Patents Examined by Bernard Souw
  • Patent number: 9721751
    Abstract: A method for preparing plan-view transmission electron microscopy specimens is disclosed. The method employs isotropic vapor-phase etching in conjunction with one or more integrated etch-stop layers that give rise to a support membrane having a well-controlled, substantially uniform thickness. In some embodiments, the support membrane comprises an etch-stop layer that is formed using a high-precision formation process, such as atomic-layer deposition, oxidation, and the like. As a result, formation of the support membrane does not require additional processes, such as mechanical polishing or ion milling, to achieve its desired thickness. The method enables reduced specimen-preparation time, as well as simultaneous preparation of multiple specimens having large, uniformly thick areas for imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Timothy Stephen English
  • Patent number: 9714908
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for analysis and display of fine grained mineral samples. A portion of the sample is illuminated with a charged particle beam. Emitted radiation is detected, and a sample emission spectrum is generated and fit with a plurality of standard emission spectra of minerals in a candidate mineral composition. A mineral composition whose emission spectrum best fits the sample emission spectrum is selected from a plurality of candidate mineral compositions. An assigned color is received for each mineral in the selected mineral composition, and the assigned colors are blended according to the proportion of each mineral in the selected mineral composition. An image pixel corresponding to the portion of the sample is rendered for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Michael James Owen, Garth Howell, Ashley Donaldson
  • Patent number: 9711252
    Abstract: A coherent beam treatment system produces a first and second energy beam that are coherent at a treatment location. An energy beam includes a neutron beam, a proton beam, an electron beam, acoustic waves, a laser and x-ray. An energy beam may be defined by a wave, such as a sinusoidal wave having a frequency and amplitude. A control system may produce a first and second beam that have coherence at a treatment location. Coherence is a location where two beams have matching wave profiles. A beam may be defined by a simple sinusoidal equation wherein the frequency and amplitude are constant as a function of time. A beam may be defined by a complex wave equation, wherein the frequency or amplitude change as a function of time. A control system may modulate one or more of the beam equations to change a location of coherence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Michelle Corning
  • Patent number: 9704696
    Abstract: An ion spectrometer is provided, comprising: an ion source, arranged to generate ions continuously with a first range of mass to charge ratios; and an ion trap, arranged to receive ions from the ion source along an axis, and to eject ions with a second range of mass to charge ratios orthogonally to that axis, the second range of mass to charge ratios being narrower than the first range of mass to charge ratios. In some embodiments, ions generated by the ion source continuously flow into the ion trap. Additionally or alternatively, ion optics receive ions ejected from the ion trap and cool the ions without substantial fragmentation. An ion analyser receives ions ejected from the ion trap or ion optics and separates the ions in accordance with at least one characteristic of the ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Alekseevich Makarov
  • Patent number: 9706636
    Abstract: An example particle accelerator includes a coil to provide a magnetic field to a cavity; a particle source to provide a plasma column to the cavity; a voltage source to provide a radio frequency (RF) voltage to the cavity to accelerate particles from the plasma column, where the magnetic field causes particles accelerated from the plasma column to move orbitally within the cavity; an enclosure containing an extraction channel to receive the particles accelerated from the plasma column and to output the received particles from the cavity; and a structure arranged proximate to the extraction channel to change an energy level of the received particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Mevion Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrit Townsend Zwart, Kenneth P. Gall, Jan Van der Laan, Stanley Rosenthal, Michael Busky, Charles D. O'Neal, III, Ken Yoshiki Franzen
  • Patent number: 9704700
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes an ion generator configured to generate ions from a sample. The system additionally includes an ion separator configured to separate at or above atmospheric pressure the ions received from the ion generator without use of laminar flowing gas, and a detector that receives and detects the separated ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Robert Graham Cooks, Zane Baird, Pu Wei
  • Patent number: 9697986
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for an imaging system comprising a multitude of imaging elements upon a substrate. In some embodiments the substrate may be approximately round with a radius of approximately one inch. Various methods relating to using and producing an imaging system are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 9697994
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for evaluating and measuring the performance, efficacy and safety of candidate new chemical entities. This method comprises employing a target compound having one or more 12C atoms in the molecule wherein at least one of the 12C atoms is substituted with a 13C atom, The stable labelled target compound is then administered to a test subject following which the target compound and/or one or more of its metabolites are recovered using conventional separation techniques and purified. The resulting isolated material of interest is then combusted in the presence of a petrochemical based carrier, the 12C content of such carrier with respect to naturally occurring 13C being in excess of 99.9 percent. The CO2 resulting from such combustion is then graphitized and the graphitized material is analyzed employing techniques, such as Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (“AMS”), capable of differentiating and counting the carbon atom isotopes (13C vs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ricarez Biosciences, LLC
    Inventor: Damodaragounder Gopal
  • Patent number: 9696268
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for automated review of defects detected in a defective die on the target substrate. The method includes: performing an automated review of the defects using an secondary electron microscope (SEM) so as to obtain electron-beam images of the defects; performing an automated classification of the defects into types based on morphology of the defects as determined from the electron-beam images; selecting defects of a specific type for automated energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) review; and performing the automated EDX review on the defects of the specific type. In addition, automated techniques are disclosed for obtaining an accurate reference so as to improve the usefulness of the EDX results. Furthermore, an automated method of classifying the defects based on the EDX results is disclosed which provides a final pareto that combines both morphological and elemental information. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Harsh Sinha, Dmitry Spivak, Huina Xu, Hong Xiao, Rohit Bothra
  • Patent number: 9691509
    Abstract: A THz system has a housing configured to minimize both external noise and internal stray THz waves. The housing material is selected according to the frequency range of THz waves to be propagated though the space enclosed by the housing. In general, the housing is made of foam material, such as low relative dielectric constant foam material, especially foam with conductive additives. The relative dielectric constant of foam material is usually approach to 1.0, which may minimize the reflection of THz waves propagating into the housing. The conductive additives may increase the absorption of the THz waves, even other electromagnetic waves, inside the housing. Clearly, by using proper material, such as Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) and/or Styrofoam, with proper conductive additives, such as graphite, carbon, sliver, absorptive particles/dyes, the housing may minimize the interference of undesired stray terahertz-gigahertz waves, even other noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ARCHIT LENS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Dah-Ching Tzuang, Yen-Ju Wu
  • Patent number: 9683136
    Abstract: Adhesive compositions are described which can be selectively detackified or deadened. Articles using such adhesive compositions are also described. Also described are techniques in which select regions of adhesive layers in the articles are detackified. Also described are systems and methods using the various articles and adhesive compositions. And particular label constructions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. De Boer, Ronald Haycox, David W. Whitman, Pavel Janko
  • Patent number: 9685311
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of reverse T3 in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing reverse T3 in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of reverse T3 in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: J. Fred Banks, Peter P. Chou, Noriya M. Matt
  • Patent number: 9683137
    Abstract: Adhesive compositions are described which can be selectively detackified or deadened. Articles using such adhesive compositions are also described. Also described are techniques in which select regions of adhesive layers in the articles are detackified. Also described are systems and methods using the various articles and adhesive compositions. And particular label constructions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. De Boer, Ronald Haycox, David W. Whitman, Pavel Janko
  • Patent number: 9686844
    Abstract: An intense X-ray or EUV light source may be driven by the Smith-Purcell effect. The intense light source may utilize intense electron beams and Bragg crystals. This may allow the intense light source to range from the extreme UV range up to the hard X-ray range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua Coleman, Carl Ekdahl, John Oertel
  • Patent number: 9671216
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modulated which includes a semiconductor laser being driven by direct current for frequency tuning, and an AC current with two radio frequencies that can generate repump and Raman frequencies, such that only one laser is needed to produce all the frequencies required to operate an atom interferometer. The present invention is also directed to a method of double modulating a laser to produce all required frequencies for an atom interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Francesco Narducci, Brandi Gerstner
  • Patent number: 9673024
    Abstract: A particle-optical arrangement comprises a charged-particle source for generating a beam of charged particles; a multi-aperture plate arranged in a beam path of the beam of charged particles, wherein the multi-aperture plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein in a predetermined first array pattern, wherein a plurality of charged-particle beamlets is formed from the beam of charged particles downstream of the multi-aperture plate, and wherein a plurality of beam spots is formed in an image plane of the apparatus by the plurality of beamlets, the plurality of beam spots being arranged in a second array pattern; and a particle-optical element for manipulating the beam of charged particles and/or the plurality of beamlets; wherein the first array pattern has a first pattern regularity in a first direction, and the second array pattern has a second pattern regularity in a second direction electron-optically corresponding to the first direction, and wherein the second regularity is higher than the first re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignees: Applied Materials Israel, Ltd., Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Knippelmeyer, Oliver Kienzle, Thomas Kemen, Heiko Mueller, Stephan Uhlemann, Maximilian Haider, Antonio Casares, Steven Rogers
  • Patent number: 9662412
    Abstract: Exemplary apparatuses and methods of killing or deactivating bacteria are disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus for killing or deactivating bacteria includes a plasma vapor chamber. The plasma vapor chamber has a vapor inlet for allowing a vapor into the chamber, a high voltage electrode, one or more grounding electrodes. The one or more grounding electrodes at least partially surrounding the plasma vapor chamber. The plasma vapor chamber includes an outlet for allowing fluid to flow out of the chamber. When the chamber is filled with vapor for a period of time sufficient to saturate the chamber with vapor, the high voltage electrode is energized to generate plasma throughout the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: EP Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James Ferrell, Erinn R. Bogovich, Robert L. Gray, Daphne Pappas Antonakas, Tsung-Chan Tsai, Sameer Kalghatgi
  • Patent number: 9666404
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a charged particle source arrangement for a charged particle beam device. The charged particle source arrangement includes: a first vacuum region and a second vacuum region; a charged particle source in the first vacuum region, wherein the charged particle source is configured to generate a primary charged particle beam; and a membrane configured to provide a gas barrier between the first vacuum region and the second vacuum region, and wherein the membrane is configured to let at least a portion of the primary charged particle beam pass through the membrane, wherein a first vacuum generation device is connectable to the first vacuum region and a second vacuum generation device is connectable to the second vacuum region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiteprüftechnik mbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Frosien
  • Patent number: 9668332
    Abstract: Embodiments include a chemical processing apparatus and method of using the chemical processing apparatus to treat a substrate with a mono-energetic space-charge neutralized neutral beam-activated chemical process which is comprised of a substantially anisotropic beam of neutral particles. The chemical processing apparatus comprises a first plasma chamber for forming a first plasma at a first plasma potential, and a second plasma chamber for forming a second plasma at a second plasma potential greater than the first plasma potential, wherein the second plasma is formed using electron flux from the first plasma. Further, the chemical processing apparatus comprises an ungrounded dielectric (insulator) neutralizer grid configured to expose a substrate in the second plasma chamber to the substantially anisotropic beam of neutral particles traveling from the neutralizer grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lee Chen, Merritt Funk, Zhiying Chen
  • Patent number: 9656100
    Abstract: Provided is a treating apparatus including an ion generating apparatus configured to inject ionized elements into a diagnosis subject to remove a tumor in the diagnosis subject, and an image photographing apparatus configured to measure positions of the ionized elements in the diagnosis subject. The ion generating apparatus includes a target including a first element and a first isotope that is a radioactive isotope of the first element, and a laser configured to allow a laser beam to be incident on the target and thus ionize the first element and the first isotope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS & TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Moon Youn Jung, Won Bae Cho