Patents by Inventor McDonald Robinson

McDonald Robinson 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: 7232487
    Abstract: A method of making a highly sensitive epitaxial germanium low temperature sensor that is superior in the method of production and performance than those currently available. The geometry and sensitivity of the sensor can be tuned to desired temperature ranges, and specifically can operate at cryogenic temperatures. The sensor can be manufactured uniformly and reproducibly in large quantities at relatively low cost in which large area arrays are possible. The applications of the sensors range from conventional low temperature thermometry and control in laboratory and industrial settings, to applications associated with infrared, x-ray, particle and plasma physics and spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
    Inventors: Eric H. Silver, Norman W. Madden, McDonald Robinson, Lamonte H. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20040217845
    Abstract: A method of making a highly sensitive epitaxial germanium low temperature sensor that is superior in the method of production and performance than those currently available. The geometry and sensitivity of the sensor can be tuned to desired temperature ranges, and specifically can operate at cryogenic temperatures. The sensor can be manufactured uniformly and reproducibly in large quantities at relatively low cost in which large area arrays are possible. The applications of the sensors range from conventional low temperature thermometry and control in laboratory and industrial settings, to applications associated with infrared, x-ray, particle and plasma physics and spectroscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Eric H. Silver, Norman W. Madden, McDonald Robinson, Lamonte H. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6770504
    Abstract: A method for controlling bow in wafers which utilize doped layers is described. The method includes depositing a silicon-germanium layer onto a substrate, depositing an undoped buffer layer onto the silicon-germanium layer, and depositing a silicon-baron layer onto the undoped layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Horning, McDonald Robinson, Timothy Louis Scullard
  • Publication number: 20040132227
    Abstract: A method for controlling bow in wafers which utilize doped layers is described. The method includes depositing a silicon-germanium layer onto a substrate, depositing an undoped buffer layer onto the silicon-germanium layer, and depositing a silicon-boron layer onto the undoped layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Robert D. Horning, McDonald Robinson, Timothy Louis Scullard
  • Publication number: 20020081861
    Abstract: Silicon-germanium-based compositions comprising silicon, germanium, and carbon (i.e., Si—Ge—C), methods for growing Si—Ge—C epitaxial layer(s) on a substrate, etchants especially suitable for Si—Ge—C etch-stops, and novel methods of use for Si—Ge—C compositions are provided. In particular, the invention relates to Si—Ge—C compositions, especially for use as etch-stops and related processes and etchants useful for microelectronic and nanotechnology fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: McDonald Robinson, Richard C. Westhoff, Charles E. Hunt, Li Ling, Ziv Atzmon
  • Patent number: 6064081
    Abstract: Silicon-germanium-based compositions comprising silicon, germanium, and carbon (i.e., Si--Ge--C), methods for growing Si--Ge--C epitaxial layer(s) on a substrate, etchants especially suitable for Si--Ge--C etch-stops, and novel methods of use for Si--Ge--C compositions are provided. In particular, the invention relates to Si--Ge--C compositions, especially for use as etch-stops and related processes and etchants useful for microelectronic and nanotechnology fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignees: Lawrence Semiconductor Research Laboratory, Inc., The Regents of the University of California, The Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventors: McDonald Robinson, Richard C. Westhoff, Charles E. Hunt, Li Ling, Ziv Atzmon
  • Patent number: 5961877
    Abstract: Silicon-germanium-based compositions comprising silicon, germanium, and carbon (i.e., Si--Ge--C), methods for growing Si--Ge--C epitaxial layer(s) on a substrate, etchants especially suitable for Si--Ge--C etch-stops, and novel methods of use for Si--Ge--C compositions are provided. In particular, the invention relates to Si--Ge--C compositions, especially for use as etch-stops and related processes and etchants useful for microelectronic and nanotechnology fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: McDonald Robinson, Richard C. Westhoff, Charles E. Hunt, Li Ling
  • Patent number: 5906708
    Abstract: Silicon-germanium-based compositions comprising silicon, germanium, and carbon (i.e., Si--Ge--C), methods for growing Si--Ge--C epitaxial layer(s) on a substrate, etchants especially suitable for Si--Ge--C etch-stops, and novel methods of use for Si--Ge--C compositions are provided. In particular, the invention relates to Si--Ge--C compositions, especially for use as etch-stops and related processes and etchants useful for microelectronic and nanotechnology fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Lawrence Semiconductor Research Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: McDonald Robinson, Richard C. Westhoff, Charles E. Hunt, Li Ling
  • Patent number: 5819684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved injectors for use in CVD reactor systems, and more specifically for use in epitaxial deposition systems for processing a single wafer-at-a-time. The improved injectors of the present invention are used to provide a predetermined desired shaped velocity profile for the injected reactant gases for insuring a more uniform deposition on a single wafer to be processed within the reactor system. In the first embodiment, the reactant gas is fed into a horizontal gas distribution manifold cavity and distributed horizontally in both directions. The gas then passes through a manifold wall having a pattern of predetermined sized and spaced apertures therein. The size of the apertures and the distribution of these sizes, shapes the resultant velocity profile to a desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Mark R. Hawkins, McDonald Robinson
  • Patent number: 5525157
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved injectors for use in CVD reactor systems, and more specifically for use in epitaxial deposition systems for processing a single wafer-at-a-time. The improved injectors of the present invention are used to provide a predetermined desired shaped velocity profile for the injected reactant gases for insuring a more uniform deposition on a single wafer to be processed within the reactor system. In the first embodiment, the reactant gas is fed into a horizontal gas distribution manifold cavity and distributed horizontally in both directions. The gas then passes through a manifold wall having a pattern of predetermined sized and spaced apertures therein. The size of the apertures and the distribution of these sizes, shapes the resultant velocity profile to a desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Materials America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Hawkins, McDonald Robinson
  • Patent number: 5458918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved injectors for use in CVD reactor systems, and more specifically for use in epitaxial deposition systems for processing a single wafer-at-a-time. The improved injectors of the present invention are used to provide a predetermined desired shaped velocity profile for the injected reactant gases for insuring a more uniform deposition on a single wafer to be processed within the reactor system. In the first embodiment, the reactant gas is fed into a horizontal gas distribution manifold cavity and distributed horizontally in both directions. The gas then passes through a manifold wall having a pattern of predetermined sized and spaced apertures therein. The size of the apertures and the distribution of these sizes, shapes the resultant velocity profile to a desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Materials America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Hawkins, McDonald Robinson
  • Patent number: 5435682
    Abstract: This invention discloses a system for chemically depositing various materials carried by a reactant gas onto substrates for manufacturing semiconductor devices. The system includes special loading and unloading sub-systems for placement of substrates to be processed into the system and subsequent extraction without contamination of the system. A special substrate handling sub-system is provided for moving the substrates to and from at least one processing sub-system without physically contacting the planar surfaces of the substrates. The processing sub-system includes a horizontal gas flow reaction chamber having a rotatable susceptor therein for rotating the single substrate supportable thereon about an axis that is normal to the center of the substrate for averaging of the temperature and reactant gas concentration variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Materials America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Crabb, McDonald Robinson, Mark R. Hawkins, Dennis L. Goodwin, Armand P. Ferro, Wiebe B. deBoer, Albert E. Ozias
  • Patent number: 5411590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved injectors for use in CVD reactor systems, and more specifically for use in epitaxial deposition systems for processing a single wafer-at-a-time. The improved injectors of the present invention are used to provide a predetermined desired shaped velocity profile for the injected reactant gases for insuring a more uniform deposition on a single wafer to be processed within the reactor system. In the first embodiment, the reactant gas is fed into a horizontal gas distribution manifold cavity and distributed horizontally in both directions. The gas then passes through a manifold wall having a pattern of predetermined sized and spaced apertures therein. The size of the apertures and the distribution of these sizes, shapes the resultant velocity profile to a desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Materials America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Hawkins, McDonald Robinson
  • Patent number: 5358926
    Abstract: Novel articles are provided of thin super-conductive thallium-based copper oxide layers on inorganic, usually crystalline substrates. Novel methods are provided for ease of producing such articles, particularly involving sol-gel techniques and laser ablation. The articles have a highly oriented superconductive thallium-based copper oxide film, particularly epitaxial, with high superconductive transition temperatures and desirable electrical properties. The subject articles find use in a wide variety of electronic applications, particularly in microwave and millimeter wave devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Superconductor Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Olson, Michael M. Eddy, Robert B. Hammond, Timothy W. James, McDonald Robinson
  • Patent number: 5324155
    Abstract: An improved wafer handling system including a pair of robot arms each having a drive apparatus operatively coupled to its rear end portion for extending, retracting, and rotatably positioning the robot arms. The opposite end of the robot arms are operatively connected to a pick-up wand. The pick-up wand includes a top plate and a bottom plate. The lower surface of the top plate has a plurality of commonly-connected grooves ground therein and a reservoir for supplying gas to said grooves from the forward end portion of the robot arms. A plurality of gas outlets are provided in the bottom plate, and the bottom surface of the top plate is positioned securely over and flush against the top surface of the bottom plate such that at least one of the grooves are over each of the plurality of gas outlets for delivering gas thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Materials America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Goodwin, Richard Crabb, McDonald Robinson, Armand P. Ferro
  • Patent number: 5221556
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved injectors for use in CVD reactor systems, and more specifically for use in epitaxial deposition systems for processing a single water-at-a-time. The improved injectors of the present invention are used to provide a predetermined desired shaped velocity profile for the injected reactant gases for insuring a more uniform deposition on a single wafer to be processed within the reactor system. In the first embodiment, the reactant gas is fed into a horizontal gas distribution manifold cavity and distributed horizontally in both directions. The gas then passes through a manifold wall having a pattern of predetermined sized and spaced apertures therein. The size of the apertures and the distribution of these sizes, shapes the resultant velocity profile to a desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Epsilon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Hawkins, McDonald Robinson
  • Patent number: 5156521
    Abstract: A method for loading a substrate into a receiving chamber upon a positionable platform, which platform is in sealed relationship with the receiving chamber, permits purging of the receiving chamber prior to transport of the loaded substrate(s) to a feed chamber. The platform is positioned from the receiving chamber into the feed chamber to off load the substrates. A cassette containing a plurality of stacked substrates may be loaded upon the platform to transport a plurality of substrates into the feed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Epsilon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Crabb, McDonald Robinson, Mark R. Hawkins, Dennis L. Goodwin, Armand P. Ferro
  • Patent number: 5092728
    Abstract: Each substrate is loaded into a receiving chamber upon a positionable platform, which platform is in sealed relationship with the receiving chamber to permit purging of the receiving chamber prior to transport of the loaded substrate(s) to a feed chamber. The platform is positioned from the receiving chamber into the feed chamber wherefrom the substrates are off loaded. A cassette containing a plurality of stacked substrates may be loaded upon the platform to transport a plurality of substrates into the feed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Epsilon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Crabb, McDonald Robinson, Mark R. Hawkins, Dennis L. Goodwin, Armand P. Ferro, Wiebe B. deBoer, Albert E. Ozias
  • Patent number: 5080549
    Abstract: Wafer handling apparatus operating under the Bernoulli principle to pick up, transport and deposit wafers, which apparatus includes a plate having a plurality of laterally oriented outlets and a central outlet for discharging gas in a pattern sufficient to develop a low pressure enviroment to pick up the wafer while bathing the wafer in radially outflowing gases to prevent intrusion and deposition on the wafer of particulate matter in suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Epsilon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Goodwin, Richard Crabb, McDonald Robinson, Armand P. Ferro
  • Patent number: 5071830
    Abstract: An epitaxial thallium-based copper oxide superconducting film is formed on a crystalline substrate by metalorganic deposition which comprises forming a film of carboxylate soap solution on said substrate, prepyrolyzing said film at a temperature of 350.degree. C. or less and pyrolyzing said film at a temperature of 800.degree.900.degree. C. in the presence of oxygen and an overpressure of thallium for a sufficient time to produce said epitaxial superconducting film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Superconductor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Olson, Michael M. Eddy, Robert B. Hammond, Timothy W. James, McDonald Robinson