Patents by Inventor Daniel Cotton

Daniel Cotton 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: 7639025
    Abstract: A collection optics arrangement integrating an objective lens and a solid immersion lens. An objective lens housing has an objective lens mounted inside. A solid immersion lens (SIL) housing is slidably mounted onto said objective lens housing, and a solid immersion lens is mounted onto the SIL housing. A spring imparts resilient force resisting the sliding of the solid immersion lens housing with respect to the objective lens housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: DCG Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hanson, Jonathan Frank, Dario Meluzzi, Daniel Cotton
  • Patent number: 7327452
    Abstract: A system for orthogonal alignment of a specimen disclosed. The system includes a light-beam illumination source, collection optics, imaging optics, and a tiltable specimen holder. The light-beam source is activated to illuminate a spot on the specimen, and the imaging optics is used image that spot. The location of the spot on the imager is used to determine whether the specimen is orthogonal to the optical axis of the collection optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Frank, Daniel Cotton
  • Publication number: 20070206846
    Abstract: A system for probe-less non-invasive detection of electrical signals from integrated circuit devices is disclosed. The system includes an illumination source, collection optics, imaging optics, and a photon sensor. In a navigation mode, the light source is activated and the imaging optics is used to identify the target area on the chip and appropriately position the collection optics. Once the collection optics is appropriately positioned, the light source is deactivated and the photon sensor is used to detect photons emitted from the chip. No mention of cooling (active device measurement capability) and advanced optics to detect the features (SIL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: CREDENCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel COTTON, Nader PAKDAMAN, James VICKERS, Thomas WONG
  • Publication number: 20060261829
    Abstract: A collection optics arrangement integrating an objective lens and a solid immersion lens. An objective lens housing has an objective lens mounted inside. A solid immersion lens (SIL) housing is slidably mounted onto said objective lens housing, and a solid immersion lens is mounted onto the SIL housing. A spring imparts resilient force resisting the sliding of the solid immersion lens housing with respect to the objective lens housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: CREDENCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Hanson, Jonathan Frank, Dario Meluzzi, Daniel Cotton
  • Patent number: 7123035
    Abstract: A landing system is provided for accurate placing of collection optics in a microscope. In one example, a solid immersion lens (SIL) is used for light collection, and the landing system is operated to place the SIL in contact with an IC. A proximity sensor is used for determining the SIL's position with respect to the IC. The arrangement is attached to a z-motion stage. During the placement procedure, the navigation is performed in steps and at each step the compression of the SIL is measured relative to its uncompressed state. When a measured compression exceeds a preset threshold, a SIL landing is recognized. In one example, after a landing is recognized, a further compression is imparted to the SIL in order to place the SIL in a focusing distance to the objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John Hanson, Jonathan Frank, Dario Meluzzi, Daniel Cotton
  • Publication number: 20060028641
    Abstract: A system for orthogonal alignment of a specimen disclosed. The system includes a light-beam illumination source, collection optics, imaging optics, and a tiltable specimen holder. The light-beam source is activated to illuminate a spot on the specimen, and the imaging optics is used image that spot. The location of the spot on the imager is used to determine whether the specimen is orthogonal to the optical axis of the collection optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan Frank, Daniel Cotton
  • Publication number: 20050030051
    Abstract: A landing system is provided for accurate placing of collection optics in a microscope. In one example, a solid immersion lens (SIL) is used for light collection, and the landing system is operated to place the SIL in contact with an IC. A proximity sensor is used for determining the SIL's position with respect to the IC. The arrangement is attached to a z-motion stage. During the placement procedure, the navigation is performed in steps and at each step the compression of the SIL is measured relative to its uncompressed state. When a measured compression exceeds a preset threshold, a SIL landing is recognized. In one example, after a landing is recognized, a further compression is imparted to the SIL in order to place the SIL in a focusing distance to the objective lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: John Hanson, Jonathan Frank, Dario Meluzzi, Daniel Cotton