Patents by Inventor Christophe Wouters

Christophe Wouters 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: 11892493
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20230393185
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 11726126
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 11340284
    Abstract: A first light source is directed at an outer surface of a workpiece in an inspection module. The light from the first light source that is reflected from the outer surface of the workpiece is directed to the camera via a first pathway. The light from the first light source transmitted through the workpiece is directed to the camera via a second pathway. A second light source is directed at the outer surface of the workpiece 180° from that of the first light source. The light from the second light source that is reflected from the outer surface of the workpiece is directed to the camera via the second pathway. The light from the second light source transmitted through the workpiece is directed to the camera via the first pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Kristiaan Van Rossen, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20220099725
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 11105839
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 10935503
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20210048396
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20210025934
    Abstract: A first light source is directed at an outer surface of a workpiece in an inspection module. The light from the first light source that is reflected from the outer surface of the workpiece is directed to the camera via a first pathway. The light from the first light source transmitted through the workpiece is directed to the camera via a second pathway. A second light source is directed at the outer surface of the workpiece 180° from that of the first light source. The light from the second light source that is reflected from the outer surface of the workpiece is directed to the camera via the second pathway. The light from the second light source transmitted through the workpiece is directed to the camera via the first pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kristiaan Van Rossen, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20210018450
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 10866092
    Abstract: 3D measurements of features on a workpiece, such as ball height, co-planarity, component thickness, or warpage, are determined. The system includes a broadband light source, a microlens array, a tunable color filter, a lens system, and a detector. The microlens array can focus a light beam to points in a focal plane of the microlens array. The tunable color filter can narrow the light beam to a band at a central wavelength. The lens system can provide longitudinal chromatic aberration whereby different wavelengths are imaged at different distances from the lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Wouters, Kristof Joris, Johan De Greeve
  • Publication number: 20200033121
    Abstract: 3D measurements of features on a workpiece, such as ball height, co-planarity, component thickness, or warpage, are determined. The system includes a broadband light source, a microlens array, a tunable color filter, a lens system, and a detector. The microlens array can focus a light beam to a points in a focal plane of the microlens array. The tunable color filter can narrow the light beam to a band at a central wavelength. The lens system can provide longitudinal chromatic aberration whereby different wavelengths are imaged at different distances from the lens system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Christophe Wouters, Kristof Joris, Johan De Greeve
  • Publication number: 20190302033
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 10324044
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 9778192
    Abstract: An object carrier, a system and a method is disclosed for the back light inspection of transparent or semitransparent objects. The carrier has a carrier base layer with photo luminescent properties which carries the transparent or semitransparent object on top of the layer. The transparent or semitransparent object could be a wafer and the object carrier could be a wafer chuck. At least one light source being arranged above the object carrier such that excitation light emitted from the at least one light source is directed through the transparent or semitransparent object to the layer with photo luminescent properties. The light returned from the layer with photo luminescent properties is collected by an objective and registered by a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Wouters, Steven Boeykens, Carl Smets
  • Publication number: 20160313257
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Tom Marivoet, Carl Truyens, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 9140546
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 9103665
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20150168304
    Abstract: An object carrier, a system and a method is disclosed for the back light inspection of transparent or semitransparent objects. The carrier has a carrier base layer with photo luminescent properties which carries the transparent or semitransparent object on top of the layer. The transparent or semitransparent object could be a wafer and the object carrier could be a wafer chuck. At least one light source being arranged above the object carrier such that excitation light emitted from the at least one light source is directed through the transparent or semitransparent object to the layer with photo luminescent properties. The light returned from the layer with photo luminescent properties is collected by an objective and registered by a sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Christophe Wouters, Steven Boeykens, Carl Smets
  • Publication number: 20140185136
    Abstract: A dome illumination for a microscope and a microscope are disclosed. At least one objective lens carries a dome at a free end, wherein the free end of the objective lens is facing a surface of the object. At least one light source is arranged such that an illumination is provided to the dome when the objective lens is positioned in an optical axis or working position of the microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe WOUTERS, Steven M.W. BOEYKENS, Paul M.J. VERSTREKEN