Patents by Inventor Mathew C. Schmidt

Mathew C. Schmidt 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: 9130119
    Abstract: An (Al, Ga, In)N light emitting device, such as a light emitting diode (LED), in which high light generation efficiency is realized by fabricating the device on non-polar or semi-polar III-Nitride crystal geometries. Because non-polar and semi-polar emitting devices have significantly lower piezoelectric effects than c-plane emitting devices, higher efficiency emitting devices at higher current densities can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Steven P. DenBaars, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9106049
    Abstract: A system and method for providing laser diodes with broad spectrum is described. GaN-based laser diodes with broad or multi-peaked spectral output operating are obtained in various configurations by having a single laser diode device generating multiple-peak spectral outputs, operate in superluminescene mode, or by use of an RF source and/or a feedback signal. In some other embodiments, multi-peak outputs are achieved by having multiple laser devices output different lasers at different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Mathew C. Schmidt, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 9071039
    Abstract: An optical device includes a gallium nitride substrate member having an m-plane nonpolar crystalline surface region characterized by an orientation of about ?1 degree towards (000-1) and less than about +/?0.3 degrees towards (11-20). The device also has a laser stripe region formed overlying a portion of the m-plane nonpolar crystalline orientation surface region. In a preferred embodiment, the laser stripe region is characterized by a cavity orientation that is substantially parallel to the c-direction, the laser stripe region having a first end and a second end. The device includes a first cleaved c-face facet, which is coated, provided on the first end of the laser stripe region. The device also has a second cleaved c-face facet, which is exposed, provided on the second end of the laser stripe region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Daniel F. Feezell, Nicholas J. Pfister, Rajat Sharma, Mathew C. Schmidt, Christiane Poblenz Elsass, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 9040327
    Abstract: A method for fabricating AlxGa1-xN-cladding-free nonpolar III-nitride based laser diodes or light emitting diodes. Due to the absence of polarization fields in the nonpolar crystal planes, these nonpolar devices have thick quantum wells that function as an optical waveguide to effectively confine the optical mode to the active region and eliminate the need for Al-containing waveguide cladding layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel F. Feezell, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang-Choong Kim, Robert M. Farrell, Daniel A. Cohen, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8975615
    Abstract: A method for forming optical devices includes providing a gallium nitride substrate having a crystalline surface region and a backside region. The backside is subjected to a laser scribing process to form scribe regions. Metal contacts overly the scribe regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Felker, Nicholas A. Vickers, Rafael Aldaz, David Press, Nicholas J. Pfister, James W. Raring, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kenneth John Thomson
  • Patent number: 8956896
    Abstract: A method of device growth and p-contact processing that produces improved performance for non-polar III-nitride light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Key components using a low defect density substrate or template, thick quantum wells, a low temperature p-type III-nitride growth technique, and a transparent conducting oxide for the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Hitoshi Sato, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140315340
    Abstract: A method and device for emitting electromagnetic radiation using semipolar or nonpolar gallium containing substrates is described where the backside of the substrate includes multiple scribes that reduce stray light leaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Nick Pfister, Yu-Chia Chang, Mathew C. Schmidt, Drew Felker
  • Publication number: 20140295595
    Abstract: An optical device includes a gallium nitride substrate member having an m-plane nonpolar crystalline surface region characterized by an orientation of about ?1 degree towards (000-1) and less than about +/?0.3 degrees towards (11-20). The device also has a laser stripe region formed overlying a portion of the m-plane nonpolar crystalline orientation surface region. In a preferred embodiment, the laser stripe region is characterized by a cavity orientation that is substantially parallel to the c-direction, the laser stripe region having a first end and a second end. The device includes a first cleaved c-face facet, which is coated, provided on the first end of the laser stripe region. The device also has a second cleaved c-face facet, which is exposed, provided on the second end of the laser stripe region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Daniel F. Feezell, Nicholas J. Pfister, Rajat Sharma, Mathew C. Schmidt, Christiane Poblenz Elsass, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 8848755
    Abstract: A system and method for providing laser diodes with broad spectrum is described. GaN-based laser diodes with broad or multi-peaked spectral output operating are obtained in various configurations by having a single laser diode device generating multiple-peak spectral outputs, operate in superluminescene mode, or by use of an RF source and/or a feedback signal. In some other embodiments, multi-peak outputs are achieved by having multiple laser devices output different lasers at different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Mathew C. Schmidt, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 8638828
    Abstract: A system and method for providing laser diodes with broad spectrum is described. GaN-based laser diodes with broad or multi-peaked spectral output operating are obtained in various configurations by having a single laser diode device generating multiple-peak spectral outputs, operate in superluminescene mode, or by use of an RF source and/or a feedback signal. In some other embodiments, multi-peak outputs are achieved by having multiple laser devices output different lasers at different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Mathew C. Schmidt, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 8634442
    Abstract: An optical device includes a gallium nitride substrate member having an m-plane nonpolar crystalline surface region characterized by an orientation of about ?1 degree towards (000-1) and less than about +/?0.3 degrees towards (11-20). The device also has a laser stripe region formed overlying a portion of the m-plane nonpolar crystalline orientation surface region. In a preferred embodiment, the laser stripe region is characterized by a cavity orientation that is substantially parallel to the c-direction, the laser stripe region having a first end and a second end. The device includes a first cleaved c-face facet, which is coated, provided on the first end of the laser stripe region. The device also has a second cleaved c-face facet, which is exposed, provided on the second end of the laser stripe region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Daniel F. Feezell, Nicholas J. Pfister, Rajat Sharma, Mathew C. Schmidt, Christiane Poblenz, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 8588260
    Abstract: Optical gain of a nonpolar or semipolar Group-III nitride diode laser is controlled by orienting an axis of light propagation in relation to an optical polarization direction or crystallographic orientation of the diode laser. The axis of light propagation is substantially perpendicular to the mirror facets of the diode laser, and the optical polarization direction is determined by the crystallographic orientation of the diode laser. To maximize optical gain, the axis of light propagation is oriented substantially perpendicular to the optical polarization direction or crystallographic orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Robert M. Farrell, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Hisashi Masui, Daniel F. Feezell, James S. Speck, Stephen P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8451876
    Abstract: A system and method for providing laser diodes with broad spectrum is described. GaN-based laser diodes with broad or multi-peaked spectral output operating are obtained in various configurations by having a single laser diode device generating multiple-peak spectral outputs, operate in superluminescene mode, or by use of an RF source and/or a feedback signal. In some other embodiments, multi-peak outputs are achieved by having multiple laser devices output different lasers at different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: SORAA, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Mathew C. Schmidt, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Publication number: 20120256158
    Abstract: A method for fabricating AlxGa1-xN-cladding-free nonpolar III-nitride based laser diodes or light emitting diodes. Due to the absence of polarization fields in the nonpolar crystal planes, these nonpolar devices have thick quantum wells that function as an optical waveguide to effectively confine the optical mode to the active region and eliminate the need for Al-containing waveguide cladding layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Daniel F. Feezell, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Robert M. Farrell, Daniel A. Cohen, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8252662
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality light emitting diodes includes providing a gallium nitride containing bulk crystalline substrate material configured in a non-polar or semi-polar crystallographic orientation, forming an etch stop layer, forming an n-type layer overlying the etch stop layer, forming an active region, a p-type layer, and forming a metallization. The method includes removing a thickness of material from the backside of the bulk gallium nitride containing substrate material. A plurality of individual LED devices are formed from at least a sandwich structure comprising portions of the metallization layer, the p-type layer, active layer, and the n-type layer. The LED devices are joined to a carrier structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: Christiane Poblenz, Mathew C. Schmidt, Daniel F. Feezell, James W. Raring, Rajat Sharma
  • Publication number: 20120199809
    Abstract: A method of device growth and p-contact processing that produces improved performance for non-polar III-nitride light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Key components using a low defect density substrate or template, thick quantum wells, a low temperature p-type III-nitride growth technique, and a transparent conducting oxide for the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Hitoshi Sato, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8211723
    Abstract: A method for fabricating AlxGa1-xN-cladding-free nonpolar III-nitride based laser diodes or light emitting diodes. Due to the absence of polarization fields in the nonpolar crystal planes, these nonpolar devices have thick quantum wells that function as an optical waveguide to effectively confine the optical mode to the active region and eliminate the need for Al-containing waveguide cladding layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel F. Feezell, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang-Choong Kim, Robert M. Farrell, Daniel A. Cohen, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8178373
    Abstract: A method of device growth and p-contact processing that produces improved performance for non-polar III-nitride light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Key components using a low defect density substrate or template, thick quantum wells, a low temperature p-type III-nitride growth technique, and a transparent conducting oxide for the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Mathew C. Schmidt, Kwang Choong Kim, Hitsohi Sato, Steven P. DenBaars, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120104359
    Abstract: A method for forming optical devices includes providing a gallium nitride substrate having a crystalline surface region and a backside region. The backside is subjected to a laser scribing process to form scribe regions. Metal contacts overly the scribe regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Felker, Nicholas A. Vickers, Rafael Aldaz, David Press, Nicholas J. Pfister, James W. Raring, Mathew C. Schmidt, Kenneth John Thomson
  • Publication number: 20120068192
    Abstract: A method of reducing threading dislocation densities in non-polar such as a-{11-20} plane and m-{1-100} plane or semi-polar such as {10-1n} plane III-Nitrides by employing lateral epitaxial overgrowth from sidewalls of etched template material through a patterned mask. The method includes depositing a patterned mask on a template material such as a non-polar or semi polar GaN template, etching the template material down to various depths through openings in the mask, and growing non-polar or semi-polar III-Nitride by coalescing laterally from the tops of the sidewalls before the vertically growing material from the trench bottoms reaches the tops of the sidewalls. The coalesced features grow through the openings of the mask, and grow laterally over the dielectric mask until a fully coalesced continuous film is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kwang C. Kim, Mathew C. Schmidt, Feng Wu, Asako Hirai, Melvin B. McLaurin, Steven P. DenBaars, Shuji Nakamura, James S. Speck