Abstract: An epitaxial structure having a low defect density includes: a base layer; a first epitaxial layer having a plurality of concentrated defect groups, and an epitaxial surface that has a plurality of first recesses corresponding in position to the concentrated defect groups, the sizes of the first recesses being close to each other; and a plurality of defect-termination blocks respectively and filling the first recesses and having polished surfaces. The defect-termination blocks are made of a material which is different in removal rate from that of the first epitaxial layer.

Abstract: An edge guide is described that is adapted to restrict lateral movement of a flexible web as the web advances past the guide, the web comprising top and bottom face surfaces and two lateral edge surfaces, the guide comprising (i) a multi-sided body, and (ii) a cavity in one side of the body, the cavity comprising (a) a curved support surface adapted to receive a first lateral edge and to support a portion of the bottom face surface of the web as the web moves laterally into the cavity of and advances past the guide, and (b) a hard stop above, and in one embodiment, continuous with the curved support surface, the stop adapted to engage the first lateral edge of the web and block any further lateral movement of the web over the curved support surface.

Abstract: A method for forming silicon nitride films on semiconductor devices is provided. In one embodiment of the method, a silicon-comprising substrate is first exposed to a mixture of dichlorosilane (DCS) and a nitrogen-comprising gas to deposit a thin silicon nitride seeding layer on the surface, and then exposed to a mixture of silicon tetrachloride (TCS) and a nitrogen comprising gas to deposit a TCS silicon nitride layer on the DCS seeding layer. In another embodiment, the method involves first nitridizing the surface of the silicon-comprising substrate prior to forming the DCS nitride seeding layer and the TCS nitride layer. The method achieves a TCS nitride layer having a sufficient thickness to eliminate bubbling and punch-through problems and provide high electrical performance regardless of the substrate type. Also provided are methods of forming a capacitor, and the resulting capacitor structures.

Abstract: An anisotropic electrically conducting interconnect is disclosed in which an adhesive comprising particles having a breakable coating of at least one electrically nonconductive material is compressed between a first contact and a second contact. Compression to two contacts breaks the breakable coating exposing an electrically conducting material which makes contact with the first and second contacts. The electrically conducting material may be a metal conductor or a two-part reactive conductive resin/catalyst system. Also disclosed are processes for making such electrical interconnects and adhesives for use in making electrical interconnect.

Abstract: Multilayer foam-film composite structures in which the cells of at least one foam layer have an anisotropic orientation exhibit at least one enhanced property of toughness, tear resistance and puncture resistance in comparison with a foam-film composite structure alike in all aspects except for the anisotropic orientation of the cells of at least one foam layer.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for the polymerization of propylene comprising one or more Ziegler-Natta procatalyst compositions comprising one or more transition metal compounds and one or more esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acid internal electron donors; one or more aluminum containing cocatalysts; a selectivity control agent (SCA) comprising at least one silicon containing compound containing at least one C1-10 alkoxy group bonded to a silicon atom, and one or more activity limiting agent (ALA) compounds comprising one or more aliphatic or cycloaliphatic carboxylic acids; alkyl-, cycloalkyl- or alkyl(poly)(oxyalkyl)-(poly)ester derivatives thereof; or inertly substituted derivatives of the foregoing.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprises: (i) at least one ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer, (ii) at least one tackifÊer; and (iii) optionally at least one additive, such as a plasticizer, wax and antioxidant. Preferably, the ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer has a Mw/Mn from about 1.7 to about 3.5, at least one melting point, Tm, in degrees Celsius, and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the numerical values of Tm and d correspond to the relationship: Tm?858.91?1825.3(d)+1112.8(d)2. The composition has relatively higher SAFT temperature and can be used in hot melt adhesives pressure-sensitive adhesives, and thermoplastic marking paints.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a substrate (e.g., wafer) in the fabrication of semiconductor devices utilizing electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids to remove contaminant residual particles from the substrate surface are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition suitable for high gloss air quenched blown films. The films are comprised of from 2 to 15 percent by weight of a substantially isotactic propylene-based copolymer having a melt flow rate of at least 5 g/10 minutes and having from 8 to 21 mole percent units derived from an alpha olefin; and from 85 to 98 percent by weight of an ethylene-based copolymer having a melt index of from 0.1 to 9 g/10 minutes. An air quenched blown film made from the inventive composition exhibits a value for gloss greater than the value for gloss exhibited by an air quenched blown film made solely from the ethylene-based copolymer.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a photomask, methods of treating a chemically amplified resist-coated photomask blank, a photomask blank resulting from the methods, and systems for fabricating a photomask are provided. The method is useful for recovering the exposure sensitivity of a chemically amplified resist disposed on a photomask blank from a post-coat delay effect.

Abstract: A label with top, bottom and edge surfaces is attached to a thermoplastic substrate by a method comprising the steps of: A. Placing the bottom surface of the label in contact with a surface of the substrate; B. Melting a portion of the substrate beneath the label or adjacent to an edge of the label; C. Drawing a portion of the melted substrate over an edge of and onto the top surface of the label such that the portion of the melted substrate on the top surface of the label is continuous with the substrate; and D. Solidifying the melted substrate. The attachment does not require adhesive or mechanical fasteners, and the label and thermoplastic substrate can be made of any material that will withstand the conditions of the environment to which they will be exposed.

Abstract: Halogen-free, flame-retardant, crack-resistant, cable coatings are prepared from a composition comprising: A) 3 to 10 percent by weight of a low-melting temperature and medium to high grafted level maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene using a VLDPE base resin having density ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 g/cm3 and made with a single-site catalyst; B) 15 to 25% by weight of at least one EEA or EVA; C) 5 to 20% by weight of an ?-olefin polymer; and D) 40 to 65% by weight of a flame retardant inorganic filler.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable lift assembly for a flatbed vehicle such as a pickup truck. The adjustable lift assembly includes an extendible vertical member located at each corner of a vehicle flatbed. A frame is attached to an upper portion of each extendible vertical member. The frame rises and lowers with extension and retraction of the extendible vertical support members. Each extendible vertical member is placed through a respective support collar. The support collars support and maintain the extendible vertical members parallel to each other when the vehicle moves. The present adjustable lift assembly is lightweight and provides stable elevated support for a flatbed vehicle with little or no impediment to the storage area of the vehicle flatbed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of reduced-size vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility vehicles (UVs) are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the vehicles include frames that are wider near the front and rear sections of the vehicles than within the mid-sections of the vehicles. This, in combination with the use of shock-absorbers that are substantially vertically oriented, allows for the opening-up of large interior cavities within the front and rear sections of the vehicles within which can be positioned large front and rear internal compartments that can provide storage/carrying capacity as well as added buoyancy for the vehicle, among other things. Also, in at least some embodiments, the vehicles can include special cooling and/or exhaust systems having components that are positioned substantially within the mid-sections of the vehicles, thus further increasing the amounts of space available for the cavities/compartments within the front and rear sections of the vehicles.

Abstract: A method for making an optical device includes the steps of: rubbing an orienting film so as to stretch the molecular structure thereof and so as to permit the molecular units of the molecular structure to be aligned along a first axis and to permit the orienting space between each adjacent pair of the molecular units of the molecular structure to be oriented in a direction parallel to a second axis; and forming an optical anisotropical layer on the orienting film by applying a liquid crystal film of rod-like molecules on the orienting film which orients the rod-like molecules by virtue of spatial effect of the molecular units and the orienting spaces.

Abstract: Compositions including a polymer, a primary antioxidant, a secondary antioxidant, and a metal deactivator selected from at least one of 2,2?-oxamido bis[ethyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] and oxalyl bis(benzylidenehydrazide), are disclosed. The compositions can also include a light stabilizer. The compositions can be used to manufacture insulations for wire and cable. The compositions have improved long-term heat aging and also retain their color when exposed to heat. A method of making an insulation for a conductor, such as a wire or a cable, made from a composition is also provided.