Patents by Inventor Tino Hofmann

Tino Hofmann 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: 20210090857
    Abstract: Methods that include directing an incident beam towards a substrate, the substrate having one or more features formed thereon wherein the incident beam has a wavelength from about 10 ?m to about 10 mm, and the incident beam interacts with the substrate to form a modulated beam; varying one or more characteristics of the incident beam while directed towards the substrate; detecting the modulated beam while varying the one or more characteristics of the incident beam to collect a spectrum; and determining at least one spatial metric of the at least one feature based on the collected spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Minna Hovinen, Mathias Schubert, Gerald Finken, Greg Schmitz, Tino Hofmann, Stefan Schöche
  • Patent number: 10914866
    Abstract: Materials comprising metamaterials exhibiting form-induced birefringence and anisotropic optical properties are provided. The disclosed articles comprise structures with critical dimensions which are on the order of or smaller than the wavelength for the gigahertz and terahertz spectral range. Methods of preparing same using stereolithography are disclosed. In a further aspect, the disclosed methods pertain to spectroscopic ellipsometry methods comprising a biaxial (orthorhombic) layer homogenization approach is to analyze the terahertz ellipsometric data obtained at three different sample azimuth orientations. The disclosed articles and methods demonstrate provide an avenue to fabricate metamaterials for the terahertz spectral range and allows tailoring of the polarizability and anisotropy of the host material. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: HARRIS CORPORATION GCS, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE, J.A. WOOLLAM CO. INC.
    Inventors: Tino Hofmann, Daniel Fullager, Stefan Schoeche, Craig M. Herzinger, Susanne Madeline Lee, Erin Kathleen Sharma
  • Patent number: 10190978
    Abstract: A sensor having a substrate is provided in which structures are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The structures can be, e.g., nanostructures. Polarized light is directed toward the sensor, and birefringence of the structures with respect to the light is measured. Target particles that interact with the structures are detected based on changes in the measured birefringence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Daniel Schmidt, Patrick H. Dussault, Andrea Holmes, Rebecca Y. Lai
  • Patent number: 10101265
    Abstract: Ellipsometers and polarimeters or the like to investigate analyte containing fluids applied to a substrate-stage having a multiplicity of nano-structures that project non-normal to a surface thereof, including dynamics of interaction therewith, to the end of evaluating and presenting at least partial Jones or Mueller Matricies corresponding to a multiplicity of locations over an imaged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, David S. Hage, Erika Pfaunmiller, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam, Stefan Schoeche
  • Patent number: 10073120
    Abstract: Optical Hall Effect (OHE) method for evaluating such as free charge carrier effective mass, concentration, mobility and free charge carrier type in a sample utilizing a permanent magnet at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC.
    Inventors: Tino Hofmann, Mathias M. Schubert, Stefan Schoeche, Philipp Kuehne, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam, Gregory K. Pribil, Thomas E. Tiwald, Sean R. Knight
  • Patent number: 10048059
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that enable determination of uncorrelated thickness of a working electrode and surface region optical constants in settings involving electrochemical processing at a working electrodes in a Piezoelectric Balance system, by simultaneous application of an Ellipsometer system, the working electrode optionally having a multiplicity of nanofibers that are oriented non-normally to a surface of said working electrode. Further disclosed is, simultaneous with said determinations, the monitoring of electrochemical processes at a piezoelectric balance working electrode driven by electrical energy applied between said working electrode and counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: J. A. WOOLLAM CO., INC, THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, John A. Woollam, Rebecca Y. Lai
  • Patent number: 10026167
    Abstract: Anisotropic contrast methodology in combination with use of sample investigating polarized electromagnetic radiation to provide Jones or Mueller Matrix imaging data corresponding to areas on samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, J. A. WOOLLAM CO., INC.
    Inventors: Tino Hofmann, Mathias M. Schubert, Tadas Kasputis, Angela K. Pannier, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20180024055
    Abstract: A sensor having a substrate is provided in which structures are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The structures can be, e.g., nanostructures. Polarized light is directed toward the sensor, and birefringence of the structures with respect to the light is measured. Target particles that interact with the structures are detected based on changes in the measured birefringence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Daniel Schmidt, Patrick H. Dussault, Andrea Holmes, Rebecca Y. Lai
  • Patent number: 9851294
    Abstract: System Stage, and Optical Hall Effect (OHE) system method for evaluating such as free charge carrier effective mass, concentration, mobility and free charge carrier type in a sample utilizing a permanent magnet at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC., UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA BOARD OF REGENTS
    Inventors: Tino Hofmann, Mathias M. Schubert, Stefan Schoeche, Sean Knight, Craig M. Herzinger, John A. Woollam, Greg K. Pribil, Thomas E. Tiwald
  • Patent number: 9739710
    Abstract: A sensor having a substrate is provided in which structures are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The structures can be, e.g., nanostructures. Polarized light is directed toward the sensor, and birefringence of the structures with respect to the light is measured. Target particles that interact with the structures are detected based on changes in the measured birefringence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Daniel Schmidt, Patrick H. Dussault, Andrea Holmes, Rebecca Y. Lai
  • Publication number: 20160041089
    Abstract: Methods that include directing an incident beam towards a substrate, the substrate having one or more features formed thereon wherein the incident beam has a wavelength from about 10 ?m to about 10 mm, and the incident beam interacts with the substrate to form a modulated beam; varying one or more characteristics of the incident beam while directed towards the substrate; detecting the modulated beam while varying the one or more characteristics of the incident beam to collect a spectrum; and determining at least one spatial metric of the at least one feature based on the collected spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Minna Hovinen, Mathias Schubert, Gerald Finken, Greg Schmitz, Tino Hofmann, Stefan Schöche
  • Publication number: 20150153230
    Abstract: A dual scanning and FTIR system for application in the Terahertz and broadband blackbody frequency range including sources for providing Thz and broadband blackbody range and electromagnetic radiation, at least one detector of electromagnetic radiation in the THZ and broadband blackbody ranges, and at least one rotating element between the source and detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicants: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA (50%), J.A.WOLLAM CO. (50%)
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 9041927
    Abstract: A dual scanning and FTIR system for application in the Terahertz and broadband blackbody frequency range including sources for providing Thz and broadband blackbody range and electromagnetic radiation, at least one detector of electromagnetic radiation in the THZ and broadband blackbody ranges, and at least one rotating element between the source and detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC, BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8934096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including at least one odd-bounce polarization state image rotating system, and optionally including a polarizer, at least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: University of Nebraska Board of Regents, J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8904881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer assembly for an ultrasound flowmeter, comprising a one-part or multi-part housing (2), which is provided to be connected to a line carrying the medium to be measured, wherein the ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasound through the housing (2) and the ultrasound transducer assembly has the following features: an ultrasound transducer body (4, 7) with a first main surface on the side facing the medium and a second main surface on the side facing away from the medium, first, preferably planar, contact means for electrically contacting the first main surface of the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7), second, preferably planar, contact means for electrically contacting the second main surface of the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7), wherein the first contact means are located between the ultrasound transducer body (4, 7) and the housing (2), through which ultrasound is to be transmitted, of the ultrasound flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sonnenberg, Gerhard Dietz, Harald Kroemer, Wilhelm Oefelein, Tino Hofmann, Axel Schmidt-Schoenian, Roland Horn
  • Patent number: 8711599
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells and a controller to write data to and read data from the memory cells. Each memory cell includes a first semiconductor material having a spontaneous polarization, a resistive ferroelectric material having a switchable spontaneous polarization, and a second semiconductor material having a spontaneous polarization, the resistive ferroelectric material being positioned between and in contact with the first and second semiconductor materials. The memory device can be configured to store energy that can be released by applying a voltage pulse to the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Venkata Rao Voora
  • Patent number: 8705032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including a polarization state generator comprising: an odd bounce image rotating system and a polarizer, or two polarizers; and optionally including least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: J.A. Woollam Co., Inc
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Publication number: 20140106980
    Abstract: A sensor having a substrate is provided in which structures are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The structures can be, e.g., nanostructures. Polarized light is directed toward the sensor, and birefringence of the structures with respect to the light is measured. Target particles that interact with the structures are detected based on changes in the measured birefringence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Daniel Schmidt, Patrick H. Dussault, Andrea Holmes, Rebecca Y. Lai
  • Publication number: 20140027644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ellipsometer and polarimeter systems, and more particularly is an ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system which operates in a frequency range between 300 GHz or lower and extending to higher than at least 1 Tera-hertz (THz), and preferably through the Infra-red (IR) range up to, and higher than 100 THz, including: a source such as a backward wave oscillator; a Smith-Purcell cell; a free electron laser, or an FTIR source and a solid state device; and a detector such as a Golay cell; a bolometer or a solid state detector; and preferably including a polarization state generator comprising: an odd bounce image rotating system and a polarizer, or two polarizers; and optionally including least one compensator and/or modulator, in addition to an analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA (50%), J.A. WOOLLAM CO. (50%)
    Inventors: Craig M. Herzinger, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann, Martin M. Liphardt, John A. Woollam
  • Patent number: 8507860
    Abstract: A tunable terahertz resonator includes a semiconductor substrate and a metal layer contacting a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A depletion layer is formed in the semiconductor substrate near an interface between the metal layer and the semiconductor substrate. A chiral nanostructure is coupled to the substrate or the metal layer, the chiral nanostructure including a conducting or semiconducting material and having an inductance. A bias circuit applies a bias voltage across the metal layer and the semiconductor substrate to control a capacitance of a tunable capacitor that includes the depletion layer. The chiral nanostructure and the tunable capacitor form a tunable resonant circuit. The tunable terahertz resonator can be used in a terahertz radiation emitter or receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventors: Eva Schubert, Mathias M. Schubert, Tino Hofmann