Patents by Inventor Souk KIM

Souk KIM 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).

  • Publication number: 20260162931
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscope (SEM) includes an electron gun, a deflector, an objective lens, first and second detectors each configured to detect emission electrons emitted from the wafer based on the input electron beam being irradiated on the wafer, a first energy filter configured to block electrons having energy less than a first energy among emission electrons emitted from a wafer based on an input electron beam from being detected by the first detector, and a second energy filter configured to block electrons having energy less than second energy among the emission electrons from being detected by the second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehyung AHN, Kwangeun KIM, Souk KIM, Younghoon SOHN
  • Patent number: 12593659
    Abstract: A spectroscopic device may include a light source part configured to emit a first light toward a target object, the light source part including a main light source and a plurality of auxiliary light sources, a diffraction part including a diffraction grating configured to diffract a second light that is produced based on the first light being reflected from the target object, the diffraction grating configured to produce a third light that is the diffracted second light, a detection part configured to detect the third light, and an analyzing part connected to the detection part. The detection part may include a plurality of pixels and an actuator. The plurality of auxiliary light sources may be configured to emit light rays of different wavelengths. The actuator may be configured to rotate and move the detection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaeho Kim, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn
  • Publication number: 20260088247
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscope configured to generate an image by scanning an input electron beam to a sample and detecting emitted electrons emitted from the sample. The microscope includes an inductive unit configured to induce the emitted electrons with an electric field, a variable magnetic unit configured to change a path of the emitted electrons induced by the inductive unit by using a magnetic field, a detection unit configured to generate an image by detecting the emitted electrons having a changed path, and a signal processing unit configured to derive three-dimensional structural information of the sample by using the image and the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Hyeon Bo Shim, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn, Yongdeok Jeong
  • Publication number: 20260063571
    Abstract: A substrate inspection apparatus may include: a plurality of inspection units, each of the plurality of inspection units including a light generator and a detector; a support configured to support and rotate a substrate; and an analyzer connected to the detector of each of the plurality of inspection units and configured to analyze an input obtained from the detector, wherein, in a plan view, the substrate includes a center region and an edge region enclosing the center region, wherein the light generator of each of the plurality of inspection units is configured to emit light toward the edge region of the substrate, wherein the detector of each of the plurality of inspection units is configured to detect the light that is emitted towards the edge region of the substrate, and wherein each of the plurality of inspection units extends parallel to a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minho Rim, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn
  • Publication number: 20250341540
    Abstract: A method of operating an atomic force microscope (AFM) is provided. The method includes inspecting a sample by using the AFM and inspecting a tip of a probe of the AFM by using a characterization sample. The characterization sample includes a first characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a first height, a second characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a second height that is lower than the first height, and a third characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a third height that is lower than the second height, and includes a rough surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kwangeun Kim, Seungbum Hong, Sungyoon Ryu, Hoon Kim, Jiwon Yeom, Seokjung Yun, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn, Yusin Yang
  • Patent number: 12385946
    Abstract: A method of operating an atomic force microscope (AFM) is provided. The method includes inspecting a sample by using the AFM and inspecting a tip of a probe of the AFM by using a characterization sample. The characterization sample includes a first characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a first height, a second characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a second height that is lower than the first height, and a third characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a third height that is lower than the second height, and includes a rough surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignees: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND Technology
    Inventors: Kwangeun Kim, Seungbum Hong, Sungyoon Ryu, Hoon Kim, Jiwon Yeom, Seokjung Yun, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn, Yusin Yang
  • Patent number: 12362138
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscope (SEM) includes an electron gun, a deflector, an objective lens, first and second detectors each configured to detect emission electrons emitted from the wafer based on the input electron beam being irradiated on the wafer, a first energy filter configured to block electrons having energy less than a first energy among emission electrons emitted from a wafer based on an input electron beam from being detected by the first detector, and a second energy filter configured to block electrons having energy less than second energy among the emission electrons from being detected by the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehyung Ahn, Kwangeun Kim, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn
  • Publication number: 20250224326
    Abstract: A spectroscopic ellipsometer includes a light source configured to emit light, a polarizer configured to polarize the light emitted from the light source, a substrate support supporting a substrate, a polarization analysis assembly that is rotatable and optically connected to the substrate support, and a spectroscope configured to disperse the light from the polarization analysis assembly, where the spectroscope includes a lens configured to change a propagation path of the light from the polarization analysis assembly, a line slit assembly including a slit extending linearly and configured to extract a portion of the light from the lens, a spectral dispersion device configured to disperse the light from the line slit assembly, and a plane detector optically connected to the spectral dispersion device and configured to continuously detect the dispersed light that is dispersed by the spectral dispersion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaeho KIM, Souk KIM, Younghoon SOHN
  • Publication number: 20250198941
    Abstract: A defect inspection system includes a stage configured to receive a measurement target thereon, wherein the measurement target includes a first layer and a second layer disposed under the first layer; and a defect inspection apparatus including: a light source unit configured to output first incident light and second incident light; a beam splitter configured to reflect the first incident light and the second incident light from the first light source to the measurement target, and transmit first reflected light and second reflected light therethrough, wherein the first reflected light corresponds to the first incident light reflected from the first layer and the second reflected light corresponds to the second incident light reflected from the second layer; an objective lens disposed between the beam splitter and the measurement target; and a detector configured to: detect the first reflected light and generate a first image of the first layer based on the detected first reflected light; and detect the secon
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Min Ho RIM, Souk KIM, Young Hoon SOHN
  • Publication number: 20250147096
    Abstract: A substrate inspection apparatus includes a laser light source configured to emit a laser beam, an optical splitter configured to split the laser beam into a first laser beam and a second laser beam, a delay stage configured to change a relative time delay of the second laser beam and optically connected to the optical splitter, a first modulator optically connected to the optical splitter and configured to change the first laser beam, and a feedback system configured to sense the second laser beam reflected from a substrate and configured to apply electrical feedback to the first modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Jaewon Yang, Younghoon Sohn, Souk Kim, Jaeho Kim, Jongbeom Kim, HyeonBo Shim, Minho Rim
  • Publication number: 20250123243
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate inspection device is provided and includes: a function generator that generates a first signal and a second signal; an ultrasonic generator that receives the first signal generated from the function generator, generates an ultrasonic wave based on the first signal, and generates a surface wave signal on an upper surface of a substrate using the ultrasonic wave; and an electron beam measurer that inspects the surface wave signal, wherein the electron beam measurer includes: a laser light source that receives the second signal generated from the function generator and generates a first pulse laser beam based on the second signal; an electron beam generator that receives the first pulse laser beam and generates an electron beam that is emitted onto the upper surface of the substrate; and a backscattered electron detector that detects backscattered electrons generated based on the electron beam being incident on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyeon Bo SHIM, Souk KIM, Younghoon SOHN, Jaeho KIM, Inseok PARK, Jaewon YANG, Minho RIM
  • Publication number: 20240385220
    Abstract: A test apparatus includes a movable stage to support a sample, tips above the stage that have different shapes and alternately perform profiling and milling on the sample, a tip stage connected to a cantilever coupled to the tips, the tip stage to adjust a position of the cantilever, a position sensor to obtain information about a positional relationship between the tips and the sample, a stage controller to control movements of the stage and the tip stage, based on the information about the positional relationship, and a tip controller to select the tips for performing the profiling or milling and to determine conditions for performing milling, wherein a depth of the sample being processed by the milling in the first direction is controlled based on a relationship between a distance between the tips and the sample and a force between the tips and the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Sungyoon RYU, Seungbum HONG, Kwangeun KIM, Hoon KIM, Jiwon YEOM, Seokjung YUN, Souk KIM, Younghoon SOHN, Yusin YANG
  • Patent number: 12110938
    Abstract: A vibration isolation table of the disclosure may include a lower structure including a plurality of block structures, a middle structure on the lower structure, and an upper structure on the middle structure. The plurality of block structures may be spaced apart from one another such that a space is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of block structures. At least one of the lower structure and the upper structure may include high attenuation concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyunchul Kim, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn
  • Publication number: 20240332093
    Abstract: A critical dimension prediction system includes a measuring device configured to acquire sample data from a sample semiconductor chip, the sample data including a plurality of spectrums, a training data selection device configured to select a training data set based on the sample data, a critical dimension predicting model generating device configured to generate a critical dimension predicting model by training an artificial intelligence model based on the training data set, and a critical dimension predicting device configured to predict a critical dimension of a target layer by inputting input data into the critical dimension predicting model, the input data including information about the target layer, where the training data selection device is further configured to assign a sparsity score to each of the plurality of spectrums and select at least one of the plurality of spectrums as the training data set based on the sparsity score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Seok PARK, WAN-SIK NAM, SOUK KIM, YOUNGHOON SOHN, JAEHYUNG AHN
  • Patent number: 12092656
    Abstract: A test apparatus includes a movable stage to support a sample, tips above the stage that have different shapes and alternately perform profiling and milling on the sample, a tip stage connected to a cantilever coupled to the tips, the tip stage to adjust a position of the cantilever, a position sensor to obtain information about a positional relationship between the tips and the sample, a stage controller to control movements of the stage and the tip stage, based on the information about the positional relationship, and a tip controller to select the tips for performing the profiling or milling and to determine conditions for performing milling, wherein a depth of the sample being processed by the milling in the first direction is controlled based on a relationship between a distance between the tips and the sample and a force between the tips and the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungyoon Ryu, Seungbum Hong, Kwangeun Kim, Hoon Kim, Jiwon Yeom, Seokjung Yun, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn, Yusin Yang
  • Publication number: 20240248051
    Abstract: A wafer measurement apparatus includes an electronic-optical system configured to irradiate a wafer with an electron beam and acquire a raw signal by detecting electrons emitted by the wafer, and an image processing device configured to convert the raw signal acquired by the electronic-optical system into image data. The electronic-optical system includes a detector configured to acquire the raw signal. The detector calibrates a gain offset using a difference in electron emission yields of different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jaehyung AHN, Inseok PARK, Joonseo SONG, Souk KIM, Younghoon SOHN
  • Publication number: 20230194567
    Abstract: A method of operating an atomic force microscope (AFM) is provided. The method includes inspecting a sample by using the AFM and inspecting a tip of a probe of the AFM by using a characterization sample. The characterization sample includes a first characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a first height, a second characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a second height that is lower than the first height, and a third characterization pattern that includes a line and space pattern of a third height that is lower than the second height, and includes a rough surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kwangeun Kim, Seungbum Hong, Sungyoon Ryu, Hoon Kim, Jiwon Yeom, Seokjung Yun, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn, Yusin Yang
  • Publication number: 20230154804
    Abstract: A spectroscopic device may include a light source part configured to emit a first light toward a target object, the light source part including a main light source and a plurality of auxiliary light sources, a diffraction part including a diffraction grating configured to diffract a second light that is produced based on the first light being reflected from the target object, the diffraction grating configured to produce a third light that is the diffracted second light, a detection part configured to detect the third light, and an analyzing part connected to the detection part. The detection part may include a plurality of pixels and an actuator. The plurality of auxiliary light sources may be configured to emit light rays of different wavelengths. The actuator may be configured to rotate and move the detection part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaeho KIM, Souk KIM, Younghoon SOHN
  • Publication number: 20230140892
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscope (SEM) includes an electron gun, a deflector, an objective lens, first and second detectors each configured to detect emission electrons emitted from the wafer based on the input electron beam being irradiated on the wafer, a first energy filter configured to block electrons having energy less than a first energy among emission electrons emitted from a wafer based on an input electron beam from being detected by the first detector, and a second energy filter configured to block electrons having energy less than second energy among the emission electrons from being detected by the second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehyung AHN, Kwangeun KIM, Souk KIM, Younghoon SOHN
  • Publication number: 20230079008
    Abstract: A vibration isolation table of the disclosure may include a lower structure including a plurality of block structures, a middle structure on the lower structure, and an upper structure on the middle structure. The plurality of block structures may be spaced apart from one another such that a space is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of block structures. At least one of the lower structure and the upper structure may include high attenuation concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Hyunchul Kim, Souk Kim, Younghoon Sohn