Timothy J Gerke

US Patent:

20130327389, Dec 12, 2013

Filed:

Sep 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/821009

Inventors:

Brian W. Baird - Portland OR, US
Timothy D. Gerke - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

FIANIUM LTD. - Southampton

International Classification:

H01L 31/0236
H01L 31/18

US Classification:

136256, 438 69, 438 68

Abstract:

A method comprising providing a layer structure for a photovoltaic device, the layer structure comprising an electrode, a light absorber comprising a layer of chalcopyrite-type semiconductor material, such as copper indium gallium diselenide, disposed on the electrode and a transparent electrode disposed on the light absorber. The method also comprises delivering a spatially-shaped picosecond pulsed laser beam so as to remove material from a region of the transparent electrode so as to expose at least a portion of the light absorber.

US Patent:

20130244449, Sep 19, 2013

Filed:

Sep 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/820997

Inventors:

Brian W. Baird - Portland OR, US
Timothy D. Gerke - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

FIANIUM LTD. - Southampton

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H01L 21/78

US Classification:

438795, 2504922

Abstract:

A picosecond laser beam shaping assembly is disclosed for shaping a picosecond laser beam for use in patterning (e.g., scribing) semiconductor devices. The assembly comprises a pulsed fibre laser source of picosecond laser pulses, a harmonic conversion element for converting laser pulses at a first laser wavelength having a first spectral bandwidth to laser pulses at a second laser wavelength having a second spectral bandwidth, and a beam shaping apparatus for shaping the laser beam at the second laser wavelength, the beam shaping apparatus having a spectral bandwidth that substantially corresponds to the second spectral bandwidth so as to produce a laser beam having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile.

US Patent:

20150375342, Dec 31, 2015

Filed:

Jun 13, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/738839

Inventors:

- Southampton, GB
Timothy Gerke - Portland OR, US

International Classification:

B23K 26/36
C03C 15/02
B23K 26/06
B23K 26/40
B23K 26/00

Abstract:

A laser processing method comprises generating a laser beam comprising laser pulses having a duration less than 1000 ps, focussing the laser beam to form a focal region inside a transparent material and varying the position of at least one of the focal region and the transparent material so as to provide a pulse-to-pulse overlap of between 45% and 99%, thereby to form a smooth material modification inside the transparent material.

US Patent:

20140083984, Mar 27, 2014

Filed:

Sep 23, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/033620

Inventors:

Timothy Gerke - Portland OR, US

International Classification:

B23K 26/00
B23K 26/06

US Classification:

21912161, 21912185

Abstract:

A method of forming a laser induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS), comprises directing a beam of picosecond laser pulses across the surface of a polycrystalline material to pattern the material with a LIPSS, where the laser pulses have a time duration of no greater than a selected pulse duration T and a pulse fluence above a threshold value of about H; wherein the laser pulses are directed across the surface so as to expose the polycrystalline material to at least a selected dosage; wherein T is 40 ps and the selected dosage is 20 J/mm; and wherein H is in J/cmand is given by H=[0.0284×ln (T)]+0.0195. Also disclosed are methods for forming a LIPSS on a semiconductor, for solid colorization of materials, and for forming cone-like features and/or regions of grating-like features where the grating-like features are oriented in substantially different directions.