Patents by Inventor Robert D. Watson

Robert D. Watson 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: 6500760
    Abstract: A method of making an electrical interconnection from a microelectronic device to a package, comprising ball or wedge compression bonding a gold-based conductor directly to a silicon surface, such as a polysilicon bonding pad in a MEMS or IMEMS device, without using layers of aluminum or titanium disposed in-between the conductor and the silicon surface. After compression bonding, optional heating of the bond above 363 C. allows formation of a liquid gold-silicon eutectic phase containing approximately 3% (by weight) silicon, which significantly improves the bond strength by reforming and enhancing the initial compression bond. The same process can be used for improving the bond strength of Au—Ge bonds by forming a liquid Au-12Ge eutectic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Peterson, Stephen E. Garrett, Cathleen A. Reber, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6495895
    Abstract: A bi-level, multilayered package with an integral window for housing a microelectronic device. The device can be a semiconductor chip, a CCD chip, a CMOS chip, a VCSEL chip, a laser diode, a MEMS device, or a IMEMS device. The multilayered package can be formed of a low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) or high-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) multilayer processes with the window being simultaneously joined (e.g. cofired) to the package body during LTCC or HTCC processing. The microelectronic device can be flip-chip bonded and oriented so that the light-sensitive side is optically accessible through the window. A second chip can be bonded to the backside of the first chip, with the second chip being wirebonded to the second level of the bi-level package. The result is a compact, low-profile package, having an integral window that can be hermetically-sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Peterson, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6489670
    Abstract: A sealed symmetric multilayered package with integral windows for housing one or more microelectronic devices. The devices can be a semiconductor chip, a CCD chip, a CMOS chip, a VCSEL chip, a laser diode, a MEMS device, or a IMEMS device. The multilayered package can be formed of a low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) or high-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) multilayer processes with the windows being simultaneously joined (e.g. cofired) to the package body during LTCC or HTCC processing. The microelectronic devices can be flip-chip bonded and oriented so that the light-sensitive sides are optically accessible through the windows. The result is a compact, low-profile, sealed symmetric package, having integral windows that can be hermetically-sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Peterson, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6480141
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for using microwave radiation to detect contraband hidden inside of a non-metallic container, such as a pneumatic vehicle tire. The method relies on the attenuation, retardation, time delay, or phase shift of microwave radiation as it passes through the container plus the contraband. The method is non-invasive, non-destructive, low power, and does not require physical contact with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Toth, Guillermo M. Loubriel, Larry D. Bacon, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6443179
    Abstract: A new architecture for packaging surface micromachined electro-microfluidic devices is presented. This architecture relies on two scales of packaging to bring fluid to the device scale (picoliters) from the macro-scale (microliters). The architecture emulates and utilizes electronics packaging technology. The larger package consists of a circuit board with embedded fluidic channels and standard fluidic connectors (e.g. Fluidic Printed Wiring Board). The embedded channels connect to the smaller package, an Electro-Microfluidic Dual-Inline-Package (EMDIP) that takes fluid to the microfluidic integrated circuit (MIC). The fluidic connection is made to the back of the MIC through Bosch-etched holes that take fluid to surface micromachined channels on the front of the MIC. Electrical connection is made to bond pads on the front of the MIC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert L. Benavides, Paul C. Galambos, John A. Emerson, Kenneth A. Peterson, Rachel K. Giunta, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6384473
    Abstract: An apparatus for packaging of microelectronic devices, including an integral window. The microelectronic device can be a semiconductor chip, a CCD chip, a CMOS chip, a VCSEL chip, a laser diode, a MEMS device, or a IMEMS device. The package can include a cofired ceramic frame or body. The package can have an internal stepped structure made of one or more plates, with apertures, which are patterned with metallized conductive circuit traces. The microelectronic device can be flip-chip bonded on the plate to these traces, and oriented so that the light-sensitive side is optically accessible through the window. A cover lid can be attached to the opposite side of the package. The result is a compact, low-profile package, having an integral window that can be hermetically-sealed. The package body can be formed by low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) or high-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) multilayer processes with the window being simultaneously joined (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Peterson, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6297579
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for actively controlling the shape of a sheet of electroactive material; the system comprising: one or more electrodes attached to the frontside of the electroactive sheet; a charged particle generator, disposed so as to direct a beam of charged particles (e.g. electrons) onto the electrode; a conductive substrate attached to the backside of the sheet; and a power supply electrically connected to the conductive substrate; whereby the sheet changes its shape in response to an electric field created across the sheet by an accumulation of electric charge within the electrode(s), relative to a potential applied to the conductive substrate. Use of multiple electrodes distributed across on the frontside ensures a uniform distribution of the charge with a single point of e-beam incidence, thereby greatly simplifying the beam scanning algorithm and raster control electronics, and reducing the problems associated with “blooming”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Martin, John Alan Main, James M. Redmond, Tammy D. Henson, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 4708475
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided to sense and measure solarinduced luminescence, as well as reflectance, within the field of view of a target window for receiving a composite ray of light from the target. A first filter within the path of the composite ray of light transmits a first narrowband component thereof, including a predetermined Fraunhofer Line frequency, to a first sensor. A second narrowband component thereof, proximate the Fraunhofer Line frequency, is directed to a second sensor such that ratios of the electromagnetic energy impinging, respectively, on the first and second sensors may be determined. A removable filter tray assembly carrying the narrowband filters and fine tuning means are employed to facilitate the selection of the predetermined Fraunhofer Line frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Watson