Patents by Inventor Takehiko Konno

Takehiko Konno 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: 10269536
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to simultaneously achieve image observations at a high resolution using an electron microscope, and X-ray analysis at a high energy-resolution using a microcalorimeter. An X-ray detector is disposed at a position where the intensity of the magnetic field from an objective lens is weaker than the critical magnetic field of a material used in a thermal insulation shield for a superconducting transition-edge sensor or a microcalorimeter. In addition, an optical system for transmitting X-rays to the detector is inserted between a sample and the detector. Alternatively, a magnetic field shield for shielding the X-ray detector is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Takada, Naomasa Suzuki, Kazuo Aoki, Takehiko Konno, Takayuki Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20180240643
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to simultaneously achieve image observations at a high resolution using an electron microscope, and X-ray analysis at a high energy-resolution using a microcalorimeter. An X-ray detector is disposed at a position where the intensity of the magnetic field from an objective lens is weaker than the critical magnetic field of a material used in a thermal insulation shield for a superconducting transition-edge sensor or a microcalorimeter. In addition, an optical system for transmitting X-rays to the detector is inserted between a sample and the detector. Alternatively, a magnetic field shield for shielding the X-ray detector is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Satoshi TAKADA, Naomasa SUZUKI, Kazuo AOKI, Takehiko KONNO, Takayuki HOSHINO
  • Patent number: 9766401
    Abstract: Provided is a defect review technique that can accurately correct coordinate differences with respect to unusual defects in which it is difficult to accurately correct coordinate misalignments by conventional automatic fine alignment. If it is impossible to correct a coordinate misalignment on the basis of a first optical microscope image acquired by a first light source, a defect review apparatus acquires a second optical microscope image using a second light source, and determines whether it is possible to correct the coordinate misalignment on the basis of the second optical microscope image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Konno
  • Publication number: 20150286001
    Abstract: Provided is a defect review technique that can accurately correct coordinate differences with respect to unusual defects in which it is difficult to accurately correct coordinate misalignments by conventional automatic fine alignment. If it is impossible to correct a coordinate misalignment on the basis of a first optical microscope image acquired by a first light source, a defect review apparatus according to the present invention acquires a second optical microscope image using a second light source, and determines whether it is possible to correct the coordinate misalignment on the basis of the second optical microscope image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Takehiko KONNO
  • Patent number: 7995833
    Abstract: An inspection system includes a SEM visual inspection apparatus for detecting a defect in a semiconductor sample in steps of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a review apparatus for observing, at a high resolution, the defect in the semiconductor sample detected by the SEM visual inspection apparatus. The system has a function of transmitting an alignment dictionary image as one of alignment parameters to be set by the SEM visual inspection apparatus using an inspection recipe to the review apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Hitachi Science Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Konno, Hiroshi Miyai
  • Publication number: 20080042061
    Abstract: An inspection system includes a SEM visual inspection apparatus for detecting a defect in a semiconductor sample in steps of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a review apparatus for observing, at a high resolution, the defect in the semiconductor sample detected by the SEM visual inspection apparatus. The system has a function of transmitting an alignment dictionary image as one of alignment parameters to be set by the SEM visual inspection apparatus using an inspection recipe to the review apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicants: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, HITACHI SCIENCE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takehiko Konno, Hiroshi Miyai
  • Patent number: 7294833
    Abstract: An inspection system includes a SEM visual inspection apparatus for detecting a defect in a semiconductor sample in steps of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a review apparatus for observing, at a high resolution, the defect in the semiconductor sample detected by the SEM visual inspection apparatus. The system has a function of transmitting an alignment dictionary image as one of alignment parameters to be set by the SEM visual inspection apparatus using an inspection recipe to the review apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Hitachi Science Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Konno, Hiroshi Miyai
  • Patent number: 7081625
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to transmit the position information of a defect that has been specified by means of a circuit pattern inspection apparatus quickly and precisely so that the position information is efficiently used in another apparatus. Marking is carried out on the peripheral area of the defect by use of a charged particle beam irradiation mechanism of the inspection apparatus. The marking realizes sharing of the defect position information with another apparatus. The marking technique includes deposition of a deposit and charging up by means of irradiation of a charged particle beam. The marking in the inspection apparatus allows the defect position information to be transmitted to another apparatus more correctly and easily, and as a result, analysis accuracy is improved and analysis time is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Hitachi Science Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Furiki, Kouichi Kurosawa, Takehiko Konno, Ryuichi Funatsu
  • Publication number: 20050194536
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to transmit the position information of a defect that has been specified by means of a circuit pattern inspection apparatus quickly and precisely so that the position information is efficiently used in another apparatus. Marking is carried out on the peripheral area of the defect by use of a charged particle beam irradiation mechanism of the inspection apparatus. The marking realizes sharing of the defect position information with another apparatus. The marking technique includes deposition of a deposit and charging up by means of irradiation of a charged particle beam. The marking in the inspection apparatus allows the defect position information to be transmitted to another apparatus more correctly and easily, and as a result, analysis accuracy is improved and analysis time is shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Masanari Furiki, Kouichi Kurosawa, Takehiko Konno, Ryuichi Funatsu
  • Publication number: 20040232332
    Abstract: An inspection system includes a SEM visual inspection apparatus for detecting a defect in a semiconductor sample in steps of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a review apparatus for observing, at a high resolution, the defect in the semiconductor sample detected by the SEM visual inspection apparatus. The system has a function of transmitting an alignment dictionary image as one of alignment parameters to be set by the SEM visual inspection apparatus using an inspection recipe to the review apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicants: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, HITACHI SCIENCE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takehiko Konno, Hiroshi Miyai
  • Publication number: 20040129879
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to transmit the position information of a defect that has been specified by means of a circuit pattern inspection apparatus quickly and precisely so that the position information is efficiently used in another apparatus. Marking is carried out on the peripheral area of the defect by use of a charged particle beam irradiation mechanism of the inspection apparatus. The marking realizes sharing of the defect position information with another apparatus. The marking technique includes deposition of a deposit and charging up by means of irradiation of a charged particle beam. The marking in the inspection apparatus allows the defect position information to be transmitted to another apparatus more correctly and easily, and as a result, analysis accuracy is improved and analysis time is shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Masanari Furiki, Kouichi Kurosawa, Takehiko Konno, Ryuichi Funatsu
  • Patent number: 5309106
    Abstract: Apparatus for cancelling magnetic fields for cancelling a leakage magnetic field from a static magnetic field generation assembly are disposed outside the static magnetic field generation assembly. A magnetic shield made of a magnetic substance is disposed between the static magnetic field generating assembly and the cancelling magnetic field apparatus. The cancelling magnetic field generation apparatus is of a cryostatless type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Instrument Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Goh Miyajima, Takao Takahashi, Takehiko Konno