Patents by Inventor Thomas Straubinger

Thomas Straubinger 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: 20240044044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crystal growth device for growing a semiconductor from a gas phase, the crystal growth device comprising, a crucible, a heater, and a holding plate. The crucible on a crucible vessel and a crucible lid supported on the crucible vessel, wherein the crucible vessel is configured to receive and hold a source material for the semiconductor during growth of the semiconductor. The heater is configured and arranged to heat the source material in the crucible vessel so that the source material at least partially changes to its gaseous phase and flows toward the crucible lid. The holding plate is configured to hold a seed crystal on a side of the holding plate facing the crucible lid, and to allow deposition of the source material that has changed into its gas phase on the seed crystal for growing the semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Carsten HARTMANN, Thomas STRAUBINGER
  • Patent number: 9590046
    Abstract: A method is used for producing an SiC volume monocrystal by sublimation growth. During growth, by sublimation of a powdery SiC source material and by transport of the sublimated gaseous components into the crystal growth region, an SiC growth gas phase is produced there. The SiC volume monocrystal grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase on the SiC seed crystal. The SiC seed crystal is bent during a heating phase before such that an SiC crystal structure with a non-homogeneous course of lattice planes is adjusted, the lattice planes at each point have an angle of inclination relative to the direction of the center longitudinal axis and peripheral angles of inclination at a radial edge of the SiC seed crystal differ in terms of amount by at least 0.05° and at most by 0.2° from a central angle of inclination at the site of the center longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SiCrystal Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Straubinger, Michael Vogel, Andreas Wohlfart
  • Patent number: 8865324
    Abstract: A method is used to produce a bulk SiC single crystal. A seed crystal is arranged in a crystal growth region of a growing crucible. An SiC growth gas phase is produced in the crystal growth region. The bulk SiC single crystal having a central longitudinal mid-axis grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase, the deposition taking place on a growth interface of the growing bulk SiC single crystal. The SiC growth gas phase is at least partially fed from an SiC source material and contains at least one dopant from the group of nitrogen, aluminum, vanadium and boron. At least in a central main growth region of the growth interface arranged about the longitudinal mid-axis, a lateral temperature gradient of at most 2 K/cm measured perpendicular to the longitudinal mid-axis is adjusted and maintained in this range. The bulk SiC single crystal has a large facet region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sicrystal AG
    Inventors: Thomas Straubinger, Michael Vogel, Andreas Wohlfart
  • Publication number: 20140225127
    Abstract: A method is used for producing an SiC volume monocrystal by sublimation growth. During growth, by sublimation of a powdery SiC source material and by transport of the sublimated gaseous components into the crystal growth region, an SiC growth gas phase is produced there. The SiC volume monocrystal grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase on the SiC seed crystal. The SiC seed crystal is bent during a heating phase before such that an SiC crystal structure with a non-homogeneous course of lattice planes is adjusted, the lattice planes at each point have an angle of inclination relative to the direction of the center longitudinal axis and peripheral angles of inclination at a radial edge of the SiC seed crystal differ in terms of amount by at least 0.05° and at most by 0.2° from a central angle of inclination at the site of the center longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SICRYSTAL AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: THOMAS STRAUBINGER, MICHAEL VOGEL, ANDREAS WOHLFART
  • Patent number: 8758510
    Abstract: A method is used for producing an SiC volume monocrystal by sublimation growth. During growth, by sublimation of a powdery SiC source material and by transport of the sublimated gaseous components into the crystal growth region, an SiC growth gas phase is produced there. The SiC volume monocrystal grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase on the SiC seed crystal. The SiC seed crystal is bent during a heating phase before such that an SiC crystal structure with a non-homogeneous course of lattice planes is adjusted, the lattice planes at each point have an angle of inclination relative to the direction of the center longitudinal axis and peripheral angles of inclination at a radial edge of the SiC seed crystal differ in terms of amount by at least 0.05° and at most by 0.2° from a central angle of inclination at the site of the center longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: SiCrystal Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Straubinger, Michael Vogel, Andreas Wohlfart
  • Patent number: 8747982
    Abstract: A method is used for producing an SiC volume monocrystal by sublimation growth. Before the beginning of growth, an SiC seed crystal is arranged in a crystal growth region of a growth crucible and powdery SiC source material is introduced into an SiC storage region of the growth crucible. During the growth, by sublimation of the powdery SiC source material and by transport of the sublimated gaseous components into the crystal growth region, an SiC growth gas phase is produced there. The SiC volume monocrystal having a central center longitudinal axis grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase on the SiC seed crystal. The SiC seed crystal is heated substantially without bending during a heating phase before the beginning of growth, so that an SiC crystal structure with a substantially homogeneous course of lattice planes is provided in the SiC seed crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: SiCrystal Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Straubinger, Michael Vogel, Andreas Wohlfart
  • Publication number: 20130171402
    Abstract: A method is used for producing an SiC volume monocrystal by sublimation growth. Before the beginning of growth, an SiC seed crystal is arranged in a crystal growth region of a growth crucible and powdery SiC source material is introduced into an SiC storage region of the growth crucible. During the growth, by sublimation of the powdery SiC source material and by transport of the sublimated gaseous components into the crystal growth region, an SiC growth gas phase is produced there. The SiC volume monocrystal having a central center longitudinal axis grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase on the SiC seed crystal. The SiC seed crystal is heated substantially without bending during a heating phase before the beginning of growth, so that an SiC crystal structure with a substantially homogeneous course of lattice planes is provided in the SiC seed crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SiCRYSTAL AG
    Inventors: THOMAS STRAUBINGER, MICHAEL VOGEL, ANDREAS WOHLFART
  • Publication number: 20130171403
    Abstract: A method is used for producing an SiC volume monocrystal by sublimation growth. During growth, by sublimation of a powdery SiC source material and by transport of the sublimated gaseous components into the crystal growth region, an SiC growth gas phase is produced there. The SiC volume monocrystal grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase on the SiC seed crystal. The SiC seed crystal is bent during a heating phase before such that an SiC crystal structure with a non-homogeneous course of lattice planes is adjusted, the lattice planes at each point have an angle of inclination relative to the direction of the center longitudinal axis and peripheral angles of inclination at a radial edge of the SiC seed crystal differ in terms of amount by at least 0.05° and at most by 0.2° from a central angle of inclination at the site of the center longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SiCRYSTAL AG
    Inventors: THOMAS STRAUBINGER, MICHAEL VOGEL, ANDREAS WOHLFART
  • Publication number: 20120308759
    Abstract: A bulk AlN single crystal is grown on a monocrystalline AlN seed crystal having a central longitudinal mid-axis and disposed in a crystal growth region of a growing crucible. The bulk AlN single crystal grows parallel to the longitudinal mid-axis by deposition on the AlN seed crystal. The crucible has a lateral crucible inner wall extending in the growth direction. A free space is formed between the AlN crystals and the lateral crucible inner wall. Bulk AlN single crystals and monocrystalline AlN substrates produced therefrom are obtained with only few dislocations, which are substantially distributed homogeneously. Growing crucibles are provided with a crucible lid with a gap formed between an inner growing crucible and the crucible lid through which some of the AlN growth gas phase generated inside the crystal growth region escapes and is deposited on a bottom of an outer growing crucible opposite the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SiCrystal AG
    Inventors: RALPH-UWE BARZ, THOMAS STRAUBINGER
  • Patent number: 8303924
    Abstract: A bulk AlN single crystal is grown on a monocrystalline AlN seed crystal having a central longitudinal mid-axis and disposed in a crystal growth region of a growing crucible. The bulk AlN single crystal grows in a growth direction oriented parallel to the longitudinal mid-axis by deposition on the AlN seed crystal. The crucible has a lateral crucible inner wall extending in the growth direction, a free space being provided between the AlN seed crystal and the growing bulk AlN single crystal on the one hand, and the lateral crucible inner wall on the other hand. Bulk AlN single crystals and monocrystalline AlN substrates produced therefrom are therefore obtained with only few dislocations, which furthermore are substantially distributed homogeneously. The growing crucible, inside which the crystal growth region is located, is an inner growing crucible which is arranged in an outer growing crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: SiCrystal AG
    Inventors: Ralph-Uwe Barz, Thomas Straubinger
  • Publication number: 20110300323
    Abstract: A method is used to produce a bulk SiC single crystal. A seed crystal is arranged in a crystal growth region of a growing crucible. An SiC growth gas phase is produced in the crystal growth region. The bulk SiC single crystal having a central longitudinal mid-axis grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase, the deposition taking place on a growth interface of the growing bulk SiC single crystal. The SiC growth gas phase is at least partially fed from an SiC source material and contains at least one dopant from the group of nitrogen, aluminum, vanadium and boron. At least in a central main growth region of the growth interface arranged about the longitudinal mid-axis, a lateral temperature gradient of at most 2 K/cm measured perpendicular to the longitudinal mid-axis is adjusted and maintained in this range. The bulk SiC single crystal has a large facet region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: SICRYSTAL AG
    Inventors: THOMAS STRAUBINGER, MICHAEL VOGEL, ANDREAS WOHLFART
  • Publication number: 20110086213
    Abstract: A silicon carbide bulk single crystal is produced at a growth temperature of up to 2200° C. by sublimation growth and is subjected to thermal aftertreatment after the sublimation growth. The bulk single crystal is brought to an aftertreatment temperature that is higher than a growth temperature. Very low-stress and low-dislocation SiC substrates can be produced from such a SiC bulk single crystal, the substrates additionally having a particularly low electrical resistivity. The SiC bulk single crystal is positioned within an SiC powder before the thermal aftertreatment and it is completely surrounded by the SiC powder during the thermal aftertreatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: SICRYSTAL AG
    Inventors: THOMAS STRAUBINGER, MICHAEL VOGEL, ANDREAS WOHLFART
  • Publication number: 20100255305
    Abstract: A bulk AlN single crystal is grown on a monocrystalline AlN seed crystal having a central longitudinal mid-axis and disposed in a crystal growth region of a growing crucible. The bulk AlN single crystal grows in a growth direction oriented parallel to the longitudinal mid-axis by deposition on the AlN seed crystal. The crucible has a lateral crucible inner wall extending in the growth direction, a free space being provided between the AlN seed crystal and the growing bulk AlN single crystal on the one hand, and the lateral crucible inner wall on the other hand. Bulk AlN single crystals and monocrystalline AlN substrates produced therefrom are therefore obtained with only few dislocations, which furthermore are substantially distributed homogeneously. The growing crucible, inside which the crystal growth region is located, is an inner growing crucible which is arranged in an outer growing crucible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: SICRYSTAL AG
    Inventors: Ralph-Uwe Barz, Thomas Straubinger
  • Publication number: 20100175614
    Abstract: A configuration for producing a bulk SiC crystal includes a growing crucible having an electrically conductive crucible wall, an inductive heating device disposed outside the growing crucible for inductively coupling an electric current, which heats the growing crucible, into the crucible wall, and an insulation layer disposed between the crucible wall and the inductive heating device. The insulation layer is formed of a graphite insulation material having short carbon fibers with a fiber length in a range of between 1 mm and 10 mm and a fiber diameter in a range of between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. A method for producing a bulk SiC crystal is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SICRYSTAL AG
    Inventor: Thomas Straubinger
  • Publication number: 20100159182
    Abstract: A method is used for producing a bulk SiC crystal having a resistivity of at least 1012 ?cm and a diameter of at least 7.62 cm. An SiC growth gas phase is generated in a crystal growth region. The bulk SiC crystal grows by deposition from the SiC growth gas phase. The SiC growth gas phase is fed from an SiC source material, which is contained in an SiC supply region inside the growing crucible. First dopants which have a flat dopant level at a distance of at most 350 meV from an SiC band edge, and second dopants which have a low-lying dopant level at a distance of at least 500 meV from the SiC band edge, are delivered in gaseous form to the crystal growth region. Bulk SiC crystals are thereby obtained, and large-area SiC substrates obtained therefrom whose resistivity is at least 1012 ?cm everywhere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SICRYSTAL AG
    Inventors: Thomas Straubinger, Andreas Wohlfart, Martin Kölbl