TREA

Integrated filter in antenna-based detector

Follow

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 7688274
  • Patent Number
    7,688,274
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, February 27, 2007
    18 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 30, 2010
    14 years ago
Information
Abstract
An antenna system includes a dielectric structure formed on a substrate; an antenna, partially within the dielectric structure, and supported by the dielectric structure; a reflective surface formed on the substrate. A shield blocks radiation from a portion of the antenna and from at least some of the dielectric structure. The shield is supported by the dielectric structure.
Description
COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright or mask work protection. The copyright or mask work owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright or mask work rights whatsoever.


CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from the following U.S. patent applications, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference:

    • (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/777,120, titled “Systems and Methods of Utilizing Resonant Structures,” filed Feb. 28, 2006; and
    • (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/417,129, titled “Integrated Filter in Antenna-Based Detector,” filed May 4, 2006.


The present invention is related to the following co-pending U.S. patent applications which are all commonly owned with the present application, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference:

    • (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/238,991, entitled “Ultra-Small Resonating Charged Particle Beam Modulator,” and filed Sep. 30, 2005;
    • (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/917,511, entitled “Patterning Thin Metal Film by Dry Reactive Ion Etching,” filed on Aug. 13, 2004;
    • (3) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/203,407, entitled “Method Of Patterning Ultra-Small Structures,” filed on Aug. 15, 2005;
    • (4) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/243,476, entitled “Structures And Methods For Coupling Energy From An Electromagnetic Wave,” filed on Oct. 5, 2005;
    • (5) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/243,477, entitled “Electron beam induced resonance,” filed on Oct. 5, 2005;
    • (6) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/325,432, entitled “Resonant Structure-Based Display,” filed on Jan. 5, 2006;
    • (7) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/410,924, entitled “Selectable Frequency EMR Emitter,” filed on Apr. 26, 2006; and
    • (8) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/400,280, entitled “Resonant Detector For Optical Signals,” filed on Apr. 10, 2006.


FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This relates to ultra-small devices, and, more particularly, to ultra-small antennas.


INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

Antennas are used for detecting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of a particular frequency.


As is well known, frequency (f) of a wave has an inverse relationship to wavelength (generally denoted λ). The wavelength is equal to the speed of the wave type divided by the frequency of the wave. When dealing with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in a vacuum, this speed is the speed of light c in a vacuum. The relationship between the wavelength λ of an electromagnetic wave its frequency f is given by the equation:






f
=

c
λ





As shown in FIG. 1, a typical antenna 10 is formed to detect electromagnetic waves having a certain frequency f, with a corresponding wavelength (λm). This desired frequency may be referred to herein as the desired detection frequency. The antenna 10 is a so-called quarter wavelength antenna, and its length is a multiple (preferably an odd multiple) of a quarter of the desired detection wavelength, i.e., an odd multiple of ¼ λm.


Note that when a electromagnetic wave (W) with wavelength λm is incident on the antenna 10, this causes a standing wave (denoted by the dashed line in the drawing) to be formed in the antenna. The standing wave is reflected of the end of the antenna, to form a second standing wave (denoted by the dotted line in the drawing). The wavelength of the standing wave is ½ λm.


When an electromagnetic wave travels through a dielectric, the velocity of the wave will be reduced and it will effectively behave as if it had a shorter wavelength. Generally, when an electromagnetic wave enters a medium, its wavelength is reduced (by a factor equal to the refractive index n of the medium) but the frequency of the wave is unchanged. The wavelength of the wave in the medium, λ′ is given by:







λ
′

=


λ
0

n






where λ0 is the vacuum wavelength of the wave. Note that the antenna 10 shown in FIG. 1 is formed of a homogenous material, typically a metal.


It is desirable to have more selectivity/sensitivity to specific frequencies in antenna detectors.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description, given with respect to the attached drawings, may be better understood with reference to the non-limiting examples of the drawings, wherein:



FIG. 1 shows various aspects of operation of an antenna;



FIGS. 2(
a)-2(b) are side views of an antenna with an integrated filter;



FIG. 3 is a top view of an antenna with an integrated filter;



FIG. 4 shows various aspects of operation of an antenna; and



FIGS. 5(
a)-5(d) show an exemplary process for making an antenna structure.





THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS


FIGS. 2(
a), 2(b) and 3 show two side views and a top view, respectively, of an antenna 100 formed within a dielectric structure 102. The dielectric 102 may be formed on a substrate 104. A detector system 106 is coupled with the antenna. The detector system may comprise an emitter 108 (a source of charged particles) and a detector 110 (not shown in FIG. 1) Various structures for the emitter/detector are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/400,280, entitled “Resonant Detector For Optical Signals,” and filed on Apr. 10, 2006, the entire contents of which have been incorporated herein by reference. The detector system may be formed on substrate 104 or elsewhere.


Preferably the detector system 106 is disposed at end E2 of the antenna system.


Although shown as rectangular, the end E2 of the antenna may be pointed to intensify the field.


A shield structure 112 (not shown in FIG. 3) is formed to block EMR from interacting with the detector system 106, in particular, with the particle beam emitted by the emitter 108. The shield 112 may be formed on a top surface of the dielectric structure.


An optional reflective surface 114 may be formed on the substrate 104 to reflect EMR to a receiving end E1 of the antenna 100.


The entire antenna structure, including the detection system, should preferably be provided within a vacuum.


For the purposes of this description, the antenna has three logical portions, namely a first antenna portion (shown in the drawing to the left of the dielectric structure 102), a second antenna portion within the dielectric structure, and a third antenna portion (shown in the drawing to the right of the dielectric structure).


The antenna 100 is formed to detect electromagnetic waves having a certain frequency f, with corresponding wavelength (λ). Accordingly, the length of the first antenna portion, L1 and that of the third antenna portion L2 are both ¼ λ. The length Ld of the second antenna portion, the portion within the dielectric, is ¼ λd, where λd is the wavelength of the signal within the dielectric 102. The antenna 100 is formed at a height H of ¼ λ above the substrate 104.


Recall that when an electromagnetic wave travels through a dielectric, its wavelength is reduced but the frequency of the wave is unchanged. The dielectric structure thus acts as a filter for a received signal, allowing EMR of the appropriate wavelength to pass therethrough. FIG. 4 shows the standing wave(s) formed in the antenna 100. As can be seen from the drawing, in the two metal segments 101-A, and 101-B, the wavelength of the standing wave is ¼ λ, whereas in the dielectric segment 103, the wavelength of the standing wave is ¼ λd—i.e., the wavelength corresponding to dielectric. The dimensions of the dielectric element can be determined, e.g., based on the relationship between the dielectric constants of the antenna material and the dielectric, e.g., using the following equation:








l
v


l
d


=




e
d

⁡

(


e
m

+
1

)




e
m

+

e
d









where lv is the length of the metal portion (corresponding to λv, the wavelength of the wave in a vacuum), and ld is the length of the dielectric portion (corresponding to λd is the wavelength of the wave in the dielectric material); ed is the dielectric constant of the dielectric material and em is the dielectric constant of the metal. Those skilled in the art will understand that lv/ld=λv/λd).


From this equation, the value of ld can be determined as:







l
d

=



l
v

⁢



e
d

+

e
m







e
d

⁡

(


e
m

+
1

)








The dielectric layer acts as a support for the antenna, and a filter.


The antenna structures may be formed of a metal such as silver (Ag).


With reference to FIGS. 5(a)-5(d), the antenna structures may be formed as follows (although other methods may be used):


First, the dielectric (D1) is formed on the substrate, along with two sacrificial portions (S1, S2) (FIG. 5(a)). The antenna (A) is then formed on the dielectric (D1) and the two sacrificial portions (S1, S2) (FIG. 5(b)). The sacrificial portions can then be removed (FIG. 5(c)), and then remainder of the dielectric (D2) can be formed on the antenna.


As shown in the drawings, the antenna comprises three portions, namely metal, dielectric, metal. Those skilled in the art will realize, upon reading this description, that the antenna may comprise three metal portions (e.g., in the order metalA, metalB, metalA, where metalA and metalB different metals, e.g., silver and gold). Those skilled in the art will realize, upon reading this description, that the antenna may comprise three dielectric portions (e.g., in the order Da, Db, Da, where Da and Db are different dielectric materials).


While certain configurations of structures have been illustrated for the purposes of presenting the basic structures of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other variations are possible which would still fall within the scope of the appended claims. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. An antenna system comprising: a dielectric structure;an antenna, partially within the dielectric structure, and supported by the dielectric structure; anda detection system disposed to detect electrical field changes in the antenna,wherein:the antenna comprises: a first metal portion on one side of the dielectric structure;a middle portion comprising a portion of the dielectric structure; anda second metal portion on another side of the dielectric structure, and the first metal portion and the second metal portions are comprised of different metals.
  • 2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the dielectric structure is formed on a substrate, the system further comprising: a reflective surface formed on the substrate.
  • 3. A system as in claim 1 further comprising: a shield blocking radiation from a portion of the antenna.
  • 4. A system as in claim 3 wherein the shield also blocks radiation from the dielectric structure.
  • 5. A system as in claim 3 wherein the shield is supported by the dielectric structure.
  • 6. A system as in claim 1 wherein the length of the first metal portion is substantially equal to the length of the second metal portion.
  • 7. A system as in claim 6 wherein the length of the dielectric portion of the antenna is based, at least in part, as a function of the dielectric constant of the dielectric material.
  • 8. A system as in claim 1 wherein the detection system includes a source of charged particles.
  • 9. A system as in claim 1 wherein the first metal portion and the second metal portions are comprised of the same metal.
  • 10. An antenna comprising: a dielectric portion having a first length;a first metal portion having a second on a first side of the dielectric portion; anda second metal portion, different from the first metal portion, having a third length on a second side of the dielectric portion;wherein the antenna is constructed and adapted to detect electromagnetic waves having a particular frequency, andwherein the first length, second length, and third length are each based, at least in part, on a function of the particular frequency.
  • 11. An antenna system comprising: a first antenna portion;a second antenna portion on a first side of the first antenna portion; anda third antenna portion on a second side of the first antenna portion,a shield blocking radiation from at least a part of the antenna; anda detection system disposed to detect electrical field changes in the antenna, wherein the detection system includes a source of charged particles, wherein:the first antenna portion and the third antenna portion comprise a first metalthe second antenna portion comprises a second metal,the first antenna portion and the third antenna portion comprise a first dielectric material; andthe second antenna portion comprises a second dielectric material.
  • 12. An antenna system as in claim 11 wherein: the first antenna portion and the third antenna portion comprise a metal; andthe second antenna portion comprises a dielectric material.
US Referenced Citations (313)
Number Name Date Kind
1948384 Lawrence Feb 1934 A
2307086 Varian et al. Jan 1943 A
2431396 Hansell Nov 1947 A
2473477 Smith Jun 1949 A
2634372 Salisbury Apr 1953 A
2932798 Kerst et al. Apr 1960 A
2944183 Drexler Jul 1960 A
2966611 Sandstrom Dec 1960 A
3231779 White Jan 1966 A
3297905 Rockwell et al. Jan 1967 A
3315117 Udelson Apr 1967 A
3387169 Farney Jun 1968 A
3543147 Kovarik Nov 1970 A
3546524 Stark Dec 1970 A
3560694 White Feb 1971 A
3571642 Westcott Mar 1971 A
3586899 Fleisher Jun 1971 A
3761828 Pollard et al. Sep 1973 A
3886399 Symons May 1975 A
3923568 Bersin Dec 1975 A
3989347 Eschler Nov 1976 A
4053845 Gould Oct 1977 A
4282436 Kapetanakos Aug 1981 A
4450554 Steensma et al. May 1984 A
4453108 Freeman, Jr. Jun 1984 A
4482779 Anderson Nov 1984 A
4528659 Jones, Jr. Jul 1985 A
4589107 Middleton et al. May 1986 A
4598397 Nelson et al. Jul 1986 A
4630262 Callens et al. Dec 1986 A
4652703 Lu et al. Mar 1987 A
4661783 Gover et al. Apr 1987 A
4704583 Gould Nov 1987 A
4712042 Hamm Dec 1987 A
4713581 Haimson Dec 1987 A
4727550 Chang et al. Feb 1988 A
4740963 Eckley Apr 1988 A
4740973 Madey Apr 1988 A
4746201 Gould May 1988 A
4761059 Yeh et al. Aug 1988 A
4782485 Gollub Nov 1988 A
4789945 Niijima Dec 1988 A
4806859 Hetrick Feb 1989 A
4809271 Kondo et al. Feb 1989 A
4813040 Futato Mar 1989 A
4819228 Baran et al. Apr 1989 A
4829527 Wortman et al. May 1989 A
4838021 Beattie Jun 1989 A
4841538 Yanabu et al. Jun 1989 A
4864131 Rich et al. Sep 1989 A
4866704 Bergman Sep 1989 A
4866732 Carey et al. Sep 1989 A
4873715 Shibata Oct 1989 A
4887265 Felix Dec 1989 A
4890282 Lambert et al. Dec 1989 A
4898022 Yumoto et al. Feb 1990 A
4912705 Paneth et al. Mar 1990 A
4932022 Keeney et al. Jun 1990 A
4981371 Gurak et al. Jan 1991 A
5023563 Harvey et al. Jun 1991 A
5036513 Greenblatt Jul 1991 A
5065425 Lecomte et al. Nov 1991 A
5113141 Swenson May 1992 A
5121385 Tominaga et al. Jun 1992 A
5127001 Steagall et al. Jun 1992 A
5128729 Alonas et al. Jul 1992 A
5130985 Kondo et al. Jul 1992 A
5150410 Bertrand Sep 1992 A
5155726 Spinney et al. Oct 1992 A
5157000 Elkind et al. Oct 1992 A
5163118 Lorenzo et al. Nov 1992 A
5185073 Bindra Feb 1993 A
5187591 Guy et al. Feb 1993 A
5199918 Kumar Apr 1993 A
5214650 Renner et al. May 1993 A
5233623 Chang Aug 1993 A
5235248 Clark et al. Aug 1993 A
5262656 Blondeau et al. Nov 1993 A
5263043 Walsh Nov 1993 A
5268693 Walsh Dec 1993 A
5268788 Fox et al. Dec 1993 A
5282197 Kreitzer Jan 1994 A
5283819 Glick et al. Feb 1994 A
5293175 Hemmie et al. Mar 1994 A
5302240 Hori et al. Apr 1994 A
5305312 Fornek et al. Apr 1994 A
5341374 Lewen et al. Aug 1994 A
5354709 Lorenzo et al. Oct 1994 A
5446814 Kuo et al. Aug 1995 A
5504341 Glavish Apr 1996 A
5578909 Billen Nov 1996 A
5604352 Schuetz Feb 1997 A
5608263 Drayton et al. Mar 1997 A
5663971 Carlsten Sep 1997 A
5666020 Takemura Sep 1997 A
5668368 Sakai et al. Sep 1997 A
5705443 Stauf et al. Jan 1998 A
5737458 Wojnarowski et al. Apr 1998 A
5744919 Mishin et al. Apr 1998 A
5757009 Walstrom May 1998 A
5767013 Park Jun 1998 A
5780970 Singh et al. Jul 1998 A
5790585 Walsh Aug 1998 A
5811943 Mishin et al. Sep 1998 A
5821836 Katehi et al. Oct 1998 A
5821902 Keen Oct 1998 A
5825140 Fujisawa Oct 1998 A
5831270 Nakasuji Nov 1998 A
5847745 Shimizu et al. Dec 1998 A
5889449 Fiedziuszko Mar 1999 A
5889797 Nguyen Mar 1999 A
5902489 Yasuda et al. May 1999 A
5963857 Greywall Oct 1999 A
5972193 Chou et al. Oct 1999 A
6005347 Lee Dec 1999 A
6008496 Winefordner et al. Dec 1999 A
6040625 Ip Mar 2000 A
6060833 Velazco May 2000 A
6080529 Ye et al. Jun 2000 A
6117784 Uzoh Sep 2000 A
6139760 Shim et al. Oct 2000 A
6180415 Schultz et al. Jan 2001 B1
6195199 Yamada Feb 2001 B1
6222866 Seko Apr 2001 B1
6278239 Caporaso et al. Aug 2001 B1
6281769 Fiedziuszko Aug 2001 B1
6297511 Syllaios et al. Oct 2001 B1
6301041 Yamada Oct 2001 B1
6309528 Taylor et al. Oct 2001 B1
6316876 Tanabe Nov 2001 B1
6338968 Hefti Jan 2002 B1
6370306 Sato et al. Apr 2002 B1
6373194 Small Apr 2002 B1
6376258 Hefti Apr 2002 B2
6407516 Victor Jun 2002 B1
6441298 Thio Aug 2002 B1
6448850 Yamada Sep 2002 B1
6453087 Frish et al. Sep 2002 B2
6470198 Kintaka et al. Oct 2002 B1
6504303 Small Jan 2003 B2
6525477 Small Feb 2003 B2
6534766 Abe et al. Mar 2003 B2
6545425 Victor Apr 2003 B2
6552320 Pan Apr 2003 B1
6577040 Nguyen Jun 2003 B2
6580075 Kametani et al. Jun 2003 B2
6603781 Stinson et al. Aug 2003 B1
6603915 Glebov et al. Aug 2003 B2
6624916 Green et al. Sep 2003 B1
6636185 Spitzer et al. Oct 2003 B1
6636534 Madey et al. Oct 2003 B2
6636653 Miracky et al. Oct 2003 B2
6640023 Miller et al. Oct 2003 B2
6642907 Hamada et al. Nov 2003 B2
6687034 Wine et al. Feb 2004 B2
6700748 Cowles et al. Mar 2004 B1
6724486 Shull et al. Apr 2004 B1
6738176 Rabinowitz et al. May 2004 B2
6741781 Furuyama May 2004 B2
6777244 Pepper et al. Aug 2004 B2
6782205 Trisnadi et al. Aug 2004 B2
6791438 Takahashi et al. Sep 2004 B2
6800877 Victor et al. Oct 2004 B2
6801002 Victor et al. Oct 2004 B2
6819432 Pepper et al. Nov 2004 B2
6829286 Guilfoyle et al. Dec 2004 B1
6834152 Gunn et al. Dec 2004 B2
6870438 Shino et al. Mar 2005 B1
6871025 Maleki et al. Mar 2005 B2
6885262 Nishimura et al. Apr 2005 B2
6900447 Gerlach et al. May 2005 B2
6909092 Nagahama Jun 2005 B2
6909104 Koops Jun 2005 B1
6924920 Zhilkov Aug 2005 B2
6936981 Gesley Aug 2005 B2
6943650 Ramprasad et al. Sep 2005 B2
6944369 Deliwala Sep 2005 B2
6952492 Tanaka et al. Oct 2005 B2
6953291 Liu Oct 2005 B2
6954515 Bjorkholm et al. Oct 2005 B2
6965284 Maekawa et al. Nov 2005 B2
6965625 Mross et al. Nov 2005 B2
6972439 Kim et al. Dec 2005 B1
6995406 Tojo et al. Feb 2006 B2
7010183 Estes et al. Mar 2006 B2
7064500 Victor et al. Jun 2006 B2
7068948 Wei et al. Jun 2006 B2
7092588 Kondo Aug 2006 B2
7092603 Glebov et al. Aug 2006 B2
7122978 Nakanishi et al. Oct 2006 B2
7130102 Rabinowitz Oct 2006 B2
7177515 Estes et al. Feb 2007 B2
7194798 Bonhote et al. Mar 2007 B2
7230201 Miley et al. Jun 2007 B1
7253426 Gorrell et al. Aug 2007 B2
7267459 Matheson Sep 2007 B2
7267461 Kan et al. Sep 2007 B2
7309953 Tiberi et al. Dec 2007 B2
7342441 Gorrell et al. Mar 2008 B2
7362972 Yavor et al. Apr 2008 B2
7375631 Moskowitz et al. May 2008 B2
7436177 Gorrell et al. Oct 2008 B2
7442940 Gorrell et al. Oct 2008 B2
7443358 Gorrell et al. Oct 2008 B2
7470920 Gorrell et al. Dec 2008 B2
7473917 Singh Jan 2009 B2
7586097 Gorrell et al. Sep 2009 B2
7586167 Gorrell et al. Sep 2009 B2
20010002315 Schultz et al. May 2001 A1
20010025925 Abe et al. Oct 2001 A1
20020009723 Hefti Jan 2002 A1
20020027481 Fiedziuszko Mar 2002 A1
20020036121 Ball et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020036264 Nakasuji et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020053638 Winkler et al. May 2002 A1
20020068018 Pepper et al. Jun 2002 A1
20020070671 Small Jun 2002 A1
20020071457 Hogan Jun 2002 A1
20020122531 Whitham Sep 2002 A1
20020135665 Gardner Sep 2002 A1
20020139961 Kinoshita et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020158295 Armgarth et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020191650 Madey et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030010979 Pardo et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030012925 Gorrell Jan 2003 A1
20030016421 Small Jan 2003 A1
20030034535 Barenburu et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030103150 Catrysse et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030106998 Colbert et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030155521 Feuerbaum Aug 2003 A1
20030158474 Scherer et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030164947 Vaupel Sep 2003 A1
20030179974 Estes et al. Sep 2003 A1
20030206708 Estes et al. Nov 2003 A1
20030214695 Abramson et al. Nov 2003 A1
20040061053 Taniguchi et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040080285 Victor et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040085159 Kubena et al. May 2004 A1
20040092104 Gunn, III et al. May 2004 A1
20040108471 Luo et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040108473 Melnychuk et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040108823 Amaldi et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040136715 Kondo Jul 2004 A1
20040150991 Ouderkirk et al. Aug 2004 A1
20040171272 Jin et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040180244 Tour et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040184270 Halter Sep 2004 A1
20040213375 Bjorkholm et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040217297 Moses et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040218651 Iwasaki et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040231996 Webb Nov 2004 A1
20040240035 Zhilkov Dec 2004 A1
20040264867 Kondo Dec 2004 A1
20050023145 Cohen et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050045821 Noji et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050045832 Kelly et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050054151 Lowther et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050067286 Ahn et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050082469 Carlo Apr 2005 A1
20050092929 Schneiker May 2005 A1
20050104684 Wojcik May 2005 A1
20050105690 Pau et al. May 2005 A1
20050145882 Taylor et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050152635 Paddon et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050162104 Victor et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050190637 Ichimura et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050194258 Cohen et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050201707 Glebov et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050201717 Matsumura et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050212503 Deibele Sep 2005 A1
20050231138 Nakanishi et al. Oct 2005 A1
20050249451 Baehr-Jones et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050285541 LeChevalier Dec 2005 A1
20060007730 Nakamura et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060018619 Helffrich et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060035173 Davidson et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060045418 Cho et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060050269 Brownell Mar 2006 A1
20060060782 Khursheed Mar 2006 A1
20060062258 Brau et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060131176 Hsu Jun 2006 A1
20060131695 Kuekes et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060159131 Liu et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060164496 Tokutake et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060187794 Harvey et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060208667 Lys et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060216940 Gorrell et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060243925 Barker et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060274922 Ragsdale Dec 2006 A1
20070003781 de Rochemont Jan 2007 A1
20070013765 Hudson et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070075263 Gorrell et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070075264 Gorrell et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070085039 Gorrell et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070086915 LeBoeuf et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070116420 Estes et al. May 2007 A1
20070146704 Schmidt et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070152176 Gorrell et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070154846 Gorrell et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070194357 Oohashi et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070200940 Gruhlke et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070238037 Wuister et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070252983 Tong et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070258492 Gorrell Nov 2007 A1
20070258689 Gorrell et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070258690 Gorrell et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070259641 Gorrell Nov 2007 A1
20070264023 Gorrell et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070264030 Gorrell et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070282030 Anderson et al. Dec 2007 A1
20070284527 Zani et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080069509 Gorrell et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080302963 Nakasuji et al. Dec 2008 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (14)
Number Date Country
0237559 Dec 1991 EP
2004-32323 Jan 2004 JP
WO 8701873 Mar 1987 WO
WO 9321663 Oct 1993 WO
WO 0072413 Nov 2000 WO
WO 0225785 Mar 2002 WO
WO 02077607 Oct 2002 WO
WO 2004086560 Oct 2004 WO
WO 2005015143 Feb 2005 WO
WO 2005098966 Oct 2005 WO
WO 2006042239 Apr 2006 WO
WO 2007081389 Jul 2007 WO
WO 2007081390 Jul 2007 WO
WO 2007081391 Jul 2007 WO
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20070200770 A1 Aug 2007 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60777120 Feb 2006 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11417129 May 2006 US
Child 11711000 US