Patents by Inventor John A. Woollam

John A. Woollam 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: 11675208
    Abstract: Reflectometer, spectrophotometer, ellipsometer, and polarimeter systems having a supercontinuum laser source of coherent electromagnetic radiation over a range of between 400 nm to between 4400 nm and 18000 nm, and another source of wavelengths to provide between 400 nm and as high as at least 50000 nm; a stage for supporting a sample and a detector of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the source provides a beam of electromagnetic radiation which interacts with a sample and enters a detector system optionally incorporating a wavelength modifier, where the detector system can be functionally incorporated with combinations of gratings and/or combination dichroic beam splitter-prisms, which can be optimized as regards wavelength dispersion characteristics to direct wavelengths in various ranges to various detectors that are well suited to detect them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Schoeche, Martin M. Liphardt, Ping He, Jeremy A Van Derslice, Craig M. Herzinger, Jeffrey S. Hale, Brian D. Guenther, Duane E. Meyer, John A Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 10101265
    Abstract: Ellipsometers and polarimeters or the like to investigate analyte containing fluids applied to a substrate-stage having a multiplicity of nano-structures that project non-normal to a surface thereof, including dynamics of interaction therewith, to the end of evaluating and presenting at least partial Jones or Mueller Matricies corresponding to a multiplicity of locations over an imaged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, David S. Hage, Erika Pfaunmiller, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam, Stefan Schoeche
  • Patent number: 10073120
    Abstract: Optical Hall Effect (OHE) method for evaluating such as free charge carrier effective mass, concentration, mobility and free charge carrier type in a sample utilizing a permanent magnet at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC.
    Inventors: Tino Hofmann, Mathias M. Schubert, Stefan Schoeche, Philipp Kuehne, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam, Gregory K. Pribil, Thomas E. Tiwald, Sean R. Knight
  • Patent number: 10048059
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that enable determination of uncorrelated thickness of a working electrode and surface region optical constants in settings involving electrochemical processing at a working electrodes in a Piezoelectric Balance system, by simultaneous application of an Ellipsometer system, the working electrode optionally having a multiplicity of nanofibers that are oriented non-normally to a surface of said working electrode. Further disclosed is, simultaneous with said determinations, the monitoring of electrochemical processes at a piezoelectric balance working electrode driven by electrical energy applied between said working electrode and counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: J. A. WOOLLAM CO., INC, THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, John A. Woollam, Rebecca Y. Lai
  • Patent number: 10026167
    Abstract: Anisotropic contrast methodology in combination with use of sample investigating polarized electromagnetic radiation to provide Jones or Mueller Matrix imaging data corresponding to areas on samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, J. A. WOOLLAM CO., INC.
    Inventors: Tino Hofmann, Mathias M. Schubert, Tadas Kasputis, Angela K. Pannier, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 9851294
    Abstract: System Stage, and Optical Hall Effect (OHE) system method for evaluating such as free charge carrier effective mass, concentration, mobility and free charge carrier type in a sample utilizing a permanent magnet at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC., UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA BOARD OF REGENTS
    Inventors: Tino Hofmann, Mathias M. Schubert, Stefan Schoeche, Sean Knight, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam, Greg K. Pribil, Thomas E. Tiwald
  • Publication number: 20150153230
    Abstract: A dual scanning and FTIR system for application in the Terahertz and broadband blackbody frequency range including sources for providing Thz and broadband blackbody range and electromagnetic radiation, at least one detector of electromagnetic radiation in the THZ and broadband blackbody ranges, and at least one rotating element between the source and detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicants: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA (50%), J.A.WOLLAM CO. (50%)
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 9041927
    Abstract: A dual scanning and FTIR system for application in the Terahertz and broadband blackbody frequency range including sources for providing Thz and broadband blackbody range and electromagnetic radiation, at least one detector of electromagnetic radiation in the THZ and broadband blackbody ranges, and at least one rotating element between the source and detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC, BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8934096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: University of Nebraska Board of Regents, J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8705032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including a polarization state generator comprising: an odd bounce image rotating system and a polarizer, or two polarizers; and optionally including least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20140027644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including a polarization state generator comprising: an odd bounce image rotating system and a polarizer, or two polarizers; and optionally including least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA (50%), J.A. WOOLLAM CO. (50%)
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8488119
    Abstract: A method of applying an ellipsometer or polarimeter system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz; wherein the ellipsometer or polarimeter system includes a source such as a backward wave oscillator, a Smith-Purcell cell, a free electron laser, an FTIR source or a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably includes at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system and a polarizer, and at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc., University of Nebraska Board of Regents
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8416408
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including a polarization state generator comprising: an odd bounce image rotating system and a polarizer, or two polarizers; and optionally including least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc., Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20120261580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20120206724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8169611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: University of Nebraska Board of Regents, J. A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Matias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8159672
    Abstract: A spectroscopic system for adjusting spacing between an adjacent source/detector as a unit, and a sample, and a reflecting means for directing an incident beam which reflects from said sample back onto said sample and then into the detector along a locus which is in a plane of incidence that is offset from that of the incident beam, or directly from the reflecting means into the detector, including means for reducing reflections of a beam of electromagnetic from the back of a sample, including methodology of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Thomas E. Tiwald, Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, Ronald A. Synowicki, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20100220313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Matias H. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7768660
    Abstract: Disclosed is the use of a focused electromagnetic beam which is caused to impinge on the top surface of a tube shaped sample, to investigate a film coating on its inner surface during fabrication thereof and/or thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory K. Pribil, John A. Woollam, Martin M. Liphardt, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 7746471
    Abstract: A substantially self-contained “on-board” material system investigation system for effecting relative translational and rotational motion between a source and detector of electromagnetic radiation and a sample, which system is functionally mounted on a three dimensional locational system to enable positioning at desired locations on, and distances from, the surface of a sample, including the capability to easily and conveniently effect rotation and/or to change the angle-of-incidence of a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a sample surface and/or to provide gas flow confined in a mini-chamber near the surface of a sample, at a location at which a beam having UV, VUV, IR and/or NIR wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation is caused to be impinged thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: J.A Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Ping He, Martin M. Liphardt, Christopher A. Goeden, John A. Woollam, James D. Welch