Patents by Inventor Robert Coffie

Robert Coffie 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: 20240136431
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) device including a substrate, an AlGaN buffer layer on the substrate, where the buffer layer has a percentage of Al between 1% and 6%, an InGaN layer on the buffer layer, where the InGaN layer has about 10% of In, a GaN channel layer on the InGaN layer, and an AlGaN barrier layer on the channel layer. In one embodiment, the buffer layer is Al0.04Ga0.96N, the InGaN layer is about 2 nm thick, and the barrier layer is Al0.34Ga0.66N. The HEMT device may include a nucleation layer between the substrate and the buffer layer, a GaN spacer layer between the buffer layer and the InGaN layer, and/or an AlN interlayer between the channel layer and the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Coffie
  • Patent number: 9941399
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Robert Coffie, Likun Shen, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Primit Parikh
  • Patent number: 9831315
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • Publication number: 20160359030
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Robert Coffie, Likun Shen, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Primit Parikh
  • Publication number: 20160293747
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • Patent number: 9437708
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Robert Coffie, Likun Shen, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Primit Parikh
  • Patent number: 9373699
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • Patent number: 9293458
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a high-voltage depletion-mode transistor and a low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor both encased in a single package. A source electrode of the high-voltage depletion-mode transistor is electrically connected to a drain electrode of the low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor, a drain electrode of the high-voltage depletion-mode transistor is electrically connected to a drain lead of the single package, a gate electrode of the low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor is electrically connected to a gate lead of the single package, a gate electrode of the high-voltage depletion-mode transistor is electrically connected to an additional lead of the single package, and a source electrode of the low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor is electrically connected to a conductive structural portion of the single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Primit Parikh, James Honea, Carl C. Blake, Jr., Robert Coffie, Yifeng Wu, Umesh Mishra
  • Publication number: 20160071951
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Robert Coffie, Likun Shen, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Primit Parikh
  • Patent number: 9196716
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Robert Coffie, Likun Shen, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Primit Parikh
  • 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: 9111961
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • Publication number: 20150187893
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • Patent number: 9012288
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140361309
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Robert Coffie, Likun Shen, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Primit Parikh
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8841702
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device that includes a substrate and a nitride channel layer including a region partly beneath a gate region, and two channel access regions on opposite sides of the part beneath the gate. The channel access regions may be in a different layer from the region beneath the gate. The device includes an AlXN layer adjacent the channel layer wherein X is gallium, indium or their combination, and a preferably n-doped GaN layer adjacent the AlXN layer in the areas adjacent to the channel access regions. The concentration of Al in the AlXN layer, the AlXN layer thickness and the n-doping concentration in the n-doped GaN layer are selected to induce a 2DEG charge in channel access regions without inducing any substantial 2DEG charge beneath the gate, so that the channel is not conductive in the absence of a switching voltage applied to the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Robert Coffie, Likun Shen, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Primit Parikh
  • Publication number: 20140162421
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • Patent number: 8692294
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie