Patents Assigned to Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7554083
    Abstract: A device includes an integrated circuit (IC) and at least one ultra-small resonant structure and a detection mechanism are formed on said IC. At least the ultra-small resonant structure portion of the device is vacuum packaged. The ultra-small resonant structure includes a plasmon detector having a transmission line. The detector mechanism includes a generator mechanism constructed and adapted to generate a beam of charged particles along a path adjacent to the transmission line; and a detector microcircuit disposed along said path, at a location after said beam has gone past said line, wherein the generator mechanism and the detector microcircuit are disposed adjacent transmission line and wherein a beam of charged particles from the generator mechanism to the detector microcircuit electrically couples a plasmon wave traveling along the metal transmission line to the microcircuit. The detector mechanism may be electrically connected to the underlying IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Jean Tokarz, Lev Gasparov
  • Publication number: 20090140178
    Abstract: When using micro-resonant structures, a resonant structure may be turned on or off (e.g., when a display element is turned on or off in response to a changing image or when a communications switch is turned on or off to send data different data bits). Rather than turning the charged particle beam on and off, the beam may be moved to a position that does not excite the resonant structure, thereby turning off the resonant structure without having to turn off the charged particle beam. In one such embodiment, at least one deflector is placed between a source of charged particles and the resonant structure(s) to be excited. When the resonant structure is to be turned on (i.e., excited), the at least one deflector allows the beam to pass by undeflected. When the resonant structure is to be turned off, the at least one deflector deflects the beam away from the resonant structure by an amount sufficient to prevent the resonant structure from becoming excited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan GORRELL, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Publication number: 20090072698
    Abstract: An electronic receiver array for detecting microwave signals. Ultra-small resonant devices resonate at a frequency higher than the microwave frequency (for example, the optical frequencies) when the microwave energy is incident to the receiver. A microwave antenna couples the microwave energy and excites the ultra-small resonant structures to produce Plasmon activity on the surfaces of the resonant structures. The Plasmon activity produces detectable electromagnetic radiation at the resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Maines, Narada Bradman, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7492868
    Abstract: A charged particle beam including charged particles (e.g., electrons) is generated from a charged particle source (e.g., a cathode or scanning electron beam). As the beam is projected, it passes between plural alternating electric fields. The attraction of the charged particles to their oppositely charged fields accelerates the charged particles, thereby increasing their velocities in the corresponding (positive or negative) direction. The charged particles therefore follow an oscillating trajectory. When the electric fields are selected to produce oscillating trajectories having the same (or nearly the same) as a multiple of the frequency of the emitted x-rays, the resulting photons can be made to constructively interfere with each other to produce a coherent x-ray source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7476907
    Abstract: A nano-resonating structure constructed and adapted to include additional ultra-small structures that can be formed with reflective surfaces. By positioning such ultra-small structures adjacent ultra-small resonant structures the light or other EMR being produced by the ultra-small resonant structures when excited can be reflected in multiple directions. This permits the light or EMR out put to be viewed and used in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Andres Trucco
  • Patent number: 7470920
    Abstract: A display of wavelength elements can be produced from resonant structures that emit light (and other electromagnetic radiation having a dominant frequency higher than that of microwave) when exposed to a beam of charged particles, such as electrons from an electron beam. An exemplary display with three wavelengths per pixel utilizes three resonant structures per pixel. The spacings and lengths of the fingers of the resonant structures control the light emitted from the wavelength elements. Alternatively, multiple resonant structures per wavelength can be used as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E Maines
  • Publication number: 20080296517
    Abstract: A waveguide conduit is constructed and adapted to capture the light emitted by the at least one nano-resonant structure. The nano-resonant structure emits light in response to excitation by a beam of charged particles, The source of charged particles may be an ion gun, a thermionic filament, a tungsten filament, a cathode, a field-emission cathode, a planar vacuum triode, an electron-impact ionizer, a laser ionizer, a chemical ionizer, a thermal ionizer, or an ion-impact ionizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Patent number: 7450794
    Abstract: A device includes a transparent conductor formed on a substrate. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) (such as may be received from an on-chip, ultra-small resonant structure or from an off-chip light source) is directed into the transparent conductive layer. One or more circuits are formed on the transparent conductive layer and are operatively connected thereto to receive at least a portion of the EMR traveling in the transparent conductor. The EMR may be light and may encode a data signal such as a clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7442940
    Abstract: A focal plane array electromagnetic radiation detector includes an array of micro-electromagnetic resonant detector cells. Each micro-electromagnetic resonant detector cell may include an ultra-small resonant structure for receiving an electromagnetic wave and adapted to angularly modulate a charged particle beam in response to receiving an electromagnetic wave. Each micro-electromagnetic detector cell may include a detector portion that measures the angular modulation of the charged particle beam. The ultra-small resonant structure is designed to angularly modulate the charged particle beam according to a characteristic of the received electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Patent number: 7443358
    Abstract: An antenna system includes a dielectric structure formed on a substrate; an antenna, partially within the dielectric structure, and supported by the dielectric structure; a reflective surface formed on the substrate. A shield blocks radiation from a portion of the antenna and from at least some of the dielectric structure. The shield is supported by the dielectric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Patent number: 7443577
    Abstract: A filter for use with an array of ultra-small resonant structures that are producing encoded EMR wherein the filter is designed to either reflect encoded EMR beams or to permit certain frequencies to pass there through so that the encoded EMR beam and its encoded data can be transmitted out of the device and to another receiver where the data can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 7436177
    Abstract: Test apparatus for examining the operation and functioning of ultra-small resonant structures, and specifically using an SEM as the testing device and its electron beam as an exciting source of charged particles to cause the ultra-small resonant structures to resonate and produce EMR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Jean Tokarz
  • Publication number: 20080149828
    Abstract: A detector system for performing at least one of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation at a low-terahertz frequency. The detection of electromagnetic radiation at low-terahertz frequencies can be useful in the detection of various chemicals. Preferably a detector includes a microresonant structure that is caused to resonate by electromagnetic radiation at a low-terahertz frequency. The resonance is detected by detecting an altered path of a charged particle beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Patent number: 7361916
    Abstract: A coupled nano-resonating structure includes a plurality of a nano-resonating substructures constructed and adapted to couple energy from a beam of charged particles into said nano-resonating structure and to transmit the coupled energy outside said nano-resonating structure. The nano-resonant substructures may have various shapes and may include parallel rows of structures. The rows may be symmetric or asymmetric, tilted, and/or staggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E. Maines
  • Patent number: 7359589
    Abstract: A device includes a waveguide layer formed on a substrate. An ultra-small resonant structure emits electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the waveguide layer. One or more circuits are formed on the waveguide layer and each operatively connected thereto to receive the EMR emitted by the ultra-small resonant structure. The waveguide layer may be transparent at wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths of the EMR emitted by the ultra-small resonant structure. The EMR may be visible light and may encode a data signal such as a clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael E Maines
  • Publication number: 20080083881
    Abstract: Nanoantennas are formed on a substrate (e.g., silicon) and generate light via interactions with a charged particle beam, where the frequency of the generated light is based in large part on the periodicity of the “fingers” that make up the nanoantennas. Each finger has typical dimensions of less than 100 nm on the shorter side and typically less than 500 nm on the longer, but the size of the optimal longer side is determined by the electron velocity. The charged particle may be an electron beam or any other source of charged particles. By utilizing fine-line lithography on the surface of the substrate, the nanoantennas can be formed without the need for complicated silicon devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Jean Tokarz, Michael Maines, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20080073590
    Abstract: A beam of charged particles (e.g., an electron beam) from a charged particle source can be selectively applied to a pair of electrodes. For example, the charged particles can be electrons that are directed toward a first electrode when the charge difference between the electrodes is in one state and directed toward the second electrode when the charge difference between the electrodes is in another state. The electrodes are configured so that the beam of charged particles oscillates between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20080067941
    Abstract: A device includes at least one ultra-small resonant structure; and shielding constructed and adapted to shield at least a portion of said ultra-small resonant structure with a high-permeability magnetic material. The magnetic material is formed from a substance selected from a non-conductive magnetic oxide such as a ferrite; a cobaltite, a chromite, and a manganite. The magnetic material may be mumetal, permalloy, Hipernom, HyMu-80, supermalloy, supermumetal, nilomag, sanbold, Mo-Permalloy, Ultraperm, or M-1040.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Gorrell
  • Publication number: 20080067940
    Abstract: A device for coupling an input signal to an output signal includes a metal transmission line; an ultra-small resonant receiver structure operatively connected to an end of the transmission line constructed and adapted receive the input signal and to cause at least part of the input signal to be passed along the transmission line in the form of plasmons; an ultra-small resonant transmitter structure operatively connected to another end of the transmission line and constructed and adapted to receive at least some of the plasmons corresponding to the input signal on the transmission line and to transmit the received signal as an output signal; a source of charged particles constructed and adapted to deliver a beam of charged particles along a path adjacent the ultra-small resonant receiver structure, wherein the input signal is encoded in the beam of charged particles; and a detector mechanism constructed and adapted to detect the output signal from the ultra-small resonant transmitter structure and to provide a
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20080069509
    Abstract: A device includes a transparent conductor formed on a substrate. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) (such as may be received from an on-chip, ultra-small resonant structure or from an off-chip light source) is directed into the transparent conductive layer. One or more circuits are formed on the transparent conductive layer and are operatively connected thereto to receive at least a portion of the EMR traveling in the transparent conductor. The EMR may be light and may encode a data signal such as a clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson