Patents by Inventor Matthew Donofrio

Matthew Donofrio 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: 20110127568
    Abstract: Light emitting diodes include a diode region having first and second opposing faces that include therein an n-type layer and a p-type layer, an anode contact that ohmically contacts the p-type layer and extends on the first face, and a cathode contact that ohmically contacts the n-type layer and also extends on the first face. The anode and cathode contacts extend on the first face to collectively cover substantially all of the first face. A small gap may be provided between the contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: MATTHEW DONOFRIO, James Ibbetson, Zhimin Jamie Yao
  • Publication number: 20110121344
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a plurality of LED chips comprises providing a plurality of LEDs and forming a plurality of spacers each of which is on at least one of the LEDs. Coating the LEDs with a conversion material, each of the spacers reducing the amount of conversion material over its one of the LEDs. This reduction causes the plurality of LED chips to emit a wavelength of light in response to an electrical signal that is within a standard deviation of a target wavelength. LEDs, LED chips and LED chip wafers are fabricated using the method according to the present invention. One embodiment of an LED chip wafer according to the present invention comprises a plurality of LEDs on a wafer and a plurality of a spacers, each of which is on a respective one of the LEDs. A conversion material at least partially covers the LEDs and spacers, with at least some light from the LEDs passing through the conversion material and is converted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: MATTHEW DONOFRIO
  • Publication number: 20110068351
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining a high-resolution lenticular pattern on the surface of a light emitting diode. The method comprises imprinting a patterned sacrificial layer of etchable material that is positioned on a semiconductor surface that is in turn adjacent a light emitting active region, and thereafter etching the imprinted sacrificial layer and the underlying semiconductor to transfer an imprinted pattern into the semiconductor layer adjacent the light emitting active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 7910945
    Abstract: A light emitting diode structure is disclosed that includes a light emitting active portion formed of epitaxial layers and carrier substrate supporting the active portion. A bonding metal system that predominates in nickel and tin joins the active portion to the carrier substrate. At least one titanium adhesion layer is between the active portion and the carrier substrate and a platinum barrier layer is between the nickel-tin bonding system and the titanium adhesion layer. The platinum layer has a thickness sufficient to substantially prevent tin in the nickel tin bonding system from migrating into or through the titanium adhesion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, David B. Slater, Jr., John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 7897419
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a plurality of LED chips comprises providing a plurality of LEDs and forming a plurality of spacers each of which is on at least one of the LEDs. Coating the LEDs with a conversion material, each of the spacers reducing the amount of conversion material over its one of the LEDs. This reduction causes the plurality of LED chips to emit a wavelength of light in response to an electrical signal that is within a standard deviation of a target wavelength. LEDs, LED chips and LED chip wafers are fabricated using the method according to the present invention. One embodiment of an LED chip wafer according to the present invention comprises a plurality of LEDs on a wafer and a plurality of a spacers, each of which is on a respective one of the LEDs. A conversion material at least partially covers the LEDs and spacers, with at least some light from the LEDs passing through the conversion material and is converted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20110031502
    Abstract: Light emitting diodes include a silicon carbide substrate having first and second opposing faces, a diode region on the first face, anode and cathode contacts on the diode region opposite the silicon carbide substrate and a hybrid reflector on the silicon carbide substrate opposite the diode region. The hybrid reflector includes a transparent layer having an index of refraction that is lower than the silicon carbide substrate, and a reflective layer on the transparent layer, opposite the substrate. A die attach layer may be provided on the hybrid reflector, opposite the silicon carbide substrate. A barrier layer may be provided between the hybrid reflector and the die attach layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Michael John Bergmann, Kevin Ward Haberern, Bradley E. Williams, Winston T. Parker, Arthur Fong-Yuen Pun, Doowon Suh, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20110008922
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and an active region between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. A non-transparent feature, such as a wire bond pad, is on the p-type semiconductor layer or on the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer, and a reduced conductivity region is in the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer and is aligned with the non-transparent feature. The reduced conductivity region may extend from a surface of the p-type semiconductor layer opposite the n-type semiconductor layer towards the active region and/or from a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer towards the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, David B. Slater, JR., Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond
  • Publication number: 20100314633
    Abstract: A wafer of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is laser scribed to produce a laser scribing cut. Then, the wafer is cleaned, for example by wet etching, to reduce scribe damage. Then, electrical contact layers for the LEDs are formed on the wafer that has been cleaned. Alternatively, the scribing cut may be produced by multiple etches before contact formation. Related LEDs are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, Winston T. Parker, Michael John Bergmann, Steven Scott Gilmore, Jay Thomas Norman, Kevin Shawne Schneider
  • Patent number: 7829906
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining a high-resolution lenticular pattern on the surface of a light emitting diode. The method comprises imprinting a patterned sacrificial layer of etchable material that is positioned on a semiconductor surface that is in turn adjacent a light emitting active region, and thereafter etching the imprinted sacrificial layer and the underlying semiconductor to transfer an imprinted pattern into the semiconductor layer adjacent the light emitting active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20100276700
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a support structure and a Group III nitride light emitting active structure mesa on the support structure. The mesa has its sidewalls along an indexed crystal plane of the Group III nitride. A method of forming the diode is also disclosed that includes the steps of removing a substrate from a Group III nitride light emitting structure that includes a sub-mount structure on the Group III nitride light emitting structure opposite the substrate, and thereafter etching the surface of the Group III nitride from which the substrate has been removed with an anisotropic etch to develop crystal facets on the surface in which the facets are along an index plane of the Group III nitride. The method can also include etching the light emitting structure with an anisotropic etch to form a mesa with edges along an index plane of the Group III nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: JOHN A. EDMOND, David B. Slater, JR., Hua Shuang Kong, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 7795623
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and an active region between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. A non-transparent feature, such as a wire bond pad, is on the p-type semiconductor layer or on the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer, and a reduced conductivity region is in the p-type semiconductor layer or the n-type semiconductor layer and is aligned with the non-transparent feature. The reduced conductivity region may extend from a surface of the p-type semiconductor layer opposite the n-type semiconductor layer towards the active region and/or from a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer opposite the p-type semiconductor layer towards the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, David B. Slater, Jr., Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond
  • Patent number: 7791061
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a support structure and a Group III nitride light emitting active structure mesa on the support structure. The mesa has its sidewalls along an indexed crystal plane of the Group III nitride. A method of forming the diode is also disclosed that includes the steps of removing a substrate from a Group III nitride light emitting structure that includes a sub-mount structure on the Group III nitride light emitting structure opposite the substrate, and thereafter etching the surface of the Group III nitride from which the substrate has been removed with an anisotropic etch to develop crystal facets on the surface in which the facets are along an index plane of the Group III nitride. The method can also include etching the light emitting structure with an anisotropic etch to form a mesa with edges along an index plane of the Group III nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr., Hua Shuang Kong, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20100155750
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a plurality of LED chips comprises providing a plurality of LEDs and forming a plurality of spacers each of which is on at least one of the LEDs. Coating the LEDs with a conversion material, each of the spacers reducing the amount of conversion material over its one of the LEDs. This reduction causes the plurality of LED chips to emit a wavelength of light in response to an electrical signal that is within a standard deviation of a target wavelength. LEDs, LED chips and LED chip wafers are fabricated using the method according to the present invention. One embodiment of an LED chip wafer according to the present invention comprises a plurality of LEDs on a wafer and a plurality of a spacers, each of which is on a respective one of the LEDs. A conversion material at least partially covers the LEDs and spacers, with at least some light from the LEDs passing through the conversion material and is converted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20100155763
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed including heating an optical element. An optical material is applied to the heated optical element to provide a conformal layer that is cured via the thermal energy in the heated optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, Nathaniel O. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20100140636
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes an active region and a plurality of exterior surfaces. A light enhancement feature is present on at least portions of one of the exterior surfaces of the diode, with the light enhancement feature being selected from the group consisting of shaping and texturing. A light enhancement feature is present on at least portions of each of the other exterior surfaces of the diode, with these light enhancement features being selected from the group consisting of shaping, texturing, and reflectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, Hua-Shuang Kong, David Slater, JR., John Edmond
  • Publication number: 20100140637
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes an active structure, a first ohmic contact on the active structure, and a transparent conductive oxide layer on the active structure opposite the first ohmic contact. The transparent conductive oxide layer has a larger footprint than said active structure. A dielectric mirror is positioned on the transparent conductive oxide layer opposite said active structure and a second contact is positioned on the transparent conductive oxide layer opposite the dielectric mirror and separated from the active structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond, James Ibbetson, Ting Li
  • Publication number: 20090283787
    Abstract: Light emitting diodes include a diode region having first and second opposing faces that include therein an n-type layer and a p-type layer, an anode contact that ohmically contacts the p-type layer and extends on the first face, and a cathode contact that ohmically contacts the n-type layer and also extends on the first face. The anode contact and/or the cathode contact may further provide a hybrid reflective structure on the first face that is configured to reflect substantially all light that emerges from the first face back into the first face. Related fabrication methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, James Ibbetson, Zhimin Jamie Yao
  • Publication number: 20090242918
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a conductive substrate, a bonding metal on the conductive substrate and a barrier metal layer on the bonding metal. A mirror layer is encapsulated by the barrier metal layer and is isolated from the bonding metal by the barrier layer. A p-type gallium nitride epitaxial layer is on the encapsulated mirror, an indium gallium nitride active layer is on the p-type layer, and an n-type gallium nitride layer is on the indium gallium nitride layer, and a bond pad is made to the n-type gallium nitride layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Adam Edmond, David Beardsley Slater, JR., Jayesh Bharathan, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20090233418
    Abstract: Methods of forming a silicon carbide semiconductor device are disclosed. The methods include forming a semiconductor device at a first surface of a silicon carbide substrate having a first thickness, and mounting a carrier substrate to the first surface of the silicon carbide substrate. The carrier substrate provides mechanical support to the silicon carbide substrate. The methods further include thinning the silicon carbide substrate to a thickness less the first thickness, forming a metal layer on the thinned silicon carbide substrate opposite the first surface of the silicon carbide substrate, and locally annealing the metal layer to form an ohmic contact on the thinned silicon carbide substrate opposite the first surface of the silicon carbide substrate. The silicon carbide substrate is singulated to provide a singulated semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Anant Agarwal, Sei-Hyung Ryu, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: D635525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, Michael J. Bergmann, Matthew Donofrio, Winston T. Parker