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: 20090166659
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed having a vertical orientation with an ohmic contact on portions of a top surface of the diode and a mirror layer adjacent the light emitting region of the diode. The diode includes an opening in the mirror layer beneath the geometric projection of the top ohmic contact through the diode that defines a non-contact area between the mirror layer and the light emitting region of the diode to encourage current flow to take place other than at the non-contact area to in turn decrease the number of light emitting recombinations beneath the ohmic contact and increase the number of light emitting recombinations in the more transparent portions of the diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Adam Edmond, David Beardsley Slater, JR., Jayesh Bharathan, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 7547578
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Anant Agarwal, Sei-Hyung Ryu, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20080296771
    Abstract: A silicon carbide power device is fabricated by forming a p-type silicon carbide epitaxial layer on an n-type silicon carbide substrate, and forming a silicon carbide power device structure on the p-type silicon carbide epitaxial layer. The n-type silicon carbide substrate is at least partially removed, so as to expose the p-type silicon carbide epitaxial layer. An ohmic contact is formed on at least some of the p-type silicon carbide epitaxial layer that is exposed. By at least partially removing the n-type silicon carbide substrate and forming an ohmic contact on the p-type silicon carbide epitaxial layer, the disadvantages of using a p-type substrate may be reduced or eliminated. Related structures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Mrinal Kanti Das, Qingchun Zhang, John M. Clayton, JR., Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20080217635
    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: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: David Todd Emerson, Kevin Haberern, Michael John Bergmann, David B. Slater, Matthew Donofrio, John Edmond
  • Publication number: 20080210971
    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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Donofrio, David B. Slater, John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 7419912
    Abstract: Light extraction features are provided for a light emitting device having a substrate and a semiconductor light emitting element on the substrate by shaping a surface of a layer of semiconductor material utilizing a laser to define three dimensional patterns in the layer of semiconductor material. The layer of semiconductor material may be the substrate. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the layer of semiconductor material is shaped by applying laser light to the layer of semiconductor material at an energy sufficient to remove material from the layer of semiconductor material. The laser light may also by applied in a blanket manner at a level below the ablation threshold. The application of laser light to the layer of semiconductor material may be followed by etching the substrate. The layer of semiconductor material may be anisotropically etched. A mask could also be patterned utilizing laser light and the layer of semiconductor material etched using the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20080135866
    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: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventor: MATTHEW DONOFRIO
  • Patent number: 7384809
    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: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 7291529
    Abstract: Processing a semiconductor wafer can include forming a plurality of Light Emitting Devices (LED) on a semiconductor wafer having a first thickness. The plurality of LEDs on the wafer are brought into contact with a surface of a carrier to couple the wafer to the carrier. The first thickness of the wafer is reduced to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness by processing the backside of the wafer. The carrier is separated from the plurality of LEDs on the wafer and the wafer is cut to separate the plurality of LEDs from one another. Related devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20070066039
    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: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Anant Agarwal, Sei-Hyung Ryu, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20070037307
    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: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20060186418
    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: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: John Edmond, David Slater, Hua Kong, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20060060874
    Abstract: A high efficiency Group III nitride light emitting diode is disclosed. The diode includes a substrate selected from the group consisting of semiconducting and conducting materials, a Group III nitride-based light emitting region on or above the substrate, and, a lenticular surface containing silicon carbide on or above the light emitting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: John Edmond, David Slater, Jayesh Bharathan, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20050227379
    Abstract: Light extraction features are provided for a light emitting device having a substrate and a semiconductor light emitting element on the substrate by shaping a surface of a layer of semiconductor material utilizing a laser to define three dimensional patterns in the layer of semiconductor material. The layer of semiconductor material may be the substrate. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the layer of semiconductor material is shaped by applying laser light to the layer of semiconductor material at an energy sufficient to remove material from the layer of semiconductor material. The laser light may also by applied in a blanket manner at a level below the ablation threshold. The application of laser light to the layer of semiconductor material may be followed by etching the substrate. The layer of semiconductor material may be anisotropically etched. A mask could also be patterned utilizing laser light and the layer of semiconductor material etched using the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20050151138
    Abstract: Processing a semiconductor wafer can include forming a plurality of Light Emitting Devices (LED) on a semiconductor wafer having a first thickness. The plurality of LEDs on the wafer are brought into contact with a surface of a carrier to couple the wafer to the carrier. The first thickness of the wafer is reduced to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness by processing the backside of the wafer. The carrier is separated from the plurality of LEDs on the wafer and the wafer is cut to separate the plurality of LEDs from one another. Related devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: David Slater, Matthew Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20050104072
    Abstract: A contact for a semiconductor device can be formed by forming a metal on a Silicon Carbide (SiC) substrate and annealing an interface location of the metal and the SiC substrate to form a metal-SiC material thereat and avoiding annealing at a location on the SiC substrate to avoid forming the metal-SiC material thereat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: David Slater, John Edmond, Matthew Donofrio