Patents by Inventor Mark K. Nissen

Mark K. Nissen 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: 5568978
    Abstract: An optical method for measuring the temperature of a substrate material with a temperature dependent bandgap. The substrate is illuminated with a broad spectrum lamp and the bandgap is determined from the spectrum of the diffusely scattered light. The spectrum of the light from the lamp is sufficiently broad that it covers the spectral range above and below the bandgap of the substrate. Wavelengths corresponding to photon energies less than the bandgap of the substrate are transmitted through the substrate and are reflected from the back surface of the substrate as well as from the front surface while the wavelengths corresponding to photon energies larger than the bandgap are reflected only from the front surface. If the front surface is polished the front surface reflection will be specular while if the back surface is rough the reflection from the back surface will be non-specular. The back surface reflection is detected with a detector in a non-specular location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventors: Shane R. Johnson, Christian Lavoie, Mark K. Nissen, J. Thomas Tiedje
  • Patent number: 5388909
    Abstract: An optical method and apparatus for measuring the temperature of a substrate material with a temperature dependent bandgap. The substrate is illuminated with a broad spectrum lamp and the bandgap is determined from the spectrum of the diffusely scattered light. The spectrum of the light from the lamp is sufficiently broad that it covers the spectral range above and below the bandgap of the substrate. Wavelengths corresponding to photon energies less than the bandgap of the substrate are transmitted through the substrate and are reflected from the back surface of the substrate as well as from the front surface while the wavelengths corresponding to photon energies larger than the bandgap are reflected only from the front surface. If the front surface is polished the front surface reflection will be specular while if the back surface is rough the reflection from the back surface will be non-specular. The back surface reflection is detected with a detector in a non-specular location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventors: Shane R. Johnson, Christian Lavoie, Mark K. Nissen, J. Thomas Tiedje