Patents by Inventor Theodore A. Prescop

Theodore A. Prescop 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: 9466463
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to inspect and perform lithography on a substrate using a combination of vectoring to move a beam to features to be imaged, and raster scanning to obtain an image of the feature(s). The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use an extra step, a fast raster scan to image the substrate at a lower resolution, to determine which features receive priority for inspection; this extra step can reduce total inspection time, enhance inspection results, and improve beam alignment and manufacturing yield. Using multiple beam-producing columns, with multiple control computers local to the columns, provides various synergies. Preferably, miniature, non-magnetic, electrostatically-driven columns are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Multibeam Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Lam, Kevin M. Monahan, Enden David Liu, Cong Tran, Theodore A. Prescop
  • Patent number: 9453281
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for patterning of substrates using charged particle beams without photomasks and without a resist layer. Material can be deposited onto a substrate, as directed by a design layout database, localized to positions targeted by multiple, matched charged particle beam columns. Reducing the number of process steps, and eliminating lithography steps, in localized material addition has the dual benefit of reducing manufacturing cycle time and increasing yield by lowering the probability of defect introduction. Furthermore, highly localized, precision material deposition allows for controlled variation of deposition rate and enables creation of 3D structures. Local gas injectors and detectors, and local photon injectors and detectors, are local to corresponding ones of the columns, and can be used to facilitate rapid, accurate, targeted, highly configurable substrate processing, advantageously using large arrays of said beam columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Multibeam Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore A. Prescop, Kevin M. Monahan, David K. Lam, Michael C. Smayling
  • Patent number: 9207539
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Multibeam Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Lam, Kevin M. Monahan, Theodore A. Prescop, Cong Tran
  • Patent number: 9184027
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Multibeam Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Lam, Kevin M. Monahan, Theodore A. Prescop, Cong Tran
  • Patent number: 8999627
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Multibeam Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Lam, Kevin M. Monahan, Theodore A. Prescop, Cong Tran
  • Patent number: 8999628
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Multibeam Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Lam, Kevin M. Monahan, Theodore A. Prescop, Cong Tran
  • Publication number: 20080077802
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that test authentication information on a fuel cartridge. A controller on a device that interfaces with the cartridge tests and validates the authentication information before permitting fuel provision from the cartridge. The authentication information can be used to prevent unauthorized cartridges from providing fuel. This permits the device to ensure that the cartridge, its manufacturer, and/or its contents are acceptable. Authentication information stored in a cartridge memory may also be encrypted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: ULTRACELL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Richardson, Ian Kaye, Chiko Fan, Theodore Prescop
  • Patent number: D574767
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ultracell Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Hall, Hiep T. Nguyen, Theodore Prescop