Patents by Inventor Sean P. Kilcoyne

Sean P. Kilcoyne 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: 11222813
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wafer assembly includes forming an array of planar wafer level metal posts extending from a surface of a substrate of a first wafer. After forming the array of posts, an oxide layer is applied over the surface of the first wafer and around the array of posts, the oxide layer being applied at a temperature of below 150 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric R. Miller, George Grama
  • Publication number: 20210227158
    Abstract: An imaging and asynchronous laser pulse detector (ALPD) device, imaging cell of the imaging and ALPD device and method of use is disclosed. A detector generates an electrical signal in response to receiving an optical signal, wherein a frequency of the electrical signal is indicative of a frequency of the optical signal. A first detection/readout circuit is sensitive to a first frequency range, and a second detection/readout circuit is sensitive to a second frequency range. The first detection/readout circuit allows the electrical signal to pass from the first detection/readout circuit to the second detection/readout circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Adam M. Kennedy, Michael J. Batinica, Scott M. Taylor, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Paul Bryant
  • Publication number: 20210043665
    Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly including a first wafer bonded to a second wafer with an oxide layer, wherein a first surface of the first wafer is bonded to a first surface of the second wafer. The assembly can include a bonding oxide on a second surface of the second wafer, wherein a surface of the bonding oxide is polished. The assembly can further include a shim secured to the bonding oxide on the second surface of the second wafer to reduce bow of the circuit assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jeffery H. Burkhart, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric Miller
  • Patent number: 10879291
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) stack is provided and includes a capacitor layer and an integrated circuit (IC) layer. The capacitor layer includes capacitors and capacitor layer connectors respectively communicative with corresponding capacitors. The IC layer is stacked vertically with the capacitor layer and is hybridized to a detector. The IC layer includes IC layer connectors respectively communicative with corresponding capacitor layer connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Neil R. Malone, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Micky Harris
  • Patent number: 10847419
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing individual die devices, with a desired or predicted amount of flatness, from a bonded wafer process. The flatness of a bonded wafer is measured at point in the wafer manufacturing process. This measurement is compared to a value predetermined by an empirical analysis of previous devices made by the same process. If the flatness of the bonded wafer is not at the predetermined value, then one or more compensation layers are provided to the bonded wafer to obtain the predetermined flatness value. Once obtained, subsequent processing is performed and the resulting individual dies are obtained with the desired flatness characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Scott S. Miller, Christine Frandsen, Andrew Cahill, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Shannon Wilkey
  • Patent number: 10847569
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for proving a sensor assembly. Embodiments can include employing a circuit assembly having a first layer bonded to a second layer with an oxide layer, depositing bonding oxide on the second layer of the circuit assembly, and thinning the first layer of the circuit assembly after depositing the bonding oxide. A coating can be applied over at least a portion of the first layer of the circuit assembly after annealing the circuit assembly. After polishing the bonding oxide on the second surface of the second layer of the circuit assembly, a shim can be secured to the bonding oxide on the second surface of the second layer of the circuit assembly to reduce bow of the assembly. Embodiments can provide a sensor useful in focal plane arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jeffery H. Burkhart, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric Miller
  • Publication number: 20200273893
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for proving a sensor assembly. Embodiments can include employing a circuit assembly having a first layer bonded to a second layer with an oxide layer, depositing bonding oxide on the second layer of the circuit assembly, and thinning the first layer of the circuit assembly after depositing the bonding oxide. A coating can be applied over at least a portion of the first layer of the circuit assembly after annealing the circuit assembly. After polishing the bonding oxide on the second surface of the second layer of the circuit assembly, a shim can be secured to the bonding oxide on the second surface of the second layer of the circuit assembly to reduce bow of the assembly. Embodiments can provide a sensor useful in focal plane arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jeffery H. Burkhart, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric Miller
  • Patent number: 10672826
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a focal plane array comprising a first row of photodetectors, a second row of photodetectors adjacent to the first row of photodetectors, and a segmented isolation grid including portions disposed between photodetectors in the first row of photodetectors and photodetectors in the second row of photodetectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, John L. Vampola, George Paloczi
  • Publication number: 20200168651
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) stack is provided and includes a capacitor layer and an integrated circuit (IC) layer. The capacitor layer includes capacitors and capacitor layer connectors respectively communicative with corresponding capacitors. The IC layer is stacked vertically with the capacitor layer and is hybridized to a detector. The IC layer includes IC layer connectors respectively communicative with corresponding capacitor layer connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Neil R. Malone, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Micky Harris
  • Publication number: 20200075396
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wafer assembly includes forming an array of planar wafer level metal posts extending from a surface of a substrate of a first wafer. After forming the array of posts, an oxide layer is applied over the surface of the first wafer and around the array of posts, the oxide layer being applied at a temperature of below 150 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric R. Miller, George Grama
  • Patent number: 10515837
    Abstract: Methods, assemblies, and equipment are described for bonding one or more die that may be of dissimilar thickness to a wafer. The die may be fabricated and singulated with a planarized oxide layer protecting from wafer dicing and handling debris one or more metallized post structures connecting to an integrated circuit. Face sides of the die are bonded to a first handle wafer, such that the respective post structures are aligned in a common plane. The substrate material back sides of the bonded die are then thinned to a uniform thickness and bonded to a second handle wafer. The assembly may then be flipped, and the first handle wafer and protective layer including potential dicing and handling debris removed. The post structures are revealed, resulting in a composite wafer assembly including the second handle and one or more uniformly thinned die mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric R. Miller
  • Patent number: 10504777
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array of planar wafer level metal posts includes plating an array of posts within a photoresist (PR) pattern mold on a substrate of a first wafer. Stripping the PR pattern mold from the substrate and array of posts. Applying an oxide layer, at a temperature of below 150 degrees Celsius, over a surface of the first wafer. Applying chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) to planarize the oxide layer and the array of posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric R. Miller, George Grama
  • Publication number: 20190326346
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a focal plane array comprising a first row of photodetectors, a second row of photodetectors adjacent to the first row of photodetectors, and a segmented isolation grid including portions disposed between photodetectors in the first row of photodetectors and photodetectors in the second row of photodetectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, John L. Vampola, George Paloczi
  • Publication number: 20190287854
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing individual die devices, with a desired or predicted amount of flatness, from a bonded wafer process. The flatness of a bonded wafer is measured at point in the wafer manufacturing process. This measurement is compared to a value predetermined by an empirical analysis of previous devices made by the same process. If the flatness of the bonded wafer is not at the predetermined value, then one or more compensation layers are provided to the bonded wafer to obtain the predetermined flatness value. Once obtained, subsequent processing is performed and the resulting individual dies are obtained with the desired flatness characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott S. Miller, Christine Frandsen, Andrew Cahill, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Shannon Wilkey
  • Patent number: 10418406
    Abstract: Aspects and examples described herein provide a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly for reducing undesired radiative transfer between a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) and an optical detector, and methods of manufacturing a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly. In one example, a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly includes an optical detector configured to collect electromagnetic radiation incident thereon, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), and a radiation-shielding wafer interposed between the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer including a plurality of through wafer vias (TWVs) electrically coupled to the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer being positioned to prevent radiative transfer between the CMOS ROIC and the optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, John L. Vampola, Barry M. Starr, Chad W. Fulk, Christopher L. Mears, John J. Drab
  • Publication number: 20190252244
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array of planar wafer level metal posts includes plating an array of posts within a photoresist (PR) pattern mold on a substrate of a first wafer. Stripping the PR pattern mold from the substrate and array of posts. Applying an oxide layer, at a temperature of below 150 degrees Celsius, over a surface of the first wafer. Applying chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) to planarize the oxide layer and the array of posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric R. Miller, George Grama
  • Publication number: 20190214319
    Abstract: Systems and methods of in-situ calibration of semiconductor material layer deposition and removal processes are disclosed. Sets of test structures including one or more calibration vias or posts are used to precisely monitor processes such as plating and polishing, respectively. Known (e.g., empirically determined) relationships between the test structure features and product feature enable monitoring of wafer processing progress. Optical inspection of the calibration feature(s) during processing cycles permits dynamic operating condition adjustments and precise cessation of processing when desired product feature characteristics have been achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Robert M. Emerson, Michael V. Liguori
  • Patent number: 10236226
    Abstract: Systems and methods of in-situ calibration of semiconductor material layer deposition and removal processes are disclosed. Sets of test structures including one or more calibration vias or posts are used to precisely monitor processes such as plating and polishing, respectively. Known (e.g., empirically determined) relationships between the test structure features and product feature enable monitoring of wafer processing progress. Optical inspection of the calibration feature(s) during processing cycles permits dynamic operating condition adjustments and precise cessation of processing when desired product feature characteristics have been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Robert M. Emerson, Michael V. Liguori
  • Publication number: 20180301365
    Abstract: Methods, assemblies, and equipment are described for bonding one or more die that may be of dissimilar thickness to a wafer. The die may be fabricated and singulated with a planarized oxide layer protecting from wafer dicing and handling debris one or more metallized post structures connecting to an integrated circuit. Face sides of the die are bonded to a first handle wafer, such that the respective post structures are aligned in a common plane. The substrate material back sides of the bonded die are then thinned to a uniform thickness and bonded to a second handle wafer. The assembly may then be flipped, and the first handle wafer and protective layer including potential dicing and handling debris removed. The post structures are revealed, resulting in a composite wafer assembly including the second handle and one or more uniformly thinned die mounted thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20180190705
    Abstract: Aspects and examples described herein provide a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly for reducing undesired radiative transfer between a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) and an optical detector, and methods of manufacturing a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly. In one example, a hybrid imaging sensor chip assembly includes an optical detector configured to collect electromagnetic radiation incident thereon, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), and a radiation-shielding wafer interposed between the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer including a plurality of through wafer vias (TWVs) electrically coupled to the optical detector and the CMOS ROIC, the radiation-shielding wafer being positioned to prevent radiative transfer between the CMOS ROIC and the optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Sean P. Kilcoyne, John L. Vampola, Barry M. Starr, Chad W. Fulk, Christopher L. Mears, John J. Drab