Patents by Inventor Harald F. Hess
Harald F. Hess 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).
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Publication number: 20110102787Abstract: An apparatus includes a position-sensitive detector to detect intensities of radiation as a function of position on the detector, and an optical system, characterized by a diffraction-limited resolution volume, adapted for imaging light emitted from activated and excited phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) in a sample onto the position sensitive-detector. A first light source provides activation radiation to the sample to activate a subset of the PTOLs that are distributed in the sample with a density greater than an inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume of the optical system. A second light source provides excitation radiation to the sample to excite a portion of the PTOLs in the subset of the PTOLs. A controller controls one both of the activation radiation and the excitation radiation provided to the sample such that a density of PTOLs in the portion of the PTOLs is less than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: HESTZIG LLCInventors: Harald F. Hess, Robert Eric Betzig
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Patent number: 7924432Abstract: A statistically sparse subset of switchable optical sources in a sample is activated, and the activated switchable optical sources are excited such that optical beams are emitted from the activated switchable optical sources along at least two optical paths. A first wavefront modification in a first optical beam emitted from the activated switchable optical sources along a first optical path is introduced and a second wavefront modification in a second optical beam emitted from the activated switchable optical sources along a second optical path is introduced, the second wavefront modification being distinct from the first wavefront modification. The first and second optical beams are interfered with each other to produce a plurality of output beams, and three-dimensional position information of the optical sources is determined based on an intensity of each output beam from the plurality of output beams.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Harald F. Hess, Gleb Shtengel
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Patent number: 7916304Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an optical system with multiple detectors and a processor. The optical system is configured to produce images of an optical source in a first dimension and a second dimension substantially orthogonal to the first dimension at each detector at a given time. Each image from the images is based on an interference of an emission from the optical source in a first direction and an emission from the optical source in a second direction different from the first direction. The processor is configured to calculate a position in a third dimension based on the images. The third dimension is substantially orthogonal to the first dimension and the second dimension.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventor: Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7864314Abstract: An apparatus includes a position-sensitive detector to detect intensities of radiation as a function of position on the detector, and an optical system, characterized by a diffraction-limited resolution volume, adapted for imaging light emitted from activated and excited phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) in a sample onto the position sensitive-detector. A first light source provides activation radiation to the sample to activate a subset of the PTOLs that are distributed in the sample with a density greater than an inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume of the optical system. A second light source provides excitation radiation to the sample to excite a portion of the PTOLs in the subset of the PTOLs. A controller controls one both of the activation radiation and the excitation radiation provided to the sample such that a density of PTOLs in the portion of the PTOLs is less than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Hestzig LLCInventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7816655Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a reflective electron patterning device. The device includes a pattern on a surface. There is an electron reflective portion of the pattern and an electron non-reflective portion of the pattern. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a method of reflecting a pattern of electrons. An electron beam is generated to be incident upon a surface. The pattern is formed on the surface. The incident electrons are reflected from a reflective portion of the pattern are prevented from being reflected from a non-reflective portion of the pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies CorporationInventors: Harald F. Hess, Marian Mankos, David L. Adler
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Publication number: 20100231922Abstract: A statistically sparse subset of switchable optical sources in a sample is activated, and the activated switchable optical sources are excited such that optical beams are emitted from the activated switchable optical sources along at least two optical paths. A first wavefront modification in a first optical beam emitted from the activated switchable optical sources along a first optical path is introduced and a second wavefront modification in a second optical beam emitted from the activated switchable optical sources along a second optical path is introduced, the second wavefront modification being distinct from the first wavefront modification. The first and second optical beams are interfered with each other to produce a plurality of output beams, and three-dimensional position information of the optical sources is determined based on an intensity of each output beam from the plurality of output beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTEInventors: Harald F. Hess, Gleb Shtengel
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Patent number: 7782457Abstract: First activation radiation is provided to a sample that includes phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) to activate a first subset of the PTOLs in the sample. First excitation radiation is provided to the first subset of PTOLs in the sample to excite at least some of the activated PTOLs, and radiation emitted from activated and excited PTOLs within the first subset of PTOLs is detecting with imaging optics. The first activation radiation is controlled such that the mean volume per activated PTOL in the first subset is greater than or approximately equal to a diffraction-limited resolution volume (“DLRV”) of the imaging optics.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Hestzig LLCInventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Harald F. Hess
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Publication number: 20100181497Abstract: An apparatus includes a position-sensitive detector to detect intensities of radiation as a function of position on the detector, and an optical system, characterized by a diffraction-limited resolution volume, adapted for imaging light emitted from activated and excited phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) in a sample onto the position sensitive-detector. A first light source provides activation radiation to the sample to activate a subset of the PTOLs that are distributed in the sample with a density greater than an inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume of the optical system. A second light source provides excitation radiation to the sample to excite a portion of the PTOLs in the subset of the PTOLs. A controller controls one both of the activation radiation and the excitation radiation provided to the sample such that a density of PTOLs in the portion of the PTOLs is less than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: HESTZIG LLCInventors: Harald F. Hess, Robert Eric Betzig
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Patent number: 7710563Abstract: A method of imaging with an optical system characterized by a diffraction-limited resolution volume is disclosed. In a sample that includes a plurality of phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) distributed in the sample with a density greater than an inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume of the optical system, a first subset of the PTOLs in the sample are activated, and the density of the activated PTOLs in the first subset is less than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume. A first portion of the PTOLs in the first subset of PTOLs is excited. Radiation emitted from the activated and excited PTOLs in the first portion of PTOLs is detected with the imaging optics, and locations of activated and excited PTOLs in the first portion of PTOLs is determined with a sub-diffraction-limited accuracy based on the detected radiation emitted from the activated and excited PTOLs.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Hestzig LLCInventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7704653Abstract: A method and tool for conducting charged-particle beam direct write lithography is disclosed. A disclosed method involves condensing an initial design file down to a set of profiles and a pattern of relative locations to form a formatted pattern file. The formatted pattern file is adjusted to accommodate desired pattern corrections. Portions of the formatted pattern records are extracted to form data strips that have a plurality of channels with a pattern of profiles and spatial indicators. Data strips are sequentially read to construct a printable pattern of profiles and spatial indicators that specify the locations of the profiles. Additionally, the pattern of profiles are sequentially printed from each data strip onto a substrate to form the desired pattern on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventors: Vincenzo Lordi, Shem-Tov Levi, Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7626703Abstract: Spatially-structured activation radiation having relatively high- and low-intensity regions is provided to a sample that includes phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”). A subset of the PTOLs located predominately at relatively high intensity regions of the spatially-structured activation radiation is activated. Spatially-structured excitation radiation is provided to the activated PTOLs, and the excitation radiation is structured so that one or more relatively high intensity regions of the excitation radiation at least partially overlap one or more relatively high intensity regions of the activating radiation to excite PTOLs located at the relatively high intensity excitation radiation regions. Radiation emitted from the activated and excited PTOLs is detected with imaging optics.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Inventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7626695Abstract: An apparatus includes a position-sensitive detector to detect intensities of radiation as a function of position on the detector, and an optical system, characterized by a diffraction-limited resolution volume, adapted for imaging light emitted from activated and excited phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) in a sample onto the position sensitive-detector. A first light source provides activation radiation to the sample to activate a subset of the PTOLs that are distributed in the sample with a density greater than an inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume of the optical system. A second light source provides excitation radiation to the sample to excite a portion of the PTOLs in the subset of the PTOLs. A controller controls one both of the activation radiation and the excitation radiation provided to the sample such that a density of PTOLs in the portion of the PTOLs is less than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Inventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7626694Abstract: First activation radiation is provided to a sample that includes fluorescent proteins (“FPs”) to activate a first subset of the FPs in the sample. First excitation radiation is provided to the first subset of FPs in the sample to excite at least some of the activated FPs, and radiation emitted from activated and excited FPs within the first subset of FPs is detecting with imaging optics. The first activation radiation is controlled such that the mean volume per activated FPs in the first subset is greater than or approximately equal to a diffraction-limited resolution volume (“DLRV”) of the imaging optics.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Inventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Harald F. Hess
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Publication number: 20090206251Abstract: First activation radiation is provided to a sample that includes phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) to activate a first subset of the PTOLs in the sample. First excitation radiation is provided to the first subset of PTOLs in the sample to excite at least some of the activated PTOLs, and radiation emitted from activated and excited PTOLs within the first subset of PTOLs is detecting with imaging optics. The first activation radiation is controlled such that the mean volume per activated PTOL in the first subset is greater than or approximately equal to a diffraction-limited resolution volume (“DLRV”) of the imaging optics.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2007Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Harald F. Hess, Robert Eric Betzig
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Patent number: 7566882Abstract: One embodiment pertains to a method of electron beam lithography. An illumination electron beam is formed, and a dynamic pattern generating device is used to generate an electron-reflective pattern of pixels and to reflect the illumination electron beam from said pattern so as to form a patterned electron beam. The patterned electron beam is projected onto a platter configured to hold and rotate a plurality of target substrates. Said generated pattern of pixels is shifted in correspondence with the rotation of the platter so that the patterned electron beam writes a swath path of pixels over the target substrates. Other features, aspects and embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies CorporationInventor: Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7535012Abstract: First activation radiation is provided to a sample that includes phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”) to activate a first subset of the PTOLs. Deactivation radiation is provided to the sample to transform activated PTOLs to an unactivated state. The deactivation radiation has a spatially-structured radiation field including intensity minima, such that a second subset of PTOLs located substantially at the intensity minima remain activated, while activated PTOLs exposed to the deactivation radiation outside the minima are transformed into an unactivated form. Excitation radiation is provided to the sample to excite activated PTOLs in the sample located substantially at the intensity minima of the deactivation radiation. Radiation emitted from the activated and excited PTOLs is detected with imaging optics.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Inventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7505143Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of dynamic reference plane compensation, comprises impinging radiation from a first radiation source onto a surface of an object; generating an uncompensated measurement signal from radiation reflected from a first location on the surface and a second location; generating a compensation signal from radiation reflected from a third location and a fourth location on the surface; and generating a compensated measurement signal using the uncompensated measurement signal and the compensation signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventors: Harald F. Hess, Thomas Daniel Carr, Romain Sappey
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Publication number: 20080158551Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an optical system with multiple detectors and a processor. The optical system is configured to produce images of an optical source in a first dimension and a second dimension substantially orthogonal to the first dimension at each detector at a given time. Each image from the images is based on an interference of an emission from the optical source in a first direction and an emission from the optical source in a second direction different from the first direction. The processor is configured to calculate a position in a third dimension based on the images. The third dimension is substantially orthogonal to the first dimension and the second dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventor: Harald F. Hess
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Patent number: 7391034Abstract: One embodiment pertains to an apparatus which impinges a focused electron beam onto a substrate. The apparatus includes an irradiation source and at least two non-axisymmetric lenses. The irradiation source is configured to originate electrons for an incident electron beam. The non-axisymmetric lenses are positioned after the irradiation source and are configured to focus the beam in a first linear dimension so as to produce a linear crossover of the beam. The non-axisymmetric lenses are further configured to subsequently focus the beam in a second linear dimension, which is substantially perpendicular to the first linear dimension. Finally, the non-axisymmetric lenses are also configured to produce a focused image at an image plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies CorporationInventors: Kirk J. Bertsche, Harald F. Hess
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Publication number: 20080145767Abstract: A method and tool for conducting charged-particle beam direct write lithography is disclosed. A disclosed method involves condensing an initial design file down to a set of profiles and a pattern of relative locations to form a formatted pattern file. The formatted pattern file is adjusted to accommodate desired pattern corrections. Portions of the formatted pattern records are extracted to form data strips that have a plurality of channels with a pattern of profiles and spatial indicators. Data strips are sequentially read to construct a printable pattern of profiles and spatial indicators that specify the locations of the profiles. Additionally, the pattern of profiles are sequentially printed from each data strip onto a substrate to form the desired pattern on the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Vincenzo Lordi, Shem-Tov Levi, Harald F. Hess