Abstract: A method for removal of residues after plasma etching a film stack comprising a first layer and a sacrificial layer. The method treats a substrate containing the film stack after the first layer of the film stack has been etched to remove residue produced during the etching process. The treatment is performed in a buffered oxide etch wet dip solution that removes the residue and the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for implementing an extended run-to function for a selected code portion are provided. One embodiment provides a method of debugging code using a debugging program. The method comprises, for a plurality of user-selected statements of the code, automatically setting breakpoints on each of the plurality of user-selected statements; executing the code until a breakpoint set on a first encountered statement of the plurality of user-selected statements is encountered and fired; halting execution at the breakpoint; and displaying a position at which execution halted via a user interface.

Abstract: A large diameter optical waveguide, grating, and laser includes a waveguide 10 having at least one core 12 surrounded by a cladding 14, the core propagating light in substantially a few transverse spatial modes; and having an outer waveguide dimension d2 of said waveguide being greater than about 0.3 mm. At least one Bragg grating 16 may be impressed in the waveguide 10. The waveguide 10 may be axially compressed which causes the length L of the waveguide 10 to decrease without buckling. The waveguide 10 may be used for any application where a waveguide needs to be compression tuned, e.g., compression-tuned fiber gratings and lasers or other applications. Also, the waveguide 10 exhibits lower mode coupling from the core 12 to the cladding 14 and allows for higher optical power to be used when writing gratings 16 without damaging the waveguide 10. The shape of the waveguide 10 may have other geometries (e.g.

Abstract: A scalable pipelined pixel shader that processes packets of data and preserves the format of each packet at each processing stage. Each packet is an ordered array of data values, at least one of which is an instruction pointer. Each member of the ordered array can be indicative of any type of data. As a packet progresses through the pixel shader during processing, each member of the ordered array can be replaced by a sequence of data values indicative of different types of data (e.g., an address of a texel, a texel, or a partially or fully processed color value). Information required for the pixel shader to process each packet is contained in the packet, and thus the pixel shader is scalable in the sense that it can be implemented in modular fashion to include any number of identical pipelined processing stages and can execute the same program regardless of the number of stages.

Abstract: Openings of variable shape are made sequentially by alternately etching an opening in silicon and depositing a conformal fluorocarbon polymer on the sidewalls. This polymer protects the sidewalls of the opening from further etching. An isotropic etch can be carried out to change the profile of the etched feature, and for lift-off of the etched feature from the silicon substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a stator attachable to said top drive, and a supporting member for supporting a tool, wherein means are provided to allow substantially horizontal movement of said supporting member.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for determining thread termination in a debugging environment. One embodiment provides a method of determining thread termination within a debugging environment, comprising: from a debugger user interface, receiving a user selection requesting notification of termination of a thread; and invoking the debugger user interface to notify the user of termination of the thread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for polishing a substrate surface. In one aspect, an apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a conductive polishing pad and an electrode having a membrane disposed therebetween. The membrane is orientated relative the conductive pad in a manner that facilitates removal of entrained gas from electrolyte flowing towards the conductive pad. The apparatus may be part of an electro-chemical polishing station that may optionally be part of a system that includes chemical mechanical polishing stations.

Abstract: A graphical processing unit (GPU) and methods for rendering a three-dimensional (3D) scene generated in a field of view having in-focus and out-of-focus regions on a two-dimensional (2D) screen region of pixels are described. One method includes initially rendering the scene to create color and depth texture maps and creating mip-map layers for the color texture map. The method further comprises subsequently rendering the scene by, for each pixel: creating a mip-map layer selection value as a function of a depth of the pixel from the depth texture map, generating a color value by interpolation using color values from at least one of the mip-map layers chosen according to the mip-map layer selection value, and setting a color of the pixel to the generated color texture.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical module and to method for manufacturing an optical module comprising the steps of: providing a groove in a substrate for positioning an optical component, providing the optical component, bonding the optical component to the groove by means of an aluminium-oxide bonding process, whereby an aluminium layer is formed on a lower portion of the optical component.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for communicating with an I/O processor (IOP) are provided. Polling of message queue pointers is utilized to detect the occurrence of certain message queue related events, rather than rely on interrupts generated by the IOP. The polling may decrease the disruptive effects of IOP generated interrupts. In an effort to minimize the latency associated with detecting IOP related events, the polling may be initiated frequently by an operating system task dispatcher. In an effort to minimize context switches, the task dispatcher may schedule the processing of upstream messages detected while polling to coincide with naturally occurring task swaps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a SiC material, formed according to certain process regimes, useful as a barrier layer, etch stop, and/or an ARC, in multiple levels, including the pre-metal dielectric (PMD) level, in IC applications and provides a dielectric layer deposited in situ with the SiC material for the barrier layers, and etch stops, and ARCs. The dielectric layer can be deposited with different precursors as the SiC material, but preferably with the same or similar precursors as the SiC material. The present invention is particularly useful for ICs using high diffusion copper as a conductive material. The invention may also utilize a plasma containing a reducing agent, such as ammonia, to reduce any oxides that may occur, particularly on metal surfaces such as copper filled features.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for cutting an opening through the wall of a conduit located in a borehole traversing the subsurface formations. The apparatus includes a body adapted to be lowered into the conduit to a desired level. The body is formed by a cylindrical wall defining an elongated chamber having a combustible charge receiving portion and an ignition portion located close to the combustible charge receiving portion. A plurality of spaced apart apertures are formed through the wall defining a given pattern which may be at least one elongated row of apertures generally parallel with the axis of the cylindrical wall or a line which encloses a given configuration on one side of the axis.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for testing termination circuits in SCSI bus controllers. In one embodiment, the termination circuits are tested by sending test data between respective SCSI controllers of the termination circuits for varying enabled/disabled statuses of the termination circuits.

Abstract: The density of at least one fluid in a pipe is determined using a pair of effective sound speeds a1eff and a2eff of the fluid/pipe system. The pair of effective sound speed measurements is taken at two sensing regions along the pipe wherein each of the sensing regions has a different cross sectional area compliance. The pair of effective sound speeds a1eff and a2eff is provided to signal processing logic 60, which determines the density of the fluid flowing in the pipe. The effective sound speeds a1eff and a2eff may be provided by a pair of sound speed meters positioned at the sensing regions wherein the sound speed meters utilize a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors placed at predetermined axial locations along the pipe. The acoustic pressure sensors measure one-dimensional planar acoustic waves that are lower in frequency (and longer wavelength) signals than those used for ultrasonic flow meters, and thus is more tolerant to inhomogeneities in the flow.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for enhanced control over the positioning of dialog boxes in relation to hyperlinks within electronic documents. The controlled positioning is implemented to mitigate any undesirable placement of dialog boxes that might limit to user access to hyperlinks contained within the electronic document. Accordingly, embodiments are provided for determining a location within a displayed electronic document at which a dialog box may be positioned without obscuring any hyperlinks. In the event that such positioning is not possible, steps are taken to position the dialog box in a location that will result in the least interference between the user and a displayed document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for advancing a rotating motorized downhole tool for operations in oil/gas wells. The apparatus is adapted for drilling and milling away of casing sections in the wells, as preparation for plugging the same. The apparatus includes a rotating tool and a driving motor indirectly suspended on coiled tubing. The apparatus also includes a carriage connected to the motor adapted to absorb torques that occur during use. The carriage is connected to the coiled tubing via a swivel coupling such that a tensile force on the coiled tubing provides an advancing force for the tool and motor.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for telecommunication service processing. In one embodiment, a calling card may be customized to redial a last number by entering a pre-defined shortcut sequence. In another embodiment, a search tool is used to search for a particular number using one or more pre-stored address books.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for locating electronic documents by allowing a user to specify, prioritize and control the order of a resulting hit list at the front end of a search are provided. One embodiment provides a method for searching electronic documents, comprising: receiving a search expression including one or more search terms having one or more weight criteria, wherein the one or more weight criteria include a user designated score modifier; finding one or more candidate documents based on the search expression; calculating a score for each candidate document according to the one or more weight criteria; and transmitting information for displaying a list of the one or more candidate documents reflecting the calculated scores. The weight criteria may be selected from a location of the one or more search terms, a format of the one or more search terms, and a frequency count of the one or more search terms.

Abstract: A drilling method in which a rotary drill bit is mounted on a tubular drillstring extending through a bore comprises: drilling through a formation containing fluid at a predetermined pressure; circulating drilling fluid down through the drill string to exit the string at or adjacent the bit, and then upwards through an annulus between the string and bore wall; and adding energy to the drilling fluid in the annulus at a location above the formation. The addition of energy to the fluid in the annulus has the effect that the pressure of the drilling fluid above the formation may be higher than the pressure of the drilling fluid in communication with the formation and that predetermined differential may be created between the pressure of the formation fluid and the pressure of the drilling fluid in communication with the formation.