Patents by Inventor Neil Wester

Neil Wester 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: 7384665
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing color filters with a protective silation layer is described. In one embodiment, each filter is coated with a silation layer to prevent bleeding of material between closely spaced filters during the fabrication process. In a second embodiment, the silation layer is used to protect an array of filters from physical damage during detaping operations. In a third embodiment, the silation layer is used before fabrication later filters in a color filter array to prevent damage to previous filter layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Publication number: 20050159016
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method including providing a substrate; forming a photoresist on the substrate; performing a post-apply bake on the photoresist; exposing the photoresist to actinic radiation; performing a post-exposure bake on the photoresist; developing the photoresist; and performing electron exposure on the photoresist to reduce line edge roughness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Patent number: 6885015
    Abstract: A source of soft x-rays in an Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system may include a pre-ionization unit to pre-ionize a source material, e.g., a Xenon plasma. The pre-ionization unit may be integrated with a discharge unit, and may use Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6) as a thermionic emitter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Publication number: 20040135103
    Abstract: A source of soft x-rays in an Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system may include a pre-ionization unit to pre-ionize a source material, e.g., a Xenon plasma. The pre-ionization unit may be integrated with a discharge unit, and may use Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6) as a thermionic emitter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Patent number: 6762424
    Abstract: A photolithography tool includes an anode and a cathode composed of a first material and a second material. The second material has a lower work function than the first material. Electrons emitted from the cathode ionize a gas into a plasma that generates EUV light. The EUV light is focused on a mask to produce an image of a circuit pattern. The image is projected on a semiconductor wafer to produce a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Publication number: 20040016894
    Abstract: A photolithography tool includes an anode and a cathode composed of a first material and a second material. The second material has a lower work function than the first material. Electrons emitted from the cathode ionize a gas into a plasma that generates EUV light. The EUV light is focused on a mask to produce an image of a circuit pattern. The image is projected on a semiconductor wafer to produce a circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Publication number: 20030203529
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing color filters with a protective silation layer is described. In one embodiment, each filter is coated with a silation layer to prevent bleeding of material between closely spaced filters during the fabrication process. In a second embodiment, the silation layer is used to protect an array of filters from physical damage during detaping operations. In a third embodiment, the silation layer is used before fabrication later filters in a color filter array to prevent damage to previous filter layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Patent number: 6603510
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing color filters with a protective silation layer is described. In one embodiment, each filter is coated with a silation layer to prevent bleeding of material between closely spaced filters during the fabrication process. In a second embodiment, the silation layer is used to protect an array of filters from physical damage during detaping operations. In a third embodiment, the silation layer is used before fabrication later filters in a color filter array to prevent damage to previous filter layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Publication number: 20030142226
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing color filters with a protective silation layer is described. In one embodiment, each filter is coated with a silation layer to prevent bleeding of material between closely spaced filters during the fabrication process. In a second embodiment, the silation layer is used to protect an array of filters from physical damage during detaping operations. In a third embodiment, the silation layer is used before fabrication later filters in a color filter array to prevent damage to previous filter layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: NEIL WESTER
  • Patent number: 6507439
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming microlenses is described. The method involves defocusing light from a mask during semiconductor processing to control the curvature of microlenses being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Patent number: 6207947
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing color filters with a protective highly cross-linked and densified polymer layer is described. In one embodiment, each filter is coated with a highly cross-linked and densified polymer layer to prevent bleeding of material between closely spaced filters during the fabrication process. In a second embodiment, the highly cross-linked and densified polymer layer is used to protect an array of filters from physical damage during detaping operations. In a third embodiment, the highly cross-linked and densified polymer layer is used before fabrication later filters in a color filter array to prevent damage to previous filter layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Wester
  • Patent number: 6083429
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming microlenses is described. The method involves defocusing light from a mask during semiconductor processing to control the curvature of microlenses being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Wester