Patents by Inventor Nicholas Fichtenbaum

Nicholas Fichtenbaum 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: 9865719
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a III-N semiconductor layer in a reactor and injecting a hydrocarbon precursor into the reactor, thereby carbon doping the III-N semiconductor layer and causing the III-N semiconductor layer to be insulating or semi-insulating. A semiconductor device can include a substrate and a carbon doped insulating or semi-insulating III-N semiconductor layer on the substrate. The carbon doping density in the III-N semiconductor layer is greater than 5×1018 cm?3 and the dislocation density in the III-N semiconductor layer is less than 2×109 cm?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 9685323
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a buffer structure suited for III-N device having a foreign substrate. The buffer structure can include a first buffer layer having a first aluminum composition and a second buffer layer formed on the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer having a second aluminum composition. The buffer structure further includes a third buffer layer formed on the second buffer layer at a second interface, the third buffer layer having a third aluminum composition. The first aluminum composition decreases in the first buffer layer towards the interface and the second aluminum composition throughout the second buffer layer is greater than the first aluminum composition at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20160133737
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a III-N semiconductor layer in a reactor and injecting a hydrocarbon precursor into the reactor, thereby carbon doping the III-N semiconductor layer and causing the III-N semiconductor layer to be insulating or semi-insulating. A semiconductor device can include a substrate and a carbon doped insulating or semi-insulating III-N semiconductor layer on the substrate. The carbon doping density in the III-N semiconductor layer is greater than 5×1018 cm?3 and the dislocation density in the III-N semiconductor layer is less than 2×109 cm?2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20160126342
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a III-N semiconductor layer in a reactor and injecting a hydrocarbon precursor into the reactor, thereby carbon doping the III-N semiconductor layer and causing the III-N semiconductor layer to be insulating or semi-insulating. A semiconductor device can include a substrate and a carbon doped insulating or semi-insulating III-N semiconductor layer on the substrate. The carbon doping density in the III-N semiconductor layer is greater than 5×1018 cm?3 and the dislocation density in the III-N semiconductor layer is less than 2×109 cm?2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 9293561
    Abstract: A III-N device is described has a buffer layer, a first III-N material layer on the buffer layer, a second III-N material layer on the first III-N material layer on an opposite side from the buffer layer and a dispersion blocking layer between the buffer layer and the channel layer. The first III-N material layer is a channel layer and a compositional difference between the first III-N material layer and the second III-N material layer induces a 2DEG channel in the first III-N material layer. A sheet or a distribution of negative charge at an interface of the channel layer and the dispersion blocking layer confines electrons away from the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Lee McCarthy, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20160042946
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a buffer structure suited for III-N device having a foreign substrate. The buffer structure can include a first buffer layer having a first aluminum composition and a second buffer layer formed on the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer having a second aluminum composition. The buffer structure further includes a third buffer layer formed on the second buffer layer at a second interface, the third buffer layer having a third aluminum composition. The first aluminum composition decreases in the first buffer layer towards the interface and the second aluminum composition throughout the second buffer layer is greater than the first aluminum composition at the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 9257547
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a III-N device having a substrate layer, a first III-N material layer on one side of the substrate layer, a second III-N material layer on the first III-N material layer, and a barrier layer disposed on another side of the substrate layer, the barrier layer being less electrically conductive than the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Fichtenbaum, Lee McCarthy, Yifeng Wu
  • Patent number: 9245993
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a III-N semiconductor layer in a reactor and injecting a hydrocarbon precursor into the reactor, thereby carbon doping the III-N semiconductor layer and causing the III-N semiconductor layer to be insulating or semi-insulating. A semiconductor device can include a substrate and a carbon doped insulating or semi-insulating III-N semiconductor layer on the substrate. The carbon doping density in the III-N semiconductor layer is greater than 5×1018 cm?3 and the dislocation density in the III-N semiconductor layer is less than 2×109 cm?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 9245992
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a III-N semiconductor layer in a reactor and injecting a hydrocarbon precursor into the reactor, thereby carbon doping the III-N semiconductor layer and causing the III-N semiconductor layer to be insulating or semi-insulating. A semiconductor device can include a substrate and a carbon doped insulating or semi-insulating III-N semiconductor layer on the substrate. The carbon doping density in the III-N semiconductor layer is greater than 5×1018 cm?3 and the dislocation density in the III-N semiconductor layer is less than 2×109 cm?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 9224671
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N layer, an electrode thereon, a passivation layer adjacent the III-N layer and electrode, a thick insulating layer adjacent the passivation layer and electrode, a high thermal conductivity carrier capable of transferring substantial heat away from the III-N device, and a bonding layer between the thick insulating layer and the carrier. The bonding layer attaches the thick insulating layer to the carrier. The thick insulating layer can have a precisely controlled thickness and be thermally conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Yifeng Wu, Umesh Mishra, Nicholas Fichtenbaum, Rakesh K. Lal
  • Patent number: 9171836
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a depletion-mode transistor, an enhancement-mode transistor, and a resistor. The depletion-mode transistor has a higher breakdown voltage than the enhancement-mode transistor. A first terminal of the resistor is electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor, and a second terminal of the resistor and a source of the depletion-mode transistor are each electrically connected to a drain of the enhancement-mode transistor. A gate of the depletion-mode transistor can be electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh K. Lal, Robert Coffie, Yifeng Wu, Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Umesh Mishra, Srabanti Chowdhury, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 9165766
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a buffer structure suited for III-N device having a foreign substrate. The buffer structure can include a first buffer layer having a first aluminum composition and a second buffer layer formed on the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer having a second aluminum composition. The buffer structure further includes a third buffer layer formed on the second buffer layer at a second interface, the third buffer layer having a third aluminum composition. The first aluminum composition decreases in the first buffer layer towards the interface and the second aluminum composition throughout the second buffer layer is greater than the first aluminum composition at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20150041861
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N layer, an electrode thereon, a passivation layer adjacent the III-N layer and electrode, a thick insulating layer adjacent the passivation layer and electrode, a high thermal conductivity carrier capable of transferring substantial heat away from the III-N device, and a bonding layer between the thick insulating layer and the carrier. The bonding layer attaches the thick insulating layer to the carrier. The thick insulating layer can have a precisely controlled thickness and be thermally conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Yifeng Wu, Umesh Mishra, Nicholas Fichtenbaum, Rakesh K. Lal
  • Publication number: 20140377930
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a depletion-mode transistor, an enhancement-mode transistor, and a resistor. The depletion-mode transistor has a higher breakdown voltage than the enhancement-mode transistor. A first terminal of the resistor is electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor, and a second terminal of the resistor and a source of the depletion-mode transistor are each electrically connected to a drain of the enhancement-mode transistor. A gate of the depletion-mode transistor can be electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Rakesh K. Lal, Robert Coffie, Yifeng Wu, Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Umesh Mishra, Srabanti Chowdhury, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 8895421
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N layer, an electrode thereon, a passivation layer adjacent the III-N layer and electrode, a thick insulating layer adjacent the passivation layer and electrode, a high thermal conductivity carrier capable of transferring substantial heat away from the III-N device, and a bonding layer between the thick insulating layer and the carrier. The bonding layer attaches the thick insulating layer to the carrier. The thick insulating layer can have a precisely controlled thickness and be thermally conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Yifeng Wu, Umesh Mishra, Nicholas Fichtenbaum, Rakesh K. Lal
  • Publication number: 20140342512
    Abstract: A III-N device is described has a buffer layer, a first III-N material layer on the buffer layer, a second III-N material layer on the first III-N material layer on an opposite side from the buffer layer and a dispersion blocking layer between the buffer layer and the channel layer. The first III-N material layer is a channel layer and a compositional difference between the first III-N material layer and the second III-N material layer induces a 2DEG channel in the first III-N material layer. A sheet or a distribution of negative charge at an interface of the channel layer and the dispersion blocking layer confines electrons away from the buffer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Lee McCarthy, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 8860495
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a depletion-mode transistor, an enhancement-mode transistor, and a resistor. The depletion-mode transistor has a higher breakdown voltage than the enhancement-mode transistor. A first terminal of the resistor is electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor, and a second terminal of the resistor and a source of the depletion-mode transistor are each electrically connected to a drain of the enhancement-mode transistor. A gate of the depletion-mode transistor can be electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh K. Lal, Robert Coffie, Yifeng Wu, Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Umesh Mishra, Srabanti Chowdhury, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20140264455
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a III-N semiconductor layer in a reactor and injecting a hydrocarbon precursor into the reactor, thereby carbon doping the III-N semiconductor layer and causing the III-N semiconductor layer to be insulating or semi-insulating. A semiconductor device can include a substrate and a carbon doped insulating or semi-insulating III-N semiconductor layer on the substrate. The carbon doping density in the III-N semiconductor layer is greater than 5×1018 cm?3 and the dislocation density in the III-N semiconductor layer is less than 2×109 cm?2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20140264370
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device can include forming a III-N semiconductor layer in a reactor and injecting a hydrocarbon precursor into the reactor, thereby carbon doping the III-N semiconductor layer and causing the III-N semiconductor layer to be insulating or semi-insulating. A semiconductor device can include a substrate and a carbon doped insulating or semi-insulating III-N semiconductor layer on the substrate. The carbon doping density in the III-N semiconductor layer is greater than 5×1018 cm?3 and the dislocation density in the III-N semiconductor layer is less than 2×109 cm?2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 8742459
    Abstract: A III-N device is described has a buffer layer, a first III-N material layer on the buffer layer, a second III-N material layer on the first III-N material layer on an opposite side from the buffer layer and a dispersion blocking layer between the buffer layer and the channel layer. The first III-N material layer is a channel layer and a compositional difference between the first III-N material layer and the second III-N material layer induces a 2DEG channel in the first III-N material layer. A sheet or a distribution of negative charge at an interface of the channel layer and the dispersion blocking layer confines electrons away from the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Lee McCarthy, Nicholas Fichtenbaum