Patents by Inventor Shoucheng Zhang

Shoucheng Zhang 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: 9362227
    Abstract: A topological insulator is grown on an IC wafer in a vacuum chamber as a thin film interconnect between two circuits in the IC communicating with each other. As the TI is being grown, magnetic doping of the various TI sub-layers is varied to create different edge states in the stack of sub-layers. The sub-edges conduct in parallel with virtually zero power dissipation. Conventional metal electrodes are formed on the IC wafer that electrically contact the four corners of the TI layer (including the side edges) to electrically connect a first circuit to a second circuit via the TI interconnect. The TI interconnect thus forms two independent conducting paths between the two circuits, with each path being formed of a plurality of sub-edges. This allows bi-direction communications without collisions. Since each electrode contacts many sub-edges in parallel, the overall contact resistance is extremely low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shoucheng Zhang, Jing Wang
  • Publication number: 20160035674
    Abstract: A topological insulator is grown on an IC wafer in a vacuum chamber as a thin film interconnect between two circuits in the IC communicating with each other. As the TI is being grown, magnetic doping of the various TI sub-layers is varied to create different edge states in the stack of sub-layers. The sub-edges conduct in parallel with virtually zero power dissipation. Conventional metal electrodes are formed on the IC wafer that electrically contact the four corners of the TI layer (including the side edges) to electrically connect a first circuit to a second circuit via the TI interconnect. The TI interconnect thus forms two independent conducting paths between the two circuits, with each path being formed of a plurality of sub-edges. This allows bi-direction communications without collisions. Since each electrode contacts many sub-edges in parallel, the overall contact resistance is extremely low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Shoucheng Zhang, Jing Wang
  • Patent number: 9024415
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a current transport layer formed using a layer of a topological material selected from the group of a topological insulator, a quantum anomalous hall (QAH) insulator, a topological insulator variant, and a topological magnetic insulator. In one embodiment, the current transport layer forms a conductive wire on an integrated circuit where the conductive wire includes two spatially separated edge channels, each edge channel carrying charge carriers propagating in one direction only. In other embodiments, an optical device includes an optical layer formed using a layer of the topological material. The optical layer can be a light absorbing layer, a light emitting layer, a light transport layer, or a light modulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shoucheng Zhang, Xiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8654807
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a charge carrier transport layer formed using a ternary semiconducting compound having a stoichiometry of 1:1:1 and an element combination selected from the set of I-II-V, I-III-IV, II-II-IV, and I-I-VI; or having a stoichiometry of 3:1:2 and an element combination selected from the set of I-III-V; or having a stoichiometry of 2:1:1 and an element combination selected from the set of I-II-IV. In some embodiments, the charge carrier transport layer is used as the radiation absorption layer for a photovoltaic cell, or a light emitting layer of a light emitting device. Other devices, such as laser diode, a photodetection device, an optical modulator, a transparent electrode and a window layer, can also be formed using the ternary semiconducting compound as the charge carrier transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Claudia Felser, Shoucheng Zhang, Xiao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120138887
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a current transport layer formed using a layer of a topological material selected from the group of a topological insulator, a quantum anomalous hall (QAH) insulator, a topological insulator variant, and a topological magnetic insulator. In one embodiment, the current transport layer forms a conductive wire on an integrated circuit where the conductive wire includes two spatially separated edge channels, each edge channel carrying charge carriers propagating in one direction only. In other embodiments, an optical device includes an optical layer formed using a layer of the topological material. The optical layer can be a light absorbing layer, a light emitting layer, a light transport layer, or a light modulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shoucheng Zhang, Xiao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120128017
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a charge carrier transport layer formed using a ternary semiconducting compound having a stoichiometry of 1:1:1 and an element combination selected from the set of I-II-V, I-III-IV, II-II-IV, and I-I-VI; or having a stoichiometry of 3:1:2 and an element combination selected from the set of I-III-V; or having a stoichiometry of 2:1:1 and an element combination selected from the set of I-II-IV. In some embodiments, the charge carrier transport layer is used as the radiation absorption layer for a photovoltaic cell, or a light emitting layer of a light emitting device. Other devices, such as laser diode, a photodetection device, an optical modulator, a transparent electrode and a window layer, can also be formed using the ternary semiconducting compound as the charge carrier transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Claudia Felser, Shoucheng Zhang, Xiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 7280263
    Abstract: A micro-mirror array that is useful, for example, in a reflective spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the micro mirror array includes spacer support walls, a vertical torsion hinge, and a mirror plate, all being fabricated from a single wafer. The micro-mirror array has a large fill ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Shaoher X Pan, Xiao Yang, Dongmin Chen, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20070171509
    Abstract: A micro-mirror array that is useful, for example, in a reflective spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the micro mirror array includes spacer support walls, a vertical torsion hinge, and a mirror plate, all being fabricated from a single wafer. The micro-mirror array has a large fill ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Miradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaoher Pan, Xiao Yang, Dongmin Chen, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7206110
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator for use in projection display applications is provided. The spatial light modulator includes a substrate including a plurality of electrically active circuits and an electrode layer electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrically active circuits. In one embodiment, the electrode layer includes a semi-continuous layer with at least one optical path. The spatial light modulator also includes a shielding layer electrically isolated from the electrode layer and disposed between the substrate and the plurality of electrically active circuits and an electrical connector coupling the shielding layer to a reference potential. In a specific embodiment, the shielding layer of the spatial light modulator converts incident light energy to electrical current and routes the current back to a source. In another specific embodiment, the shielding layer converts electrical field disturbance to electrical current and routes the current back to a source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Kelly, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7118234
    Abstract: A micro-mirror array that is useful, for example, in a reflective spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the micro mirror array includes spacer support walls, a vertical torsion hinge, and a mirror plate, all being fabricated from a single wafer. The micro-mirror array has a large fill ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Shaoher X Pan, Xiao Yang, Dongmin Chen, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7092140
    Abstract: A micro-mirror array fabricated on one substrate is bonded to a second substrate that includes addressing electrodes and control circuitry. In one embodiment, the micro mirror array is fabricated from a substrate that is a single crystal material. There is enough area beneath the micro mirror array for electrodes and control circuitry, including memory buffers and a pulse width modulation array to be fabricated on the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Shaoher X Pan, Xiao Yang, Dongmin Chen, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7037807
    Abstract: A device and a method for generating an electric-field-induced spin current are disclosed. A highly spin-polarized electric current is generated using a semiconductor structure and an applied electric field across the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure can be a hole-doped semiconductor having finite or zero bandgap or an undoped semiconductor of zero bandgap. In one embodiment, a device for injecting spin-polarized current into a current output terminal includes a semiconductor structure including first and second electrodes, along a first axis, receiving an applied electric field and a third electrode, along a direction perpendicular to the first axis, providing the spin-polarized current. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor material whose spin orbit coupling energy is greater than room temperature (300 Kelvin) times the Boltzmann constant. In one embodiment, the semiconductor structure is a hole-doped semiconductor structure, such as a p-type GaAs semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shuichi Murakami, Naoto Nagaosa, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7026695
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical system, the system comprising a first surface with an electrically activated electrode coupled to the first surface and to an electrical source to receive a first signal. The system further comprising a moveable structure suspended at a first height over the first surface, the moveable structure being attracted toward the electrode based upon the first signal, and the moveable structure being attracted toward the first surface through an interaction with one or more parasitic forces. The systems also provides a landing post coupled to the moveable structure, the landing post being adapted to contact the base of the landing post against the first surface when the electrically activated electrode receives a predetermined voltage bias associated with the first signal, thereby maintaining an outer portion of the moveable structure free from physical contact with the first surface and reducing a magnitude of one or more parasitic forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Yang, Shoucheng Zhang, Dongmin Chen, Jie Chen
  • Publication number: 20060023294
    Abstract: A micro-mirror array that is useful, for example, in a reflective spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the micro mirror array includes spacer support walls, a vertical torsion hinge, and a mirror plate, all being fabricated from a single wafer. The micro-mirror array has a large fill ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Shaoher Pan, Xiao Yang, Dongmin Chen, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20050174628
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator for use in projection display applications is provided. The spatial light modulator includes a substrate including a plurality of electrically active circuits and an electrode layer electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrically active circuits. In one embodiment, the electrode layer includes a semi-continuous layer with at least one optical path. The spatial light modulator also includes a shielding layer electrically isolated from the electrode layer and disposed between the substrate and the plurality of electrically active circuits and an electrical connector coupling the shielding layer to a reference potential. In a specific embodiment, the shielding layer of the spatial light modulator converts incident light energy to electrical current and routes the current back to a source. In another specific embodiment, the shielding layer converts electrical field disturbance to electrical current and routes the current back to a source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Applicant: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: James Kelly, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20050104144
    Abstract: An electromechanical system, the system comprising a first surface with an electrically activated electrode coupled to the first surface and to an electrical source to receive a first signal. The system further comprising a moveable structure suspended at a first height over the first surface, the moveable structure being attracted toward the electrode based upon the first signal, and the moveable structure being attracted toward the first surface through an interaction with one or more parasitic forces. The systems also provides a landing post coupled to the moveable structure, the landing post being adapted to contact the base of the landing post against the first surface when the electrically activated electrode receives a predetermined voltage bias associated with the first signal, thereby maintaining an outer portion of the moveable structure free from physical contact with the first surface and reducing a magnitude of one or more parasitic forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: XHP Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Yang, Shoucheng Zhang, Dongmin Chen, Jie Chen
  • Publication number: 20040145795
    Abstract: A micro-mirror array fabricated on one substrate is bonded to a second substrate that includes addressing electrodes and control circuitry. In one embodiment, the micro mirror array is fabricated from a substrate that is a single crystal material. There is enough area beneath the micro mirror array for electrodes and control circuitry, including memory buffers and a pulse width modulation array to be fabricated on the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Shaoher X. Pan, Xiao Yang, Dongmin Chen, Shoucheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20040145822
    Abstract: A micro-mirror array that is useful, for example, in a reflective spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the micro mirror array includes spacer support walls, a vertical torsion hinge, and a mirror plate, all being fabricated from a single wafer. The micro-mirror array has a large fill ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Shaoher X. Pan, Xiao Yang, Dongmin Chen, Shoucheng Zhang