Patents by Inventor Martin M. Liphardt

Martin M. Liphardt 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).

  • Publication number: 20140027644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including a polarization state generator comprising: an odd bounce image rotating system and a polarizer, or two polarizers; and optionally including least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA (50%), J.A. WOOLLAM CO. (50%)
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8638437
    Abstract: A system and method of use thereof that enables determining and setting sample alignment based on the location of, and geometric attributes of a monitored image formed by reflection of an electromagnetic beam from a sample and into an image monitor, which beam is directed to be incident onto the sample along a locus which is substantially normal to the surface of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs
  • Patent number: 8600703
    Abstract: Methodology for determining uncertainty in a data set which characterizes a sample involving elimination of the influence of sample alteration drift caused by data set acquisition, and/or elimination of the influence of system drift during data acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventor: Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8587781
    Abstract: A system for and method of allowing visual observation of a sample being subject to investigation by an electromagnetic beam, to identify where thereupon a beam of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation is caused to impinge, in combination with a data detector of the beam of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation after it interacts with the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M Liphardt, Ping He
  • Patent number: 8570513
    Abstract: System for, and method of ellipsometric investigation of and analysis of samples which have, for instance, a non-random effectively “regular” textured surface, and/or a surface characterized by an irregular array of faceted structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Hilfiker, Jianing Sun, Ping He, Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8493565
    Abstract: A small internal volume cell having fluid entry, and exit ports wherein at least one bubble trap is present in a fluid pathway which is continuous with the fluid exit port. There further being present an input/output aperture, for entering and exiting electromagnetic radiation, positioned to allow causing an input beam of electromagnetic radiation to impinge on a sample substrate at a location thereon at which, during use, fluid contacts; and a mirror for directing electromagnetic radiation which reflects from said sample substrate, toward and out of said input/output aperture; as well as methodology of its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: J.A. Wollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Galen L. Pfeiffer, Thomas E. Tiwald, Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8488119
    Abstract: A method of applying an ellipsometer or polarimeter system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz; wherein the ellipsometer or polarimeter system includes a source such as a backward wave oscillator, a Smith-Purcell cell, a free electron laser, an FTIR source or a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably includes at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system and a polarizer, and at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc., University of Nebraska Board of Regents
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20130163099
    Abstract: A combination of a focusing element, and a filtering element which naturally adjusts the cross-sectional area of a beam of electromagnetic radiation passed through the focusing element as a function of wavelength, optionally as an element of an ellipsometer or polarimeter system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8462341
    Abstract: A system, method of configuring, and application a system for introducing a relative phase retardation into orthogonally polarized components of an electromagnetic beam entered thereinto, wherein the system involves a substantially achromatic multiple element retarder system for use in wide spectral range (for example, 190-1700 nm) rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer and/or polarimeter systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ping He, Blaine D. Johs, Steven E. Green, Craig M. Herzinger, Duane E. Meyer, Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8436994
    Abstract: A sample investigation system (ES) in functional combination with an alignment system (AS), and methodology of enabling calibration and very fast, (eg. seconds), sample height, angle-of-incidence and plane-of-incidence adjustments, with application in mapping ellipsometer or the like systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Jeffrey S. Hale, Ping He, Galen L. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8416410
    Abstract: A lens system which allows easy relative adjustment of the position of at least two elements therein to minimize the effects of aberration, having particularly relevant application in ellipsometers, polarimeters, reflectometers and spectrophotometers finite size source is imaged onto a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventor: Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8416408
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including a polarization state generator comprising: an odd bounce image rotating system and a polarizer, or two polarizers; and optionally including least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc., Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8351036
    Abstract: A combination of a focusing means, and a filtering means which naturally adjusts the cross-sectional area of a beam of electromagnetic radiation passed to the focusing means as a function of wavelength, optionally as an element of an ellipsometer or polarimeter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: J. A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8345241
    Abstract: Application of digital light processor (DLP) systems in an imaging ellipsometer or imaging polarimeter with a focusing means, sample and detector arranged to meet the Scheimpflug condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: J. A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8339602
    Abstract: A system for and method of allowing visual observation of a sample being subject to investigation by an electromagnetic beam, to identify where thereupon a beam of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation is caused to impinge, in combination with a data detector of the beam of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation after it interacts with the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Ping He
  • Patent number: 8339603
    Abstract: Mapping ellipsometer and polarimeter systems which comprise polarization state change compensating beam directing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs
  • Publication number: 20120314218
    Abstract: A system for and method of allowing visual observation of a sample being subject to investigation by an electromagnetic beam, to identify where thereupon a beam of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation is caused to impinge, in combination with a data detector of the beam of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation after it interacts with the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Ping He
  • Publication number: 20120261580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8253940
    Abstract: An ellipsometer, polarimeter, reflectometer, spectrophotometer or scatterometer system for use in the UV and infrared range of wavelengths, characterized by the combination of a fiber optic capable of transmitting wavelengths from below 2.2 micron up to at least 3.5 microns, and a beam collimator formed from a combination of two off-axis concave astigmatism reducing spherical mirrors capable of operating between about 190 nm up to 5.5 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: J. A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Green, Gerald T. Cooney, Martin M. Liphardt
  • Patent number: 8248606
    Abstract: A system for and method of mapping process samples which are present in an environmental control chamber at a plurality of “X”-“Y” locations on the surface thereof, wherein the system includes a shield between windows for entering and exiting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and a process sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Martin M. Liphardt, Blaine D. Johs