Patents by Inventor Dwayne L. LaBrake

Dwayne L. LaBrake 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: 8545709
    Abstract: Thickness of a residual layer may be altered to control critical dimension of features in a patterned layer provided by an imprint lithography process. The thickness of the residual layer may be directly proportional or inversely proportional to the critical dimension of features. Dispensing techniques and material selection may also provide control of the critical dimension of features in the patterned layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia B. Brooks, Dwayne L. LaBrake, Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Michael N. Miller, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, David James Lentz, Frank Y. Xu
  • Publication number: 20130241109
    Abstract: Devices positioned between an energy source and an imprint lithography template may block exposure of energy to portions of polymerizable material dispensed on a substrate. Portions of the polymerizable material that are blocked from the energy may remain fluid, while the remaining polymerizable material is solidified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Christopher Ellis Jones, Joseph G. Perez, Dwayne L. LaBrake, Ian Matthew McMackin
  • Patent number: 8529778
    Abstract: Methods for creating nano-shaped patterns are described. This approach may be used to directly pattern substrates and/or create imprint lithography molds that may be subsequently used to directly replicate nano-shaped patterns into other substrates in a high throughput process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Molecular Imprints, Inc., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Shuqiang Yang, Frank Y. Xu, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Patent number: 8512585
    Abstract: Methods for forming an imprint lithography template are provided. Materials for forming the imprint lithography template may be etched at different rates based on physical properties of the layers. Additionally, reflectance of the materials may be monitored to provide substantially uniform erosion of the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. Doyle, Gerard M. Schmid, Michael N. Miller, Douglas J. Resnick, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Patent number: 8361546
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adhering a substrate to a patterned layer are described. Included are in situ cleaning and conditioning of the substrate, and the application of an adhesion layer between the substrate and the patterned layer, as well as forming an intermediate layer between adhesion materials and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward B. Fletcher, Zhengmao Ye, Dwayne L. LaBrake, Frank Y. Xu
  • Patent number: 8361371
    Abstract: Devices positioned between an energy source and an imprint lithography template may block exposure of energy to portions of polymerizable material dispensed on a substrate. Portions of the polymerizable material that are blocked from the energy may remain fluid, while the remaining polymerizable material is solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Christopher Ellis Jones, Joseph G. Perez, Dwayne L. LaBrake, Ian Matthew McMackin
  • Publication number: 20120288686
    Abstract: A multi-layer stack for imprint lithography is formed by applying a first polymerizable composition to a substrate, polymerizing the first polymerizable composition to form a first polymerized layer, applying a second polymerizable composition to the first polymerized layer, and polymerizing the second polymerizable composition to form a second polymerized layer on the first polymerized layer. The first polymerizable composition includes a polymerizable component with a glass transition temperature less than about 25° C., and the first polymerized layer is substantially impermeable to the second polymerizable composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Y. Xu, Weijun Liu, Cynthia B. Brooks, Dwayne L. LaBrake, David J. Lentz
  • Publication number: 20120269972
    Abstract: Imprint lithography templates having alignment marks with highly absorptive material. The alignment marks are insensitive to the effects of liquid spreading and can provide stability and increase contrast to alignment system during liquid imprint filling of template features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Kosta S. Selinidis, Joseph Michael Imhof, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Publication number: 20120187085
    Abstract: Thickness of a residual layer may be altered to control critical dimension of features in a patterned layer provided by an imprint lithography process. The thickness of the residual layer may be directly proportional or inversely proportional to the critical dimension of features. Dispensing techniques and material selection may also provide control of the critical dimension of features in the patterned layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia B. Brooks, Dwayne L. LaBrake, Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Michael N. Miller, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, David James Lentz, Frank Y. Xu
  • Publication number: 20120189780
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a patterned surface on a substrate are described. Generally, the patterned surface is defined by a residual layer having a thickness of less than approximately 5 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dwayne L. LaBrake, Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Christopher Ellis Jones, Frank Y. Xu
  • Publication number: 20120111832
    Abstract: Methods for forming an imprint lithography template are provided. Materials for forming the imprint lithography template may be etched at different rates based on physical properties of the layers. Additionally, reflectance of the materials may be monitored to provide substantially uniform erosion of the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary F. Doyle, Gerard M. Schmid, Michael N. Miller, Douglas J. Resnick, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Publication number: 20120073462
    Abstract: Two-stage imprinting techniques capable of protecting fine patterned features of an imprint lithography template are herein described. In particular, such techniques may be used during fabrication of recessed high-contrast alignment marks for preventing deposited metal layers from coming into contact with fine features etched into the template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Imhof, Kosta S. Selinidis, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Publication number: 20120070572
    Abstract: Described are systems and method of using a vapor delivery system for enabling delivery of an adhesion promoter material during an imprint lithography process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhengmao Ye, Rick Ramos, Edward Brian Fletcher, Christopher Ellis Jones, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Publication number: 20120006703
    Abstract: Detection of periodically repeating nanovoids is indicative of levels of substrate contamination and may aid in reduction of contaminants on substrates. Systems and methods for detecting nanovoids, in addition to, systems and methods for cleaning and/or maintaining cleanliness of substrates are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Niyaz Khusnatdinov, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Publication number: 20110165412
    Abstract: Forming an adhesive layer on a nanoimprint lithography template or a double-sided disk. Forming the adhesive layer on the double-sided disk includes immersing the double-sided disk in a liquid adhesive composition and removing the double-sided disk from the adhesive composition. The outer layer of the double-sided disk is a carbon overcoating or an intermediate layer. The adhesive composition is dried to form a first adhesion layer adhered directly to the carbon overcoating or intermediate layer on a first side of the disk and a second adhesion layer adhered directly to the carbon overcoating or intermediate layer on a second side of the disk. Forming the adhesive layer on the nanoimprint lithography template includes applying an adhesive material to the template, allowing the template to remain motionless, and rinsing a portion of the adhesive material from the template with a solvent, and drying the template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhengmao Ye, Frank Y. Xu, Dwayne L. LaBrake, Kosta S. Selinidis
  • Publication number: 20100323490
    Abstract: Fabricating a cross-point memory structure using two lithography steps with a top conductor and connector or memory element and a bottom conductor orthogonal to the top connector. A first lithography step followed by a series of depositions and etching steps patterns a first channel having a bottom conductor. A second lithography step followed by a series of depositions and etching steps patterns a second channel orthogonal to the first channel and having a memory element connecting the an upper conductor and the lower conductor at their overlaid intersections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Christopher Mark Melliar-Smith, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Patent number: 7795132
    Abstract: Fabricating a cross-point memory structure using two lithography steps with a top conductor and connector or memory element and a bottom conductor orthogonal to the top connector. A first lithography step followed by a series of depositions and etching steps patterns a first channel having a bottom conductor. A second lithography step followed by a series of depositions and etching steps patterns a second channel orthogonal to the first channel and having a memory element connecting the an upper conductor and the lower conductor at their overlaid intersections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Molecular Imprints, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Christopher Mark Melliar-Smith, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Publication number: 20100120251
    Abstract: Methods for creating nano-shaped patterns are described. This approach may be used to directly pattern substrates and/or create imprint lithography molds that may be subsequently used to directly replicate nano-shaped patterns into other substrates in a high throughput process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicants: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC., BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Shuqiang Yang, Frank Y. Xu, Dwayne L. LaBrake
  • Publication number: 20100112236
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adhering a substrate to a patterned layer are described. Included are in situ cleaning and conditioning of the substrate, and the application of an adhesion layer between the substrate and the patterned layer, as well as forming an intermediate layer between adhesion materials and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward B. Fletcher, Zhengmao Ye, Dwayne L. LaBrake, Frank Y. Xu
  • Publication number: 20100095862
    Abstract: The present application describes a template with feature profiles that have multiple sidewall angles. The multiple sidewall angles facilitate control over critical dimensions and reduce issues related to template release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael N. Miller, John Thomas Cowher, Cynthia B. Brooks, Dwayne L. LaBrake