Patents by Inventor Michael Maines

Michael Maines 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: 7990336
    Abstract: An electronic receiver array for detecting microwave signals. Ultra-small resonant devices resonate at a frequency higher than the microwave frequency (for example, the optical frequencies) when the microwave energy is incident to the receiver. A microwave antenna couples the microwave energy and excites the ultra-small resonant structures to produce Plasmon activity on the surfaces of the resonant structures. The Plasmon activity produces detectable electromagnetic radiation at the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Maines, Narada Bradman, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20090072698
    Abstract: An electronic receiver array for detecting microwave signals. Ultra-small resonant devices resonate at a frequency higher than the microwave frequency (for example, the optical frequencies) when the microwave energy is incident to the receiver. A microwave antenna couples the microwave energy and excites the ultra-small resonant structures to produce Plasmon activity on the surfaces of the resonant structures. The Plasmon activity produces detectable electromagnetic radiation at the resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Maines, Narada Bradman, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20080083881
    Abstract: Nanoantennas are formed on a substrate (e.g., silicon) and generate light via interactions with a charged particle beam, where the frequency of the generated light is based in large part on the periodicity of the “fingers” that make up the nanoantennas. Each finger has typical dimensions of less than 100 nm on the shorter side and typically less than 500 nm on the longer, but the size of the optimal longer side is determined by the electron velocity. The charged particle may be an electron beam or any other source of charged particles. By utilizing fine-line lithography on the surface of the substrate, the nanoantennas can be formed without the need for complicated silicon devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Jean Tokarz, Michael Maines, Mark Davidson
  • Publication number: 20070264023
    Abstract: Micro-resonant structures form a part of an optical interconnect system that allows various integrated circuits to communicate with each other without being connected by signal wires. Substrates have mounted thereon integrated circuits which include at least one optical communications section. Each optical communications section includes at least one transmitter and/or at least one receiver. Such transmitters may include at least one resonant structure, and such receivers may include a receiver for receiving optical emissions from at least one resonant structure. Substrates may also include, mounted thereon, at least one optical directing element such as a mirror, a lens, or a prism. Optical communications sections may also be isolated from each other using filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070257739
    Abstract: A focal plane array electromagnetic radiation detector includes an array of micro-electromagnetic resonant detector cells. Each micro-electromagnetic resonant detector cell may include an ultra-small resonant structure for receiving an electromagnetic wave and adapted to angularly modulate a charged particle beam in response to receiving an electromagnetic wave. Each micro-electromagnetic detector cell may include a detector portion that measures the angular modulation of the charged particle beam. The ultra-small resonant structure is designed to angularly modulate the charged particle beam according to a characteristic of the received electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070258689
    Abstract: A device includes a waveguide layer formed on a substrate. An ultra-small resonant structure emits electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the waveguide layer. One or more circuits are formed on the waveguide layer and each operatively connected thereto to receive the EMR emitted by the ultra-small resonant structure. The waveguide layer may be transparent at wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths of the EMR emitted by the ultra-small resonant structure. The EMR may be visible light and may encode a data signal such as a clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070257622
    Abstract: A device for coupling energy in a plasmon wave to an electron beam includes a metal transmission line having a pointed end; a generator mechanism constructed and adapted to generate a beam of charged particles; and a detector microcircuit disposed adjacent to the generator mechanism. The generator mechanism and the detector microcircuit are disposed adjacent the pointed end of the metal transmission line and wherein a beam of charged particles from the generator mechanism to the detector microcircuit electrically couples the plasmon wave traveling along the metal transmission line to the microcircuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070252089
    Abstract: A charged particle beam including charged particles (e.g., electrons) is generated from a charged particle source (e.g., a cathode or scanning electron beam). As the beam is projected, it passes between plural alternating electric fields. In one embodiment, the electric fields alternate not only on the same side but across from each other as well. The attraction of the charged particles to their oppositely charged fields accelerates the charged particles, thereby increasing their velocities in the corresponding (positive or negative) direction. The velocity oscillation direction can be either perpendicular to the direction of motion of the beam or parallel to the direction of motion of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070200071
    Abstract: A device for coupling output from a resonant structure to a plasmon transmission line includes a transmission line formed adjacent at least one element of the light-emitting resonant structure; a detector microcircuit disposed adjacent to the transmission line and wherein a beam of charged particles electrically couples the a plasmon wave traveling along the metal transmission line to the microcircuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070200646
    Abstract: A device for determining the state of a magnetic element includes an emitter constructed and adapted to emit a charged particle beam; a bi-state magnetic cell disposed on a path of the particle beam, whereby the particle beam is deflected along a first deflection path when the cell is in a first magnetic state, and the particle beam is deflected along a second deflection path, distinct from the first deflection path, when the cell is in a second magnetic state. At least one ultra-small resonant structure positioned on the deflection paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Island Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Jean Tokarz, Michael Maines, Henry Davis
  • Publication number: 20070200784
    Abstract: An antenna system includes a dielectric structure formed on a substrate; an antenna, partially within the dielectric structure, and supported by the dielectric structure; a reflective surface formed on the substrate. A shield blocks radiation from a portion of the antenna and from at least some of the dielectric structure. The shield is supported by the dielectric structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Patent number: 7253426
    Abstract: A device couples energy from an electromagnetic wave to charged particles in a beam. The device includes a micro-resonant structure and a cathode for providing electrons along a path. The micro-resonant structure, on receiving the electromagnetic wave, generates a varying field in a space including a portion of the path. Electrons are deflected or angularly modulated to a second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines, Lev Gasparov, Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20070170370
    Abstract: A device couples energy from an electromagnetic wave to charged particles in a beam. The device includes a micro-resonant structure and a cathode for providing electrons along a path. The micro-resonant structure, on receiving the electromagnetic wave, generates a varying field in a space including a portion of the path. Electrons are deflected or angularly modulated to a second path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Lev Gasparov, Michael Maines, Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20070152781
    Abstract: When using micro-resonant structures, a resonant structure may be turned on or off (e.g., when a display element is turned on or off in response to a changing image or when a communications switch is turned on or off to send data different data bits). Rather than turning the charged particle beam on and off, the beam may be moved to a position that does not excite the resonant structure, thereby turning off the resonant structure without having to turn off the charged particle beam. In one such embodiment, at least one deflector is placed between a source of charged particles and the resonant structure(s) to be excited. When the resonant structure is to be turned on (i.e., excited), the at least one deflector allows the beam to pass by undeflected. When the resonant structure is to be turned off, the at least one deflector deflects the beam away from the resonant structure by an amount sufficient to prevent the resonant structure from becoming excited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070154846
    Abstract: When using micro-resonant structures, it is possible to use the same source of charged particles to cause multiple resonant structures to emit electromagnetic radiation. This reduces the number of sources that are required for multi-element configurations, such as displays with plural rows (or columns) of pixels. In one such embodiment, at least one deflector is placed in between first and second resonant structures. After the beam passes by at least a portion of the first resonant structure, it is directed to a path such that it can be directed towards the second resonant structure. The amount of deflection needed to direct the beam toward the second resonant structure is based on the amount of deflection, if any, that the beam underwent as it passed by the first resonant structure. This process can be repeated in series as necessary to produce a set of resonant structures in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070152176
    Abstract: We describe an ultra-small resonant structure that produces electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light) at selected frequencies. The resonant structure can be produced from any conducting material (e.g., metal such as silver or gold). In one example, a number of rows of posts are etched or plated on a substrate, with each row having a particular geometry associated with the posts and cavities between the posts. A charged particle beam is selectively directed close by one of the rows of posts, causing them to resonate and produce radiation (e.g., in the visible spectrum at a predominant frequency). Directing the charged particle beam at a different row yields radiation at a different predominant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070152938
    Abstract: A display of wavelength elements can be produced from resonant structures that emit light (and other electromagnetic radiation having a dominant frequency higher than that of microwave) when exposed to a beam of charged particles, such as electrons from an electron beam. An exemplary display with three wavelengths per pixel utilizes three resonant structures per pixel. The spacings and lengths of the fingers of the resonant structures control the light emitted from the wavelength elements. Alternatively, multiple resonant structures per wavelength can be used as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070085039
    Abstract: A device couples energy from an electromagnetic wave to charged particles in a beam. The device includes a micro-resonant structure and a cathode for providing electrons along a path. The micro-resonant structure, on receiving the electromagnetic wave, generates a varying field in a space including a portion of the path. Electrons are deflected or angularly modulated to a second path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines, Lev Gasparov, Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20070075907
    Abstract: We describe an ultra-small structure that produces visible light of varying frequency, from a single metallic layer. In one example, a row of metallic posts are etched or plated on a substrate according to a particular geometry. When a charged particle beam passed close by the row of posts, the posts and cavities between them cooperate to resonate and produce radiation in the visible spectrum (or even higher). A plurality of such rows of different geometries can be etched or plated from a single metal layer such that the charged particle beam will yield different visible light frequencies (i.e., different colors) using different ones of the rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20070075263
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating a beam of charged particles is described in which a beam of charged particles is produced by a particle source and a varying electric field is induced within an ultra-small resonant structure. The beam of charged particles is modulated by the interaction of the varying electric field with the beam of charged particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines, Paul Hart