure and axially centered about the axis of symmetry, wherein the RF coil is configured to generate a uniform RF field along at least the height Hcell; and, an insulation configured for generating thermal gradient inside the reaction cell along the axis of symmetry. The ratio of height of the RF induction coil, measured along the axis of symmetry, to the height Hcell may range from 2.5 to 4.0 or from 2.8 to 4.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: SK SILTRON CSS, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Loboda
  • Publication number: 20210114885
    Abstract: A method of removing surface carbon contamination from polycrystalline silicon comprises providing a polycrystalline silicon feed stream having surface carbon contamination, subjecting the polycrystalline silicon to a high velocity fluid selected from gas, gas/liquid mixtures, gas/solid mixtures and gas/solid/liquid mixtures to form a product stream comprising polycrystalline silicon having surface carbon in an amount of less than 200 parts per billion by weight based on weight of the polycrystalline silicon product and/or a reduction in surface carbon contamination of at least 20%. A system for conducting the method comprises an enclosure, a conveyer for moving a polycrystalline silicon feed stream through the enclosure, at least one stream of a high velocity fluid passing through outlets in the enclosure and directed at the feed stream, an ionizing source in the enclosure or integrated with the at least one stream of high velocity fluid, and an exhaust system for the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: James J. Mueller, Brian S. Cichowski, Mark Loboda, James C. Mundell, Christopher S. Robinson, Vasgen A. Shamamian
  • Publication number: 20190330763
    Abstract: An apparatus for physical vapor transport growth of semiconductor crystals having a cylindrical vacuum enclosure defining an axis of symmetry; a reaction-cell support for supporting a reaction cell inside the vacuum enclosure; a cylindrical reaction cell made of material that is transparent to RF energy and having a height Hcell defined along the axis of symmetry; an RF coil provided around exterior of the vacuum enclosure and axially centered about the axis of symmetry, wherein the RF coil is configured to generate a uniform RF field along at least the height Hcell; and, an insulation configured for generating thermal gradient inside the reaction cell along the axis of symmetry. The ratio of height of the RF induction coil, measured along the axis of symmetry, to the height Hcell may range from 2.5 to 4.0 or from 2.8 to 4.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Mark LOBODA
  • Patent number: 10435810
    Abstract: A method of forming an SiC crystal including placing in an insulated graphite container a seed crystal of SiC, and supporting the seed crystal on a shelf, wherein cushion rings contact the seed crystal on a periphery of top and bottom surfaces of the seed crystal, and where the graphite container does not contact a side surface of the seed crystal; placing a source of Si and C atoms in the insulated graphite container, where the source of Si and C atoms is for transport to the seed crystal to grow the SiC crystal; placing the graphite container in a furnace; heating the furnace; evacuating the furnace; filling the furnace with an inert gas; and maintaining the furnace to support crystal growth to thereby form the SiC crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: DOW SILICONES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Loboda, Roman Drachev, Darren Hansen, Edward Sanchez
  • Patent number: 10344396
    Abstract: An apparatus for physical vapor transport growth of semiconductor crystals having a cylindrical vacuum enclosure defining an axis of symmetry; a reaction-cell support for supporting a reaction cell inside the vacuum enclosure; a cylindrical reaction cell made of material that is transparent to RF energy and having a height Hcell defined along the axis of symmetry; an RF coil provided around exterior of the vacuum enclosure and axially centered about the axis of symmetry, wherein the RF coil is configured to generate a uniform RF field along at least the height Hcell; and, an insulation configured for generating thermal gradient inside the reaction cell along the axis of symmetry. The ratio of height of the RF induction coil, measured along the axis of symmetry, to the height Hcell may range from 2.5 to 4.0 or from 2.8 to 4.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: DOW SILICONES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Loboda
  • Patent number: 10106912
    Abstract: A method of forming an SiC crystal, the method including: placing a SiC seed in a growth vessel, heating the growth vessel, and evacuating the growth vessel, wherein the seed is levitated as a result of a temperature and pressure gradient, and gas flows from a growth face of the seed, around the edge of the seed, and into a volume behind the seed, which is pumped by a vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: DOW SILICONES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Loboda
  • Patent number: 10002760
    Abstract: A method for producing silicon carbide substrates fit for epitaxial growth in a standard epitaxial chamber normally used for silicon wafers processing. Strict limitations are placed on any substrate that is to be processed in a chamber normally used for silicon substrates, so as to avoid contamination of the silicon wafers. To take full advantage of standard silicon processing equipment, the SiC substrates are of diameter of at least 150 mm. For proper growth of the SiC boule, the growth crucible is made to have interior volume that is six to twelve times the final growth volume of the boule. Also, the interior volume of the crucible is made to have height to width ratio of 0.8 to 4.0. Strict limits are placed on contamination, particles, and defects in each substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: DOW SILICONES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren Hansen, Mark Loboda, Ian Manning, Kevin Moeggenborg, Stephan Mueller, Christopher Parfeniuk, Jeffrey Quast, Victor Torres, Clinton Whiteley
  • Publication number: 20180002828
    Abstract: An apparatus for physical vapor transport growth of semiconductor crystals having a cylindrical vacuum enclosure defining an axis of symmetry; a reaction-cell support for supporting a reaction cell inside the vacuum enclosure; a cylindrical reaction cell made of material that is transparent to RF energy and having a height Hcell defined along the axis of symmetry; an RF coil provided around exterior of the vacuum enclosure and axially centered about the axis of symmetry, wherein the RF coil is configured to generate a uniform RF field along at least the height Hcell; and, an insulation configured for generating thermal gradient inside the reaction cell along the axis of symmetry. The ratio of height of the RF induction coil, measured along the axis of symmetry, to the height Hcell may range from 2.5 to 4.0 or from 2.8 to 4.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventor: Mark LOBODA
  • Patent number: 9797064
    Abstract: A method of forming an SiC crystal including placing in an insulated graphite container a seed crystal of SiC, and supporting the seed crystal on a shelf, wherein cushion rings contact the seed crystal on a periphery of top and bottom surfaces of the seed crystal, and where the graphite container does not contact a side surface of the seed crystal; placing a source of Si and C atoms in the insulated graphite container, where the source of Si and C atoms is for transport to the seed crystal to grow the SiC crystal; placing the graphite container in a furnace; heating the furnace; evacuating the furnace; filling the furnace with an inert gas; and maintaining the furnace to support crystal growth to thereby form the SiC crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DOW CORNING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Loboda, Roman Drachev, Darren Hansen, Edward Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9738991
    Abstract: A method of forming an SiC crystal, the method including: placing a SiC seed in a growth vessel, heating the growth vessel, and evacuating the growth vessel, wherein the seed is levitated as a result of a temperature and pressure gradient, and gas flows from a growth face of the seed, around the edge of the seed, and into a volume behind the seed, which is pumped by a vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: DOW CORNING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Loboda
  • Publication number: 20170137963
    Abstract: A method of forming an SiC crystal including placing in an insulated graphite container a seed crystal of SiC, and supporting the seed crystal on a shelf, wherein cushion rings contact the seed crystal on a periphery of top and bottom surfaces of the seed crystal, and where the graphite container does not contact a side surface of the seed crystal; placing a source of Si and C atoms in the insulated graphite container, where the source of Si and C atoms is for transport to the seed crystal to grow the SiC crystal; placing the graphite container in a furnace; heating the furnace; evacuating the furnace; filling the furnace with an inert gas; and maintaining the furnace to support crystal growth to thereby form the SiC crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Loboda, Roman Drachev, Darren Hansen, Edward Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20170137964
    Abstract: A method of forming an SiC crystal, the method including: placing a SiC seed in a growth vessel, heating the growth vessel, and evacuating the growth vessel, wherein the seed is levitated as a result of a temperature and pressure gradient, and gas flows from a growth face of the seed, around the edge of the seed, and into a volume behind the seed, which is pumped by a vacuum system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Loboda
  • Publication number: 20160189956
    Abstract: A method for producing silicon carbide substrates fit for epitaxial growth in a standard epitaxial chamber normally used for silicon wafers processing. Strict limitations are placed on any substrate that is to be processed in a chamber normally used for silicon substrates, so as to avoid contamination of the silicon wafers. To take full advantage of standard silicon processing equipment, the SiC substrates are of diameter of at least 150 mm. For proper growth of the SiC boule, the growth crucible is made to have interior volume that is six to twelve times the final growth volume of the boule. Also, the interior volume of the crucible is made to have height to width ratio of 0.8 to 4.0. Strict limits are placed on contamination, particles, and defects in each substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Darren Hansen, Mark Loboda, Ian Manning, Kevin Moeggenborg, Stephan Mueller, Christopher Parfeniuk, Jeffrey Quast, Victor Torres, Clinton Whiteley
  • Patent number: 9337027
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for depositing silicon carbide material onto a substrate such that the resulting substrate has a carrier lifetime of 0.5-1000 microseconds, the method comprising a. introducing a gas mixture comprising a chlorosilane gas, a carbon-containing gas, and hydrogen gas into a reaction chamber containing a substrate; and b. heating the substrate to a temperature of greater than 1000° C. but less than 2000° C.; with the proviso that the pressure within the reaction chamber is maintained in the range of 0.1 to 760 torr. This invention also relates to a method for depositing silicon carbide material onto a substrate such that the resulting substrate has a carrier lifetime of 0.5-1000 microseconds, the method comprising a. introducing a gas mixture comprising a non-chlorinated silicon-containing gas, hydrogen chloride, a carbon-containing gas, and hydrogen gas into a reaction chamber containing a substrate; and b. heating the substrate to a temperature of greater than 1000° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Gilyong Chung, Mark Loboda
  • Patent number: 9337277
    Abstract: 4H SIC epiwafers with thickness of 50-100 ?m are grown on 4° off-axis substrates. Surface morphological defect density in the range of 2-6 cm?2 is obtained from inspection of the epiwafers. Consistent carrier lifetime in the range of 2-3 ?s has been obtained on these epiwafers. Very low BPD density has been confirmed in the epiwafers with BPD density down to below 10 cm?2. Epitaxial wafers with thickness of 50-100 ?m have been used to fabricate diodes. High voltage testing has demonstrated blocking voltages near the theoretical values for 4H-SiC. Blocking voltage as high as 8 kV has been achieved in devices fabricated on 50 ?m thick epitaxial films, and blocking voltage as high as 10 kV has been obtained in devices fabricated on 80 ?m thick films. Failure analysis confirmed triangle defects, which form from surface damage or particles present during epitaxy, are killer defects and cause the device to fail in reverse bias operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: DOW CORNING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Loboda, Gilyong Chung
  • Patent number: 9279192
    Abstract: A method for producing silicon carbide substrates fit for epitaxial growth in a standard epitaxial chamber normally used for silicon wafers processing. Strict limitations are placed on any substrate that is to be processed in a chamber normally used for silicon substrates, so as to avoid contamination of the silicon wafers. To take full advantage of standard silicon processing equipment, the SiC substrates are of diameter of at least 150 mm. For proper growth of the SiC boule, the growth crucible is made to have interior volume that is six to twelve times the final growth volume of the boule. Also, the interior volume of the crucible is made to have height to width ratio of 0.8 to 4.0. Strict limits are placed on contamination, particles, and defects in each substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: DOW CORNING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren Hansen, Mark Loboda, Ian Manning, Kevin Moeggenborg, Stephan Mueller, Christopher Parfeniuk, Jeffrey Quast, Victor Torres, Clinton Whiteley
  • Publication number: 20160032486
    Abstract: A method for producing silicon carbide substrates fit for epitaxial growth in a standard epitaxial chamber normally used for silicon wafers processing. Strict limitations are placed on any substrate that is to be processed in a chamber normally used for silicon substrates, so as to avoid contamination of the silicon wafers. To take full advantage of standard silicon processing equipment, the SiC substrates are of diameter of at least 150 mm. For proper growth of the SiC boule, the growth crucible is made to have interior volume that is six to twelve times the final growth volume of the boule. Also, the interior volume of the crucible is made to have height to width ratio of 0.8 to 4.0. Strict limits are placed on contamination, particles, and defects in each substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Darren Hansen, Mark Loboda, Ian Manning, Kevin Moeggenborg, Stephan Mueller, Christopher Parfeniuk, Jeffrey Quast, Victor Torres, Clinton Whiteley