Abstract: A pump assembly and method of cooling process air generated by the pump. The assembly includes a pump and a motor coupled by a gear arrangement. The pump has a cooling air intake and a cooling air exhaust and a process air intake and a process air discharge. The assembly also includes a heat exchanger having a process air inlet and a process air outlet. The assembly includes isolated first and second regions such that within the first region the cooling air exhaust of the pump is positioned at a first stage of tubing within the heat exchanger and further such that within the second region the cooling air intake of the pump is positioned at a second stage of tubing within the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A portable carrying apparatus comprises a plurality of segments that mateably couple together to form an elongated carrying apparatus. Each of the plurality of segments may be selectively de-coupled from each other to enable a user to break down the apparatus and stack each segment for storage when not in use. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, the apparatus may have a first end (e.g., a proximal end) and a second end (e.g., a distal end) that are configured to receive/carry one or more cargo loads (e.g., a connected hook, strap, bag handle and the like). A user of the apparatus may selectively attach one or more cargo loads to the first end and/or second end of the apparatus and balance the apparatus on one or both of the user's shoulders to carry/transport the one or more cargo loads more easily to and from a desired destination.

Abstract: A portable carrying apparatus configured to selectively attach a cargo load to one or more attachment points and enable a user to balance and carry the attached cargo load on one or both of the user’s shoulders. A portable carrying apparatus of the present disclosure may include an elongated body comprising a first plurality of receiving portions disposed on a first arm portion and a second plurality of receiving portions disposed on a second arm portion. One or more attachment connectors may be selective interfaced with the first plurality of receiving portions. A user may selectively attach one or more cargo loads to the one or more attachment connectors in order to carry the cargo loads on the shoulder(s) of the user via the portable carrying apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tissue planing assembly includes a base frame, a plurality of disassemblable components assembled to the base frame and having a ready configuration, a sample conveyor, a blade assembly configured to be coupled to the base frame, a control unit communicatively coupled to the sample conveyor, and one or more component sensors communicatively coupled to the control unit. The plurality of disassemblable components is configured to support a tissue sample. The sample conveyor is configured to convey the tissue sample through the blade assembly. The one or more components sensors are configured to output a signal indicative of at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components missing from the ready configuration, wherein the control unit prohibits operation of the sample conveyor when at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components is missing from the ready configuration.

Abstract: A portable carrying apparatus configured to selectively attach a cargo load to one or more attachment points and enable a user to balance and carry the attached cargo load on one or both of the user’s shoulders. A portable carrying apparatus of the present disclosure may include an elongated body comprising a first plurality of receiving portions disposed on a first arm portion and a second plurality of receiving portions disposed on a second arm portion. One or more attachment connectors may be selective interfaced with the first plurality of receiving portions. A user may selectively attach one or more cargo loads to the one or more attachment connectors in order to carry the cargo loads on the shoulder(s) of the user via the portable carrying apparatus.

Abstract: A portable carrying apparatus comprises a plurality of segments that mateably couple together to form an elongated carrying apparatus. Each of the plurality of segments may be selectively de-coupled from each other to enable a user to break down the apparatus and stack each segment for storage when not in use. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, the apparatus may have a first end (e.g., a proximal end) and a second end (e.g., a distal end) that are configured to receive/carry one or more cargo loads (e.g., a connected hook, strap, bag handle and the like). A user of the apparatus may selectively attach one or more cargo loads to the first end and/or second end of the apparatus and balance the apparatus on one or both of the user's shoulders to carry/transport the one or more cargo loads more easily to and from a desired destination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tissue planing assembly includes a base frame, a plurality of disassemblable components assembled to the base frame and having a ready configuration, a sample conveyor, a blade assembly configured to be coupled to the base frame, a control unit communicatively coupled to the sample conveyor, and one or more component sensors communicatively coupled to the control unit. The plurality of disassemblable components is configured to support a tissue sample. The sample conveyor is configured to convey the tissue sample through the blade assembly. The one or more components sensors are configured to output a signal indicative of at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components missing from the ready configuration, wherein the control unit prohibits operation of the sample conveyor when at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components is missing from the ready configuration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tissue planing assembly includes a base frame, a plurality of disassemblable components assembled to the base frame and having a ready configuration, a sample conveyor, a blade assembly configured to be coupled to the base frame, a control unit communicatively coupled to the sample conveyor, and one or more component sensors communicatively coupled to the control unit. The plurality of disassemblable components is configured to support a tissue sample. The sample conveyor is configured to convey the tissue sample through the blade assembly. The one or more components sensors are configured to output a signal indicative of at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components missing from the ready configuration, wherein the control unit prohibits operation of the sample conveyor when at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components is missing from the ready configuration.

Abstract: A pump assembly and method of cooling process air generated by the pump. The assembly includes a pump and a motor coupled by a gear arrangement. The pump has a cooling air intake and a cooling air exhaust and a process air intake and a process air discharge. The assembly also includes a heat exchanger having a process air inlet and a process air outlet. The assembly includes isolated first and second regions such that within the first region the cooling air exhaust of the pump is positioned at a first stage of tubing within the heat exchanger and further such that within the second region the cooling air intake of the pump is positioned at a second stage of tubing within the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A tissue planing assembly includes a vacuum table, a gantry system, and a cutting device. The vacuum table includes a cutting surface configured to receive a tissue sample and apply a vacuum pressure to the tissue sample. The gantry system is configured to be positioned over the cutting surface of the vacuum table and includes a blade holder. The blade holder of the gantry system is configured to be adjustable in at least a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction relative to the cutting surface of the vacuum table. The cutting device is configured to be positioned within the blade holder.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tissue planing assembly includes a base frame, a plurality of disassemblable components assembled to the base frame and having a ready configuration, a sample conveyor, a blade assembly configured to be coupled to the base frame, a control unit communicatively coupled to the sample conveyor, and one or more component sensors communicatively coupled to the control unit. The plurality of disassemblable components is configured to support a tissue sample. The sample conveyor is configured to convey the tissue sample through the blade assembly. The one or more components sensors are configured to output a signal indicative of at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components missing from the ready configuration, wherein the control unit prohibits operation of the sample conveyor when at least one of the plurality of disassemblable components is missing from the ready configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing non uniformity during thermal processing. One embodiment provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising a chamber body defining a processing volume, a substrate support disposed in the processing volume, wherein the substrate support is configured to rotate the substrate, a sensor assembly configured to measure temperature of the substrate at a plurality of locations, and one or more pulse heating elements configured to provide pulsed energy towards the processing volume.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of thermally treating a wafer or other substrate, such as rapid thermal processing (RTP) apparatus and methods are disclosed. An array of radiant lamps directs radiation to the back side of a wafer to heat the wafer. In one or more embodiments, the front side of the wafer on which the patterned integrated circuits are being formed faces a radiant reflector. In one or more embodiments, the wafer is thermally monitored for temperature and reflectivity from the side of the reflector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating a substrate. The substrate is positioned on a support in a thermal treatment chamber. Electromagnetic radiation is directed toward the substrate to anneal a portion of the substrate. Other electromagnetic radiation is directed toward the substrate to preheat a portion of the substrate. The preheating reduces thermal stresses at the boundary between the preheat region and the anneal region. Any number of anneal and preheat regions are contemplated, with varying shapes and temperature profiles, as needed for specific embodiments. Any convenient source of electromagnetic radiation may be used, such as lasers, heat lamps, white light lamps, or flash lamps.

Abstract: Temperature measurement of a silicon wafer is described using the interference between reflections off surfaces of the wafer. In one example, the invention includes a silicon processing chamber, a wafer holder within the chamber to hold a silicon substrate for processing, and a laser directed to a surface of the substrate. A photodetector receives light from the laser that is reflected off the surface directly and through the substrate and a processor determines a temperature of the silicon substrate based on the received reflected light.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus and method in which a first laser source, for example, a CO2 emitting at 10.6 ?m is focused onto a silicon wafer as a line beam and a second laser source, for example, a GaAs laser bar emitting at 808 nm is focused onto the wafer as a larger beam surrounding the line beam. The two beams are scanned in synchronism in the direction of the narrow dimension of the line beam to create a narrow heating pulse from the line beam when activated by the larger beam. The energy of GaAs radiation is greater than the silicon bandgap energy and creates free carriers. The energy of the CO2 radiation is less than the silicon bandgap energy so silicon is otherwise transparent to it, but the long wavelength radiation is absorbed by the free carriers.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus and method in which a first laser source, for example, a CO2 emitting at 10.6 ?m is focused onto a silicon wafer as a line beam and a second laser source, for example, a GaAs laser bar emitting at 808 nm is focused onto the wafer as a larger beam surrounding the line beam. The two beams are scanned in synchronism in the direction of the narrow dimension of the line beam to create a narrow heating pulse from the line beam when activated by the larger beam. The energy of GaAs radiation is greater than the silicon bandgap energy and creates free carriers. The energy of the CO2 radiation is less than the silicon bandgap energy so silicon is otherwise transparent to it, but the long wavelength radiation is absorbed by the free carriers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing non uniformity during thermal processing. One embodiment provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising a chamber body defining a processing volume, a substrate support disposed in the processing volume, wherein the substrate support is configured to rotate the substrate, a sensor assembly configured to measure temperature of the substrate at a plurality of locations, and one or more pulse heating elements configured to provide pulsed energy towards the processing volume.