Patents by Inventor Scott A. Young

Scott A. Young 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: 11644756
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining information for a specimen are provided. Certain embodiments relate to bump height 3D inspection and metrology using deep learning artificial intelligence. For example, one embodiment includes a deep learning (DL) model configured for predicting height of one or more 3D structures formed on a specimen based on one or more images of the specimen generated by an imaging subsystem. One or more computer systems are configured for determining information for the specimen based on the predicted height. Determining the information may include, for example, determining if any of the 3D structures are defective based on the predicted height. In another example, the information determined for the specimen may include an average height metric for the one or more 3D structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: KLA Corp.
    Inventors: Scott A. Young, Kris Bhaskar, Lena Nicolaides
  • Publication number: 20220043357
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining information for a specimen are provided. Certain embodiments relate to bump height 3D inspection and metrology using deep learning artificial intelligence. For example, one embodiment includes a deep learning (DL) model configured for predicting height of one or more 3D structures formed on a specimen based on one or more images of the specimen generated by an imaging subsystem. One or more computer systems are configured for determining information for the specimen based on the predicted height. Determining the information may include, for example, determining if any of the 3D structures are defective based on the predicted height. In another example, the information determined for the specimen may include an average height metric for the one or more 3D structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Scott A. Young, Kris Bhaskar, Lena Nicolaides
  • Patent number: 10861671
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscopy system is disclosed. The system includes a multi-beam scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sub-system. The SEM sub-system includes a multi-beam electron source configured to form a plurality of electron beams, a sample stage configured to secure a sample, an electron-optical assembly to direct the electron beams onto a portion of the sample, and a detector assembly configured to simultaneously acquire multiple images of the surface of the sample. The system includes a controller configured to receive the images from the detector assembly, identify a best focus image of images by analyzing one or more image quality parameters of the images, and direct the multi-lens array to adjust a focus of one or more electron beams based on a focus of an electron beam corresponding with the identified best focus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Doug K. Masnaghetti, Richard R. Simmons, Scott A. Young, Mark A. McCord, Rainer Knippelmeyer
  • Patent number: 10733744
    Abstract: Methods and systems for aligning images for a specimen acquired with different modalities are provided. One method includes acquiring information for a specimen that includes at least first and second images for the specimen. The first image is acquired with a first modality different than a second modality used to acquire the second image. The method also includes inputting the information into a learning based model. The learning based model is included in one or more components executed by one or more computer systems. The learning based model is configured for transforming one or more of the at least first and second images to thereby render the at least the first and second images into a common space. In addition, the method includes aligning the at least the first and second images using results of the transforming. The method may also include generating an alignment metric using a classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corp.
    Inventors: Thanh Huy Ha, Scott A. Young, Mohan Mahadevan
  • Patent number: 10533954
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for detecting defects or reviewing defects in a semiconductor sample. The system has a brightfield (BF) module for directing a BF illumination beam onto a sample and detecting an output beam reflected from the sample in response to the BF illumination beam. The system has a modulated optical reflectance (MOR) module for directing a pump and probe beam to the sample and detecting a MOR output beam from the probe spot in response to the pump beam and the probe beam. The system includes a processor for analyzing the BF output beam from a plurality of BF spots to detect defects on a surface or near the surface of the sample and analyzing the MOR output beam from a plurality of probe spots to detect defects that are below the surface of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Lena Nicolaides, Mohan Mahadevan, Alex Salnik, Scott A. Young
  • Patent number: 10325753
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscopy system is disclosed. The system includes a multi-beam scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sub-system. The SEM sub-system includes a multi-beam electron source configured to form a plurality of electron beams, a sample stage configured to secure a sample, an electron-optical assembly to direct the electron beams onto a portion of the sample, and a detector assembly configured to simultaneously acquire multiple images of the surface of the sample. The system includes a controller configured to receive the images from the detector assembly, identify a best focus image of images by analyzing one or more image quality parameters of the images, and direct the multi-lens array to adjust a focus of one or more electron beams based on a focus of an electron beam corresponding with the identified best focus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: KLA Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Doug K. Masnaghetti, Richard R. Simmons, Scott A. Young, Mark A. McCord, Rainer Knippelmeyer
  • Publication number: 20190172675
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscopy system is disclosed. The system includes a multi-beam scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sub-system. The SEM sub-system includes a multi-beam electron source configured to form a plurality of electron beams, a sample stage configured to secure a sample, an electron-optical assembly to direct the electron beams onto a portion of the sample, and a detector assembly configured to simultaneously acquire multiple images of the surface of the sample. The system includes a controller configured to receive the images from the detector assembly, identify a best focus image of images by analyzing one or more image quality parameters of the images, and direct the multi-lens array to adjust a focus of one or more electron beams based on a focus of an electron beam corresponding with the identified best focus image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Doug K. Masnaghetti, Richard R. Simmons, Scott A. Young, Mark A. McCord, Rainer Knippelmeyer
  • Patent number: 10186396
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscopy system is disclosed. The system includes a multi-beam scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sub-system. The SEM sub-system includes a multi-beam electron source configured to form a plurality of electron beams, a sample stage configured to secure a sample, an electron-optical assembly to direct the electron beams onto a portion of the sample, and a detector assembly configured to simultaneously acquire multiple images of the surface of the sample. The system includes a controller configured to receive the images from the detector assembly, identify a best focus image of images by analyzing one or more image quality parameters of the images, and direct the multi-lens array to adjust a focus of one or more electron beams based on a focus of an electron beam corresponding with the identified best focus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KLA Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Doug K. Masnaghetti, Richard R. Simmons, Scott A. Young, Mark A. McCord, Rainer Knippelmeyer
  • Publication number: 20180330511
    Abstract: Methods and systems for aligning images for a specimen acquired with different modalities are provided. One method includes acquiring information for a specimen that includes at least first and second images for the specimen. The first image is acquired with a first modality different than a second modality used to acquire the second image. The method also includes inputting the information into a learning based model. The learning based model is included in one or more components executed by one or more computer systems. The learning based model is configured for transforming one or more of the at least first and second images to thereby render the at least the first and second images into a common space. In addition, the method includes aligning the at least the first and second images using results of the transforming. The method may also include generating an alignment metric using a classifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Thanh Huy Ha, Scott A. Young, Mohan Mahadevan
  • Publication number: 20180003648
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for detecting defects or reviewing defects in a semiconductor sample. The system has a brightfield (BF) module for directing a BF illumination beam onto a sample and detecting an output beam reflected from the sample in response to the BF illumination beam. The system has a modulated optical reflectance (MOR) module for directing a pump and probe beam to the sample and detecting a MOR output beam from the probe spot in response to the pump beam and the probe beam. The system includes a processor for analyzing the BF output beam from a plurality of BF spots to detect defects on a surface or near the surface of the sample and analyzing the MOR output beam from a plurality of probe spots to detect defects that are below the surface of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Lena Nicolaides, Mohan Mahadevan, Alex Salnik, Scott A. Young
  • Patent number: 9772297
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for detecting defects or reviewing defects in a semiconductor sample. The system has a brightfield (BF) module for directing a BF illumination beam onto a sample and detecting an output beam reflected from the sample in response to the BF illumination beam. The system has a modulated optical reflectance (MOR) module for directing a pump and probe beam to the sample and detecting a MOR output beam from the probe spot in response to the pump beam and the probe beam. The system includes a processor for analyzing the BF output beam from a plurality of BF spots to detect defects on a surface or near the surface of the sample and analyzing the MOR output beam from a plurality of probe spots to detect defects that are below the surface of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Lena Nicolaides, Mohan Mahadevan, Alex Salnik, Scott A. Young
  • Publication number: 20170084424
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscopy system is disclosed. The system includes a multi-beam scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sub-system. The SEM sub-system includes a multi-beam electron source configured to form a plurality of electron beams, a sample stage configured to secure a sample, an electron-optical assembly to direct the electron beams onto a portion of the sample, and a detector assembly configured to simultaneously acquire multiple images of the surface of the sample. The system includes a controller configured to receive the images from the detector assembly, identify a best focus image of images by analyzing one or more image quality parameters of the images, and direct the multi-lens array to adjust a focus of one or more electron beams based on a focus of an electron beam corresponding with the identified best focus image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Doug K. Masnaghetti, Richard R. Simmons, Scott A. Young, Mark A. McCord, Rainer Knippelmeyer
  • Patent number: 9553034
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer inspection system includes a camera and two or more illuminators. The illuminators illuminate a line of the semiconductor wafer in sequence and the camera captures an interleaved image of illuminated lines such that the individual images can be recovered from the interleaved image. The semiconductor wafer can be moved by a conveyor so that adjacent lines can be sequentially illuminated by the illuminators. The camera may include two or more line sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Young, Guoheng Zhao, NanChang Zhu, Neeraj Khanna
  • Patent number: 9170231
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of determining the allergen content of a composition. Embodiments of the invention may include providing a composition comprising an allergen; at least partially purifying the allergen from the composition to form an extract; and determining the amount of allergen in the extract using liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Young, Barry W. Schafer, Krishna Kuppannan, Samir Julka, Dave R. Albers
  • Publication number: 20150226676
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for detecting defects or reviewing defects in a semiconductor sample. The system has a brightfield (BF) module for directing a BF illumination beam onto a sample and detecting an output beam reflected from the sample in response to the BF illumination beam. The system has a modulated optical reflectance (MOR) module for directing a pump and probe beam to the sample and detecting a MOR output beam from the probe spot in response to the pump beam and the probe beam. The system includes a processor for analyzing the BF output beam from a plurality of BF spots to detect defects on a surface or near the surface of the sample and analyzing the MOR output beam from a plurality of probe spots to detect defects that are below the surface of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Lena Nicolaides, Mohan Mahadevan, Alex Salnik, Scott A. Young
  • Patent number: 8978786
    Abstract: An earth boring drill bit designed for a specific performance, within a finished product tolerance, using components built to a looser manufacturing tolerance. The bit may be assembled by selecting a leg from a plurality of pre-manufactured legs; selecting a bit body from a plurality of pre-manufactured bit bodies, the bit body having a slot for receiving the leg; placing the leg within the slot; and fixing the leg within the slot within the finished product tolerance by placing one or more shims between the leg and the slot. The shims may be used to adjust an axial position, a radial position, and/or a circumferential position of the leg with respect to the slot. The leg and the bit body may be selected, or produced, to ensure the bit will not meet the specification, given the manufacturing tolerance, without the shims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Don Q. Nguyen, Anton F. Zahradnik, Rudolf C. Pessier, Mark P. Blackman, Robert D. Bradshaw, Scott A. Young, Ronny D. McCormick, Shyam Anandampillai, Michael S. Damschen, Robert J. Buske
  • Patent number: 8643835
    Abstract: A system for inspecting a depth relative to a layer using a sensor with a fixed focal plane. A focus sensor senses the surface of the substrate and outputs focus data. In setup mode the controller scans a first portion of the substrate, receives the focus data and XY data, and stores correlated XYZ data for the substrate. In inspection mode the controller scans a second portion of the substrate, receives the focus data and XY data, and subtracts the stored Z data from the focus data to produce virtual data. The controller feeds the virtual data plus an offset to the motor for moving the substrate up and down during the inspection, thereby holding the focal plane at a desired Z distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Young, Daniel L. Cavan, Yale Zhang, Aviv Balan
  • Publication number: 20130280742
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of determining the allergen content of a composition. Embodiments of the invention may include providing a composition comprising an allergen; at least partially purifying the allergen from the composition to form an extract; and determining the amount of allergen in the extract using liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Young, Barry W. Schafer, Krishna Kuppannan, Samir Julka, Dave R. Albers
  • Patent number: 8477596
    Abstract: A line card in a network node having a local memory coupled to a local controller and local logic circuit. The local memory in the line card stores state information for signals processed by the line card itself, as well as state information for signals processed by other line cards. The logic circuit and controller implement a same fault detection and signal processing algorithms as all other line cards in the group, to essentially effectuate a distributed and local hardware based control of automatic protection switching (APS) without interrupting a central processor. The line card also performs error checking and supervisory functions to ensure consistency of state among the line cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Tjandra Trisno, Edward E. Sprague, Scott A. Young
  • Publication number: 20120129804
    Abstract: Provided are food products comprising at least 0.5 g of trans fatty acid per serving and one or more water-insoluble cellulose derivatives in an amount sufficient to reduce absorption of the trans fatty acid by a mammal consuming the food product, methods of ameliorating the harmful effects of trans fatty acids on a mammal that has consumed trans fatty acids, and methods of reducing the amount of trans fatty acids capable of being absorbed by a mammal ingesting a trans fatty acid containing food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Kerr W.H. Anderson, David R. Albers, Scott A. Young, Wallace H. Yokoyama