Patents by Inventor Liesbet Lagae
Liesbet Lagae 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: 8164755Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method or apparatus is described for determining concentration(s) of one or more analytes in a sample using plasmonic excitations. In another aspect, a method relates to designing systems for such concentration determination, wherein metallic nanostructures are used in combination with local electrical detection of such plasmon resonances via a semiconducting photodetector. In certain aspects, the method exploits the coupling of said metallic nanostructure(s) to a semiconducting photodetector, said detector being placed in the “metallic structure's” near field. Surface plasmon excitation can be transduced efficiently into an electrical signal through absorption of light that is evanescently coupled or scattered in a semiconductor volume. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&DInventors: Iwijn De Vlaminck, Pol Van Dorpe, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20120064567Abstract: An active sieve device for the isolation and characterization of bio-analytes is provided, comprising a substrate for supporting the bio-analytes. The substrate comprises a plurality of interconnections and a plurality of regions, each region comprising a hole and at least one electrode embedded in or located on the substrate and electrically associated with the hole. Each region further comprises at least one transistor integrated in the substrate and operably connected to the at least one electrode and to at least one of the plurality of interconnections.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: IMECInventors: Tim Stakenborg, Chengxun Liu, Liesbet Lagae, Ronald Kox
-
Publication number: 20120057163Abstract: A method for forming a nanostructure penetrating a layer and the device made thereof is disclosed. In one aspect, the device has a substrate, a layer present thereon, and a nanostructure penetrating the layer. The nanostructure defines a nanoscale passageway through which a molecule to be analyzed can pass through. The nanostructure has, in cross-sectional view, a substantially triangular shape. This shape is particularly achieved by growth of an epitaxial layer having crystal facets defining tilted sidewalls of the nanostructure. It is highly suitably for use for optical characterization of molecular structure, particularly with surface plasmon enhanced transmission spectroscopy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicants: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, IMECInventors: Kai Cheng, Pol Van Dorpe, Liesbet Lagae, Gustaaf Borghs, Chang Chen
-
Publication number: 20120052258Abstract: A method according to embodiments of the present invention comprises providing a magnetic stack comprising a magnetic layer sub-stack comprising magnetic layers and a bottom conductive electrode and a top conductive electrode electrically connecting the magnetic layer sub-stack at opposite sides thereof; providing a sacrificial pillar on top of the magnetic stack, the sacrificial pillar having an undercut with respect to an overlying second sacrificial material and a sloped foot with increasing cross-sectional dimension towards the magnetic stack, using the sacrificial pillar for patterning the magnetic stack, depositing an insulating layer around the sacrificial pillar, selectively removing the sacrificial pillar, thus creating a contact hole towards the patterned magnetic stack, and filling the contact hole with electrically conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: IMECInventors: Maria Op De Beeck, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20120002207Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method or apparatus is described for determining concentration(s) of one or more analytes in a sample using plasmonic excitations. In another aspect, a method relates to designing systems for such concentration determination, wherein metallic nanostructures are used in combination with local electrical detection of such plasmon resonances via a semiconducting photodetector. In certain aspects, the method exploits the coupling of said metallic nanostructure(s) to a semiconducting photodetector, said detector being placed in the “metallic structure's” near field. Surface plasmon excitation can be transduced efficiently into an electrical signal through absorption of light that is evanescently coupled or scattered in a semiconductor volume. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicants: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&D, IMECInventors: Iwijn De Vlaminck, Pol Van Dorpe, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20110312056Abstract: The present invention relates to a population of monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles with a diameter between 1 and 100 nm which are coated with a layer with hydrophilic end groups. Herein the layer with hydrophilic end groups comprises an inner layer of monosaturated and/or monounsaturated fatty acids bound to said nanoparticles and bound to said fatty acids, an outer layer of a phospholipid conjugated to a monomethoxy polyethyleneglycol (PEG) comprising a hydrophilic end group, or comprises a covalently bound hydrophilic layer bound to said nanoparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicants: KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN, K.U. LEUVEN R&D, IMECInventors: Deepak Balaji Thimiri Govinda Raj, Liesbet Lagae, Wim Annaert, Gustaaf Borghs
-
Publication number: 20110249259Abstract: Methods and apparatus in the field of single molecule sensing are described, e.g. for molecular analysis of analytes such as molecular analytes, e.g. nucleic acids, proteins, polypeptides, peptides, lipids and polysaccharides. Molecular spectroscopy on a molecule translocating through a solid-state nanopore is described. Optical spectroscopic signals are enhanced by plasmonic field-confinement and antenna effects and probed in transmission by plasmon-enabled transmission of light through an optical channel that overlaps with the physical channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicants: KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN, K.U. LEUVEN R&D, IMECInventors: Pol Van Dorpe, Iwijn De Vlaminck, Liesbet Lagae, Gustaaf Borghs
-
Patent number: 8027040Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method or apparatus is described for determining concentration(s) of one or more analytes in a sample using plasmonic excitations. In another aspect, a method relates to designing systems for such concentration determination, wherein metallic nanostructures are used in combination with local electrical detection of such plasmon resonances via a semiconducting photodetector. In certain aspects, the method exploits the coupling of said metallic nanostructure(s) to a semiconducting photodetector, said detector being placed in the “metallic structure's” near field. Surface plasmon excitation can be transduced efficiently into an electrical signal through absorption of light that is evanescently coupled or scattered in a semiconductor volume. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&DInventors: Iwijn De Vlaminck, Pol Van Dorpe, Liesbet Lagae
-
Patent number: 7859349Abstract: The present invention is related to a device and corresponding methods for generating an oscillating signal. The device comprises a means for providing a current of spin polarised charge carriers, a magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer adapted for receiving the generated current of spin polarised charge carriers thus generating an oscillating signal with a frequency Vosc and an integrated means for interacting with said magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer such that a selection of said oscillation frequency is achieved. No external field needs to be applied to select or tune the frequency. Different types of integrated means can be used, such as e.g. means inducing mechanical stress in the magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer, means inducing exchange bias interactions and means inducing magnetostatic interactions.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: IMECInventors: Wouter Eyckmans, Liesbet Lagae
-
Patent number: 7791250Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and corresponding method for ultrafast controlling of the magnetization of a magnetic element. A device (100) includes a surface acoustic wave generating means (102), a transport layer (104), which is typically functionally and partially structurally comprised in said SAW generating means (102), and at least one ferromagnetic element (106). A surface acoustic wave is generated and propagates in a transport layer (104) which typically consists of a piezo-electric material. Thus, strain is induced in the transport layer (104) and in the ferromagnetic element (106) in contact with this transport layer (104). Due to magneto elastic coupling this generates an effective magnetic field in the ferromagnetic element (106). If the surface acoustic wave has a frequency substantially close to the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency ?FMR the ferromagnetic element (106) is absorbed well and the magnetization state of the element can be controlled with this FMR frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: IMECInventors: Wouter Eyckmans, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20100164487Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and corresponding method for ultrafast controlling of the magnetization of a magnetic element. A device (100) includes a surface acoustic wave generating means (102), a transport layer (104), which is typically functionally and partially structurally comprised in said SAW generating means (102), and at least one ferromagnetic element (106). A surface acoustic wave is generated and propagates in a transport layer (104) which typically consists of a piezo-electric material. Thus, strain is induced in the transport layer (104) and in the ferromagnetic element (106) in contact with this transport layer (104). Due to magneto elastic coupling this generates an effective magnetic field in the ferromagnetic element (106). If the surface acoustic wave has a frequency substantially close to the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency ?FMR the ferromagnetic element (106) is absorbed well and the magnetization state of the element can be controlled with this FMR frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICROELEKTRONICA CENTRUM (IMEC)Inventors: Wouter Eyckmans, Liesbet Lagae
-
Patent number: 7719280Abstract: A detection system having a receiver for detecting a material having a magnetic resonance response to illumination by pulses of ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The receiver comprises a detector for detecting the pulses after they have interacted with the material, and a discriminator arranged to identify in the detected pulses the magnetic resonance response of the material. By scanning an item tagged with a tag having a material having a magnetic resonant response, by illuminating the item with UWB pulses and identifying in detected pulses the magnetic resonance response of the material, items can be located, imaged, or activated. The magnetic resonance response of the tag can cause activation of the tag. The tag can have a magnetic resonance response arranged to provide an identifiable magnetic resonance signature such that different tags can be identified and distinguished by their signatures.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: IMECInventors: Liesbet Lagae, Gustaaf Borghs
-
Patent number: 7682840Abstract: A method and magnetic device for improving the desirable properties of a magnetic device, e.g., magnetization uniformity and reproducibility. Moreover the invention provides magnetic cells that are more magnetically homogeneous, with smaller amount of end domain magnetization canting from the average cell magnetization direction. The invention may provide a magnetic memory cell with less variation in switching fields, more spatially coherent dynamical magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic switching, and higher signal due to the increased uniformity. It may provide a magnetic sensor with more spatially coherent magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic switching, and increased signal. It may provide a read head element with more spatially coherent magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic sensing, and increased signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: IMECInventors: Wayne Hiebert, Jo De Boeck, Liesbet Lagae, Roel Wirix-Speetjens
-
Patent number: 7638922Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and corresponding method for ultrafast controlling of the magnetization of a magnetic element. A device (100) includes a surface acoustic wave generating means (102), a transport layer (104), which is typically functionally and partially structurally comprised in said SAW generating means (102), and at least one ferromagnetic element (106). A surface acoustic wave is generated and propagates in a transport layer (104) which typically consists of a piezo-electric material. Thus, strain is induced in the transport layer (104) and in the ferromagnetic element (106) in contact with this transport layer (104). Due to magneto elastic coupling this generates an effective magnetic field in the ferromagnetic element (106). If the surface acoustic wave has a frequency substantially close to the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency ?FMR the ferromagnetic element (106) is absorbed well and the magnetization state of the element can be controlled with this FMR frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMInventors: Wouter Eyckmans, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20090027681Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method or apparatus is described for determining concentration(s) of one or more analytes in a sample using plasmonic excitations. In another aspect, a method relates to designing systems for such concentration determination, wherein metallic nanostructures are used in combination with local electrical detection of such plasmon resonances via a semiconducting photodetector. In certain aspects, the method exploits the coupling of said metallic nanostructure(s) to a semiconducting photodetector, said detector being placed in the “metallic structure's” near field. Surface plasmon excitation can be transduced efficiently into an electrical signal through absorption of light that is evanescently coupled or scattered in a semiconductor volume. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicants: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&DInventors: Iwijn De Vlaminck, Pol Van Dorpe, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20080252293Abstract: A detection system having a receiver for detecting a material having a magnetic resonance response to illumination by pulses of ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The receiver comprises a detector for detecting the pulses after they have interacted with the material, and a discriminator arranged to identify in the detected pulses the magnetic resonance response of the material. By scanning an item tagged with a tag having a material having a magnetic resonant response, by illuminating the item with UWB pulses and identifying in detected pulses the magnetic resonance response of the material, items can be located, imaged, or activated. The magnetic resonance response of the tag can cause activation of the tag. The tag can have a magnetic resonance response arranged to provide an identifiable magnetic resonance signature such that different tags can be identified and distinguished by their signatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum vzw (IMEC)Inventors: Liesbet Lagae, Gustaaf Borghs
-
Publication number: 20070285184Abstract: The present invention is related to a a device and corresponding methods for generating an oscillating signal. The device comprises a means for providing a current of spin polarised charge carriers, a magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer adapted for receiving the generated current of spin polarised charge carriers thus generating an oscillating signal with a frequency and an integrated means for interacting with said magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer such that a selection of said oscillation frequency is achieved. No external field needs to be applied to select or tune the frequency. Different types of integrated means can be used, such as e.g. means inducing mechanical stress in the magnetic, e.g. ferromagnetic, excitable layer, means inducing exchange bias interactions and means inducing magnetostatic interactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2004Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC)Inventors: Wouter Eyckmans, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20070183190Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and corresponding method for ultrafast controlling of the magnetization of a magnetic element. A device (100) includes a surface acoustic wave generating means (102), a transport layer (104), which is typically functionally and partially structurally comprised in said SAW generating means (102), and at least one ferromagnetic element (106). A surface acoustic wave is generated and propagates in a transport layer (104) which typically consists of a piezo-electric material. Thus, strain is induced in the transport layer (104) and in the ferromagnetic element (106) in contact with this transport layer (104). Due to magneto elastic coupling this generates an effective magnetic field in the ferromagnetic element (106). If the surface acoustic wave has a frequency substantially close to the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency ?FMR the ferromagnetic element (106) is absorbed well and the magnetisation state of the element can be controlled with this FMR frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2004Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Wouter Eyckmans, Liesbet Lagae
-
Publication number: 20060198185Abstract: A method and magnetic device for improving the desirable properties of a magnetic device, e.g., magnetization uniformity and reproducibility. Moreover the invention provides magnetic cells that are more magnetically homogeneous, with smaller amount of end domain magnetization canting from the average cell magnetization direction. The invention may provide a magnetic memory cell with less variation in switching fields, more spatially coherent dynamical magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic switching, and higher signal due to the increased uniformity. It may provide a magnetic sensor with more spatially coherent magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic switching, and increased signal. It may provide a read head element with more spatially coherent magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic sensing, and increased signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2006Publication date: September 7, 2006Inventors: Wayne Hiebert, Jo Boeck, Liesbet Lagae, Roel Wirix-Speetjens
-
Patent number: 7068537Abstract: A method and magnetic device for improving the desirable properties of a magnetic device, e.g., magnetization uniformity and reproducibility. Moreover the invention provides magnetic cells that are more magnetically homogeneous, with smaller amount of end domain magnetization canting from the average cell magnetization direction. The invention may provide a magnetic memory cell with less variation in switching fields, more spatially coherent dynamical magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic switching, and higher signal due to the increased uniformity. It may provide a magnetic sensor with more spatially coherent magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic switching, and increased signal. It may provide a read head element with more spatially coherent magnetic properties for high speed and processional or coherent magnetic sensing, and increased signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC)Inventors: Wayne Hiebert, Jo De Boeck, Liesbet Lagae, Roel Wirix-Speetjens