Patents by Inventor Joseph A. DiRegolo

Joseph A. DiRegolo 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: 9778186
    Abstract: An electron beam detection apparatus includes a first aperture element including a first set of apertures. The apparatus includes a second aperture element including a second set of apertures. The second set of apertures is arranged in a pattern corresponding with the pattern of the first plurality of apertures. The detection apparatus includes an electron-photon conversion element configured to receive electrons of the electron beam transmitted through the first and second aperture elements. The electron-photon conversion element is configured to generate photons in response to the received electrons. The detection apparatus includes an optical assembly including one or more optical elements. The detection apparatus includes a detector assembly. The optical elements of the optical assembly are configured to direct the generated photons from the electron-photon conversion system to the detector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Hamada Wahba, Michael R. Gluszczak, Joseph A. DiRegolo
  • Patent number: 9366524
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a device that senses alignment and height of a work piece. The device may include both an alignment sensor and a height sensor. The alignment sensor generates a first illumination beam that illuminates an alignment mark on the work piece so as to create a first reflected beam, and determines the alignment of the work piece using the first reflected beam. The height sensor generates a second illumination beam that is directed to a surface of the work piece at an oblique angle so as to form a second illumination spot and images the second illumination spot to determine the height of the work piece. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. McCord, Joseph DiRegolo
  • Patent number: 9347824
    Abstract: Systems and methods for accurately measuring the luminous flux and color (spectra) from light-emitting devices are disclosed. An integrating sphere may be utilized to directly receive a first portion of light emitted by a light-emitting device through an opening defined on the integrating sphere. A light collector may be utilized to collect a second portion of light emitted by the light-emitting device and direct the second portion of light into the integrating sphere through the opening defined on the integrating sphere. A spectrometer may be utilized to measure at least one property of the first portion and the second portion of light received by the integrating sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. McCord, Joseph A. DiRegolo, Michael R. Gluszczak
  • Publication number: 20160011110
    Abstract: An electron beam detection apparatus includes a first aperture element including a first set of apertures. The apparatus includes a second aperture element including a second set of apertures. The second set of apertures is arranged in a pattern corresponding with the pattern of the first plurality of apertures. The detection apparatus includes an electron-photon conversion element configured to receive electrons of the electron beam transmitted through the first and second aperture elements. The electron-photon conversion element is configured to generate photons in response to the received electrons. The detection apparatus includes an optical assembly including one or more optical elements. The detection apparatus includes a detector assembly. The optical elements of the optical assembly are configured to direct the generated photons from the electron-photon conversion system to the detector assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Hamada Wahba, Michael R. Gluszczak, Joseph A. DiRegolo
  • Patent number: 9030661
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to an apparatus for alignment measurement. A laser source generates an incident laser beam which is directed to a two-dimensional target grating on a target substrate such that multiple diffracted beams are created. A beam splitter transmits a first plurality of the multiple diffracted beams onto a first optical path and directs a second plurality of the multiple diffracted beams onto a second optical path. Each of the two optical paths includes a reference grating and a detector. Another embodiment relates to a method of measuring alignment of a target substrate. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Mieher, Michael R. Gluszczak, Joseph A. DiRegolo
  • Publication number: 20150124253
    Abstract: Systems and methods for accurately measuring the luminous flux and color (spectra) from light-emitting devices are disclosed. An integrating sphere may be utilized to directly receive a first portion of light emitted by a light-emitting device through an opening defined on the integrating sphere. A light collector may be utilized to collect a second portion of light emitted by the light-emitting device and direct the second portion of light into the integrating sphere through the opening defined on the integrating sphere. A spectrometer may be utilized to measure at least one property of the first portion and the second portion of light received by the integrating sphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Mark A. McCord, Joseph A. DiRegolo, Michael R. Gluszczak
  • Publication number: 20150097126
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a device that senses alignment and height of a work piece. The device may include both an alignment sensor and a height sensor. The alignment sensor generates a first illumination beam that illuminates an alignment mark on the work piece so as to create a first reflected beam, and determines the alignment of the work piece using the first reflected beam. The height sensor generates a second illumination beam that is directed to a surface of the work piece at an oblique angle so as to form a second illumination spot and images the second illumination spot to determine the height of the work piece. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Mark A. McCORD, Joseph DiREGOLO
  • Patent number: 8724115
    Abstract: A stage metrology suitable for REBL includes an interferometer stage metrology system configured to measure the position and rotation of a short-stroke wafer scanning stage, wherein the interferometer metrology system includes two or more interferometers for each axis of measurement, wherein a first interferometer mirror is disposed on a first surface of the short-stroke wafer scanning stage and a second interferometer mirror is disposed on a second surface of the short-stroke wafer scanning stage, and a control system configured to determine a shape error for the first interferometer mirror using two or more interferometer measurements from the two or more interferometers associated with the first interferometer mirror and a shape error for the second interferometer mirror using two or more interferometer measurements from the two or more interferometers associated with the second interferometer mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Layton Hale, Josh Clyne, Samir Nayfeh, Mark Williams, Joseph A. DiRegolo, Andrew Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130342827
    Abstract: A stage metrology suitable for REBL includes an interferometer stage metrology system configured to measure the position and rotation of a short-stroke wafer scanning stage, wherein the interferometer metrology system includes two or more interferometers for each axis of measurement, wherein a first interferometer mirror is disposed on a first surface of the short-stroke wafer scanning stage and a second interferometer mirror is disposed on a second surface of the short-stroke wafer scanning stage, and a control system configured to determine a shape error for the first interferometer mirror using two or more interferometer measurements from the two or more interferometers associated with the first interferometer mirror and a shape error for the second interferometer mirror using two or more interferometer measurements from the two or more interferometers associated with the second interferometer mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Layton Hale, Josh Clyne, Samir Nayfeh, Mark Williams, Joseph A. DiRegolo, Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 4621743
    Abstract: A bottle closure device having a stem member with an enlarged top portion, a collar resiliently biased away from the top portion, a retainer member on the end of the stem, and an O-ring between the retainer member and the collar. When the end of the stem is placed within the mouth of a bottle, the biasing means acts to cause the retainer member to press the O-ring radially outward against the collar to form a fluid-tight seal with the mouth of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Tritec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. DiRegolo, Hugo Hauser
  • Patent number: 4601409
    Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid chemicals, such as photoresist, from containers which includes a valve to govern the flow from the containers, a reservoir to intermediately hold the chemicals prior to pumping, and a level detector to monitor the liquid in the reservoir and to control the valve, and an aspirator to remove air from the reservoir. The aspirator is activated in response to signals from the level detector indicating that the reservoir level is low. The increased suction causes liquid to be drawn from the container into the reservoir. If after a period of time the level detector indicates the reservoir level is still low, the valve will cause liquid to be drawn from a different container. The aspirator is deactivated a period of time after the level detector indicates that the reservoir level is normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Tritec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. DiRegolo