Patents by Inventor Craig M. Herzinger

Craig M. Herzinger 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).

  • Publication number: 20100220313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Matias H. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7633625
    Abstract: A rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer or polarimeter system having a source of a polychromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation, a polarizer, a stage for supporting a material system, an analyzer, a dispersive optics and a detector system which comprises a multiplicity of detector elements, the system being functionally present in an environmental control chamber and therefore suitable for application in wide spectral range, (for example, 130-1700 nm). Preferred compensator design involves a substantially achromatic multiple element compensator systems wherein multiple total internal reflections enter retardance into an entered beam of electromagnetic radiation, and the elements thereof are oriented to minimize changes in the net retardance vs. the input beam angle resulting from changes in the position and/or rotation of the system of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Ping He, Martin M. Liphardt, Galen L. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7623237
    Abstract: A spectroscopic system for adjusting spacing between an adjacent source/detector as a unit, and a sample, and a reflecting means for directing an incident beam which reflects from said sample back onto said sample and then into the detector along a locus which is in a plane of incidence that is offset from that of the incident beam, or directly from the reflecting means into the detector, including means for reducing reflections of a beam of electromagnetic from the back of a sample, including methodology of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Thomas E. Tiwald, Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, Ronald A. Synowicki, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7616319
    Abstract: A rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer or polarimeter system having a source of a polychromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation, a polarizer, a stage for supporting a material system, an analyzer, a dispersive optics and a detector system which comprises a multiplicity of detector elements, the system being functionally present in an environmental control chamber and therefore suitable for application in wide spectral range, (for example, 130-1700 nm). Preferred compensator design involves a substantially achromatic multiple element compensator systems wherein multiple total internal reflections enter retardance into an entered beam of electromagnetic radiation, and the elements thereof are oriented to minimize changes in the net retardance vs. the input beam angle resulting from changes in the position and/or rotation of the system of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: James D. Welch
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Ping He, Martin M. Liphardt, Galen L. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7554662
    Abstract: Systems which utilize electromagnetic radiation to investigate samples and include at least one spatial filter which has an aperture having a hole therethrough with a non-unity aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Ping He, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger
  • Patent number: 7522279
    Abstract: Disclosed are system for and method of analyzing the substantially the exact same point on a sample system with at least two wavelengths, or at least two ranges of wavelengths for which the focal lengths do not vary more than within an acceptable amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Ping He, Christopher A. Goeden, John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Publication number: 20090091758
    Abstract: A method of configuring a system for introducing a relative phase retardation into orthogonally polarized components of an electromagnetic beam entered thereinto, wherein the system involves a substantially achromatic multiple element retarder system for use in wide spectral range (for example, 190-1700 nm) rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer and/or polarimeter systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Steven E. Green, Craig M. Herzinger, Duane E. Meyer, Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 7508510
    Abstract: System for and Method of analyzing a sample at substantially the exact same small spot thereon with a plurality of wavelengths using a lens system which provides the same focal length at at least two wavelengths at various positions thereof with respect to a sample, including analyzing data obtained at those wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: J.A. Wooliam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Galen L. Pfeiffer, Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Christopher A. Goeden, Ping He, John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 7468794
    Abstract: Application of a spatial filter equivalent constructed from a converging lens and an optical fiber in rotating compensator ellipsometer systems, after a sample system. The purpose is to eliminate a radially outer annulus of a generally arbitrary Profile beam that presents with low intensity level irregular content, so that electromagnetic beam intensity is caused to quickly decay to zero as a function of radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Ping He
  • Patent number: 7460230
    Abstract: A substantially achromatic multiple element compensator system for use in wide spectral range (for example, 190-1700 nm) rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer and/or polarimeter systems. Multiple total internal reflections enter retardance into an entered beam of electromagnetic radiation, and the elements are oriented to minimize changes in the net retardance vs. the input beam angle resulting from changes in the position and/or rotation of the system of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Steven E. Green, Craig M. Herzinger, Duane E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7450231
    Abstract: A substantially achromatic multiple element compensator system for use in wide spectral range (for example, 190-1700 nm) rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer and/or polarimeter systems. Multiple total internal reflections enter retardance into an entered beam of electromagnetic radiation, and the elements are oriented to minimize changes in the net retardance vs. the input beam angle resulting from changes in the position and/or rotation of the system of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Steven E. Green, Craig M. Herzinger, Duane E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7385697
    Abstract: Simultaneous use of wavelengths in at least two ranges selected from RADIO, MICRO, FIR, IR, NIR-VIS-NUV, UV, DUV, VUV EUV, XRAY in a regression procedure to evaluate parameters in mathematical dispersion structures to model dielectric functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Corey L. Bungay, Thomas E. Tiwald, Martin M. Liphardt, Ronald A. Synowicki, Gregory K. Pribil, Craig M. Herzinger, Blaine D. Johs, James N. Hilfiker
  • Publication number: 20080100842
    Abstract: A substantially achromatic multiple element compensator system for use in wide spectral range (for example, 190-1700 nm) rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer and/or polarimeter systems. Multiple total internal reflections enter retardance into an entered beam of electromagnetic radiation, and the elements are oriented to minimize changes in the net retardance vs. the input beam angle resulting from changes in the position and/or rotation of the system of elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Steven E. Green, Craig M. Herzinger, Duane E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7349092
    Abstract: A system for determination of optical constants of liquids, including provision for reducing stress induced effects while obtaining data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Thomas E. Tiwald, John A. Woollam, Galen L. Pfeiffer, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger
  • Patent number: 7336361
    Abstract: A spectroscopic ellipsometer or polarimeter system having a source of a polychromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation, a polarizer, a stage for supporting a material system, an analyzer, a dispersive optics and a detector system which comprises a multiplicity of detector elements, there being apertures before the stage for supporting a material system, and thereafter, the system further having at least one multi-element lens and optionally being present in an environmental control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7327456
    Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in ellipsometer and the like systems capable of operating in the Vacuum-Ultra-Violet (VUV) to Near Infrared (NIR) wavelength range, and methodology of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Steven E. Green, Ping He, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Galen L. Pfeiffer, Brian D. Guenther, Martin M. Liphardt, Gerald T. Cooney
  • Patent number: 7304737
    Abstract: Spectroscopic ellipsometer systems which include polarizer and analyzer elements which remain fixed in position during data acquisition while at least one continuously rotating or step-wise rotatable compensator imposes a continuously variable or plurality of sequentially discrete polarization states on a beam of electromagnetic radiation, including a system of mirrors and refractive elements for correcting aberation while directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation to a spot on a sample at a multiple different angles-of-incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7295313
    Abstract: Disclosed is application of oblique angle of incidence, reflection and/or transmission mode spectroscopic ellipsometry PSI and/or DELTA, (including combinations thereof and/or mathematical equivalents), vs. wavelength data over an intermediate wavelength band range around a pass or reject band, to monitor and/or control fabrication of multiple layer high/low refractive index band-pass, band-reject and varied attenuation vs. wavelength thin film interference filters, either alone or in combination with transmissive non-ellipsometric electromagnetic beam turning point vs. layer data obtained at an essentially normal angle of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Wollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, John A. Woollam, Craig M. Herzinger
  • Patent number: 7280194
    Abstract: Systems and methodology for determining not only precise and repeatable results, but accurate values of the refractive index of solids, fluids and liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Gregory K. Pribil
  • Patent number: 7274450
    Abstract: A sample sequestering system which allows access to a subspace in a chamber encompassed generally enclosed space, for use in entering and removing a sample when the subspace is opened to atmosphere. Sufficient purge gas is flowed from within the generally enclosed space into the subspace discourage atmospheric contaminates from entering into the subspace. Contained within the generally enclosed space is a spectrophotometer, ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates at wavelengths, (eg. UV), which are adversely affected, (eg. absorbed), by typical atmospheric contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Steven E. Green, Ping He, Galen L. Pfeiffer, Brian D. Guenther, Gerald T. Cooney, John A. Woollam, Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger