Patents by Inventor Peter S. Frank

Peter S. Frank 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: 7102737
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface are disclosed. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit, which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfson, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Patent number: 6831734
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfsou, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Publication number: 20040224429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfson, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Patent number: 6704107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photoresist material, on a sample surface. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfson, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Publication number: 20020093642
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfson, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Patent number: 6369887
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfson, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Publication number: 20010013930
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfson, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Patent number: 6256094
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Eyolfson, Elton J. Hochhalter, Joe Lee Phillips, David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank
  • Patent number: 6179448
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically tuning the power and the intensity of light supplied to an illuminated object to some desired values, the apparatus including a light source positionable along at least a first axis with respect to a reflector, a drive assembly for positioning the light source in response to an intensity of light measured by a light meter positioned to sample light reflected from the object along a reflected light path, and a diaphragm having an adjustable aperture for controlling the amount of light supplied to the object. The light source is automatically positioned along the first axis to achieve a maximum intensity of light on the object. The light source may then be automatically positioned along a second axis and a third axis to achieve respective maximum light intensities on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Johnson, Peter S. Frank, Joe L. Phillips, Robert J. Hatfield