Patents Examined by Kiet T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11848187
    Abstract: A drive unit for driving an acceleration electrode of a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The drive unit includes a power converter comprising a switching element and pulsing circuitry that can form output pulses suitable for driving an acceleration electrode of a mass spectrometer. The drive unit also includes a controller that is configured to synchronise operation of the switching element with the pulsing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Frank Buckley, Roger Smith
  • Patent number: 11842825
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a vortex-pair beam based optical tweezer system, including a laser device (1), a collimating beam expanding system, a spatial light modulator (6), a confocal beam shrinking system, a sample table (12), and an observation unit arranged according to a light path. The spatial light modulator (6) continuously loads different vortex-pair beam phase diagrams in real time, and manipulates and rotates a particle in real time by using a single vortex-pair beam. The optical tweezer system can realize precise regulation, control, and positioning of two spherical particles at any positions in a plane, and any controllable rotation operation of a rod-shaped particle in the plane, which makes application objects of the optical tweezer system richer, and effectively solves the problem that the rod-shaped particle is difficult to be controlled by the existing optical tweezer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ligang Wang, Jisen Wen, Binjie Gao
  • Patent number: 11842891
    Abstract: An ion detector comprises a surface configured to receive one or more ions and a detector configured to detect one or more ions by detecting electromagnetic radiation scattered by one or more ions at the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Jarrell, Martin Gilar
  • Patent number: 11837430
    Abstract: A method of doping a wafer includes implanting ions into a wafer by irradiating the wafer with an ion beam using an implantation device. The implantation device includes a filter frame and a filter held by the filter frame, wherein the filter is irradiated by the ion beam passing through the filter to the wafer, and the filter is arranged such that protruding microstructures of the filter face away from the wafer and towards the ion beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MI2-FACTORY GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Krippendorf, Constantin Csato
  • Patent number: 11837451
    Abstract: A method for cleaning an electrospray emitter of a mass spectrometer comprises the steps of: (a) changing a mode of operation of the electrospray emitter from a stable jet mode of operation to a dripping mode or a pulsating mode of operation by lowering a magnitude, |V|, of a voltage applied between a counter electrode and the electrospray emitter; and (b) changing the mode of operation of the electrospray emitter from the dripping mode or the pulsating mode of operation to the stable jet mode of operation by increasing the magnitude, |V|, of the applied voltage; wherein the repetitions are performed at a predetermined frequency that depends on one or more of liquid flow rate, an emitter internal diameter, and liquid properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLC
    Inventors: Joshua A. Silveira, Michael L. Poltash, Wei Wei, Eloy R. Wouters
  • Patent number: 11830713
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for simultaneous determination of particle size distribution, concentrations of nanoparticulate mercury (Hg-NPs) in natural soils. The method uses sodium pyrophosphate as the extractant, and allows quick extraction of Hg-NPs in the soil without dissolution or aggregation. In combination with spICP-MS determination, the method makes it possible to simultaneously determine the particle size distribution and concentration of Hg-NPs in the complex soil matrix, with accurate determination results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF SOIL SCIENCE, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Fei Dang, Yujun Wang, Weiping Cai
  • Patent number: 11828724
    Abstract: An ion guide electrode assembly (10) for an ion-mobility spectrometer is described. The electrode assembly (10) comprises a first sheet (100), having first and second surfaces (110, 120) comprising a plurality of corresponding regions (111, 112, 121, 122). The first sheet (100) comprises a set of N electrodes (130, 140), including a first electrode (130) and a second electrode (140), provided as tracks mutually spaced apart on the first surface (110) thereof. The electrode assembly (10) is arrangeable in a planar configuration and preferably in a tubular configuration. In the tubular configuration, a first part (131) of the first electrode (130), provided in a first region 111 of the first surface (110), overlays a second region (122) of the second surface (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL (INC. IN THE UK)
    Inventors: Simon Maher, Cedric Claude Boisdon
  • Patent number: 11830718
    Abstract: A spectroscopy device including: an electron source arranged to emit a flux of electrons towards a sample, a pulsed photon source emitting photon pulses towards the sample, at least one spectrometer for receiving a flux of electrons originating from the sample, at least one electron detector; and at least one deflector, between the electron source and the at least one electron detector, synchronized with the pulsed photon source to allow or prevent the passage of electrons emitted by the electron source, towards the electron detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE PARIS-SACLAY
    Inventors: Mathieu Kociak, Marcel Tence, Jean-Denis Blazit, Pabitra Das
  • Patent number: 11821860
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system and method for an x-ray CT microscope processes image data of an object at different angles and generates a model of the object. This model is then used to configure the microscope for operation and possibly avoid collisions between the microscope and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS X-RAY MICROSCOPY INC.
    Inventors: Lars Omlor, Hauyee Chang
  • Patent number: 11817230
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an EUV light generation device including: a laser beam irradiated on a target material droplet; and a focusing mirror for focusing the EUV light generated through the plasma emitted by means of the irradiation of the laser beam on the droplet, wherein the focusing mirror has a concaved operating surface and a focusing point formed at a position facing the operating surface, and the laser beam and a focusing lens for focusing the laser beam are located at the positions facing the operating surface of the focusing mirror, so that the focusing point, the laser beam, and the focusing lens are located on the positions facing the operating surface, that is, on one side of the operating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ESOL Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Gun Lee
  • Patent number: 11810771
    Abstract: In one aspect, a mass analyzer is disclosed, which comprises a quadrupole having an input end for receiving ions and an output end through which ions can exit the quadrupole, said quadrupole having a plurality of rods to at least some of which an RF voltage can be applied for generating a quadrupolar field for causing radial confinement of the ions as they propagate through the quadrupole and further generating fringing fields in proximity of said output end. The mass analyzer further includes at least a voltage source for applying a voltage pulse to at least one of said rods so as to excite radial oscillations of at least a portion of the ions passing through the quadrupole at secular frequencies thereof, where the radially-excited ions interact with the fringing fields as they exit the quadrupole such that their radial oscillations are converted into axial oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DH Technologies Development Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: James Hager
  • Patent number: 11806687
    Abstract: An active energy radiation unit includes a light source which radiates ultraviolet rays onto a target object, and a main gas supply mechanism which is disposed to be adjacent to the light source and ejects an inert gas. The main gas supply mechanism includes a receiving part which receives nitrogen gas, a first ejection port which is provided at a position between the receiving part and the light source in a transfer direction and closer to the target object than the receiving part and a second ejection port which is provided between the receiving part and the first ejection port in the transfer direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Murayama, Keita Umeno, Ryotaro Matui
  • Patent number: 11808695
    Abstract: A single ion imaging-based detection method and device are provided. After being reflected by an electromodulation singularity coupling differential imaging reaction unit, a probe beam from a total internal reflection ellipsometry imager converges on a CCD or CMOS detector, the acquired sensing surface image data is transmitted to a signal processing unit, the common mode noise is eliminated by performing spectral analysis on differential signals of a working sensing surface and a reference sensing surface, the peak intensity of a modulating signal is selected on the spectrum for wave filtering to obtain a real-time signal of interaction of single ions or charged molecules at a solid-liquid interface. Based on the singularity effect at a surface plasma resonance angle of an ellipsometry phase and a corresponding optical signal noise suppression scheme, the present application can achieve real-time observation of the adsorption of single ions or charged molecules at a solid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MECHANICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Yu Niu, Ziren Luo
  • Patent number: 11810686
    Abstract: Atom-scale particles, e.g., neutral and charged atoms and molecules, are pre-cooled, e.g., using magneto-optical traps (MOTs), to below 100 ?K to yield cold particles. The cold particles are transported to a sensor cell which cools the cold particles to below 1 ?K using an optical trap; these particles are stored in a reservoir within an optical trap within the sensor cell so that they are readily available to replenish a sensor population of particles in quantum superposition. A baffle is disposed between the MOTs and the sensor cell to prevent near-resonant light leaking from the MOTs from entering the sensor cell (and exciting the ultra-cold particles in the reservoir). The transporting from the MOTs to the sensor cell is effected by moving optical fringes of optical lattices and guiding the cold particles attached to the fringes along a meandering path through the baffle and into the sensor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ColdQuanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Zachary Anderson, Clifton Leon Anderson
  • Patent number: 11800629
    Abstract: A magneto-optical trap apparatus includes a vacuum vessel for encapsulating an atom to be trapped, an anti-Helmholtz coil for applying a magnetic field to an inside of the vacuum vessel, a laser device for generating a laser beam, and an irradiation device for irradiating the generated laser beam from a plurality of directions. The laser beam includes a first laser beam detuned from a first resonance frequency when the atom transits from a total angular momentum quantum number F in a ground state to a total angular momentum quantum number F?=F+1 in an excited state, and a second laser beam detuned from a second resonance frequency when the atom transits from the total angular momentum quantum number F in the ground state to a total angular momentum quantum number F?=F?1 in the excited state, among transitions from J=0 in a ground state to J?=1 in an excited state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION, RIKEN
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Imai, Tomoyo Akatsuka, Katsuya Oguri, Atsushi Ishizawa, Hideki Gotoh, Hidetoshi Katori, Masao Takamoto
  • Patent number: 11789026
    Abstract: Methods are described for measuring the amount of C peptide in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying C peptide in a sample utilizing on-line extraction methods coupled with tandem mass spectrometric or high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometric techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Nigel Clarke, Zhaohui Chen
  • Patent number: 11791150
    Abstract: The resolution of a TOF mass analyzer is maintained despite a loss of resolution in one or more channels of a multichannel ion detection system by selecting the highest resolution channels for qualitative analysis. Ion packets that impact a multichannel detector are converted into multiplied electrons and emitted from two or more segmented electrodes that correspond to impacts in different regions across a length of the detector. The electrons received by each electrode of the two or more segmented electrodes for each ion packet are converted into digital values in a channel of a multichannel digitizer, producing digital values for at least two or more channels. Qualitative information about the ion packets is calculated using digital values of a predetermined subset of one or more channels of the at least two or more channels known to provide the highest resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DH Technologies Development Pte.Ltd.
    Inventors: David Michael Cox, Nic G. Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 11791127
    Abstract: A wafer inspection system includes a controller in communication with an electron-beam inspection tool. The controller includes circuitry to: acquire, via an optical imaging tool, coordinates of defects on a sample; set a Field of View (FoV) of the electron-beam inspection tool to a first size to locate a subset of the defects; determine a position of each defect of the subset of the defects based on inspection data generated by the electron-beam inspection tool during a scanning of the sample; adjust the coordinates of the defects based on the determined positions of the subset of the defects; and set the FoV of the electron-beam inspection tool to a second size to locate additional defects based on the adjusted coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Wei Fang, Joe Wang
  • Patent number: 11791146
    Abstract: Systems and multiplexing methods for measuring the mass of multiple large molecules simultaneously using multiple ion trapping with charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) are described. The methods trap ions with a broad range of energies that decouple ion frequency and m/z measurements allowing energy measurements of each ion throughout the acquisition. The ion energy may be obtained from the ratio of the intensity of the fundamental to the second harmonic frequencies of the periodic trapping oscillation making it possible to measure both the m/z and charge of each ion. Because ions with the exact same m/z but different energies appear at different frequencies, the probability of ion-ion interference is significantly reduced. By maximizing the decoupling of ion m/z from frequency, the rate of signal overlap is significantly reduced making it possible to trap more ions and substantially reduce analysis time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Evan R. Williams, Conner C. Harper, Andrew G. Elliott
  • Patent number: 11784031
    Abstract: A method for detecting radicals in process gases in a semiconductor fabrication assembly is provided where the semiconductor fabrication includes a plasma source and a mass spectrometer with an ion source. The method includes separating ions from the process gases and determining a fixed electron energy in which to measure the process gases. Process gases in the semiconductor fabrication assembly are continuously sampled. A first measurement is performed on the sampled process gases at the electron energy using the mass spectrometer, where the first measurement is performed with the plasma source off. A second measurement of the sampled process gases is performed at the fixed electron energy using the mass spectrometer, where the second measurement is performed with the plasma source on. An amount of a radical present in the sampled process gases is determined as a difference between the second measurement and the first measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: INFICON, Inc.
    Inventor: Norbert Mueller