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: 7274450
    Abstract: A sample sequestering system which allows access to a subspace in a chamber encompassed generally enclosed space, for use in entering and removing a sample when the subspace is opened to atmosphere. Sufficient purge gas is flowed from within the generally enclosed space into the subspace discourage atmospheric contaminates from entering into the subspace. Contained within the generally enclosed space is a spectrophotometer, ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates at wavelengths, (eg. UV), which are adversely affected, (eg. absorbed), by typical atmospheric contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Steven E. Green, Ping He, Galen L. Pfeiffer, Brian D. Guenther, Gerald T. Cooney, John A. Woollam, Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger
  • Patent number: 7265838
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for enabling easy sequential setting of different Angles-of-Incidence of a beam of electromagnetic radiation to a surface of a sample system involving regression based methodology for evaluating and compensating the effects of the presence electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing systems, including where desired, parameterization of calibration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Ping He, Martin M. Liphardt, Christopher A. Goeden, John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 7253900
    Abstract: A spectrophotometer, ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system with a spectroscopic source of wavelengths and a detector with multiple detector elements for simultaneous monitoring of a number of wavelengths in an environmental control chamber which optionally provides for secured sample entry, and methodology of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Gregory K. Pribil, Martin M. Liphardt, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 7245376
    Abstract: Low aberration relay systems modified to perform as spatial filters in rotating compensator ellipsometer, polarimeter and the like systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: J. A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7215423
    Abstract: System and methodology for controlling a beam spot size where it impinges onto a sample, and/or discriminant selection and analysis of data from detector elements in a two dimensional detector array which correspond to identified regions on a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 7215424
    Abstract: Quasi-achromatic multi-element lens(es) which are precisely mounted with respect to one another in a tubular mounting fixture, and the application thereof in focusing, (and optionally re-colliminating), a spectroscopic electromagnetic beam into a very small, chromatically relatively undispersed, area spot on a material system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20070097373
    Abstract: Disclosed are system for and method of analyzing a sample at substantially the exact same small spot point on a sample with a plurality of wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Galen Pfeiffer, Martin Liphardt, Blaine Johs, Craig Herzinger, Christopher Goeden, Ping He, John Woollam, James Welch
  • Patent number: 7209234
    Abstract: A combined ellipsometer and oscillator system applied to a chamber for containing fluid, and method of decorrelated determination of thickness and optical constants of depostable materials present in a fluid. In use the ellipsometer determines the product of thickness and optical constant, and the oscillator system changes frequency of oscillation proportional to the thickness of material deposited upon a surface of an element therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 7193710
    Abstract: Disclosed are spectroscopic ellipsometer systems which include polarizer and analyzer elements which remain fixed in position during data acquisition, and at least one continuously rotating or step-wise rotatable compensator which transmits an electromagnetic beam therethrough and imposes a continuously variable or plurality of sequentially discrete polarization states on a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and at least one multiple element lens which also transmits the electromagnetic beam therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Martin M. Liphardt, Jeffrey S. Hale, Craig M. Herzinger, Steven E. Green, Ping He, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 7158231
    Abstract: A spectroscopic ellipsometer or polarimeter system having a source of a polychromatic beam of electromagnetic radiation, a polarizer, a stage for supporting a material system, an analyzer, a dispersive optics and a detector system which comprises a multiplicity of detector elements, there being apertures before the stage for supporting a material system, and thereafter, the system being present in an environmental control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Ping He, Martin M. Liphardt, Galen L. Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20060268273
    Abstract: A combined ellipsometer and oscillator system applied to a chamber for containing fluid, and method of decorrelated determination of thickness and optical constants of depostable materials present in a fluid. In use the ellipsometer determines the product of thickness and optical constant, and the oscillator system changes frequency of oscillation proportional to the thickness of material deposited upon a surface of an element therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: John Woollam, James Welch
  • Publication number: 20060268272
    Abstract: Low aberration relay systems modified to perform as spatial filters in rotating compensator ellipsometer, polarimeter and the like systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Liphardt, Blaine Johs, Jeffrey Hale, Craig Herzinger, Steven Green, Ping He, John Woollam
  • Patent number: 7057717
    Abstract: Disclosed are system for and method of analyzing the substantially the exact same point on a sample system with at least two wavelengths, or at least two ranges of wavelengths for which the focal lengths do not vary more than within an acceptable amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., INC
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Ping He, Christopher A. Goeden, John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 7030982
    Abstract: A combined ellipsometer and oscillator system and method of decorrelated determination of thickness and optical constants of deposted materials. In use the ellipsometer determines the product of thickness and optical constant, and the oscillator system changes frequency of oscillation proportional to the thickness of material deposited upon a surface of an element therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Patent number: 6982792
    Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in ellipsometer and the like systems capable of operating in the Vacuum-Ultra-Violet (VUV) to Near Infrared (NIR) wavelength range, and methodology of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co. INC
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Steven E. Green, Ping He, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger, Galen L. Pfeiffer, Brian D. Guenther, Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 6940595
    Abstract: Disclosed is application of oblique angle of incidence, reflection and/or transmission mode spectroscopic ellipsometry PSI and/or DELTA, (including combinations thereof and/or mathematical equivalents), vs. wavelength data to monitor and/or control fabrication of multiple layer high/low refractive index band-pass, band-reject and varied attenuation vs. wavelength filters, either alone or in combination with transmissive non-ellipsometric electromagnetic beam turning point vs. layer data obtained at an essentially normal angle of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Jeffrey S. Hale, John A. Woollam, Craig M. Herzinger
  • Patent number: 6937341
    Abstract: Disclosed are system and method for characterizing a system consisting of a fluid sample on a two sided stage, utilizing data obtained by applying, from both sides thereof, beams of electromagnetic radiation to a fluid coated surface in a containing cell volume. The beams can have the same or different wavelength content and/or polarization state, and can be applied at the same or different magnitude angles-of-incidence, and a third typically unpolarized beam can be applied at a normal angle-of-incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: J. A. Woollam Co. Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Galen L. Pfeiffer, Daniel W. Thompson, Blaine D. Johs, Craig M. Herzinger
  • Patent number: 6859278
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for enabling easy sequential setting of different Angles-of-Incidence of a beam of electromagnetic radiation to a surface of a sample system, and to regression based methodology for evaluating and compensating the effects of the presence of electromagnetic beam intercepting angle-of-incidence changing systems, including where desired, parameterization of calibration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine D. Johs, Ping He, Martin M. Liphardt, Christopher A. Goeden, John A. Woollam, James D. Welch
  • Publication number: 20040257567
    Abstract: Simultaneous use of wavelengths in at least two ranges selected from RADIO, MICRO, FIR, IR, NIR-VIS-NUV, UV, DUV, VUV EUV, XRAY in a regression procedure to evaluate parameters in mathematical dispersion structures to model dielectric functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: John A. Woollam, Corey L. Bungay, Thomas E. Tiwald, Martin M. Liphardt, Ronald A. Synowicki, Gregory K. Pribil, Craig M. Herzinger, Blaine D. Johs, James N. Hilfiker
  • Patent number: 6386339
    Abstract: In a spring applied mechanism such as a fail-safe disc brake having a disk and pads, there is provided an automatic adjuster to maintain even travel and pressure to the brake pads from the spring pack regardless of pad wear. The adjuster has a piston operable by hydraulic pressure to draw a pushrod back from the brake pad and a lock actuator in the form of a collet operable between the piston and the pushrod to provide positive movement of the pushrod with the piston in the direction of force application from the spring pack while allowing relative movement between the piston and the pushrod during movement of the piston in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: John Woollams