Abstract: Apparatus and method configured to determine locations of man-made objects within synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. The apparatus and method prescreen SAR imagery to identify potential locations of man-made objects within SAR imagery. The potential locations are processed using a change detector to remove locations of natural objects to produce a target image containing location of substantially only man-made objects.

Abstract: Apparatus and method configured to determine locations of man-made objects within synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. The apparatus and method prescreen SAR imagery to identify potential locations of man-made objects within SAR imagery. The potential locations are processed using a change detector to remove locations of natural objects to produce a target image containing location of substantially only man-made objects.

Abstract: A moving ground penetrating radar is comprised of multiple transmitters and receivers with multiple, e.g., Horizontal and Vertical, polarizations to detect buried targets with standoff capability. Novel signal and imaging techniques are used to form high quality radar imagery with low artifacts that are due to various sources of self-induced resonances, e.g., transmitter-receiver coupling, calibration errors, and motion errors in the multi transmitter/receiver channels of the radar system. The irradiated target area image is formed via exploiting both the spatial diversity of the physical multi-transmitter and multi-receiver array and synthetic aperture/array that is generated by the motion of the platform that carries the radar system. The images that are formed from the multiple polarizations are combined to remove surface targets/clutter and, thus, enhance signatures of buried targets.

Abstract: A moving ground penetrating radar is comprised of multiple transmitters and receivers with multiple, e.g., Horizontal and Vertical, polarizations to detect buried targets with standoff capability. Novel signal and imaging techniques are used to form high quality radar imagery with low artifacts that are due to various sources of self-induced resonances, e.g., transmitter-receiver coupling, calibration errors, and motion errors in the multi transmitter/receiver channels of the radar system. The irradiated target area image is formed via exploiting both the spatial diversity of the physical multi-transmitter and multi-receiver array and synthetic aperture/array that is generated by the motion of the platform that carries the radar system. The images that are formed from the multiple polarizations are combined to remove surface targets/clutter and, thus, enhance signatures of buried targets.

Abstract: Microwave energy is used as a radiation source for rapid thermal processing of semiconductor wafers. In one aspect, a hybrid material formed from a microwave modulator material is used to provide temperature uniformity across the wafer and to avoid cracking or breaking of wafers due to the development of thermal stresses. In another aspect, microwave-generated atmospheric pressure plasma is used to heat the wafer either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: A cleaning system (1, 5) having multiple cleaning chambers (200) is provided. Each cleaning chamber (200) includes an interior region sufficient for immersing a carrier (242), which has at least one wafer disposed therein, into an ultra-clean liquid. The cleaning chamber (200) also has an inlet operably coupled to the interior region to introduce a gas into the interior region and a drain operably coupled to the interior region to remove the ultra-clean liquid from the interior region at a selected rate. A controller 14 is operably coupled to the chamber (200) for selectively controlling the selected rate. In an alternative embodiment, an installation technique (80) for the above cleaning system (1,5) is provided.

Abstract: A cleaning system (1, 5) having multiple cleaning chambers (200) is provided. Each cleaning chamber (200) includes an interior region sufficient for immersing a carrier (242), which has at least one wafer disposed therein, into an ultra-clean liquid. The cleaning chamber (200) also has an inlet operably coupled to the interior region to introduce a gas into the interior region and a drain operably coupled to the interior region to remove the ultra-clean liquid from the interior region at a selected rate. A controller 14 is operably coupled to the chamber (200) for selectively controlling the selected rate. In an alternative embodiment, an installation technique (80) for the above cleaning system (1, 5) is provided.

Abstract: A hybrid vacuum pump comprising a turbomolecular stage positioned at the inlet end of the pump and comprising a stator formed from an array of stationary blades and a rotor formed from a further array of blades arranged for rotation at high speed between the stator blades. A molecular drag stage is positioned at the outlet (high pressure) end of the pump and comprises at least two discs arranged for rotation within a stator with a minimal clearance between the circumferential edge of the discs and the stator. A flow passageway linking the turbomolecular stage with annular channels is defined between the stator and opposing faces of the discs and projections extending from the stator are provided for deflecting gas being pumped from the annular channels during rotation of the discs.

Abstract: A communications network for processing insurance claims of objects. The communications network including claim terminals and repair terminals, each having a processor, a display monitor, and a mass storage device, for inputting and sending object-identification data, parts graphics images, and images from the claims terminals to the repair terminals through a communications channel. The repair terminals compute repair and replacement estimates and send the estimates to the claim terminal. The object-identification data include information stored in digital form for a multiplicity of objects. The sum of the costs for repairing an object or a part of an object versus the cost for replacing the object or the part of a object is compared. An imaging device may be used for capturing an electronic image in digital form of the damaged object.

Abstract: A computer system including a processor, a display monitor and a mass storage device serving as a main memory for storing digital data. The digital data include information stored in digital form for a multiplicity of vehicles. A data base is provided of a plurality of groups of parts, a plurality of associated parts graphics, and a plurality of costs for repairing the parts and for replacing groups of parts. The method and apparatus include inputting vehicle-identification data of a damaged vehicle to the processor. The display monitor displays a list of groups of parts for the damaged vehicle. In response to selecting a particular group of parts, a parts description from the data base of the first group of parts is then displayed. A parts graphic may be displayed from the list of groups of parts, along with costs data including parts costs, repair time and painting time. The method and apparatus compare the sum of the costs for repairing a part of a vehicle versus the cost for replacing a part of a vehicle.