Patents by Inventor Billy W. Ward

Billy W. Ward 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: 9236225
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John A. Notte, IV, Louis S. Farkas, III, Randall G. Percival, Raymond Hill, Klaus Edinger, Lars Markwort, Dirk Aderhold, Ulrich Mantz
  • Patent number: 9159527
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a gas field ion source assembly that includes an ion source in connection with an optical column such that an ion beam generated at the ion source travels through the optical column. The ion source includes an emitter having a width that tapers to a tip comprising a few atoms. In other aspects, the methods provide for manufacturing, maintaining and enhancing the performance of a gas field ion source including sharpening the tip of the ion source in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, Lou Farkas, John A. Notte, Randall Percival
  • Patent number: 9123502
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method and system for imaging of samples, for example, imaging samples with charged particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventor: Billy W. Ward
  • Publication number: 20150213997
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John A. Notte, IV, Louis S. Farkas, III, Randall G. Percival, Raymond Hill, Klaus Edinger, Lars Markwort, Dirk Aderhold, Ulrich Mantz
  • Patent number: 9029765
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can exhibit relatively little undesired vibration and/or can sufficiently dampen undesired vibration. This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like). In certain embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can enhance the ability to make tips having desired physical attributes (e.g., the number of atoms on the apex of the tip). This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Comunale, Alexander Groholski, John A. Notte, IV, Randall G. Percival, Billy W. Ward
  • Patent number: 9012867
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John A. Notte, IV, Louis S. Farkas, Randall G. Percival, Raymond Hill, Klaus Edinger, Lars Markwort, Dirk Aderhold, Ulrich Mantz
  • Publication number: 20140306121
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John A. Notte, IV, Louis S. Farkas, III, Randall G. Percival, Raymond Hill, Klaus Edinger, Lars Markwort, Dirk Aderhold, Ulrich Mantz
  • Patent number: 8748845
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John A. Notte, Louis S. Farkas, Randall G. Percival, Raymond Hill, Klaus Edinger, Lars Markwort, Dirk Aderhold, Ulrich Mantz
  • Patent number: 8633451
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can exhibit relatively little undesired vibration and/or can sufficiently dampen undesired vibration. This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, Colin A. Sanford, John Notte, IV, Alexander Groholski, Mark D. DiManna
  • Patent number: 8558192
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for applying a voltage gradient to a gas delivery system, delivering a gas through a length of the gas delivery system having the voltage gradient, the gas having a pressure-distance product of less than about 1×10?2 Torr-inches or greater than about 100 Torr-inches, and delivering the gas into a housing of an ion microscope, the housing including an emitter and an extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John Notte, IV, Randall G. Percival
  • Publication number: 20130256532
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can exhibit relatively little undesired vibration and/or can sufficiently dampen undesired vibration. This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like). In certain embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can enhance the ability to make tips having desired physical attributes (e.g., the number of atoms on the apex of the tip). This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Comunale, Alexander Groholski, John A. Notte, IV, Randall G. Percival, Billy W. Ward
  • Patent number: 8461557
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can exhibit relatively little undesired vibration and/or can sufficiently dampen undesired vibration. This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like). In certain embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can enhance the ability to make tips having desired physical attributes (e.g., the number of atoms on the apex of the tip). This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Comunale, Alexander Groholski, John A. Notte, IV, Randall Percival, Billy W. Ward
  • Publication number: 20120241640
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can exhibit relatively little undesired vibration and/or can sufficiently dampen undesired vibration. This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS NTS, LLC.
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, Colin A. Sanford, John Notte, VI, Alexander Groholski, Mark D. DiManna
  • Patent number: 8227753
    Abstract: Charged particle beams with different charged particle currents are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes exposing a sample to a first ion beam having a first ion current at the sample, and exposing the sample to a second ion beam having a second ion current at the sample, where the first ion current is at least two times greater than the second ion current. In certain embodiments, a method includes creating a first ion beam at a first pressure, exposing a sample to the first ion beam, creating a second ion beam at a second pressure, and exposing the sample to the second ion beam, where the first pressure is at least two times greater than the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss NTS, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Notte, IV, Billy W. Ward
  • Publication number: 20120145896
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for applying a voltage gradient to a gas delivery system, delivering a gas through a length of the gas delivery system having the voltage gradient, the gas having a pressure-distance product of less than about 1×010?2 Torr-inches or greater than about 100 Torr-inches, and delivering the gas into a housing of an ion microscope, the housing including an emitter and an extractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss NTS, LLC
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John Notte, IV, Randall G. Percival
  • Publication number: 20120141693
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ALIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John A. Notte, IV, Louis S. Farkas, III, Randall G. Percival, Raymond Hill, Klaus Edinger, Lars Markwort, Dirk Aderhold, Ulrich Mantz
  • Publication number: 20120057015
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method and system for imaging of samples, for example, imaging samples with charged particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS NTS, LLC
    Inventor: Billy W. Ward
  • Patent number: 8110814
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ALIS Corporation
    Inventors: Billy W. Ward, John A. Notte, IV, Louis S. Farkas, III, Randall G. Percival, Raymond Hill, Klaus Edinger, Lars Markwort, Dirk Aderhold, Ulrich Mantz
  • Publication number: 20110240853
    Abstract: Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can exhibit relatively little undesired vibration and/or can sufficiently dampen undesired vibration. This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like). In certain embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can enhance the ability to make tips having desired physical attributes (e.g., the number of atoms on the apex of the tip). This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS NTS, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Comunale, Alexander Groholski, John A. Notte, IV, Randall Percival, Billy W. Ward
  • Patent number: 8013300
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods that include: (a) exposing a sample in a chamber to a first gas, where the first gas reacts with surface contaminants on the sample to form a second gas; (b) removing at least a portion of the second gas from the chamber; and (c) exposing the sample to a charged particle beam to cause a plurality of particles to leave the sample and detecting at least some of the plurality of particles. The charged particle beam can include particles having a molecular weight of 40 atomic mass units or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss NTS, LLC
    Inventors: Lewis A. Stern, Louis S. Farkas, III, Billy W. Ward, William DiNatale, John A. Notte, IV, Lawrence Scipioni