Patents by Inventor Mark D. Crook

Mark D. Crook 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: 7768084
    Abstract: A semiconductor sensor including a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a fluorescent molecule layer and a photosensitive layer. The fluorescent molecule layer converts light incident on the pixel to surface plasmons. The photosensitive layer generates a light detection signal representative of an intensity of light incident on the pixel in response to the surface plasmons in a region of the sensor which is close enough to the surface of the pixels that electronic crosstalk between the pixels does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell W. Gruhlke, Mark D. Crook, Thomas E. Dungan
  • Patent number: 7704780
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit structure and method for fabricating. The semiconductor integrated circuit structure includes a light sensitive device integral with a semiconductor substrate, a cover dielectric layer disposed over the light sensitive device, and a lens-formation dielectric layer disposed over the cover dielectric layer. Light is transmittable though the cover dielectric layer, and through the lens-formation dielectric layer. The lens-formation dielectric layer forms an embedded convex microlens. The microlens directs light onto the light sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Chintamani Palsule, John H. Stanback, Thomas E. Dungan, Mark D. Crook
  • Publication number: 20090081822
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit structure and method for fabricating. The semiconductor integrated circuit structure includes a light sensitive device integral with a semiconductor substrate, a cover dielectric layer disposed over the light sensitive device, and a lens-formation dielectric layer disposed over the cover dielectric layer. Light is transmittable though the cover dielectric layer, and through the lens-formation dielectric layer. The lens-formation dielectric layer forms an embedded convex microlens. The microlens directs light onto the light sensitive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: APTINA IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHINTAMANI PALSULE, John H. Stanback, Thomas E. Dungan, Mark D. Crook
  • Patent number: 7459733
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit structure and method for fabricating. The semiconductor integrated circuit structure includes a light sensitive device integral with a semiconductor substrate, a cover dielectric layer disposed over the light sensitive device, and a lens-formation dielectric layer disposed over the cover dielectric layer. Light is transmittable through the cover dielectric layer; and through the lens-formation dielectric layer. The lens-formation dielectric layer forms an embedded convex microlens. The microlens directs light onto the light sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Chintamani Palsule, John H. Stanback, Thomas E. Dungan, Mark D. Crook
  • Publication number: 20070278607
    Abstract: A shallow semiconductor sensor with a fluorescent molecule layer that eliminates optical and electronic crosstalk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Russell W. Gruhlke, Mark D. Crook, Thomas E. Dungan
  • Patent number: 7208783
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit structure and method for fabricating. The semiconductor integrated circuit structure includes a light sensitive device integral with a semiconductor substrate, a cover dielectric layer disposed over the light sensitive device, and a lens-formation dielectric layer disposed over the cover dielectric layer. Light is transmittable though the cover dielectric layer; and through the lens-formation dielectric layer. The lens-formation dielectric layer forms an embedded convex microlens. The microlens directs light onto the light sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chintamani Palsule, John H. Stanback, Thomas E. Dungan, Mark D. Crook
  • Patent number: 6903017
    Abstract: An integrated circuit metallization structure using a titanium/aluminum alloy, and a method to generate such a structure, provide reduced leakage current by allowing mobile impurities such as water, oxygen, and hydrogen to passivate structural defects in the silicon layer of the IC. The titanium layer of the structure is at least partially alloyed with the aluminum layer, thereby restricting the ability of the titanium to getter the mobile impurities within the various layers of the IC. Despite the alloying of the titanium and aluminum, the metallization structure exhibits the superior contact resistance and electromigration properties associated with titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky D. Snyder, Robert G Long, David W Hula, Mark D. Crook
  • Publication number: 20040038453
    Abstract: An integrated circuit metallization structure using a titanium/aluminum alloy, and a method to generate such a structure, provide reduced leakage current by allowing mobile impurities such as water, oxygen, and hydrogen to passivate structural defects in the silicon layer of the IC. The titanium layer of the structure is at least partially alloyed with the aluminum layer, thereby restricting the ability of the titanium to getter the mobile impurities within the various layers of the IC. Despite the alloying of the titanium and aluminum, the metallization structure exhibits the superior contact resistance and electromigration properties associated with titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Ricky D. Snyder, Robert G. Long, David W. Hula, Mark D. Crook
  • Patent number: 6646346
    Abstract: An integrated circuit metallization structure using a titanium/aluminum alloy, and a method to generate such a structure, provide reduced leakage current by allowing mobile impurities such as water, oxygen, and hydrogen to passivate structural defects in the silicon layer of the IC. The titanium layer of the structure is at least partially alloyed with the aluminum layer, thereby restricting the ability of the titanium to getter the mobile impurities within the various layers of the IC. Despite the alloying of the titanium and aluminum, the metallization structure exhibits the superior contact resistance and electromigration properties associated with titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky D. Snyder, Robert G Long, David W Hula, Mark D. Crook
  • Patent number: 5110712
    Abstract: A system for integrating a composite dielectric layer in an integrated circuit to facilitate fabrication of a high density multi-level interconnect with external contacts. The composite dielectric layer comprises of a polymer layer which normally comprises a polyimide that is deposited using conventional spin-deposit techniques to form a planarized surface for deposition of an inorganic layer typically comprising silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. The inorganic layer is etched using standard photoresist techniques to form an inorganic mask for etching the polymer layer. A previously deposited inorganic layer functions as an etch stop to allow long over etches to achieve full external contacts which, in turn, allows high density interconnect systems on multiple levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kessler, Robert W. Wu, Christopher C. Beatty, Mark D. Crook
  • Patent number: 5084414
    Abstract: A process is described for electrically interconnecting electronic devices located on a surface through one or more planar linking layers consisting of conductors and dielectrics. A three-step additive process is disclosed for forming each planar linking layer. The process may be repeated in order to form the multiple linking layers required for complex VLSI circuits. Each layer is formed by a three step process of applying a uniform dielectric, removing the dielectric where the interconnections, including vias and lines, are to be made and then selectively depositing a conductor to form the interconnections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Manley, Mark D. Crook