Patents by Inventor Fred Babian

Fred Babian 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: 6984822
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a sample, particularly but not limited to a semiconductor device, using an electron beam is presented. The technique is called Secondary Electron Emission Microscopy (SEEM), and has significant advantages over both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) techniques. In particular, the SEEM technique utilizes a beam of relatively high-energy primary electrons having a beam width appropriate for parallel, multi-pixel imaging. The electron energy is near a charge-stable condition to achieve faster imaging than was previously attainable with SEM, and charge neutrality unattainable with LEEM. The emitted electrons may be detected using a time delay integration detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Adler, David J. Walker, Fred Babian, Travis Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20050254698
    Abstract: A method and apparatus, and variations of each, for inspecting a wafer defining at least one die thereon is disclosed. The present invention first obtains the electronic image equivalent of two die, and then determines the x and y offset between those electronic images. Prior to inspection for defects, those two electronic images are aligned by adjusting the x and y positions of one electronic image of one die with respect to the electronic image of the other die. Once that is accomplished, the those electronic images are compared to detect any defects that may exist on one of the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Scott Young, Roger Kroeze, Curt Chadwick, Nicholas Szabo, Kent Douglas, Fred Babian
  • Patent number: 6713759
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a sample, particularly but not limited to a semiconductor device, using an electron beam is presented. The technique is called Secondary Electron Emission Microscopy (SEEM), and has significant advantages over both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) techniques. In particular, the SEEM technique utilizes a beam of relatively high-energy primary electrons having a beam width appropriate for parallel, multi-pixel imaging. The electron energy is near a charge-stable condition to achieve faster imaging than was previously attainable with SEM, and charge neutrality unattainable with LEEM. The emitted electrons may be detected using a time delay integration detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: KLA Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Adler, David J. Walker, Fred Babian, Travis Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20030205669
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a sample, particularly but not limited to a semiconductor device, using an electron beam is presented. The technique is called Secondary Electron Emission Microscopy (SEEM), and has significant advantages over both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) techniques. In particular, the SEEM technique utilizes a beam of relatively high-energy primary electrons having a beam width appropriate for parallel, multi-pixel imaging. The electron energy is near a charge-stable condition to achieve faster imaging than was previously attainable with SEM, and charge neutrality unattainable with LEEM. The emitted electrons may be detected using a time delay integration detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: David L. Adler, David J. Walker, Fred Babian, Travis Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20020104964
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a sample, particularly but not limited to a semiconductor device, using an electron beam is presented. The technique is called Secondary Electron Emission Microscopy (SEEM), and has significant advantages over both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) techniques. In particular, the SEEM technique utilizes a beam of relatively high-energy primary electrons having a beam width appropriate for parallel, multi-pixel imaging. The electron energy is near a charge-stable condition to achieve faster imaging than was previously attainable with SEM, and charge neutrality unattainable with LEEM. The emitted electrons may be detected using a time delay integration detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: David L. Adler, David J. Walker, Fred Babian, Travis Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6087659
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a sample, particularly but not limited to a semiconductor device, using an electron beam is presented. The technique is called Secondary Electron Emission Microscopy (SEEM), and has significant advantages over both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) techniques. In particular, the SEEM technique utilizes a beam of relatively high-energy primary electrons having a beam width appropriate for parallel, multi-pixel imaging. The electron energy is near a charge-stable condition to achieve faster imaging than was previously attainable with SEM, and charge neutrality unattainable with LEEM. The emitted electrons may be detected using a time delay integration detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Adler, David J. Walker, Fred Babian, Travis Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5973323
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a sample, particularly but not limited to a semiconductor device, using an electron beam is presented. The technique is called Secondary Electron Emission Microscopy (SEEM), and has significant advantages over both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) techniques. In particular, the SEEM technique utilizes a beam of relatively high-energy primary electrons having a beam width appropriate for parallel, multi-pixel imaging. The electron energy is near a charge-stable condition to achieve faster imaging than was previously attainable with SEM, and charge neutrality unattainable with LEEM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Adler, David J. Walker, Fred Babian, Travis Wolfe