Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Mears

Christopher L. Mears 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: 10418406
    Abstract: Aspects and examples described herein provide a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly for reducing undesired radiative transfer between a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) and an optical detector, and methods of manufacturing a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly. In one example, a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly includes an optical detector configured to collect electromagnetic radiation incident thereon, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), and a radiation-shielding wafer interposed between the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer including a plurality of through wafer vias (TWVs) electrically coupled to the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer being positioned to prevent radiative transfer between the CMOS ROIC and the optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, John L. Vampola, Barry M. Starr, Chad W. Fulk, Christopher L. Mears, John J. Drab
  • Publication number: 20180190705
    Abstract: Aspects and examples described herein provide a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly for reducing undesired radiative transfer between a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) and an optical detector, and methods of manufacturing a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly. In one example, a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly includes an optical detector configured to collect electromagnetic radiation incident thereon, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), and a radiation-shielding wafer interposed between the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer including a plurality of through wafer vias (TWVs) electrically coupled to the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer being positioned to prevent radiative transfer between the CMOS ROIC and the optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, John L. Vampola, Barry M. Starr, Chad W. Fulk, Christopher L. Mears, John J. Drab
  • Patent number: 9380244
    Abstract: A method for sensing using a multi-band photovoltaic detector, the method including biasing the photovoltaic detector using a bias voltage at a mid-point of a detector substrate bias voltage range, selecting a first band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, sensing a first current from a first diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the first diode being associated with the first band, selecting a second band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector; and sensing a second current from a second diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the second diode being associated with the second band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard H. Wyles, Christopher L. Mears, Donald F. King, Peter C. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20150243825
    Abstract: A radiation detector having a pair of adjacent mesas disposed on a common layer. The common layer comprises a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a first spectral region. Each of the mesas comprises: a second semiconductor; and a third semiconductor layer disposed on the second semiconductor layer having the first conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a second spectral region. The second semiconductor layer may have a conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type or the three layers may provide an nBn or pBp structure. The third semiconductor layer of the second mesa produces minority carriers, in response to the radiation in the second spectral region, flowing as unwanted carriers into the common layer towards the first mesa. A barrier region is disposed in the common layer to prevent the unwanted carriers from passing from the second mesa to the first mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Craig Keasler, Justin Gordon Adams Wehner, Richard H. Wyles, Donald F. King, Peter C. Roberts, Christopher L. Mears
  • Publication number: 20150129746
    Abstract: A method for sensing using a multi-band photovoltaic detector, the method including biasing the photovoltaic detector using a bias voltage at a mid-point of a detector substrate bias voltage range, selecting a first band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, sensing a first current from a first diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the first diode being associated with the first band, selecting a second band of the multi-band photovoltaic detector; and sensing a second current from a second diode of the multi-band photovoltaic detector, the second diode being associated with the second band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Richard H. Wyles, Christopher L. Mears, Donald F. King, Peter C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5430294
    Abstract: A staring focal plane architecture that utilizes a frame buffer to meet the requirements of multiple applications. The frame buffer can be implemented in the array unit cell or external to the unit cell. The frame buffer allows windowing or outputting subsections of the array. Multiple windows per frame can also be outputs. Other features such as electronic dezoom are also supported. The frame buffer allows a high degree of flexibility and in the case where the frame buffer is external to the cell high dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Christopher L. Mears, Terence J. Murphy