Patents by Inventor Mike Van Riet

Mike Van Riet 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: 7925072
    Abstract: Methods for identifying array areas in dies formed on a wafer and methods for setting up such methods are provided. One method for identifying array areas in dies formed on a wafer includes comparing an array pattern in a template image acquired in one of the array areas to a search area image acquired for the wafer. The method also includes determining areas in the search area image in which a pattern is formed that substantially matches the array pattern in the template image based on results of the comparing step. In addition, the method includes identifying the array areas in the dies formed on the wafer based on results of the determining step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Huei (Adam) Chen, Ajay Gupta, Richard Wallingford, Kaustubh (Kaust) Namjoshi, Mike Van Riet, Michael Cook
  • Patent number: 7747062
    Abstract: Methods, defect review tools, and systems for locating a defect in a defect review process are provided. One method includes acquiring one or more images and data from an inspection tool. The one or more images illustrate an area on a specimen in which a defect to be reviewed is located. The data indicates a position and features of the defect within the area. The method also includes acquiring one or more additional images of the specimen proximate the position of the defect indicated in the data using an imaging subsystem of a defect review tool. In addition, the method includes identifying a portion of the one or more additional images that corresponds to the one or more images. The method further includes determining a position of the defect within the portion of the one or more additional images using the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Da Chen, Christophe Fouquet, Saibal Banerjee, Santosh Bhattacharyya, Joe Wang, Lian Yao, Mike van Riet, Igor Germanenko
  • Patent number: 7570797
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating an inspection process for an inspection system are provided. One computer implemented method includes generating inspection data for a selected defect on a specimen at different values of one or more image acquisition parameters of the inspection system. The method also includes determining which of the different values produces the best inspection data for the selected defect. In addition, the method includes selecting the different values determined to produce the best inspection data as values of the one or more image acquisition parameters to be used for the inspection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: David Wang, Patrick Huet, Tong Huang, Martin Plihal, Adam Chien-Huei Chen, Mike Van Riet, Stewart Hill
  • Publication number: 20080219545
    Abstract: Methods for identifying array areas in dies formed on a wafer and methods for setting up such methods are provided. One method for identifying array areas in dies formed on a wafer includes comparing an array pattern in a template image acquired in one of the array areas to a search area image acquired for the wafer. The method also includes determining areas in the search area image in which a pattern is formed that substantially matches the array pattern in the template image based on results of the comparing step. In addition, the method includes identifying the array areas in the dies formed on the wafer based on results of the determining step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Chien-Huei Adam Chen, Ajay Gupta, Richard Wallingford, Kaustubh Kaust Namjoshi, Mike Van Riet, Michael Cook
  • Publication number: 20080032429
    Abstract: Methods, defect review tools, and systems for locating a defect in a defect review process are provided. One method includes acquiring one or more images and data from an inspection tool. The one or more images illustrate an area on a specimen in which a defect to be reviewed is located. The data indicates a position and features of the defect within the area. The method also includes acquiring one or more additional images of the specimen proximate the position of the defect indicated in the data using an imaging subsystem of a defect review tool. In addition, the method includes identifying a portion of the one or more additional images that corresponds to the one or more images. The method further includes determining a position of the defect within the portion of the one or more additional images using the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Da Chen, Christophe Fouquet, Saibal Banerjee, Santosh Bhattacharyya, Joe Wang, Lian Yao, Mike van Riet, Igor Germanenko