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).

  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20070075264
    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: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • 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: 20070075265
    Abstract: A coupled nano-resonating structure includes a plurality of a nano-resonating substructures constructed and adapted to couple energy from a beam of charged particles into said nano-resonating structure and to transmit the coupled energy outside said nano-resonating structure. The nano-resonant substructures may have various shapes and may include parallel rows of structures. The rows may be symmetric or asymmetric, tilted, and/or staggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Michael Maines
  • Publication number: 20060216940
    Abstract: We describe an ultra-small structure and a method of producing the same. The structures produce 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 are formed by either etching or plating 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: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: Virgin Islands Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Gorrell, Mark Davidson, Jean Tokarz, Michael Maines, Andres Trucco, Paul Hart
  • Publication number: 20050028340
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a fixture and a method to assist in the alignment of the inlet end of a transition duct and a combustor component in a turbine engine. The fixture includes a plurality of pressure transducers spaced on a mandrel so as to correspond to the target alignment location of the transition. The plurality of pressure transducers produce signals, which can be converted by a signal processor into an actual alignment location signal. A display can be provided for presenting graphical images of the target alignment location and the actual alignment location responsive to the actual alignment location signal received from the signal processor. Thus, a user can view the movement of the graphical image of the actual alignment location relative to the graphical image of the target alignment location such that the user can adjust the transition's position until the graphical images are substantially aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Main