Patents by Inventor Seiji Sarayama

Seiji Sarayama 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: 20130061799
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a group 13 nitride crystal includes a crystal growth process to form the group 13 nitride crystal by growing the group 13 nitride crystal having a hexagonal crystal structure from a seed crystal which is a gallium nitride crystal having a hexagonal crystal structure in which a length “L” in a c-axis direction is 9.7 mm or more, and a ratio L/d of the length “L” to a crystal diameter “d” in a c-plane is larger than 0.813. The crystal growth process includes a process of forming an outer periphery containing a {10-10} plane and an outer periphery containing a {10-11} plane at side surfaces of the group 13 nitride crystal, and forming an outer periphery containing a {0001} plane at a bottom surface of the group 13 nitride crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Seiji SARAYAMA, Takashi SATOH, Hiroshi NAMBU, Chiharu KIMURA, Naoya MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20130065036
    Abstract: A gallium nitride crystal having a hexagonal crystal structure, wherein a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of X-ray rocking curve in a region at a side of one edge in a c-axis direction is smaller than the FWHM in a region at a side of the other edge in the c-axis direction, in at least one of m-plane outer peripheral surfaces of the hexagonal crystal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Seiji Sarayama, Takashi Satoh, Hiroshi Nambu, Chiharu Kimura, Naoya Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20130064749
    Abstract: A group 13 nitride crystal having a hexagonal crystal structure and containing at least a nitrogen atom and at least a metal atom selected from a group consisting of B, Al, Ga, In, and Tl. The group 13 nitride crystal includes a first region disposed on an inner side in a cross section intersecting c-axis, a third region disposed on an outermost side in the cross section and having a crystal property different from that of the first region, and a second region disposed at least partially between the first region and the third region in the cross section, the second region being a transition region of a crystal growth and having a crystal property different from that of the first region and that of the third region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.,
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Seiji SARAYAMA, Takashi SATOH, Hiroshi NAMBU, Chiharu KIMURA, Naoya MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20130065010
    Abstract: A gallium nitride crystal having a hexagonal crystal structure includes a first region located on an inner side of a cross section intersecting c-axis of the hexagonal crystal structure, and a second region surrounding at least a part of the outer periphery of the first region in the cross section. An emission spectrum of each of the first region and the second region with electron beam or ultraviolet light excitation has a first peak including a band edge emission of gallium nitride and a second peak located in a longer wavelength area than the first peak. A peak intensity of the first peak is smaller than a peak intensity of the second peak in the first region, and a peak intensity of the first peak is greater than a peak intensity of the second peak in the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayashi, Seiji Sarayama, Takashi Satoh, Hiroshi Nambu, Chiharu Kimura, Naoya Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20130028826
    Abstract: A group III nitride crystal containing therein an alkali metal element comprises a base body, a first group III nitride crystal formed such that at least a part thereof makes a contact with the base body, the first group III nitride crystal deflecting threading dislocations in a direction different from a direction of crystal growth from the base body and a second nitride crystal formed adjacent to the first group III nitride crystal, the second nitride crystal having a crystal growth surface generally perpendicular to the direction of the crystal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Hirokazu IWATA, Seiji Sarayama, Akihiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 8337617
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a group III nitride crystal on a seed crystal in a holding vessel holding therein a melt containing a group III metal, an alkali metal and nitrogen. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of causing the seed crystal to make a contact with the melt, setting an environment of the seed crystal to a first state offset from a crystal growth condition while in a state in which said seed crystal is in contact with the melt, increasing a nitrogen concentration in the melt, and setting the environment of the seed crystal to a second state suitable for crystal growth when the nitrogen concentration of the melt has reached a concentration suitable for growing the seed crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Minoru Fukuda, Tetsuya Takahashi, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8337798
    Abstract: A crystal producing apparatus includes a crystal forming unit and a crystal growing unit. The crystal forming unit forms a first gallium nitride (GaN) crystal by supplying nitride gas into melt mixture containing metal sodium (Na) and metal gallium (Ga). The first GaN crystal is sliced and polished to form GaN wafers. The crystal growing unit grows a second GaN crystal on a substrate formed by using a GaN wafer, by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy method, thus producing a bulked GaN crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 8323404
    Abstract: A group III nitride crystal containing therein an alkali metal element comprises a base body, a first group III nitride crystal formed such that at least a part thereof makes a contact with the base body, the first group III nitride crystal deflecting threading dislocations in a direction different from a direction of crystal growth from the base body and a second nitride crystal formed adjacent to the first group III nitride crystal, the second nitride crystal having a crystal growth surface generally perpendicular to the direction of the crystal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Akihiro Fuse
  • Publication number: 20120085279
    Abstract: A crystal growth apparatus comprises a reaction vessel holding a melt mixture containing an alkali metal and a group III metal, a gas supplying apparatus supplying a nitrogen source gas to a vessel space exposed to the melt mixture inside the reaction vessel, a heating unit heating the melt mixture to a crystal growth temperature, and a support unit supporting a seed crystal of a group III nitride crystal inside the melt mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Seiji SARAYAMA, Hirokazu Iwata, Akihiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 8129082
    Abstract: A photoreceptor includes a conductive support body, an intermediate layer, and a photosensitive layer. The intermediate layer is made of gallium nitride (GaN) crystals having electron affinity greater than that of the photosensitive layer and formed between and in contact with the conductive support body and the photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is composed of either a single layer type photosensitive layer or a laminated type photosensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Tetsuya Toshine
  • Patent number: 8101020
    Abstract: A crystal growth apparatus comprises a reaction vessel holding a melt mixture containing an alkali metal and a group III metal, a gas supplying apparatus supplying a nitrogen source gas to a vessel space exposed to the melt mixture inside the reaction vessel, a heating unit heating the melt mixture to a crystal growth temperature, and a support unit supporting a seed crystal of a group III nitride crystal inside the melt mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata, Akihiro Fuse
  • Publication number: 20120003446
    Abstract: A nitride crystal which encircles an outer periphery of a seed crystal, the nitride crystal in an embodiment includes: a first partial region, and a second partial region that has optical characteristics different from those of the first partial region and has optical characteristics which indicate the crystal orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicants: OSAKA UNIVERSITY, RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi SATOH, Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata, Yusuke Mori, Yasuo Kitaoka
  • Publication number: 20110253034
    Abstract: In a crystal preparing device, a crucible holds a mixed molten metal containing alkali metal and group III metal. A container has a container space contacting the mixed molten metal and holds a molten alkali metal between the container space and an outside of the container, the molten alkali metal contacting the container space. A gas supply device supplies nitrogen gas to the container space. A heating device heats the crucible to a crystal growth temperature. The crystal preparing device is provided so that a vapor pressure of the alkali metal which evaporates from the molten alkali metal is substantially equal to a vapor pressure of the alkali metal which evaporates from the mixed molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Akihiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 7981213
    Abstract: A crystal growth method of a group III nitride includes the steps of forming a melt mixture of an alkali metal and a group III element in a reaction vessel, and growing a crystal of a group III nitride formed of the group III element and nitrogen from the melt mixture in the reaction vessel, wherein the step of growing the crystal of the group III nitride is conducted while controlling an increase rate of degree of supersaturation of a group III nitride component in the melt mixture in a surface region of the melt mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama
  • Publication number: 20110012235
    Abstract: A method of growing a group III nitride crystal grows a group III nitride crystal from a solution in which an alkaline metal, a group III metal and nitrogen are dissolved, and includes, in the solution, a material which increases solubility of the nitrogen into the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Hisanori Yamane, Masahiko Shimada, Masato Aoki
  • Patent number: 7828896
    Abstract: A method of growing a group III nitride crystal grows a group III nitride crystal from a solution in which an alkaline metal, a group III metal and nitrogen are dissolved, and includes, in the solution, a material which increases solubility of the nitrogen into the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Hisanori Yamane, Masahiko Shimada, Masato Aoki
  • Publication number: 20100229787
    Abstract: A crystal manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a group III nitride crystal includes a crucible that holds a mixed molten liquid including an alkali metal and a group III metal; a reaction vessel accommodating the crucible in the reaction vessel; a heating device that heats the crucible with the reaction vessel; a holding vessel having a lid that is capable of opening and closing, accommodating the reaction vessel and the heating device in the holding vessel; a sealed vessel accommodating the holding vessel in the sealed vessel, having an operating device that enables opening the lid of the holding vessel for supplying source materials into the crucible and taking out a manufactured GaN crystal under a sealed condition, and closing the lid of the holding vessel that is sealed in the sealed vessel, the sealed vessel including an inert gas atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere; and a gas supplying device for supplying a nitrogen gas to the mixed molten liquid through each of the vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata
  • Patent number: 7718002
    Abstract: A crystal manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a group III nitride crystal includes a crucible that holds a mixed molten liquid including an alkali metal and a group III metal; a reaction vessel accommodating the crucible in the reaction vessel; a heating device that heats the crucible with the reaction vessel; a holding vessel having a lid that is capable of opening and closing, accommodating the reaction vessel and the heating device in the holding vessel; a sealed vessel accommodating the holding vessel in the sealed vessel, having an operating device that enables opening the lid of the holding vessel for supplying source materials into the crucible and taking out a manufactured GaN crystal under a sealed condition, and closing the lid of the holding vessel that is sealed in the sealed vessel, the sealed vessel including an inert gas atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere; and a gas supplying device for supplying a nitrogen gas to the mixed molten liquid through each of the vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata
  • Publication number: 20090249997
    Abstract: In a method of producing a group III nitride crystal in which a melt holding vessel where a melt containing a group III metal and flux is held is accommodated in a reaction vessel and a group III nitride crystal is produced as a substance containing nitrogen is supplied from an outside to the reaction vessel through a pipe, the method includes a step of forming an accumulated part of a liquid in the pipe to thereby temporarily close the pipe before growing the group III nitride crystal in the melt holding vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Seiji Sarayama, Hirokazu Iwata, Akihiro Fuse
  • Publication number: 20090173274
    Abstract: A crystal has a diameter of 1 cm or more and shows a strongest peak in cathode luminescent spectrum at a wavelength of 360 nm in correspondence to a band edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji SARAYAMA, Masahiko Shimada, Hisanori Yamane, Hirokazu Iwata