Abstract: A method and apparatus for baking a film onto a substrate. A film, such as a layer of photoresist, is disposed on a first surface of a substrate while a second surface is exposed to a liquid bath. The liquid bath is maintained at a pre-selected temperature. Exposure of the substrate to the liquid bath allows the film on the opposite surface to bake. The liquid bath is then re-circulated to maintain a constant and uniform temperature gradient across the substrate.

Abstract: A etch stop layer for use in a silicon oxide dry fluorine etch process is made of silicon nitride with hydrogen incorporated in it either in the form of N—H bonds, Si—H bonds, or entrapped free hydrogen. The etch stop layer is made by either increasing the NH3 flow, decreasing the SiH4 flow, decreasing the nitrogen flow, or all three, in a standard PECVD silicon nitride fabrication process. The etch stop can alternatively be made by pulsing the RF field in either a PECVD process or an LPCVD process.

Abstract: Metal-based residues in semiconductor processing chambers are treated using treatment gases to neutralize and/or facilitate removal of the residues. The treatment gases may neutralize reactive residues by conversion to essentially stable materials. The treatment gases may facilitate removal of residues by converting the residues to materials that are not strongly bound to semiconductor processing chamber surfaces.

Abstract: A pressure regulator having a movable seat and a seat retainer. The seat retainer having a hollow interior with an interior surface. The seat is disposed within the hollow interior of the seat retainer to control fluid flow through the pressure regulator. The seat may be adapted to slidingly engage the interior surface of the seat retainer during movement of the seat to dampen the movement of the seat. The seat may be elastically deformed by the seating surface when seated against the seating surface. The pressure regulator may have a stem extending through the seat retainer orifice and affixed to the solid body of the seat to move the seat in response to movement of a diaphragm.

Abstract: A notebook computer base housing has operatively disposed therein a CD ROM drive, a hard disk drive and a floppy disk drive, an AC/DC electrical power converter, a modem, a PCMCIA card bay structure and a battery. This internal provision of three drive units in addition to the other equipment within the base housing is facilitated from a space standpoint by the vertical stacking of the hard disk drive atop the CD ROM drive within the base housing. To dissipate the operating heat from these components within the base housing, a heat spreader plate is interposed between the CD ROM drive and the overlying hard disk drive, and the high heat-generating components—namely, the modem, the AC/DC converter, the PCMCIA card bay structure, and the computer processor—are closely grouped together, with the AC/DC converter in thermal communication with a second heat spreader plate. The processor is disposed above the other high heat-generating components on a horizontally oriented main system circuit board.

Abstract: Photolithographic methods and apparatus for reducing or eliminating the proximity effect. Multiple exposures using different exposure parameters are used to reduce or to eliminate the proximity effect.

Abstract: A spring collet clamping system and method therefor including a collet disposed about a shaft, for example a rotary motor shaft, a substantially balanced spring clamp having a coil portion with arms extending from generally opposite portions thereof, the coil portion of the spring clamp is disposed about a portion of the collet, for example resilient arms thereof, to constrict and clamp the collet about the shaft.

Abstract: A multipoint thermocouple for sensing temperature. The thermocouple comprises a sheath having a plurality of conductor pairs disposed within the sheath. Each conductor pair has two conductors of dissimilar materials joined at a unique junction point along the sheath. The unique junction points permit sensing of temperature at different locations along the length of the multipoint thermocouple.

Abstract: A technique for facilitating the movement of multi-phase fluids. The technique utilizes a compressor pump and a production pump. The compressor pump compresses a fluid to remove vapor phase and then discharges the pressurized fluid to a production pump. The production pump produces the pressurized fluid to a desired location with greater efficiency due to reduction of the vapor phase.

Abstract: A system includes a memory module formed of a first portion having a first side that directly connects to a mount in the system, which first side is of a first length; and a second portion having a second side, which second side is of a second length, the second length being greater than the first length.

Abstract: A system for splicing coiled tubing used in deploying downhole equipment and having an internal power cable. The system includes first and second segments of coiled tubing each having power cable disposed therein. Additionally, mounting fixtures are attached to the ends of the coiled tubing segments that are to be joined. The system further includes a movable canister that may be slid over the spliced segments of power cable and selectively engaged with the mounting fixtures. The canister provides structural integrity to the overall deployment tubing while protecting the internal power cable splice.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique for performing continuity tests of power and ground pins on a packaged integrated circuit. The technique includes using a first and second fanout circuit each including a number of signal paths. Each signal path includes a switch and corresponds to a power or ground socket on a board configured to hold a number of integrated circuit packages. The fanout circuits allow full device testing, as well as testing of individual pins. By controlling the state of the switches, power and ground may be selectively supplied to power and ground pins to check the continuity of the signals from the integrated circuit device within the package to the external pins provided to route the signal to an external device.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the insertion and removal of a motherboard and a heatsink from a computer chassis without the use of tools or threaded fasteners. The technique allows the heatsink to be supported by the chassis and not the motherboard thereby preventing damage to the motherboard.

Abstract: Methods of forming a graded layer is disclosed. The graded layer transitions from one material to another material. The properties of these materials are chosen to optimize the interfaces on each side of the graded layer. Specifically, an improved transistor gate stack barrier layer may be formed by disposing an appropriate graded layer between a gate layer and an interconnect layer. In fact, the graded layer may obviate the use of the interconnect layer, as the top of the graded layer may include a highly conductive material. An improved integrated circuit interconnect structure may also be formed by grading the material composition of an interconnect layer.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for testing and training health care professionals. Competency tests are stored on machine readable media and transmitted via network connections to remote provider systems, such as workstations or diagnostic systems. A health care professional can take a competency test on a particular topic and input his/her responses at the remote provider system. The health care professional's responses are evaluated, and an assessment of his/her skills displayed at the provider system. The assessment particularly points out those areas, if any, where the health care professional's knowledge is deficient. If the health care professional has any areas which need improvement, a list of relevant courses is also displayed at the provider system. The health care professional may then select a desired course from the user interface. The machine readable media maintains a record of the health care professional's assessment as well as a list of completed courses.

Abstract: A system of resheathing armored power cables that provides multiple uses in harsh environments, such as those found in wellbore applications, before the integrity of the inner core of the cable is degraded. The resheathing system utilizes a sacrificial insulated jacket providing additional protection to the cable's inner core. The sacrificial jacket and the outer armor layer may be easily removed by the use off a rip cord or multiple rip cords. Removal of the sacrificial jacket and armor layer allow the inner core of the cable to be resheathed in the field for reuse.

Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically initiating reset of a digital detector. Generally, a digital detector has an array of rows and columns of pixels, read out electronics and scan electronics, that are configured to generate and transmit signals based upon radiation impacting the detector. The technique incorporates an automatic reset circuit that provides state machines to implement a reset if no readout or scrub command is received within a set time interval, or if communication with a readout control circuit is not available. The technique also includes methods for monitoring inputs, and resetting the charge on the rows and columns of pixels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching an integrated circuit die to a substrate. Specifically, substrates which are used for BOC/COB or F/C surface, mounting comprise protrusions on the surface of the substrate. The protrusions are configured to form barriers to hold an adhesive paste within the barriers. An integrated circuit die is disposed on the top of the barriers and coupled to the substrate by the adhesive paste.

Abstract: A combination gradient coil/RF shield is provided for magnetic resonance imaging systems. The coil may be adapted from any of the existing gradient coil structures, but is preferably an X-axis or Y-axis coil, with an inner Z-axis coil being inherently decoupled from the RF magnetic field due to its design. Capacitive circuits are provided between conductive paths of the selected gradient coil to adapt the gradient coil to the RF frequencies used during operation, such as 64 MHz. The technique permits the gradient coil assembly to be affectively moved closer to the patient while providing an enhanced distance between the RF coil and the RF shield defined by the adapted gradient coil.

Abstract: A technique is provided for increasing the pixel pitch without increasing the interconnect density of a digital detector. Generally, a digital detector has an array of rows and columns of pixels, read out electronics and scan electronics, that are configured to generate and transmit signals based upon radiation impacting the detector. The detector also having a plurality of scan lines, which are coupled to the plurality of rows of pixels. The present technique also provides a multiplexing circuit for selectively coupling the rows of pixels to the respective scan lines for read out of the signals.