Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a chemical-mechanical polishing process. The process includes performing chemical-mechanical polishing on an entire wafer lot without look ahead polishing of a first article wafer. A normalized polish rate is determined, and a process time for a next wafer lot is predicted using the normalized polish rate. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a polishing apparatus for chemical-mechanical planarization of semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A method and a computer program for facilitating previewing an area rug or other floor covering in a room, hallway, or other intended environment wherein the area rug will be placed, located, or otherwise used. Broadly, a digital image of the area rug is shaded, scaled, angled, or otherwise manipulated to reflect the corresponding conditions of the environment of use; combined with a digital image of the intended environment of use so as to present an accurately sized and realistic preview presentation image; and made available, such as, for example, via a network, for viewing. Any furniture or other objects appearing in the digital image of the environment of use to overlap an area wherein the area rug will be located are accommodated with a labor-reducing masking technique, thereby eliminating any requirement that a customer physically move the objects prior to generating the digital image of the environment of use.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method for forming a nitride sidewall spacer having a relatively thin upper portion and a lower portion that increases in lateral thickness as it substantially tapers toward an underlying surface. In an embodiment, nitride sidewall spacers having this shape are formed upon the opposed sidewall surfaces of gate conductors which are dielectrically spaced above a semiconductor substrate. The upper portion of each spacer is bounded by a substantially vertical upper outer surface while the lower portion is bounded by a lower outer surface which is angled away from the upper outer surface. A unitary source/drain implant may be forwarded into the substrate to form graded junctions. The implant is self-aligned to the upper outer surfaces of the nitride spacers. As such, the graded junctions are displaced laterally from the gate conductors by a distance which is dictated by the lateral thickness of the upper portion of each spacer.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus in which a sacrificial anti-reflective coating is used as an etch stop layer to protect a material from being etched. The anti-reflective coating has a relatively high viscosity which allows it to pool in recess regions as it is spin-on deposited across a surface having elevational disparities. This feature of the anti-reflective coating may be taken advantage of when using the anti-reflective coating as an etch stop layer. That is, the anti-reflective coating may be spin-on deposited across a substrate and structures arranged upon the substrate to allow the anti-reflective coating to accumulate in the recess regions interposed between the structures. In this manner, a thicker layer of the anti-reflective coating is formed in the recessed region above the substrate than above the structures which comprises a first layer of material arranged upon a second layer of material.

Abstract: A double cascade spout unit particularly adapted for use in whirlpool baths and spas wherein both filling and recirculation may be realized with a cascade or waterfall effect.

Abstract: A submersible pump check valve having a housing connected to the discharge port of a submerged pump has a poppet retained by four legs operable as cantilever springs and which interact with cam surfaces within the housing to prevent removal during normal operation of the pump but to afford selective removal from the housing for cleaning or replacement of the sealing ring without removing said housing from said submerged pump. Further, the pump need not be removed or otherwise disassembled to remove the poppet.

Abstract: A tripod shaped vehicle bumper jack for raising and lowering a vehicle. The jack legs are foldable for ease of storage. Attached to the end of each leg is a rotatable base plate so that the jack is self-leveling when it becomes necessary to lift a vehicle when the ground surface is at an angle to the horizontal. The vehicle is raised and lowered using a bumper hook attached to a cable driven by a worm gear driven windlass.