Patents by Inventor Romeo I. Mercado

Romeo I. Mercado 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: 5856884
    Abstract: Projection lens systems, which are used to transfer a pattern from a reticle onto a substrate, incorporate projection optical systems that are capable of maintaining the same, or increased performance, as the current projections lens systems, achieve excellent aberration correction, and which have high numerical apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 5831776
    Abstract: A projection optical system that projects an image of an object in an object surface onto an image surface with a fixed reduction magnification comprises, in light path order from the object surface: a first group of lenses with positive refractive power; a second group of lenses forming an approximately afocal system; and a third group of lenses with positive refractive power. The projection optical system has a focal length F, the projection optical system has a projection magnification B, the object surface and the image surface are separated by a distance L, and a lens surface in the first group of lenses that is closest to the object surface is separated from the object surface by a distance d.sub.0. A paraxial marginal ray from an axial object point on the object surface enters the second group of lenses G.sub.2 at an entrance height h.sub.1 from an optical axis, and the paraxial marginal ray from the axial object point on the object surface emerges from the second group of lenses G.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sasaya, Kazuo Ushida, Yutaka Suenaga, Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 5805344
    Abstract: In the projection optical system that projects an image of the first object onto the second object with a fixed reduction ratio and a projection aligner equipped therewith, said projection optical system comprises, viewed from said first object side, in order of succession, the first group of lenses with positive refractive power, and the second group of lenses virtually consists of afocal system, and the third group of lens with positive refractive power, and if the focal length of the overall system is represented by F, the projection magnification ratio of said projection optical system is represented by B, the distance between said first object and said second object is represented by L, and when a ray from the second object side of said projection optical system that is parallel to the optical axis of said projection optical system is incident on said projection optical system, a distance between a point where an extension on the first object side of said ray intercepts the optical axis and said first ob
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sasaya, Kazuo Ushida, Yutaka Suenaga, Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 5210646
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Romeo I. Mercado, Paul N. Robb
  • Patent number: 5204782
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Romeo I. Mercado, Paul N. Robb
  • Patent number: 5020889
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Romeo I. Mercado, Paul N. Robb
  • Patent number: 5000548
    Abstract: A finite conjugate imaging system useful as a microscope objective comprises four lens elements (10), (11), (12), and (13) disposed coaxially along an optic axis. Lens elements (10) and (12) are made of Hoya LAC7 glass, and lens elements (11) and (13) are made of calcium fluoride crystal. The radii of curvature of the lens elements and the separations between adjacent lens elements are prescribed so as to obtain color correction of the system at five discrete wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4934801
    Abstract: A catadioptric optical imaging system comprises a dioptric assembly (20) and a catoptric assembly (21), which are positioned with respect to each other to form an imaging system of long focal length. The dioptric assembly (20) comprises two confocal paraboloidal mirrors (22, 23) arranged to form a telescope of the Mersenne type. The catoptric assembly (21) comprises lens elements arranged in two groups, viz., a field group (25) and a relay group (26), which are coaxially disposed with respect to the dioptric assembly (20). Only two different optical materials, viz., calcium fluoride crystal and Hoya LAC7 glass, are used in making the lens elements of the dioptric assembly (20). The dioptric assembly (20) is color-corrected at five wavelengths and has only negligible secondary and higher-order spectra in a wavelength band extending from the ultraviolet region to the near infrared region of the optical spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4929071
    Abstract: A modified Petzval-type optical objective is provided, whose design form has a long focal length (i.e., 1000 mm) at a large relative aperture (i.e., f/2) over a field of view of 4.2.degree. without vignetting, which is well-corrected for both monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, and which is color-corrected at four wavelengths over a spectral band extending from the visible to the near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The optical objective is made from only two different optical glasses. The design form can be scaled up or down from the 1000 mm focal length by using an appropriate scaling factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4842384
    Abstract: A catadioptric optical imaging system comprises a dioptric assembly (20) and a catoptric asembly (21), which are positioned with respect to each other to form an imaging system of long focal length. The dioptric assembly (20) comprises two confocal paraboloidal mirrors (22, 23) arranged to form a telescope of the Mersenne type. The catoptric assembly (21) comprises lens elements arranged in two groups, viz., a field group (25) and a relay group (26), which are coaxially disposed with respect to the dioptric assembly (20). Only two different optical materials, viz., calcium fluoride crystal and Hoya LAC7 glass, are used in making the lens elements of the dioptric assembly (20). The dioptric assembly (20) is color-corrected at five wavelengths and has only negligible secondary and higher-order spectra in a wavelength band extending from the ultraviolet region to the near infrared region of the optical spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4834515
    Abstract: A catadioptric optical imaging system comprises a dioptric assembly (20) and a catoptric assembly (21), which are positioned with respect to each other to form an imaging system of long focal length. The dioptric assembly (20) comprises two confocal paraboloidal mirrors (22, 23) arranged to form a telescope of the Mersenne type. The catoptric assembly (21) comprises lens elements arranged in two groups, viz., a field group (25) and a relay group (26), which are coaxially disposed with respect to the dioptric assembly (20). Only two different optical materials, viz., calcium fluoride crystal and Hoya LAC7 glass, are used in making the lens elements of the dioptric assembly (20). The dioptric assembly (20) is color-corrected at five wavelengths and has only negligible secondary and higher-order spectra in a wavelength band extending from the ultraviolet region to the near infrared region of the optical spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4790637
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Romeo I. Mercado, Paul N. Robb
  • Patent number: 4768869
    Abstract: A catadioptric optical imaging system comprises a dioptric assembly (20) and a catoptric assembly (21), which are positioned with respect to each other to form an imaging system of long focal length. The dioptric assembly (20) comprises two confocal paraboloidal mirrors (22, 23) arranged to form a telescope of the Mersenne type. The catoptric assembly (21) comprises lens elements arranged in two groups, viz., a field group (25) and a relay group (26), which are coaxially disposed with respect to the dioptric assembly (20). Only two different optical materials, viz., calcium fluoride crystal and Hoya LAC7 glass, are used in making the lens elements of the dioptric assembly (20). The dioptric assembly (20) is color-corrected at five wavelengths and has only negligible secondary and higher-order spectra in a wavelength band extending from the ultraviolet region to the near infrared region of the optical spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4765727
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4762404
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4761064
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4743094
    Abstract: A catadioptric optical imaging system comprises a dioptric assembly (20) and a catoptric assembly (21), which are positioned with respect to each other to form an imaging system of long focal length. The dioptric assembly (20) comprises two confocal paraboloidal mirrors (22, 23) arranged to form a telescope of the Mersenne type. The catoptric assembly (21) comprises lens elements arranged in two groups, viz., a field group (25) and a relay group (26), which are coaxially disposed with respect to the dioptric assembly (20). Only two different optical materials, viz., calcium fluoride crystal and Hoya LAC7 glass, are used in making the lens elements of the dioptric assembly (20). The dioptric assembly (20) is color-corrected at five wavelengths and has only negligible secondary and higher-order spectra in a wavelength band extending from the ultraviolet region to the near infrared region of the optical spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4712886
    Abstract: A lens doublet comprising a positive lens element made of calcium fluoride crystal and a negative lens element made of Schott infrared transmitting glass IRGN6 enables an object to be imaged at four wavelengths in the visible region, or at four wavelengths in the near-infrared region, or at five wavelengths in a band extending from the visible to the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The doublet has practically negligible secondary and higher-order spectra throughout these spectral regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4704008
    Abstract: A method is described for selecting optical materials to use in designing color-corrected optical systems. Various dioptric, catadioptric and anamorphic optical systems are described, which use only two different types of optical materials to obtain precise axial color correction at three, four or five wavelengths (depending upon the particular optical materials), with only very small chromatic aberration occurring at wavelengths between the precisely color-corrected wavelengths. Examples of color-corrected lens systems comprising more than two glasses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado
  • Patent number: 4704011
    Abstract: Three different embodiments are shown of a photographic objective comprising only six lens elements, which is made of three different optical glasses, and which is well-corrected for both monochromatic and chromatic aberrations and has only negligible secondary and higher-order spectra in a wavelength band extending from the visible to the near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The photographic objective is also color-corrected at four widely separated wavelengths in that band. The first embodiment is optimized for a 200 mm focal length at a relative aperture of f/4 over a 12.degree. field of view. The second embodiment is optimized for a 200 mm focal length at a relative aperture of f/5 over a 20.degree. field of view. The third embodiment is optimized for a 200 mm focal length at a relative aperture of f/4 over a 12.degree. field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romeo I. Mercado