Patents by Inventor Stewart Sonnenfeldt

Stewart Sonnenfeldt 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: 9679814
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Thomas Gmitter, Gang He, Andreas Hegedus, Gregg Higashi, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Publication number: 20150279741
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Melissa ARCHER, Harry ATWATER, Thomas GMITTER, Gang HE, Andreas HEGEDUS, Gregg HIGASHI, Stewart SONNENFELDT
  • Patent number: 9070764
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Alta Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Thomas Gmitter, Gang He, Andreas Hegedus, Gregg Higashi, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Patent number: 8602707
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a levitating substrate carrier or support. In one embodiment, a substrate carrier for supporting and carrying at least one substrate or wafer is provided which includes a substrate carrier body containing an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one indentation pocket disposed within the lower surface. In another embodiment, the substrate carrier includes at least open indentation area within the upper surface, and at least two indentation pockets disposed within the lower surface. Each indentation pocket may be rectangular and have four side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Alta Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang He, Gregg Higashi, Khurshed Sorabji, Roger Hamamjy, Andreas Hegedus, Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Publication number: 20130098289
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a chemical vapor deposition system and related method of use. In one embodiment, the system includes a reactor lid assembly having a body, a track assembly having a body and a guide path located along the body, and a heating assembly operable to heat the substrate as the substrate moves along the guide path. The body of the lid assembly and the body of the track assembly are coupled together to form a gap that is configured to receive a substrate. In another embodiment, a method of forming layers on a substrate using the chemical vapor deposition system includes introducing the substrate into a guide path, depositing a first layer on the substrate and depositing a second layer on the substrate, while the substrate moves along the guide path; and preventing mixing of gases between the first deposition step and the second deposition step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Gang He, Gregg Higashi, Khurshed Sorabji, Roger Hamamjy, Andreas Hegedus, Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Patent number: 8309432
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a universally shrinkable support handle onto the epitaxial material, wherein the universally shrinkable support handle contains a shrinkable material, and shrinking the support handle to form tension in the support handle and compression in the epitaxial material during a shrinking process. The method further includes removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process, peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate while forming an etch crevice therebetween, and bending the support handle to have substantial curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Alta Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Thomas Gmitter, Gang He, Andreas Hegedus, Gregg Higashi, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Publication number: 20090321881
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Thomas Gmitter, Gang He, Andreas Hegedus, Gregg Higashi, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Publication number: 20090321885
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a universally shrinkable support handle onto the epitaxial material, wherein the universally shrinkable support handle contains a shrinkable material, and shrinking the support handle to form tension in the support handle and compression in the epitaxial material during a shrinking process. The method further includes removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process, peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate while forming an etch crevice therebetween, and bending the support handle to have substantial curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Thomas Gmitter, Gang He, Andreas Hegedus, Gregg Higashi, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Publication number: 20090325367
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a chemical vapor deposition system and related method of use. In one embodiment, the system includes a reactor lid assembly having a body, a track assembly having a body and a guide path located along the body, and a heating assembly operable to heat the substrate as the substrate moves along the guide path. The body of the lid assembly and the body of the track assembly are coupled together to form a gap that is configured to receive a substrate. In another embodiment, a method of forming layers on a substrate using the chemical vapor deposition system includes introducing the substrate into a guide path, depositing a first layer on the substrate and depositing a second layer on the substrate, while the substrate moves along the guide path; and preventing mixing of gases between the first deposition step and the second deposition step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Gang He, Gregg Higashi, Khurshed Sorabji, Roger Hamamjy, Andreas Hegedus, Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Stewart Sonnenfeldt
  • Publication number: 20090324379
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a levitating substrate carrier or support. In one embodiment, a substrate carrier for supporting and carrying at least one substrate or wafer is provided which includes a substrate carrier body containing an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one indentation pocket disposed within the lower surface. In another embodiment, the substrate carrier includes at least open indentation area within the upper surface, and at least two indentation pockets disposed within the lower surface. Each indentation pocket may be rectangular and have four side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Gang He, Gregg Higashi, Khurshed Sorabji, Roger Hamamjy, Andreas Hegedus, Melissa Archer, Harry Atwater, Stewart Sonnenfeldt