Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Schimert

Thomas R. Schimert 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: 8610070
    Abstract: Pixel-level monolithic optical element configurations for uncooled infrared detectors and focal plane arrays in which a monolithically integrated or fabricated optical element may be suspended over a microbolometer pixel membrane structure of an uncooled infrared detector element A monolithic optical element may be, for example, a polarizing or spectral filter element, an optically active filter element, or a microlens element that is structurally attached by an insulating interconnect to the existing metal interconnects such that the installation of the optical element substantially does not impact the thermal mass or thermal time constant of the microbolometer pixel structure, and such that it requires little if any additional device real estate area beyond the area originally consumed by the microbolometer pixel structure interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Thomas P. Fagan, III, Athanasios J. Syllaios
  • Patent number: 8227755
    Abstract: Optically transitioning pixel-level filtering using a multi-level structure that includes an isolated optically transitioning filter element that is suspended over a corresponding radiation detector element in a one-to-one relationship to provide, for example, one or more features such as spectral detection and/or selective radiation immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Fagan, III, John F. Brady, Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios
  • Patent number: 8153980
    Abstract: Systems and methods for color correcting radiation by alternately focusing a first radiation spectrum on a first radiation spectrum detector, and then focusing at least one additional radiation spectrum on at least one additional radiation spectrum detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Brady, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch
  • Publication number: 20110266443
    Abstract: Pixel-level monolithic optical element configurations for uncooled infrared detectors and focal plane arrays in which a monolithically integrated or fabricated optical element may be suspended over a microbolometer pixel membrane structure of an uncooled infrared detector element A monolithic optical element may be, for example, a polarizing or spectral filter element, an optically active filter element, or a microlens element that is structurally attached by an insulating interconnect to the existing metal interconnects such that the installation of the optical element substantially does not impact the thermal mass or thermal time constant of the microbolometer pixel structure, and such that it requires little if any additional device real estate area beyond the area originally consumed by the microbolometer pixel structure interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Thomas P. Fagan, III, Athanasios J. Syllaios
  • Publication number: 20110266441
    Abstract: Optically transitioning pixel-level filtering using a multi-level structure that includes an isolated optically transitioning filter element that is suspended over a corresponding radiation detector element in a one-to-one relationship to provide, for example, one or more features such as spectral detection and/or selective radiation immunity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas P. Fagan, III, John F. Brady, Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios
  • Publication number: 20100133536
    Abstract: Microbolometer infrared detector elements that may be formed and implemented by varying type/s of precursors used to form amorphous silicon-based microbolometer membrane material/s and/or by varying composition of the final amorphous silicon-based microbolometer membrane material/s (e.g., by adjusting alloy composition) to vary the material properties such as activation energy and carrier mobility. The amorphous silicon-based microbolometer membrane material/s materials may include varying amounts of one or more additional and optional materials, including hydrogen, fluorine, germanium, n-type dopants and p-type dopants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Althanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, Michael F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7718965
    Abstract: Microbolometer infrared detector elements that may be formed and implemented by varying type/s of precursors used to form amorphous silicon-based microbolometer membrane material/s and/or by varying composition of the final amorphous silicon-based microbolometer membrane material/s (e.g., by adjusting alloy composition) to vary the material properties such as activation energy and carrier mobility. The amorphous silicon-based microbolometer membrane material/s materials may include varying amounts of one or more additional and optional materials, including hydrogen, fluorine, germanium, n-type dopants and p-type dopants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, Michael F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7655909
    Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch
  • Patent number: 7462831
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bonding semiconductor devices and/or multiple wafers, in the form of a first segmented wafer and a second unsegmented wafer which may have different temperature coefficients of expansion (TCE), and which may be bonded together, with or without the presence of a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Roland W. Gooch, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel
  • Patent number: 7459686
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multi-spectral image capability using an integrated multi-band focal plane array that, in one example, may be employed to simultaneously image in the visible spectrum and infrared spectrum using an integrated dual-band focal plane array, e.g., by including visible imaging circuitry within read out integrated circuitry (ROIC) used to readout infrared detector elements within the same pixel element/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch, John F. Brady
  • Patent number: 7375331
    Abstract: Methods for making optically blind reference pixels and systems employing the same. The reference pixels may be configured to be identical to, or substantially identical to, the active detector elements of a focal plane array assembly. The reference pixels may be configured to use the same relatively longer thermal isolation legs as the active detector pixels of the focal plane, thus eliminating joule heating differences. An optically blocking structure may be placed in close proximity directly over the reference pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, William L. McCardel
  • Patent number: 7262412
    Abstract: Methods for making optically blind reference pixels and systems employing the same. The reference pixels may be configured to be identical to, or substantially identical to, the active detector elements of a focal plane array assembly. The reference pixels may be configured to use the same relatively longer thermal isolation legs as the active detector pixels of the focal plane, thus eliminating joule heating differences. An optically blocking structure may be placed in close proximity directly over the reference pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, William L. McCardel
  • Publication number: 20070170359
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multi-spectral image capability using an integrated multi-band focal plane array that, in one example, may be employed to simultaneously image in the visible spectrum and infrared spectrum using an integrated dual-band focal plane array, e.g., by including visible imaging circuitry within read out integrated circuitry (ROIC) used to readout infrared detector elements within the same pixel element/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch, John F. Brady
  • Publication number: 20070170363
    Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas R. Schimert, Athanasios J. Syllaios, William L. McCardel, Roland W. Gooch
  • Publication number: 20070170360
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bonding semiconductor devices and/or multiple wafers, in the form of a first segmented wafer and a second unsegmented wafer which may have different temperature coefficients of expansion (TCE), and which may be bonded together, with or without the presence of a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Roland W. Gooch, Athanasios J. Syllaios, Thomas R. Schimert, William L. McCardel
  • Patent number: 7220621
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing optically-transparent lids includes etching sub-wavelength structures on a surface of a lid wafer. The structures may be arrayed in a hexagonally closed-packed pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, Thomas R. Schimert, Edward G. Meissner
  • Patent number: 7015074
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing integrated circuit device lids includes creating a lid cavity on the surface of a lid wafer, forming a sealing surface on the lid wafer that surrounds the lid cavity, and forming a trench on the lid wafer between the lid cavity and the sealing surface. The resulting structure uptakes excess sealing surface material and prevents such material from entering the lid cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, Thomas R. Schimert
  • Patent number: 6897469
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing optically-transparent lids includes etching sub-wavelength structures on a surface of a lid wafer. The structures may be arrayed in a hexagonally closed-packed pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, Thomas R. Schimert, Edward G. Meissner
  • Patent number: 6879035
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing integrated circuit device lids includes creating a lid cavity on the surface of a lid wafer, forming a sealing surface on the lid wafer that surrounds the lid cavity, and forming a trench on the lid wafer between the lid cavity and the sealing surface. The resulting structure uptakes excess sealing surface material and prevents such material from entering the lid cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, Thomas R. Schimert
  • Publication number: 20040219704
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing optically-transparent lids includes etching sub-wavelength structures on a surface of a lid wafer. The structures may be arrayed in a hexagonally closed-packed pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Athanasios J. Syllaios, Roland W. Gooch, Thomas R. Schimert, Edward G. Meissner