Patents by Inventor Jeffrey P. Sercel

Jeffrey P. Sercel 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: 20230387641
    Abstract: A chamber device includes an inner housing including a passage port through which light generated by excitation of laser gas at an internal space thereof passes, an outer housing surrounding at least a part of the inner housing from a lateral side of a travel direction of the light, and a partition wall arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing and fixed to the inner housing and the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi FUJIMOTO, Takahiro TATSUMI, Kazuki NAGAI, Jeffrey P. SERCEL
  • Publication number: 20230387642
    Abstract: A chamber device includes a housing into which a laser gas is filled, a pair of discharge electrodes generating light from the laser gas when a voltage is applied thereto, a window arranged at a wall surface of the housing and transmitting the light therethrough, a first fan causing the laser gas to flow between the discharge electrodes, a filter, a second fan rotating together with the first fan by a drive force of a drive source of the first fan, a fan-side flow path causing the laser gas filtered by the filter to flow by the second fan and a part of the laser gas to flow in a direction away from the window, and a window-side flow path communicating with the fan-side flow path and causing the laser gas flowing from the fan-side flow path by the second fan to flow toward the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi FUJIMOTO, Rei TAKENAKA, Masanori TERAMOTO, Jeffrey P. SERCEL
  • Patent number: 11820119
    Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods overlap irradiation zones to provide multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location at the interface between layers of material to be separated. To overlap irradiation zones, the laser lift off systems and methods provide stepwise relative movement between a pulsed laser beam and a workpiece. The laser irradiation may be provided by a non-homogeneous laser beam with a smooth spatial distribution of energy across the beam profile. The pulses of laser irradiation from the non-homogenous beam may irradiate the overlapping irradiation zones such that each of the locations at the interface is exposed to different portions of the non-homogeneous beam for each of the multiple pulses of the laser irradiation, thereby resulting in self-homogenization. Thus, the number of the multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location is generally sufficient to provide the self-homogenization and to separate the layers of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cristian Porneala, Mathew Hannon, Marco Mendes, Jeffrey P. Sercel
  • Patent number: 11819949
    Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Joshua Schoenly, Xiangyang Song, Mathew Hannon, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Patent number: 11565350
    Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Joshua Schoenly, Xiangyang Song, Mathew Hannon, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Patent number: 11239116
    Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods may be used to provide monolithic laser lift off with minimal cracking by reducing the size of one or more beam spots in one or more dimensions to reduce plume pressure while maintaining sufficient energy to provide separation. By irradiating irradiation zones with various shapes and in various patterns, the laser lift off systems and methods use laser energy more efficiently, reduce cracking when separating layers, and improve productivity. Some laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by irradiating non-contiguous irradiation zones with laser lift off zones (LOZs) that extend beyond the irradiation zones. Other laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by shaping the irradiation zones and by controlling the overlap of the irradiation zones in a way that avoids uneven exposure of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Jie Fu
  • Publication number: 20210300011
    Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods overlap irradiation zones to provide multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location at the interface between layers of material to be separated. To overlap irradiation zones, the laser lift off systems and methods provide stepwise relative movement between a pulsed laser beam and a workpiece. The laser irradiation may be provided by a non-homogeneous laser beam with a smooth spatial distribution of energy across the beam profile. The pulses of laser irradiation from the non-homogenous beam may irradiate the overlapping irradiation zones such that each of the locations at the interface is exposed to different portions of the non-homogeneous beam for each of the multiple pulses of the laser irradiation, thereby resulting in self-homogenization. Thus, the number of the multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location is generally sufficient to provide the self-homogenization and to separate the layers of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Cristian Porneala, Mathew Hannon, Marco Mendes, Jeffrey P. Sercel
  • Patent number: 10974494
    Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods overlap irradiation zones to provide multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location at the interface between layers of material to be separated. To overlap irradiation zones, the laser lift off systems and methods provide stepwise relative movement between a pulsed laser beam and a workpiece. The laser irradiation may be provided by a non-homogeneous laser beam with a smooth spatial distribution of energy across the beam profile. The pulses of laser irradiation from the non-homogenous beam may irradiate the overlapping irradiation zones such that each of the locations at the interface is exposed to different portions of the non-homogeneous beam for each of the multiple pulses of the laser irradiation, thereby resulting in self-homogenization. Thus, the number of the multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location is generally sufficient to provide the self-homogenization and to separate the layers of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cristian Porneala, Mathew Hannon, Marco Mendes, Jeffrey P. Sercel
  • Publication number: 20210094127
    Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Joshua Schoenly, Xiangyang Song, Mathew Hannon, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Patent number: 10807199
    Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Joshua Schoenly, Xiangyang Song, Mathew Hannon, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Publication number: 20200039002
    Abstract: Vision correction and tracking systems may be used in laser machining systems and methods to improve the accuracy of the machining. The laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe one or more lines in large flat workpieces such as solar panels. In particular, laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe lines in thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with accuracy, high speed and reduced cost. The vision correction and/or tracking systems may be used to provide scribe line alignment and uniformity based on detected parameters of the scribe lines and/or changes in the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Donald J. Lemmo, Terrence A. Murphy, JR., Lawrence Roberts, Tom Loomis, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Patent number: 10500677
    Abstract: Vision correction and tracking systems may be used in laser machining systems and methods to improve the accuracy of the machining. The laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe one or more lines in large flat workpieces such as solar panels. In particular, laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe lines in thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with accuracy, high speed and reduced cost. The vision correction and/or tracking systems may be used to provide scribe line alignment and uniformity based on detected parameters of the scribe lines and/or changes in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: IPG Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Donald J. Lemmo, Terrence A. Murphy, Jr., Lawrence Roberts, Tom Loomis, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Publication number: 20190314934
    Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Joshua Schoenly, Xiangyang Song, Mathew Hannon, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Publication number: 20190279905
    Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods may be used to provide monolithic laser lift off with minimal cracking by reducing the size of one or more beam spots in one or more dimensions to reduce plume pressure while maintaining sufficient energy to provide separation. By irradiating irradiation zones with various shapes and in various patterns, the laser lift off systems and methods use laser energy more efficiently, reduce cracking when separating layers, and improve productivity. Some laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by irradiating non-contiguous irradiation zones with laser lift off zones (LOZs) that extend beyond the irradiation zones. Other laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by shaping the irradiation zones and by controlling the overlap of the irradiation zones in a way that avoids uneven exposure of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Jie Fu
  • Patent number: 10343237
    Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Joshua Schoenly, Xiangyang Song, Mathew Hannon, Miroslaw Sokol
  • Patent number: 10297503
    Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods may be used to provide monolithic laser lift off with minimal cracking by reducing the size of one or more beam spots in one or more dimensions to reduce plume pressure while maintaining sufficient energy to provide separation. By irradiating irradiation zones with various shapes and in various patterns, the laser lift off systems and methods use laser energy more efficiently, reduce cracking when separating layers, and improve productivity. Some laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by irradiating non-contiguous irradiation zones with laser lift off zones (LOZs) that extend beyond the irradiation zones. Other laser lift off systems and methods described herein separate layers of material by shaping the irradiation zones and by controlling the overlap of the irradiation zones in a way that avoids uneven exposure of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Jie Fu
  • Patent number: 10286487
    Abstract: Laser processing of sapphire is performed using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm (hereinafter “QCW laser”). Laser processing of sapphire using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 10%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as argon or helium. Laser processing of sapphire using a QCW laser may further include the use of an assist laser having a shorter wavelength and/or pulse duration to modify a property of the sapphire substrate to form absorption centers, which facilitate coupling of the laser light pulses of the QCW laser into the sapphire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vijay Kancharla, William Shiner, Steven Maynard, Jeffrey P. Sercel, Marco Mendes, Rouzbeh Sarrafi
  • Patent number: 9956646
    Abstract: Multiple-beam laser processing may be performed on a workpiece using at least first and second laser beams with different characteristics (e.g., wavelengths and/or pulse durations). In some applications, an assist laser beam is directed at a target location on or within the workpiece to modify a property of the non-absorptive material. A process laser beam is directed at the target location and is coupled into absorption centers formed in the non-absorptive material to complete processing of the non-absorptive material. Multiple-beam laser processing may be used, for example, to drill holes in a substrate made of alumina or other transparent ceramics. In other applications, multiple-beam laser processing may be used in melting applications such as micro-welding, soldering, and forming laser fired contacts. In these applications, the assist laser beam may be used to modify a property of the material or to change the geometry of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: IPG Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Mendes, Jeffrey P. Sercel, Rouzbeh Sarrafi, Xiangyang Song, Joshua Schoenly, Roy Van Gemert, Cristian Porneala
  • Publication number: 20180001425
    Abstract: Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may include cutting a part from a hard dielectric material using a continuous wave laser operating in a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode to emit consecutive laser light pulses in a wavelength range of about 1060 nm to 1070 nm. Cutting using a QCW laser may be performed with a lower duty cycle (e.g., between about 1% and 15%) and in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Laser processing of hard dielectric materials may further include post-cut processing the cut edges of the part cut from the dielectric material, for example, by beveling and/or polishing the edges to reduce edge defects. The post-cut processing may be performed using a laser beam with different laser parameters than the beam used for cutting, for example, by using a shorter wavelength (e.g., 193 nm excimer laser) and/or a shorter pulse width (e.g., picosecond laser).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. SERCEL, Marco MENDES, Rouzbeh SARRAFI, Joshua SCHOENLY, Xiangyang SONG, Mathew HANNON, Miroslaw SOKOL
  • Publication number: 20170266946
    Abstract: Laser lift off systems and methods overlap irradiation zones to provide multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location at the interface between layers of material to be separated. To overlap irradiation zones, the laser lift off systems and methods provide stepwise relative movement between a pulsed laser beam and a workpiece. The laser irradiation may be provided by a non-homogeneous laser beam with a smooth spatial distribution of energy across the beam profile. The pulses of laser irradiation from the non-homogenous beam may irradiate the overlapping irradiation zones such that each of the locations at the interface is exposed to different portions of the non-homogeneous beam for each of the multiple pulses of the laser irradiation, thereby resulting in self-homogenization. Thus, the number of the multiple pulses of laser irradiation per location is generally sufficient to provide the self-homogenization and to separate the layers of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Cristian PORNEALA, Mathew HANNON, Marco MENDES, Jeffrey P. SERCEL