Patents by Inventor Eric Robert Christenson

Eric Robert Christenson 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: 20260016672
    Abstract: Optical detection structures, probe systems that include the optical detection structures, and related methods are disclosed herein. The optical detection structures include a laser light source, an optical directional coupler, an optical detector, an optical fiber, and a lens assembly. The probe systems include a probe assembly, a chuck, and the optical detection structures. The methods include methods of determining when an objective lens of a lens assembly of an optical detection structure is positioned an objective focal length from a substrate surface of a substrate. The methods of mapping a surface topography of a substrate surface of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2025
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Quan Yuan, Eric Robert Christenson
  • Publication number: 20250383231
    Abstract: Optical calibration structures for optical probes, optical probe systems that include the optical calibration structures, and methods of calibrating a plurality of optical probes. The optical calibration structures include a reflector, an obstructive structure, and an optical detector. The optical probe systems include the optical calibration structure, a chuck, an optical assembly, and a signal generation and analysis assembly. The methods include methods of operating the optical probe systems and/or methods of utilizing the optical calibration structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2025
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Quan Yuan, Eric Robert Christenson, Daniel Rishavy, Michael E. Simmons, Joseph George Frankel
  • Publication number: 20250347586
    Abstract: Lens arrays, fiber optic fixtures that include the lens arrays, probe systems that include the fiber optic fixtures, and methods of forming fiber optic fixtures are disclosed herein. The lens arrays are configured to convey a plurality of electromagnetic signals between a plurality of fiber optic conduits of a fiber optic fixture and a plurality of optical devices of a device under test (DUT). The lens arrays include a single lens block that defines a fixture-attached block side and a lensed block side. The fixture-attached block side is configured to face toward, and be operatively attached to, a fixture body of the fiber optic fixture. The lensed block side differs from the fixture-attached block side. The lens arrays also include a plurality of lenses defined on the lensed block side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Inventors: Quan Yuan, Eric Robert Christenson, Daniel Rishavy, Michael E. Simmons, Joseph George Frankel, Divya Pratap
  • Patent number: 11874301
    Abstract: Probe systems including imaging devices with objective lens isolators and related methods are disclosed herein. A probe system includes an enclosure with an enclosure volume for enclosing a substrate that includes one or more devices under test (DUTs), a testing assembly, and an imaging device. The imaging device includes an imaging device objective lens, an imaging device body, and an objective lens isolator. In examples, the probe system includes an electrical grounding assembly configured to restrict electromagnetic noise from entering the enclosure volume. In examples, methods of preparing the imaging device include assembling the imaging device such that the imaging device objective lens is at least partially electrically isolated from the imaging device body. In some examples, utilizing the probe system includes testing the one or more DUTs while restricting electrical noise from propagating from the imaging device to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Yu-Wen Huang, Gerald Lee Gisler, Eric Robert Christenson, Michael E. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11131709
    Abstract: Probe systems for optically probing a device under test (DUT) and methods of operating the probe systems. The probe systems include a probing assembly that includes an optical probe that defines a probe tip and a distance sensor. The probe systems also include a support surface configured to support a substrate, which defines a substrate surface and includes an optical device positioned below the substrate surface. The probe systems further include a positioning assembly configured to selectively regulate a relative orientation between the probing assembly and the DUT. The probe systems also include a controller programmed to control the operation of the probe systems. The methods include methods of operating the probe systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph George Frankel, Kazuki Negishi, Michael E. Simmons, Eric Robert Christenson, Daniel Rishavy
  • Patent number: 11047795
    Abstract: Calibration chucks for optical probe systems, optical probe systems including the calibration chucks, and methods of utilizing the optical probe systems. The calibration chucks include a calibration chuck body that defines a calibration chuck support surface. The calibration chucks also include at least one optical calibration structure that is supported by the calibration chuck body. The at least one optical calibration structure includes a horizontal viewing structure. The horizontal viewing structure is configured to facilitate viewing of a horizontally viewed region from a horizontal viewing direction that is at least substantially parallel to the calibration chuck support surface. The horizontal viewing structure also is configured to facilitate viewing of the horizontally viewed region via an imaging device of the optical probe system that is positioned vertically above the calibration chuck support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Michael E. Simmons, Christopher Anthony Storm, Joseph George Frankel, Eric Robert Christenson, Mario René Berg
  • Publication number: 20210132115
    Abstract: Probe systems including imaging devices with objective lens isolators and related methods are disclosed herein. A probe system includes an enclosure with an enclosure volume for enclosing a substrate that includes one or more devices under test (DUTs), a testing assembly, and an imaging device. The imaging device includes an imaging device objective lens, an imaging device body, and an objective lens isolator. In examples, the probe system includes an electrical grounding assembly configured to restrict electromagnetic noise from entering the enclosure volume. In examples, methods of preparing the imaging device include assembling the imaging device such that the imaging device objective lens is at least partially electrically isolated from the imaging device body. In some examples, utilizing the probe system includes testing the one or more DUTs while restricting electrical noise from propagating from the imaging device to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Yu-Wen Huang, Gerald Lee Gisler, Eric Robert Christenson, Michael E. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20210096176
    Abstract: Probe systems for optically probing a device under test (DUT) and methods of operating the probe systems. The probe systems include a probing assembly that includes an optical probe that defines a probe tip and a distance sensor. The probe systems also include a support surface configured to support a substrate, which defines a substrate surface and includes an optical device positioned below the substrate surface. The probe systems further include a positioning assembly configured to selectively regulate a relative orientation between the probing assembly and the DUT. The probe systems also include a controller programmed to control the operation of the probe systems. The methods include methods of operating the probe systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph George Frankel, Kazuki Negishi, Michael E. Simmons, Eric Robert Christenson, Daniel Rishavy
  • Publication number: 20200378888
    Abstract: Calibration chucks for optical probe systems, optical probe systems including the calibration chucks, and methods of utilizing the optical probe systems. The calibration chucks include a calibration chuck body that defines a calibration chuck support surface. The calibration chucks also include at least one optical calibration structure that is supported by the calibration chuck body. The at least one optical calibration structure includes a horizontal viewing structure. The horizontal viewing structure is configured to facilitate viewing of a horizontally viewed region from a horizontal viewing direction that is at least substantially parallel to the calibration chuck support surface. The horizontal viewing structure also is configured to facilitate viewing of the horizontally viewed region via an imaging device of the optical probe system that is positioned vertically above the calibration chuck support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Michael E. Simmons, Christopher Anthony Storm, Joseph George Frankel, Eric Robert Christenson, Mario René Berg
  • Patent number: 10809048
    Abstract: Probe systems and methods for calibrating capacitive height sensing measurements. A probe system includes a probe assembly with a probe support body that supports a capacitive displacement sensor that terminates in a sensing tip relative to a substrate and that is configured to generate an uncalibrated capacitive height measurement. A method of utilizing the probe system to generate a calibrated capacitive height measurement includes receiving a height calibration structure architecture; calculating a layer impedance magnitude of each substrate layer of the height calibration structure; and calculating a total layer impedance magnitude of the height calibration structure. The method further includes measuring a measured impedance magnitude and calculating the calibrated capacitive height measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FormFactor Beaverton, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Joseph George Frankel, Eric Robert Christenson
  • Publication number: 20200217638
    Abstract: Probe systems and methods for calibrating capacitive height sensing measurements. A probe system includes a probe assembly with a probe support body that supports a capacitive displacement sensor that terminates in a sensing tip relative to a substrate and that is configured to generate an uncalibrated capacitive height measurement. A method of utilizing the probe system to generate a calibrated capacitive height measurement includes receiving a height calibration structure architecture; calculating a layer impedance magnitude of each substrate layer of the height calibration structure; and calculating a total layer impedance magnitude of the height calibration structure. The method further includes measuring a measured impedance magnitude and calculating the calibrated capacitive height measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Kazuki Negishi, Joseph George Frankel, Eric Robert Christenson