Patents Examined by Jason L McCormack
  • Patent number: 11976193
    Abstract: A method for detecting a thickness of bonded rubber of a carbon black in a natural rubber based for reinforcement performance is provided. An ultra-thin frozen microtome to prepare a sample, a tapping mode of the atomic force microscope is used, and when characterizes the carbon black and rubber composite material, the difference of imaging characteristics between morphological and phase diagrams is used, the characteristics of bonded rubber of carbon black reinforced composite material can be observed to obtain the thickness of bonded rubber, and then influence of bonded rubber on rubber performance and the reinforcement performance of the carbon black in the rubber are analyzed. The method has advantages of simple operation, no need for excessive sample processing, high detection efficiency, clear detection images and high detection accuracy, thereby having better applicability and providing a new method and idea for studying reinforcements of fillers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: SICHUAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
    Inventors: Jian Chen, Zhiqiang Lei, Long Qing, Rui Li, Sha Liu, Lin Li
  • Patent number: 11978610
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscope according to the present invention enables a column to be detached from a sample installation unit, thereby addressing issues related to the column, such as simple calibration related to the column, tilt of a beam, replacement of consumables, etc., by replacing the entire column. As such, the scanning electron microscope has the advantage of being simply and easily repaired and maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: COXEM CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jun Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 11978567
    Abstract: A telescopic lead blanket lifting frame and method for shielding workers from a radiation source. The lifting frame includes, first and second hollow vertical tubular members attached orthogonally on first ends thereof to first and second ends of a horizontal base member. Third and fourth vertical tubular members and slidably disposed in the first and second hollow vertical tubular members. A first cross member is attached orthogonally to second ends of the first and second hollow vertical tubular members. A second cross member is attached orthogonally to distal ends of the third and fourth vertical tubular members. A plurality of hooks are attached to the first and second cross members on side portions thereof for engaging lead blankets. A lifting gear is provided for telescopically extending and retracting the third and fourth vertical tubular members and second cross member in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: SAFESMART, LLC
    Inventor: Shane Joseph Wearmouth
  • Patent number: 11972922
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a scanning charged particle microscope, such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM), is provided. The method includes dividing a wafer into a plurality of regions; preparing, on each of the plurality of regions, a pattern including a first periodic structure interleaved with a second periodic structure, the first and second periodic structures having an induced offset; determining an actual pitch the first and second periodic structures and thereby determining actual induced offset on each of the plurality of regions; selecting a plurality of regions from among the plurality of regions; measuring, by the SEM, a pitch of first and second periodic structures on each of the plurality of regions; and performing linearity calibration on the SEM based on the determining and the measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Hermanus Adrianus Dillen, Wim Tjibbo Tel, Willem Louis Van Mierlo
  • Patent number: 11972923
    Abstract: Methods and systems for creating attachments between a sample manipulator and a sample within a charged particle systems are disclosed herein. Methods include translating a sample manipulator so that it is proximate to a sample, and milling portions of the sample manipulator such that portions are removed. The portion of the sample manipulator proximate to the sample is composed of a high sputter yield material, and the high sputter yield material may be the material milled with the charged particle beam such that it is removed from the sample manipulator. According to the present disclosure, the portions of the sample manipulator are milled such that at least some of the removed high sputter yield material redeposits to form an attachment between the sample manipulator and the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Christopher Thompson, Dustin Ellis, Adam Stokes, Ronald Kelley, Cedric Bouchet-Marquis
  • Patent number: 11964065
    Abstract: An arrangement for irradiating a surface includes a radiation source configured to emit ultraviolet radiation, a reflector for directional radiation of the ultraviolet radiation onto the surface, and a control device. A dose of the ultraviolet radiation required for sterilizing the surface and/or a dose already administered is settable and/or determinable by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Norbert Spazier, Daniel Betz
  • Patent number: 11967482
    Abstract: Deflection of a secondary beam, and astigmatism correction of a primary beam or of the secondary beam are carried out using a multi-pole electromagnetic deflector which deflects the path of the secondary beam toward a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wen Li, Hajime Kawano, Momoyo Enyama, Makoto Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11955310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission charged particle microscope comprising a charged particle beam source for emitting a charged particle beam, a sample holder for holding a sample, an illuminator for directing the charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle beam source onto the sample, and a control unit for controlling operations of the transmission charged particle microscope. As defined herein, the transmission charged particle microscope is arranged for operating in at least two modes that substantially yield a first magnification whilst keeping said diffraction pattern substantially in focus. Said at least two modes comprise a first mode having first settings of a final projector lens of a projecting system; and a second mode having second settings of said final projector lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Patent number: 11955327
    Abstract: The present invention implements an ion detector with which it is possible to avoid direct collisions of negative ions with a scintillator, prevent degradation of the scintillator, prolong life of the scintillator, reduce the need for maintenance, and perform highly sensitive detection of both positive and negative ions. With respect to a reference line 65 connecting a central point 63 of a positive ion CD 52 and a central point 64 of a counter electrode 54, a central point 66 of a negative ion CD 53 is provided in a region of a side opposite to a region of a side of a central point 67 of a scintillator 56. Positive ions entering from an ion entrance 62 receive a deflection force and collide with the positive ion CD 52 to generate secondary electrons. The generated secondary electrons collide with the scintillator 56 to generate light. The generated light passes through a light guide 59 and is detected by a photomultiplier tube 58. A negative potential barrier is generated along the reference line 65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyomi Yoshinari, Masuyuki Sugiyama, Yuichiro Hashimoto, Shin Imamura
  • Patent number: 11948772
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting beam condition of charged particles are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus includes one or more first multipole lenses displaced above an aperture, the one or more first multipole lenses being configured to adjust a beam current of a charged-particle beam passing through the aperture. The apparatus also includes one or more second multipole lenses displaced below the aperture, the one or more second multipole lenses being configured to adjust at least one of a spot size and a spot shape of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Xuedong Liu
  • Patent number: 11944713
    Abstract: The present inventive concept discloses a button which comprising a body, a lighting control unit and a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Yen Hong-Lin
  • Patent number: 11942302
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for charged-particle detection may include a deflector system configured to direct charged-particle pulses, a detector having a detection element configured to detect the charged-particle pulses, and a controller having a circuitry configured to control the deflector system to direct a first and second charged-particle pulses to the detection element; obtain first and second timestamps associated with when the first charged-particle pulse is directed by the deflector system and detected by the detection element, respectively, and third and fourth timestamps associated with when the second charged-particle pulse is directed by the deflector system and detected by the detection element, respectively; and identify a first and second exiting beams based on the first and second timestamps, and the third and fourth timestamps, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Arno Jan Bleeker, Pieter Willem Herman De Jager, Maikel Robert Goosen, Erwin Paul Smakman, Albertus Victor Gerardus Mangnus, Yan Ren, Adam Lassise
  • Patent number: 11942303
    Abstract: Embodiments consistent with the disclosure herein include methods and a multi-beam apparatus configured to emit charged-particle beams for imaging a top and side of a structure of a sample, including: a deflector array including a first deflector and configured to receive a first charged-particle beam and a second charged-particle beam; a blocking plate configured to block one of the first charged-particle beam and the second charged-particle beam; and a controller having circuitry and configured to change the configuration of the apparatus to transition between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the deflector array directs the second charged-particle beam to the top of the structure, and the blocking plate blocks the first charged-particle beam. And in the second mode, the first deflector deflects the first charged-particle beam to the side of the structure, and the blocking plate blocks the second charged-particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Yan Ren, Albertus Victor Gerardus Mangnus
  • Patent number: 11942315
    Abstract: Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole. A controller circuit can determine that the actual amplitude of the RF signal differs than the expected amplitude and, in response, identify current and past environmental and performance parameters to adjust the amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan W. Smith, Scott T. Quarmby, Dustin J. Kreft, Michael W. Senko
  • Patent number: 11935721
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-beam particle microscope for imaging a 3D sample layer by layer, and a computer system with a multi-tier architecture is disclosed. The multi-tier architecture can allow for an optimized image processing by gradually reducing the amount of parallel processing speed when data exchange between different processing systems and/or of data originating from different detection channels takes place. A method images a 3D sample layer by layer. A computer program product includes a program code for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss MultiSEM GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Zeidler, Nico Kaemmer, Christian Crueger
  • Patent number: 11929231
    Abstract: A charged particle beam device suppresses sample deformation caused by placing a sample on a suctioning surface of an electrostatic chuck mechanism, the sample having a temperature different from the suctioning surface. The charged particle beam device includes the electrostatic chuck mechanism; a stage (200) which moves a sample, which is to be irradiated with a charged particle beam, relative to an irradiation position of the charged particle beam; an insulating body (203) which is disposed on the stage and constitutes a dielectric layer of the electrostatic chuck; a first support member (402) which supports the insulating body on the stage; a ring-shaped electrode (400) which encloses the surroundings of the sample and is installed on the insulating body in a contactless manner, and to which a predetermined voltage is applied; and a second support member (405) which supports the ring-shaped electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Akito Tanokuchi, Seiichiro Kanno, Kei Shibayama
  • Patent number: 11915904
    Abstract: Systems for reducing the generation of thermal magnetic field noise in optical elements of microscope systems, are disclosed. Example microscopy optical elements having reduced Johnson noise generation according to the present disclosure comprises an inner core composed of an electrically isolating material, and an outer coating composed of an electrically conductive material. The product of the thickness of the outer coating and the electrical conductivity is less than 0.01??1. The outer coating causes a reduction in Johnson noise generated by the optical element of greater than 2×, 3×, or an order of magnitude or greater. In a specific example embodiment, the optical element is a corrector system having reduced Johnson noise generation. Such a corrector system comprises an outer magnetic multipole, and an inner electrostatic multipole. The inner electrostatic multipole comprises an inner core composed of an electrically isolating material and an outer coating composed of an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Henstra, Pleun Dona
  • Patent number: 11915907
    Abstract: A method for operating a particle beam microscopy system includes recording a first particle-microscopic image at a given first focus and varying the excitations of the first deflection device within a given first range. The method also includes changing the focus to a second focus, and determining a second range of excitations of the first deflection device on the basis of the first range, the first excitation, the second excitation and a machine parameter determined in advance. The method further includes recording a second particle-microscopic image at the second focus and varying the excitations of the first deflection device within the determined second range. The second range of excitations is determined so that a region of the object represented in the second particle-microscopic image was also represented in the first particle-microscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Preikszas, Simon Diemer
  • Patent number: 11915903
    Abstract: Provided is a projection electron beam application apparatus suitable for use in semiconductor manufacturing lines. An electron optical system of the electron beam application apparatus includes a mirror aberration corrector 106 disposed perpendicular to an optical axis 109, a plurality of magnetic field sectors 104 by which an orbit of electrons is deviated from the optical axis to make the electrons incident on the mirror aberration corrector 106, and the orbit of the electrons emitted from the mirror aberration corrector 106 is returned to the optical axis, and a doublet lens 105 disposed between adjacent magnetic field sectors along the orbit of the electrons. The plurality of magnetic field sectors have the same deflection angle for deflecting the orbit of the electrons, and the doublet lens is disposed such that an object plane and an image plane thereof are respectively central planes of the adjacent magnetic field sectors along the orbit of the electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Momoyo Enyama, Akira Ikegami, Takeshi Morimoto, Yasuhiro Shirasaki
  • Patent number: 11915908
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a sample with a microscope, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a tilt of the sample, correcting an orientation of the sample based on the tilt, and scanning the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Eugen Foca, Amir Avishai, Dmitry Klochkov, Thomas Korb, Jens Timo Neumann, Keumsil Lee