Patents by Inventor Robert B. Kerr

Robert B. Kerr 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: 6954253
    Abstract: A novel aspect to the invention is a structural arrangement to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e. many more WDM channels) across the device response range, which is expanded to ITU standards by use of the twin etalon configuration. A liquid crystal optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Scientific Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Noto, Robert B. Kerr, Hailiang Zhang, William Z. Marder, Anthony C. Warren
  • Patent number: 6812993
    Abstract: A novel aspect of the invention is a structural arrangement to widen a Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e. many more WDM channels) across the device response range, which is expanded to ITU standards by use of a twin etalon configuration. A liquid crystal optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e. digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Scientific Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Noto, Robert B. Kerr, Hailiang Zhang, William Z. Marder, Anthony C. Warren
  • Patent number: 6757046
    Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Scientific Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Noto, Robert B. Kerr, Hailiang Zhang, William Z. Marder, Anthony C. Warren
  • Publication number: 20030214622
    Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: John Noto, Robert B. Kerr, Hailiang Zhang, William Z. Marder, Anthony C. Warren
  • Publication number: 20030206267
    Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: John Noto, Robert B. Kerr, Hailiang Zhang, William Z. Marder, Anthony C. Warren
  • Publication number: 20020154268
    Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John Noto, Robert B. Kerr, Hailiang Zhang, William Z. Marder, Anthony C. Warren
  • Patent number: 6440825
    Abstract: A solid state fabrication technique for controlling the amount of outdiffusion from a three-dimensional film is comprised of the step of providing a first layer of insitu doped film in a manner to define an upper portion and a lower portion. A second layer of undoped film is provided on top of the first layer to similarly define an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second layers are etched according to a predetermined pattern. The second layer is doped to obtain a desired dopant density which decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion. Outdiffusion of the dopant from the upper portion of the second layer results in the dopant migrating to the lower portion of the second layer. Thus, outdiffusion into the substrate, and the problems caused thereby, are eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando González, D. Mark Durcan, Luan C. Tran, Robert B. Kerr, David F. Cheffings, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6211545
    Abstract: A solid state fabrication technique for controlling the amount of outdiffusion from a three-dimensional film is comprised of the step of providing a first layer of insitu doped film in a manner to define an upper portion and a lower portion. A second layer of undoped film is provided on top of the first layer to similarly define an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second layers are etched according to a predetermined pattern. The second layer is doped to obtain a desired dopant density which decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion. Outdiffusion of the dopant from the upper portion of the second layer results in the dopant migrating to the lower portion of the second layer. Thus, outdiffusion into the substrate, and the problems caused thereby, are eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, D. Mark Durcan, Luan C. Tran, Robert B. Kerr, David F. Cheffings, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6159790
    Abstract: A solid state fabrication technique for controlling the amount of outdiffusion from a three-dimensional film is comprised of the step of providing a first layer of insitu doped film in a manner to define an upper portion and a lower portion. A second layer of undoped film is provided on top of the first layer to similarly define an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second layers are etched according to a predetermined pattern. The second layer is doped to obtain a desired dopant density which decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion. Outdiffusion of the dopant from the upper portion of the second layer results in the dopant migrating to the lower portion of the second layer. Thus, outdiffusion into the substrate, and the problems caused thereby, are eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, D. Mark Durcan, Luan C. Tran, Robert B. Kerr, David F. Cheffings, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6043542
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure for preventing latch-up of an integrated circuit device, such as a dynamic random access memory, that is operated with a negative substrate bias in use of the device. The integrated circuit structure includes a p-type substrate having an n-well region formed therein, with a rectifying junction formed in a lightly doped portion of the n-well region and connected to provide a path to ground for clamping the substrate to ground during power-up conditions. In another embodiment, a rectifying junction formed in a lightly doped portion of the n-well region functions as a diode clamp for a pumped bias voltage for the n-well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Robert B. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5994182
    Abstract: A solid state fabrication technique for controlling the amount of outdiffusion from a three-dimensional film is comprised of the step of providing a first layer of insitu doped film in a manner to define an upper portion and a lower portion. A second layer of undoped film is provided on top of the first layer to similarly define an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second layers are etched according to a predetermined pattern. The second layer is doped to obtain a desired dopant density which decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion. Outdiffusion of the dopant from the upper portion of the second layer results in the dopant migrating to the lower portion of the second layer. Thus, outdiffusion into the substrate, and the problems caused thereby, are eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, D. Mark Durcan, Luan C. Tran, Robert B. Kerr, David F. Cheffings, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5981322
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure for preventing latch-up of an integrated circuit device, such as a dynamic random access memory, that is operated with a negative substrate bias in use of the device. The integrated circuit structure includes a p-type substrate having an n-well region formed therein, with a rectifying junction formed in a lightly doped portion of the n-well region and connected to provide a path to ground for clamping the substrate to ground during power-up conditions. In another embodiment, a rectifying junction formed in a lightly doped portion of the n-well region functions as a diode clamp for a pumped bias voltage for the n-well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Robert B. Kerr