Patents by Inventor Dieter Winkler

Dieter Winkler 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: 10483080
    Abstract: A charged particle beam dump for a charged particle beam device is described. The beam dump includes an annular shaped body having an inner perimeter wall that defines an open annulus for passing of primary charged particle beamlets, the annular shaped body further having an outer perimeter wall and a bottom wall; and an annular shaped electrode provided partially above the annular shaped body having an inner perimeter side and an outer perimeter side, wherein the inner perimeter side is outside of the radius of the inner perimeter wall of the annular shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Benjamin John Cook, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 10249472
    Abstract: A charged particle beam device is described, which includes: a beam source configured to generate a charged particle beam propagating along an optical axis (A); an aperture device with a first number of apertures configured to create a first number of beamlets from the charged particle beam, wherein the first number is five or more, wherein the apertures are arranged on a ring line around the optical axis (A) such that perpendiculars of the apertures onto a tangent of the ring line are evenly spaced. The charged particle beam device further includes an electrostatic multipole device configured to individually influence the beamlets. Further, a charged particle beam influencing device and a method of operating a charged particle beam device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Dieter Winkler, Guy Eytan, Zvi Nir
  • Publication number: 20190019649
    Abstract: A charged particle beam device is described, which includes: a beam source configured to generate a charged particle beam propagating along an optical axis (A); an aperture device with a first number of apertures configured to create a first number of beamlets from the charged particle beam, wherein the first number is five or more, wherein the apertures are arranged on a ring line around the optical axis (A) such that perpendiculars of the apertures onto a tangent of the ring line are evenly spaced. The charged particle beam device further includes an electrostatic multipole device configured to individually influence the beamlets. Further, a charged particle beam influencing device and a method of operating a charged particle beam device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Dieter Winkler, Guy Eytan, Zvi Nir
  • Patent number: 10103004
    Abstract: A method of imaging a secondary charged particle beam emanating from a sample by impingement of a primary charged particle beam is provided. The method includes setting a first operating parameter to a first value. The first operating parameter is selected from a group including: landing energy of the primary charged particle beam on the sample, extraction field strength for the secondary charged particle beam at the sample, magnetic field strength of an objective lens that focuses the primary charged particle beam onto the sample, and working distance of the objective lens from the sample. The method further includes controlling, while the first operating parameter is set to the first value, the excitation of a first lens and of a second lens to map the secondary charged particle beam onto a first region on an aperture plate. The first region overlaps with a first opening of the aperture plate and with a second opening of the aperture plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Matthias Firnkes, Stefan Lanio, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 10003951
    Abstract: Embodiments of the system herein use a mobile device of a user to act as an onboard camera and capture video of the environment surrounding the user's vehicle and/or telematics data about the user's vehicle. The system can detect when a user has begun to operate the vehicle, for example based on mobile device power information and the proximity/connection of the mobile device to a device associated with the vehicle, and automatically begin onboard camera recording or prompt the user to begin onboard camera recording. The recorded videos and/or telematics data can be locally stored on the mobile device, or in some embodiments transferred to an outside server for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Sirqul, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Mathew Green, Christopher Arthur General Alviar, Thomas Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 9953805
    Abstract: A secondary charged particle imaging system for imaging a secondary charged particle beam emanating from a sample by impingement of a primary charged particle beam is provided. The system includes a detector arrangement, and an adaptive secondary charged particle optics. The detector arrangement comprises a first detection element for detecting a first secondary charged particle sub-beam of the secondary charged particle beam, and a second detection element for detecting a second secondary charged particle sub-beam of the secondary charged particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Matthias Firnkes, Stefan Lanio, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 9754759
    Abstract: An electrostatic multipole device for influencing a charged particle beam propagating along an optical axis is described. The electrostatic multipole device comprises a substrate with at least one aperture opening for the charged particle beam, which extends along the optical axis through the substrate, and four or more electrodes which are formed on a first main surface of the substrate to influence the charged particle beam propagating through the aperture opening, wherein each of the four or more electrodes is arranged at a radial distance from a beam limiting edge of the aperture opening. Further, a method of manufacturing an electrostatic multipole device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Benjamin John Cook, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20170251331
    Abstract: Embodiments of the system herein use a mobile device of a user to act as an onboard camera and capture video of the environment surrounding the user's vehicle and/or telematics data about the user's vehicle. The system can detect when a user has begun to operate the vehicle, for example based on mobile device power information and the proximity/connection of the mobile device to a device associated with the vehicle, and automatically begin onboard camera recording or prompt the user to begin onboard camera recording. The recorded videos and/or telematics data can be locally stored on the mobile device, or in some embodiments transferred to an outside server for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Mathew Green, Christopher Arthur General Alviar, Thomas Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20170148609
    Abstract: An electrostatic multipole device for influencing a charged particle beam propagating along an optical axis is described. The electrostatic multipole device comprises a substrate with at least one aperture opening for the charged particle beam, which extends along the optical axis through the substrate, and four or more electrodes which are formed on a first main surface of the substrate to influence the charged particle beam propagating through the aperture opening, wherein each of the four or more electrodes is arranged at a radial distance from a beam limiting edge of the aperture opening. Further, a method of manufacturing an electrostatic multipole device is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin John Cook, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 9620329
    Abstract: An electrostatic multipole device for influencing a charged particle beam propagating along an optical axis is described. The multipole device includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and a high-resistance layer which extends at least partially around the optical axis and is configured to allow a current flow between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact contacts the high-resistance layer at a first circumferential position and is configured to provide a first potential to the first circumferential position, and wherein the second electrical contact contacts the high-resistance layer at a second circumferential position at an angular distance from the first circumferential position and is configured to provide a second potential to the second circumferential position. Further, an electrostatic multipole arrangement including two or more such multipole devices and a charged particle beam device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Benjamin John Cook, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20170076910
    Abstract: A secondary charged particle imaging system for imaging a secondary charged particle beam emanating from a sample by impingement of a primary charged particle beam is provided. The system includes a detector arrangement, and an adaptive secondary charged particle optics. The detector arrangement comprises a first detection element for detecting a first secondary charged particle sub-beam of the secondary charged particle beam, and a second detection element for detecting a second secondary charged particle sub-beam of the secondary charged particle beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Matthias Firnkes, Stefan Lanio, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20170003235
    Abstract: A method of imaging a secondary charged particle beam emanating from a sample by impingement of a primary charged particle beam is provided. The method includes setting a first operating parameter to a first value. The first operating parameter is selected from a group including: landing energy of the primary charged particle beam on the sample, extraction field strength for the secondary charged particle beam at the sample, magnetic field strength of an objective lens that focuses the primary charged particle beam onto the sample, and working distance of the objective lens from the sample. The method further includes controlling, while the first operating parameter is set to the first value, the excitation of a first lens and of a second lens to map the secondary charged particle beam onto a first region on an aperture plate. The first region overlaps with a first opening of the aperture plate and with a second opening of the aperture plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Matthias Firnkes, Stefan Lanio, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 9431210
    Abstract: A retarding field scanning electron microscope for imaging a specimen is described. The microscope includes a scanning deflection assembly configured for scanning an electron beam over the specimen, one or more controllers in communication with the scanning deflection assembly for controlling a scanning pattern of the electron beam, and a combined magnetic-electrostatic objection lens configured for focusing the electron beam, wherein the objective lens includes a magnetic lens portion and an electrostatic lens portion. The electrostatic lens portion includes an first electrode configured to be biased to a high potential, and a second electrode disposed between the first electrode and the specimen plane, the second electrode being configured to be biased to a potential lower than the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is configured for providing a retarding field of the retarding field scanning electron microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft fur Halbleiterpruftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Winkler, Igor Petrov
  • Publication number: 20150228452
    Abstract: A secondary charged particle detection system for a charged particle beam device is described. The detection system includes a beam splitter for separating a primary beam and a secondary beam formed upon impact on a specimen; a beam bender for deflecting the secondary beam; a focusing lens for focusing the secondary beam; a detection element for detecting the secondary beam particles, and three deflection elements, wherein at least a first deflector is provided between the beam bender and the focusing lens, at least a second deflector is provided between the focusing lens and the detection element, at least a third deflector is provided between the beam splitter and the detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan LANIO, Jürgen FROSIEN, Gerald SCHÖNECKER, Dieter WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20150213998
    Abstract: A retarding field scanning electron microscope for imaging a specimen is described. The microscope includes a scanning deflection assembly configured for scanning an electron beam over the specimen, one or more controllers in communication with the scanning deflection assembly for controlling a scanning pattern of the electron beam, and a combined magnetic-electrostatic objection lens configured for focusing the electron beam, wherein the objective lens includes a magnetic lens portion and an electrostatic lens portion. The electrostatic lens portion includes an first electrode configured to be biased to a high potential, and a second electrode disposed between the first electrode and the specimen plane, the second electrode being configured to be biased to a potential lower than the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is configured for providing a retarding field of the retarding field scanning electron microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter WINKLER, Igor PETROV
  • Publication number: 20150155134
    Abstract: A scanning charged particle beam device configured to image a specimen is described. The scanning charged particle beam device includes a source of charged particles, a condenser lens for influencing the charged particles, an aperture plate having at least two aperture openings to generate at least two primary beamlets of charged particles, at least two deflectors, wherein the at least two deflectors are multi-pole deflectors, a multi-pole deflector with an order of poles of 8 or higher, an objective lens, wherein the objective lens is a retarding field compound lens, a beam separator configured to separate the at least two primary beamlets from at least two signal beamlets, a beam bender, or a deflector or a mirror configured to deflect the at least two signal beamlets, wherein the beam bender is a hemispherical beam bender or beam bender having at least two curved electrodes, and at least two detector elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen FROSIEN, Dieter WINKLER, Benjamin John COOK
  • Patent number: 9035249
    Abstract: A scanning charged particle beam device configured to image a specimen is described. The scanning charged particle beam device includes a source of charged particles, a condenser lens for influencing the charged particles, an aperture plate having at least two aperture openings to generate at least two primary beamlets of charged particles, at least two deflectors, wherein the at least two deflectors are multi-pole deflectors, a multi-pole deflector with an order of poles of 8 or higher, an objective lens, wherein the objective lens is a retarding field compound lens, a beam separator configured to separate the at least two primary beamlets from at least two signal beamlets, a beam bender, or a deflector or a mirror configured to deflect the at least two signal beamlets, wherein the beam bender is a hemispherical beam bender or beam bender having at least two curved electrodes, and at least two detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Frosien, Dieter Winkler, Benjamin John Cook
  • Patent number: 8963083
    Abstract: A secondary charged particle detection device for detection of a signal beam is described. The device includes a detector arrangement having at least two detection elements with active detection areas, wherein the active detection areas are separated by a gap (G), a particle optics configured for separating the signal beam into a first portion of the signal beam and into at least one second portion of the signal beam, and configured for focusing the first portion of the signal beam and the at least one second portion of the signal beam. The particle optics includes an aperture plate and at least a first inner aperture openings in the aperture plate, and at least one second radially outer aperture opening in the aperture plate, wherein the first aperture opening has a concave shaped portion, particularly wherein the first aperture opening has a pincushion shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft fur Halbleiterpruftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Matthias Firnkes, Stefan Lanio, Gerald Schönecker, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20150021474
    Abstract: A secondary charged particle detection device for detection of a signal beam is described. The device includes a detector arrangement having at least two detection elements with active detection areas, wherein the active detection areas are separated by a gap (G), a particle optics configured for separating the signal beam into a first portion of the signal beam and into at least one second portion of the signal beam, and configured for focusing the first portion of the signal beam and the at least one second portion of the signal beam. The particle optics includes an aperture plate and at least a first inner aperture openings in the aperture plate, and at least one second radially outer aperture opening in the aperture plate, wherein the first aperture opening has a concave shaped portion, particularly wherein the first aperture opening has a pincushion shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft fur Halbleiterpruftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias FIRNKES, Stefan LANIO, Gerald SCHÖNECKER, Dieter WINKLER
  • Patent number: 8793972
    Abstract: A method and installation are disclosed which can, for example, provide for reliable, low-Nox-emission operation of a gas turbine installation with hydrogen-rich fuel gas. An exemplary gas turbine installation includes an arrangement for flue gas recirculation into a compressor inlet and for fuel gas dilution. Oxygen content in combustion air can be reduced by recirculation of recooled flue gas, and the fuel gas can be diluted with compressed flue gas. The oxygen reduction in the combustion air can lead to minimum residual oxygen in the flue gas which can be used for fuel gas dilution. As a result of the flue gas recirculation, water content in the combustion air can be increased by feedback of the water which results as a combustion product. The oxygen reduction, increased water content, and fuel dilution can reduce the flame velocity of hydrogen-rich fuel gases and enable a robust, reliable and low-emission combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Andreas Brautsch, Dieter Winkler, Richard Carroni