Patents by Inventor N. Mark Williams

N. Mark Williams 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: 9263266
    Abstract: Group III (Al, Ga, In)N single crystals, articles and films useful for producing optoelectronic devices (such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs) and photodetectors) and electronic devices (such as high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)) composed of III-V nitride compounds, and methods for fabricating such crystals, articles and films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Hanser, Lianghong Liu, Edward Preble, Denis Tsvetkov, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Publication number: 20150279675
    Abstract: Group III (Al, Ga, In)N single crystals, articles and films useful for producing optoelectronic devices (such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs) and photodetectors) and electronic devices (such as high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)) composed of III-V nitride compounds, and methods for fabricating such crystals, articles and films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew D. Hanser, Lianghong Liu, Edward Preble, Denis Tsvetkov, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Publication number: 20150200256
    Abstract: Group III (Al, Ga, In)N single crystals, articles and films useful for producing optoelectronic devices (such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs) and photodetectors) and electronic devices (such as high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)) composed of III-V nitride compounds, and methods for fabricating such crystals, articles and films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Hanser, Lianghong Liu, Edward Preble, Denis Tsvetkov, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 9082890
    Abstract: Group III (Al, Ga, In)N single crystals, articles and films useful for producing optoelectronic devices (such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs) and photodetectors) and electronic devices (such as high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs)) composed of III-V nitride compounds, and methods for fabricating such crystals, articles and films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Hanser, Lianghong Liu, Edward Preble, Denis Tsvetkov, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 8871556
    Abstract: In a method for making a GaN article, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a single-crystal substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the 3D nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE under the substantially 2D growth mode. A polycrystalline GaN layer is grown on the bulk GaN layer to form a GaN/substrate bi-layer. The GaN/substrate bi-layer may be cooled from the growth temperature to an ambient temperature, wherein GaN material cracks laterally and separates from the substrate, forming a free-standing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Preble, Lianghong Liu, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Publication number: 20140162441
    Abstract: In a method for making a GaN article, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a single-crystal substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the 3D nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE under the substantially 2D growth mode. A polycrystalline GaN layer is grown on the bulk GaN layer to form a GaN/substrate bi-layer. The GaN/substrate bi-layer may be cooled from the growth temperature to an ambient temperature, wherein GaN material cracks laterally and separates from the substrate, forming a free-standing article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Preble, Lianghong Liu, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 8637848
    Abstract: In a method for making a GaN article, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a single-crystal substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the 3D nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE under the substantially 2D growth mode. A polycrystalline GaN layer is grown on the bulk GaN layer to form a GaN/substrate bi-layer. The GaN/substrate bi-layer may be cooled from the growth temperature to an ambient temperature, wherein GaN material cracks laterally and separates from the substrate, forming a free-standing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Preble, Lianghong Liu, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 8349711
    Abstract: In a method for making a GaN article, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a single-crystal substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the 3D nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE under the substantially 2D growth mode. A polycrystalline GaN layer is grown on the bulk GaN layer to form a GaN/substrate bi-layer. The GaN/substrate bi-layer may be cooled from the growth temperature to an ambient temperature, wherein GaN material cracks laterally and separates from the substrate, forming a free-standing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Preble, Lianghong Liu, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 8202793
    Abstract: In a method for making an inclusion-free uniformly semi-insulating GaN crystal, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode, wherein a surface of the nucleation layer is substantially covered with pits and the aspect ratio of the pits is essentially the same. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. After growing the transitional layer, a surface of the transitional layer is substantially pit-free. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE. After growing the bulk layer, a surface of the bulk layer is smooth and substantially pit-free. The GaN is doped with a transition metal during at least one of the foregoing GaN growth steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Preble, Denis Tsvetkov, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Publication number: 20110198590
    Abstract: In a method for making a GaN article, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a single-crystal substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the 3D nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE under the substantially 2D growth mode. A polycrystalline GaN layer is grown on the bulk GaN layer to form a GaN/substrate bi-layer. The GaN/substrate bi-layer may be cooled from the growth temperature to an ambient temperature, wherein GaN material cracks laterally and separates from the substrate, forming a free-standing article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Edward A. Preble, Lianghong Liu, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 7897490
    Abstract: In a method for making a GaN article, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a single-crystal substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the 3D nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE under the substantially 2D growth mode. A polycrystalline GaN layer is grown on the bulk GaN layer to form a GaN/substrate bi-layer. The GaN/substrate bi-layer may be cooled from the growth temperature to an ambient temperature, wherein GaN material cracks laterally and separates from the substrate, forming a free-standing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Preble, Lianghong Liu, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Publication number: 20110042682
    Abstract: In a method for making an inclusion-free uniformly semi-insulating GaN crystal, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode, wherein a surface of the nucleation layer is substantially covered with pits and the aspect ratio of the pits is essentially the same. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. After growing the transitional layer, a surface of the transitional layer is substantially pit-free. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE. After growing the bulk layer, a surface of the bulk layer is smooth and substantially pit-free. The GaN is doped with a transition metal during at least one of the foregoing GaN growth steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Edward A. Preble, Denis Tsvetkov, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Publication number: 20100327291
    Abstract: In a method for making a GaN article, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a single-crystal substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the 3D nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE under the substantially 2D growth mode. A polycrystalline GaN layer is grown on the bulk GaN layer to form a GaN/substrate bi-layer. The GaN/substrate bi-layer may be cooled from the growth temperature to an ambient temperature, wherein GaN material cracks laterally and separates from the substrate, forming a free-standing article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Preble, Lianghong Liu, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 7777217
    Abstract: In a method for making an inclusion-free uniformly semi-insulating GaN crystal, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode, wherein a surface of the nucleation layer is substantially covered with pits and the aspect ratio of the pits is essentially the same. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. After growing the transitional layer, a surface of the transitional layer is substantially pit-free. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE. After growing the bulk layer, a surface of the bulk layer is smooth and substantially pit-free. The GaN is doped with a transition metal during at least one of the foregoing GaN growth steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Preble, Denis Tsvetkov, Andrew D. Hanser, N. Mark Williams, Xueping Xu
  • Patent number: 6787010
    Abstract: A sputter transport device comprises a sealed chamber, a negatively-biased target cathode holder disposed in the chamber, and a substrate holder disposed in the chamber and spaced at a distance from the target cathode. A target cathode is bonded to the target cathode holder. A magnetron assembly is disposed in the chamber proximate to the target cathode. A negatively-biased, non-thermionic electron/plasma injector assembly is disposed between the target cathode and the substrate holder. The injector assembly fluidly communicates with a gas source and includes a plurality of hollow cathodes. Each hollow cathode includes an orifice communicating with the chamber. The device can be used to produce thin-films and ultra-thick materials in polycrystalline, single-crystal and epitaxial forms, and thus to produce articles and devices that are useful as metallic or insulating coatings, and as bulk semiconductor and optoelectronic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Jerome J. Cuomo, N. Mark Williams
  • Patent number: 6784085
    Abstract: A high deposition rate sputter method is utilized to produce bulk, single-crystal, low-defect density Group III nitride materials suitable for microelectronic and optoelectronic devices and as substrates for subsequent epitaxy, and to produce highly oriented polycrystalline windows. A template material having an epitaxial-initiating growth surface is provided. A Group III metal target is sputtered in a plasma-enhanced environment using a sputtering apparatus comprising a non-thermionic electron/plasma injector assembly, thereby to producing a Group III metal source vapor. The Group III metal source vapor is combined with a nitrogen-containing gas to produce a reactant vapor species comprising Group III metal and nitrogen. The reactant vapor species is deposited on the growth surface to produce a single-crystal MIIIN layer thereon. The template material is removed, thereby providing a free-standing, single-crystal MIIIN article having a diameter of approximately 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Jerome J. Cuomo, N. Mark Williams, Andrew David Hanser, Eric Porter Carlson, Darin Taze Thomas
  • Patent number: 6692568
    Abstract: A method utilizes sputter transport techniques to produce arrays or layers of self-forming, self-oriented columnar structures characterized as discrete, single-crystal Group III nitride posts or columns on various substrates. The columnar structure is formed in a single growth step, and therefore does not require processing steps for depositing, patterning, and etching growth masks. A Group III metal source vapor is produced by sputtering a target, for combination with nitrogen supplied from a nitrogen-containing source gas. The III/V ratio is adjusted or controlled to create a Group III metal-rich environment within the reaction chamber conducive to preferential column growth. The reactant vapor species are deposited on the growth surface to produce single-crystal MIIIN columns thereon. The columns can be employed as a strain-relieving platform for the growth of continuous, low defect-density, bulk materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kyma Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome J. Cuomo, N. Mark Williams, Andrew David Hanser, Eric Porter Carlson, Darin Taze Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020108847
    Abstract: A sputter transport device comprises a sealed chamber, a negatively-biased target cathode holder disposed in the chamber, and a substrate holder disposed in the chamber and spaced at a distance from the target cathode. A target cathode is bonded to the target cathode holder. A magnetron assembly is disposed in the chamber proximate to the target cathode. A negatively-biased, non-thermionic electron/plasma injector assembly is disposed between the target cathode and the substrate holder. The injector assembly fluidly communicates with a gas source and includes a plurality of hollow cathodes. Each hollow cathode includes an orifice communicating with the chamber. The device can be used to produce thin-films and ultra-thick materials in polycrystalline, single-crystal and epitaxial forms, and thus to produce articles and devices that are useful as metallic or insulating coatings, and as bulk semiconductor and optoelectronic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Jerome J. Cuomo, N. Mark Williams
  • Publication number: 20020086534
    Abstract: A high deposition rate sputter method is utilized to produce bulk, single-crystal, low-defect density Group IIl nitride materials suitable for microelectronic and optoelectronic devices and as substrates for subsequent epitaxy, and to produce highly oriented polycrystalline windows. A template material having an epitaxial-initiating growth surface is provided. A Group III metal target is sputtered in a plasma-enhanced environment using a sputtering apparatus comprising a non-thermionic electron/plasma injector assembly, thereby to producing a Group III metal source vapor. The Group III metal source vapor is combined with a nitrogen-containing gas to produce a reactant vapor species comprising Group III metal and nitrogen. The reactant vapor species is deposited on the growth surface to produce a single-crystal MIIIN layer thereon. The template material is removed, thereby providing a free-standing, single-crystal MIIIN article having a diameter of approximately 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Jerome J. Cuomo, N. Mark Williams, Andrew David Hanser, Eric Porter Carlson, Darin Taze Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020078881
    Abstract: A method utilizes sputter transport techniques to produce arrays or layers of self-forming, self-oriented columnar structures characterized as discrete, single-crystal Group III nitride posts or columns on various substrates. The columnar structure is formed in a single growth step, and therefore does not require processing steps for depositing, patterning, and etching growth masks. A Group III metal source vapor is produced by sputtering a target, for combination with nitrogen supplied from a nitrogen-containing source gas. The III/V ratio is adjusted or controlled to create a Group III metal-rich environment within the reaction chamber conducive to preferential column growth. The reactant vapor species are deposited on the growth surface to produce single-crystal MIIIN columns thereon. The columns can be employed as a strain-relieving platform for the growth of continuous, low defect-density, bulk materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jerome J. Cuomo, N. Mark Williams, Andrew David Hanser, Eric Porter Carlson, Darin Taze Thomas