Latest Patents

Patents imply intellectual property and it has a $ value that can be associated depending on the field and type of patent that is allocated. Patents also increase the enterprise value of the company and help prevent copy-cats from copying the idea without having royalt payments or licencing deals. We like it when companies get patents awarded!. To protect IP companies aggressively file provisional patents even before they have a working product. The below table provides a way to look at what has been done by companies and use this as a factor to make investment decisions.

     
Title Filing Date Publication Date Grant Date
Deep learning model in high-mix semiconductor manufacturing 2022-9-23 2023-3-30
Substrate mapping using deep neural-networks 2022-9-15 2023-3-23
High resolution multispectral multi-field-of-view imaging system for wafer … 2022-9-08 2023-3-16
High resolution multi-field-of-view imaging system 2022-8-17 2023-2-23
Multiple camera apparatus for photolithographic processing 2022-8-01 2023-2-09
Low contrast non-referential defect detection 2022-7-18 2023-1-26
Effective cell approximation model for logic structures 2022-5-04 2022-11-14
Fabrication fingerprint for proactive yield management 2022-4-20 2022-10-20
Opto acousto-optic measurements of transmissive film laminate 2022-3-30 2022-10-13
Multi-layer calibration for empirical overlay measurement 2022-3-30 2022-10-06
Post-overlay compensation on large-field packaging 2022-3-01 2022-9-09
A system and method for performing alignment and overlay measurement through an … 2021-11-23 2022-8-01
Focus system for optical metrology device 2021-11-03 2022-6-09
Vortex polarimeter 2021-11-03 2022-9-16
System and method for optimizing a lithography exposure process 2021-8-20 2022-3-10
Calibration of azimuth angle for optical metrology stage using grating-coupled … 2021-8-13 2022-3-16
Target for optical measurement of trenches 2021-4-16 2022-5-05
Characterization of patterned structures using acoustic metrology 2021-3-30 2021-10-21
System and method for correcting overlay errors in a lithographic process 2021-2-19 2021-8-26
Fast generalized multi-wavelength ellipsometer 2021-1-21 2021-8-26
Beamsplitter-based ellipsometer focus system 2020-9-29 2022-4-28
Apparatuses and methods for interferometric defect inspection 2020-9-15 2022-5-01 2022-5-01
Non-destructive inspection and manufacturing metrology systems and methods 2020-5-22 2021-12-23
Active damper for semiconductor metrology and inspection systems 2020-5-18 2020-12-03
Optical metrology device using numerical aperture reduction 2020-5-15 2021-2-16
Enhanced heat transfer in liquefied gas cooled detector 2020-4-03 2021-10-07
Optical metrology device for measuring samples having thin or thick films 2019-11-25 2021-5-21 2021-5-21
Local purge within metrology and inspection systems 2019-9-16 2020-1-09
On-axis dynamic interferometer and optical imaging systems employing the same 2019-7-11 2022-3-01 2022-3-01
Method and apparatus of characterizing a test sample that is a semiconductor … 2019-6-24 2020-11-11 2020-11-11
Correction of angular error of plane-of-incidence azimuth of optical metrology … 2019-5-20 2019-9-05
Optical metrology system using infrared wavelengths 2019-3-13 2021-1-26 2021-1-26
Interferometry with pixelated color discriminating elements combined with … 2019-2-01 2022-6-07 2022-6-07
Separated axis lithographic tool 2018-12-26 2020-10-22
Interferometer with pixelated phase shift mask and method of performing an … 2018-12-21 2021-4-01 2021-4-01
Conformal stage 2018-12-21 2020-12-24
Method and apparatus of detecting a sub-resolution defect on a sample 2018-11-30 2021-11-11 2021-11-11
Sample inspection using topography 2018-11-21 2021-3-02 2021-3-02
Laser triangulation sensor system and method for wafer inspection 2018-11-06 2020-11-12
Wafer-level package assembly handling 2018-9-28 2022-4-21
High resolution stage positioner 2018-9-13 2020-9-10
FOUP purge shield 2018-7-27 2020-9-22 2020-9-22
Wafer inspection system including a laser triangulation sensor 2018-6-08 2020-6-18
Deconvolution to reduce the effective spot size of a spectroscopic optical … 2018-4-30 2019-4-30 2019-4-30
Inspection of substrates 2018-3-22 2020-2-04 2020-2-04
Non-adhesive mounting assembly for a tall rochon polarizer 2018-3-02 2018-9-13
Focusing system with filter for open or closed loop control 2018-2-26 2018-9-06
Substrate handling and identification mechanism 2017-12-21 2018-6-21
System and method of characterizing micro-fabrication processes 2017-5-22 2017-9-07
Wafer singulation process control 2016-12-27 2020-12-11 2020-12-11
Scanning white-light interferometry system for characterization of patterned … 2016-12-22 2019-5-14 2019-5-14
Single-step interferometric radius-of-curvature measurements utilizing short- … 2016-12-20 2018-1-02 2018-1-02
Opto-acoustic metrology of signal attenuating structures 2016-11-08 2019-2-19 2019-2-19
Single snap-shot fringe projection system 2016-8-03 2018-5-01 2018-5-01
3d target for monitoring multiple patterning process 2016-7-22 2017-2-02
Focus adjustment for surface part inspection 2016-7-13 2019-9-10 2019-9-10
Interferometric characterization of surface topography 2016-7-11 2017-1-19
Optical metrology system for spectral imaging of a sample 2016-6-09 2016-10-06
System for directly measuring the depth of a high aspect ratio etched feature … 2016-4-29 2016-8-18
High-resolution in-line metrology for roll-to-roll processing operations 2016-2-21 2017-8-29 2017-8-29
Method and apparatus to assist the processing of deformed substrates 2015-11-18 2018-7-03 2018-7-03
Calibration of semiconductor metrology systems 2015-10-13 2019-1-08 2019-1-08
Non-destructive acoustic metrology for void detection 2015-9-29 2017-8-03
Optical critical dimension target design 2015-7-24 2017-11-21 2017-11-21
Optical metrology with purged reference chip 2015-7-24 2016-2-04
Protected lens cover plate for an optical metrology device 2015-7-24 2016-2-04
Optical metrology using differential fitting 2015-5-22 2018-6-12 2018-6-12
Simultaneous measurement of multiple overlay errors using diffraction based … 2015-4-13 2015-10-29
Via characterization for bcd and depth metrology 2014-12-15 2015-6-18
Method of measuring and assessing a probe card with an inspection device 2014-6-06 2017-6-20 2017-6-20
Inspection device with vertically moveable assembly 2014-5-20 2014-9-11
Substrate handler 2014-4-15 2014-10-23
Assessing alignment of top and bottom ends of TSVs and characterizing … 2014-1-23 2018-4-24 2018-4-24
Edge grip substrate handler 2013-12-20 2015-12-24
Optical metrology with multiple angles of incidence and/or azimuth angles 2013-12-04 2015-8-25 2015-8-25
Optical metrology system for spectral imaging of a sample 2013-11-26 2015-11-10 2015-11-10
Ellipsometer focusing system 2013-10-04 2016-1-26 2016-1-26
Inspection of substrates using calibration and imaging 2013-9-27 2015-9-10
Planar motor system with increased efficiency 2013-9-27 2017-4-18 2017-4-18
Flying sensor head 2013-6-27 2015-11-12
Probe card analysis system and method 2013-6-18 2014-1-23
Wafer edge inspection illumination system 2013-4-23 2015-6-23 2015-6-23
Image based overlay measurement with finite gratings 2013-2-13 2013-8-15
Wafer inversion mechanism 2012-12-21 2013-8-15
On-axis focus sensor and method 2012-12-20 2014-12-18
Selective overtravel during electrical test of probe cards 2012-10-09 2014-2-25 2014-2-25
Measurement of a sample using multiple models 2012-7-26 2013-8-06 2013-8-06
Apparatus and method for electrical characterization by selecting and adjusting … 2012-7-03 2015-8-18 2015-8-18
Wafer edge inspection and metrology 2012-5-08 2014-8-26 2014-8-26
Dark field diffraction based overlay 2012-4-24 2014-8-26 2014-8-26
Multiple measurement techniques including focused beam scatterometry for … 2012-3-19 2012-10-25
Position sensitive detection optimization 2012-1-27 2015-9-22 2015-9-22
In-Plane Optical Metrology 2011-10-27 2012-2-16
Support for semiconductor substrate 2011-9-26 2016-7-26 2016-7-26
Focusing method and apparatus 2011-7-11 2012-6-19 2012-6-19
Scratch detection method and apparatus 2011-6-30 2013-8-22
Thin films and surface topography measurement using reduced library 2011-5-20 2014-8-26 2014-8-26
Local Stress Measurement 2011-4-25 2011-11-03
Wafer shape thickness and trench measurement 2011-4-08 2012-10-11
Scanning focal length metrology 2011-3-29 2012-9-04 2012-9-04