Patents by Inventor Lucius M. Sherwin

Lucius M. Sherwin 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: 11703678
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first aluminum silicon layer on a metal layer and forming a titanium nitride layer (or other titanium-based layer) on a surface of the aluminum-silicon layer opposite the metal layer. The method further includes etching the titanium nitride layer to create a titanium nitride pad and forming a torsion hinge in the metal layer. The titanium nitride pad is on the torsion hinge. The method also includes depositing a sacrificial layer over the torsion hinge and titanium nitride pad, forming a via in the sacrificial layer from a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge to the titanium nitride pad, depositing a metal mirror layer on a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge and into the via, and removing the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lucius M. Sherwin, Jesse Yuan, Noppawan Boorananut
  • Publication number: 20220326508
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first aluminum silicon layer on a metal layer and forming a titanium nitride layer (or other titanium-based layer) on a surface of the aluminum-silicon layer opposite the metal layer. The method further includes etching the titanium nitride layer to create a titanium nitride pad and forming a torsion hinge in the metal layer. The titanium nitride pad is on the torsion hinge. The method also includes depositing a sacrificial layer over the torsion hinge and titanium nitride pad, forming a via in the sacrificial layer from a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge to the titanium nitride pad, depositing a metal mirror layer on a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge and into the via, and removing the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lucius M. Sherwin, Jesse Yuan, Noppawan Boorananut
  • Patent number: 11409098
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first aluminum silicon layer on a metal layer and forming a titanium nitride layer (or other titanium-based layer) on a surface of the aluminum-silicon layer opposite the metal layer. The method further includes etching the titanium nitride layer to create a titanium nitride pad and forming a torsion hinge in the metal layer. The titanium nitride pad is on the torsion hinge. The method also includes depositing a sacrificial layer over the torsion hinge and titanium nitride pad, forming a via in the sacrificial layer from a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge to the titanium nitride pad, depositing a metal mirror layer on a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge and into the via, and removing the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lucius M. Sherwin, Jesse Yuan, Noppawan Boorananut
  • Publication number: 20200064745
    Abstract: A die includes a resist layer located over a semiconductor substrate, and a pattern developed in the resist layer. The pattern includes a plurality of locations of developed photoresist, each location of developed photoresist separated from a neighboring location of developed photoresist by a portion of undeveloped photoresist, and the developed photoresist at each location having a corresponding different thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Lucius M. Sherwin, Song Zheng, Chris Murray Beard, Noppawan Boorananut
  • Patent number: 10466597
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control grayscale lithography are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus for adjusting a grayscale lithography process includes an optical measurement device to optically measure portions of a patterned wafer, and a processor to calculate a profile based on the measured portions, and to determine an adjustment of the grayscale lithography process based on the calculated profile. The disclosed apparatus also includes an adjuster to control the grayscale lithography process based on the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lucius M. Sherwin, Song Zheng, Chris Murray Beard, Noppawan Boorananut
  • Publication number: 20190155016
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first aluminum silicon layer on a metal layer and forming a titanium nitride layer (or other titanium-based layer) on a surface of the aluminum-silicon layer opposite the metal layer. The method further includes etching the titanium nitride layer to create a titanium nitride pad and forming a torsion hinge in the metal layer. The titanium nitride pad is on the torsion hinge. The method also includes depositing a sacrificial layer over the torsion hinge and titanium nitride pad, forming a via in the sacrificial layer from a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge to the titanium nitride pad, depositing a metal mirror layer on a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge and into the via, and removing the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Lucius M. SHERWIN, Jesse YUAN, Noppawan BOORANANUT
  • Publication number: 20190129298
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control grayscale lithography are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus for adjusting a grayscale lithography process includes an optical measurement device to optically measure portions of a patterned wafer, and a processor to calculate a profile based on the measured portions, and to determine an adjustment of the grayscale lithography process based on the calculated profile. The disclosed apparatus also includes an adjuster to control the grayscale lithography process based on the adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Lucius M. Sherwin, Song Zheng, Chris Murray Beard, Noppawan Boorananut
  • Patent number: 8203776
    Abstract: A method of forming an electronic device includes providing a patterned lower metal layer over a substrate and a first sacrificial layer there between. A second sacrificial layer is formed over the metal layer, and a portion thereof is removed. A third sacrificial layer is formed over the second sacrificial layer, and an upper metal layer is formed over the third sacrificial layer. A portion of the upper metal layer is removed, and the first, second and third sacrificial layers are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rosemary Urmese Anthraper, Lucius M. Sherwin, Irma Izzeth Annillo
  • Publication number: 20100128338
    Abstract: A method of forming an electronic device includes providing a patterned lower metal layer over a substrate and a first sacrificial layer there between. A second sacrificial layer is formed over the metal layer, and a portion thereof is removed. A third sacrificial layer is formed over the second sacrificial layer, and an upper metal layer is formed over the third sacrificial layer. A portion of the upper metal layer is removed, and the first, second and third sacrificial layers are removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rosemary Urmese Anthraper, Lucius M. Sherwin, Irma Izzeth Annillo
  • Patent number: 6771371
    Abstract: A portable particle detection and removal system (100) that connects to a house vacuum (200). A particle sensor (106) is connected between two hoses: one (102) connected to the house vacuum (200) and one (104) for vacuuming the wafer equipment chamber. A smaller diameter hose (104) may be used for vacuuming the wafer equipment chamber. The particle sensor detects (106) incoming particles and a particle count is displayed for the operator. A modulated cleaning system (112) modulates the vacuum pressure in the second hose (104) between two vacuum pressure states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lucius M. Sherwin
  • Publication number: 20020020837
    Abstract: A portable particle detection and removal system (100) that connects to a house vacuum (200). A particle sensor (106) is connected between two hoses: one (102) connected to the house vacuum (200) and one (104) for vacuuming the wafer equipment chamber. A smaller diameter hose (104) may be used for vacuuming the wafer equipment chamber. The particle sensor detects (106) incoming particles and a particle count is displayed for the operator. A modulated cleaning system (112) modulates the vacuum pressure in the second hose (104) between two vacuum pressure states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Lucius M. Sherwin