Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Dunbar

Thomas A. Dunbar 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: 7709343
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20090017634
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 7429535
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 7294578
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20070123048
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Figura, Kevin Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 6716769
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 6285333
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the electrical characteristics of an antenna in a communications system includes first and second conductive portions separated by a slot. Circuit elements are coupled between the first and second conductive portions, the circuit elements being operably controlled by a bias current to control flow of RF current within the first and second conductive elements, wherein the path of the RF current is directed to be in substantially different locations within the first and second conductive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Reed, Steven Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 6117764
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 5977727
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to dynamically shape the projected energy profile of an electron beam and the energy distribution of an electron beam of a cathode ray tube to provide a single cathode ray tube the ability to display multiple image formats of varying resolutions, brightnesses and aspect ratios. In one embodiment, the invention contemplates the introduction of a shaping lens along the path of the electron beam comprising at least three electrodes. Voltages are selectively applied to the electrodes to dynamically and selectively vary the projected energy profile of an electron beam in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cathode ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Imaging & Sensing Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 5950092
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 5254905
    Abstract: A cathode-luminescent panel lamp (20) includes an evacuated tube (21) having a phosphor coating (25) on the inside surface of a face plate (24). An electron gun (28) is arranged to discharge at least one conical beam of electrons toward the coating to form an electron cloud within the tube. Shaping electrodes (29,30) positioned within the tube distribute and normalize the electron density of the cloud as a function of the angle (.theta.). The electrons pass through a field-separating mesh (39) to impinge upon a secondary emission mesh (40), which amplifies the electron density. The amplified electrons excite the phosphor coating to produce light of substantially-constant intensities across the face plate. The improved lamp may be used to back-light an LCD or in a stadium display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Imaging & Sensing Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dunbar, Richard F. Kankus, Thomas J. Kolonoski