Patents by Inventor Stacia Keller

Stacia Keller 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: 20240063340
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes porous GaN layers and/or compliant substrates used to enable relaxation of previously strained top layers and the deposition of relaxed or partially relaxed on top. Relaxed In GaN layers are fabricated without generation of crystal defects, which can serve as base layers for high performance long wavelength light emitting devices (LEDs, lasers) solar cells, or strain engineered transistors. Similarly, relaxed AlGaN layers can serve as base layers for high performance short wavelength UV light emitting devices (LEDs, lasers) solar cells, or wide bandgap transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Umesh K. Mishra, Shubhra Pasayat, Chirag Gupta
  • Patent number: 11594625
    Abstract: Described herein are III-N (e.g. GaN) devices having a stepped cap layer over the channel of the device, for which the III-N material is orientated in an N-polar orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Matthew Guidry, Stacia Keller, Umesh K. Mishra, Brian Romanczyk, Xun Zheng
  • Patent number: 11588096
    Abstract: An optoelectronic or electronic device structure, including an active region on or above a polar substrate, wherein the active region comprises a polar p region. The device structure further includes a hole supply region on or above the active region. Holes in the hole supply region are driven by a field into the active region, the field arising at least in part due to a piezoelectric and/or spontaneous polarization field generated by a composition and grading of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yuuki Enatsu, Chirag Gupta, Stacia Keller, Umesh K. Mishra, Anchal Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20220399475
    Abstract: A substrate comprising a III-N base layer comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the III-N base layer having a first natural lattice constant and a first dislocation density; and a first III-N layer having a second natural lattice constant and a second dislocation density on the III-N base layer, the first III-N layer having a thickness greater than 10 nm. An indium fractional composition of the first III-N layer is greater than 0.1; the second natural lattice constant is at least 1% greater than the first natural lattice constant; a strain-induced lattice constant of the first III-N layer is greater than 1.0055 times the first natural lattice constant; and the second dislocation density is less than 1.5 times the first dislocation density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kamruzzaman Khan, Elaheh Ahmadi, Stacia Keller, Christian Wurm, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20220102580
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a device, as well as the device itself, which includes growing a bonding layer on a first wafer or substrate, wherein the bonding layer includes at least partially relaxed features; and then bonding a second wafer or substrate to the features in on the first wafer or substrate, to cap and contact the features with separately grown material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Caroline E. Reilly, Umesh K. Mishra, Stacia Keller, Steven P. DenBaars
  • Publication number: 20210399096
    Abstract: Strain is used to enhance the properties of p- and n-materials so as to improve the performance of III-N electronic and optoelectronic devices. In one example, transistor devices include a channel aligned along uniaxially strained or relaxed directions of the III-nitride material in the channel. Strain is introduced using buffer layers or source and drain regions of different composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Umesh K. Mishra, Stacia Keller, Elaheh Ahmadi, Chirag Gupta, Yusuke Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20210399121
    Abstract: Derivative cancellation techniques have been used to linearize transistors using multiple discreet devices. However at frequencies approaching and in the mm-wave regime the use of individual devices no longer works due to the parasitics associated with combining the devices. In this invention device structures are described which apply the derivative cancellation technique in a single device thus removing the detrimental impact of combining. In one example, an N-polar transistor structure includes a channel; a cap structure comprising a plurality of cap layers on or above the channel; a source contact and a drain contact to the channel; and a castellated, stepped, or varying pattern formed in the cap layers so that gate metal deposited on the pattern forms at least two different threshold voltages and current combines in the ohmic region with essentially zero parasitic inductance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Brian Romanczyk, Umesh K. Mishra, Pawana Shrestha, Matthew Guidry, James Buckwalter, Stacia Keller, Rohit Reddy Karnaty
  • Patent number: 11101379
    Abstract: A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As illustrated herein, a thin InGaN layer introduced in the channel increases the carrier density, reduces the electric field in the channel, and increases the carrier mobility. The dependence of p on InGaN thickness (tInGaN) and indium composition (xIn) was investigated for different channel thicknesses. With optimized tInGaN and xIn, significant improvements in electron mobility were observed. For a 6 nm channel HEMT, the electron mobility increased from 606 to 1141 cm2/(V·s) when the 6 nm thick pure GaN channel was replaced by the 4 nm GaN/2 nm In0.1Ga0.9N composite channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: THEREGENIS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Brian Romanczyk, Haoran Li, Elaheh Ahmadi, Steven Wienecke, Matthew Guidry, Xun Zheng, Stacia Keller, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20200273974
    Abstract: Described herein are III-N (e.g. GaN) devices having a stepped cap layer over the channel of the device, for which the III-N material is orientated in an N-polar orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Matthew Guidry, Stacia Keller, Umesh K. Mishra, Brian Romanczyk, Xun Zheng
  • Publication number: 20190348532
    Abstract: A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As A novel design for a nitrogen polar high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structure comprising a GaN/InGaN composite channel. As illustrated herein, a thin InGaN layer introduced in the channel increases the carrier density, reduces the electric field in the channel, and increases the carrier mobility. The dependence of p on InGaN thickness (tInGaN) and indium composition (xIn) was investigated for different channel thicknesses. With optimized tInGaN and xIn, significant improvements in electron mobility were observed. For a 6 nm channel HEMT, the electron mobility increased from 606 to 1141 cm2/(V·s) when the 6 nm thick pure GaN channel was replaced by the 4 nm GaN/2 nm In0.1Ga0.9N composite channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Brian Romanczyk, Haoran Li, Elaheh Ahmadi, Steven Wienecke, Matthew Guidry, Xun Zheng, Stacia Keller, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20190181329
    Abstract: An optoelectronic or electronic device structure, including an active region on or above a polar substrate, wherein the active region comprises a polar p region. The device structure further includes a hole supply region on or above the active region. Holes in the hole supply region are driven by a field into the active region, the field arising at least in part due to a piezoelectric and/or spontaneous polarization field generated by a composition and grading of the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Yuuki Enatsu, Chirag Gupta, Stacia Keller, Umesh K. Mishra, Anchal Agarwal
  • Patent number: 10312361
    Abstract: Trenched vertical power field-effect transistors with improved on-resistance and/or breakdown voltage are fabricated. In one or more embodiments, the modulation of the current flow of the transistor occurs in the lateral channel, whereas the voltage is predominantly held in the vertical direction in the off-state. When the device is in the on-state, the current is channeled through an aperture in a current-blocking region after it flows under a gate region into the drift region. In another embodiment, a novel vertical power low-loss semiconductor multi-junction device in III-nitride and non-III-nitride material system is provided. One or more multi-junction device embodiments aim at providing enhancement mode (normally-off) operation alongside ultra-low on resistance and high breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Srabanti Chowdhury, Jeonghee Kim, Chirag Gupta, Stacia Keller, Silvia H. Chan, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 10043896
    Abstract: A transistor includes a III-N layer structure including a III-N channel layer between a III-N barrier layer and a III-N depleting layer, where the III-N channel layer includes a 2DEG channel formed adjacent an interface between the III-N channel layer and the III-N barrier layer; a source and a drain, each of which being directly connected to the III-N channel layer; a gate between the source and the drain, the gate being over the III-N layer structure, where the III-N depleting layer includes a first portion that is disposed in a device access region between the gate and the drain; and where the source electrically contacts the first portion of the III-N depleting layer, and the drain is electrically isolated from the first portion of the III-N depleting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Rakesh K. Lal, Stacia Keller, Srabanti Chowdhury
  • Publication number: 20180102425
    Abstract: A transistor includes a III-N layer structure including a III-N channel layer between a III-N barrier layer and a III-N depleting layer, where the III-N channel layer includes a 2DEG channel formed adjacent an interface between the III-N channel layer and the III-N barrier layer; a source and a drain, each of which being directly connected to the III-N channel layer; a gate between the source and the drain, the gate being over the III-N layer structure, where the III-N depleting layer includes a first portion that is disposed in a device access region between the gate and the drain; and where the source electrically contacts the first portion of the III-N depleting layer, and the drain is electrically isolated from the first portion of the III-N depleting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Rakesh K. Lal, Stacia Keller, Srabanti Chowdhury
  • 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: 9842922
    Abstract: A transistor includes a III-N layer structure comprising a III-N channel layer between a III-N barrier layer and a p-type III-N layer. The transistor further includes a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain, the gate being over the III-N layer structure. The p-type III-N layer includes a first portion that is at least partially in a device access region between the gate and the drain, and the first portion of the p-type III-N layer is electrically connected to the source and electrically isolated from the drain. When the transistor is biased in the off state, the p-type layer can cause channel charge in the device access region to deplete as the drain voltage increases, thereby leading to higher breakdown voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Rakesh K. Lal, Stacia Keller, Srabanti Chowdhury
  • 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: 20170125574
    Abstract: Trenched vertical power field-effect transistors with improved on-resistance and/or breakdown voltage are fabricated. In one or more embodiments, the modulation of the current flow of the transistor occurs in the lateral channel, whereas the voltage is predominantly held in the vertical direction in the off-state. When the device is in the on-state, the current is channeled through an aperture in a current-blocking region after it flows under a gate region into the drift region. In another embodiment, a novel vertical power low-loss semiconductor multi-junction device in III-nitride and non-III-nitride material system is provided. One or more multi-junction device embodiments aim at providing enhancement mode (normally-off) operation alongside ultra-low on resistance and high breakdown voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of Calfornia, Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Srabanti Chowdhury, Jeonghee Kim, Chirag Gupta, Stacia Keller, Silvia H. Chan, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20160343840
    Abstract: A transistor includes a III-N layer structure comprising a III-N channel layer between a III-N barrier layer and a p-type III-N layer. The transistor further includes a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain, the gate being over the III-N layer structure. The p-type III-N layer includes a first portion that is at least partially in a device access region between the gate and the drain, and the first portion of the p-type III-N layer is electrically connected to the source and electrically isolated from the drain. When the transistor is biased in the off state, the p-type layer can cause channel charge in the device access region to deplete as the drain voltage increases, thereby leading to higher breakdown voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Rakesh K. Lal, Stacia Keller, Srabanti Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 9443938
    Abstract: A transistor includes a III-N layer structure comprising a III-N channel layer between a III-N barrier layer and a p-type III-N layer. The transistor further includes a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain, the gate being over the III-N layer structure. The p-type III-N layer includes a first portion that is at least partially in a device access region between the gate and the drain, and the first portion of the p-type III-N layer is electrically connected to the source and electrically isolated from the drain. When the transistor is biased in the off state, the p-type layer can cause channel charge in the device access region to deplete as the drain voltage increases, thereby leading to higher breakdown voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Rakesh K. Lal, Stacia Keller, Srabanti Chowdhury