Abstract: When forming transistor elements on the basis of sophisticated high-k metal gate structures, the efficiency of a replacement gate approach may be enhanced by more efficiently adjusting the gate height of transistors of different conductivity type when the dielectric cap layers of transistors may have experienced a different process history and may thus require a subsequent adaptation of the final cap layer thickness in one type of the transistors. For this purpose, a hard mask material may be used during a process sequence for forming offset spacer elements in one gate electrode structure while covering another gate electrode structure.

Abstract: In a replacement gate approach, the dielectric cap layers of the gate electrode structures are removed in a separate removal process, such as a plasma assisted etch process, in order to provide superior process conditions during the subsequent planarization of the interlayer dielectric material for exposing the sacrificial gate material. Due to the superior process conditions, the selective removal of the sacrificial gate material may be accomplished with enhanced uniformity, thereby also contributing to superior stability of transistor characteristics.

Abstract: In advanced semiconductor devices, spacer elements may be formed on the basis of a multi-station deposition technique, wherein a certain degree of variability of the various sub-layers of the spacer materials, such as a different thickness, may be applied in order to enhance etch conditions during the subsequent anisotropic etch process. Consequently, spacer elements of improved shape may result in superior deposition conditions when using a stress-inducing dielectric material. Consequently, yield losses due to contact failures in densely packed device areas, such as static RAM areas, may be reduced.

Abstract: Election system enabling coercion-free remote voting wherein a remote voter transmits his/her selected vote to the election authority through a data transmission network such as the Internet network by using a host computer having a card reader, the vote being transmitted after the voter has introduced an identifying smart card into the card reader. At least one secret code is recorded into the smart card at the location of the election authority at the moment when the latter delivers the smart card, the secret code having to be input by the voter into the host computer when the voter wants to vote during an election in order for the vote to be transmitted to the election authority and validated by the election authority.

Abstract: Sophisticated gate stacks including a high-k dielectric material and a metal-containing electrode material may be covered by a protection liner, such as a silicon nitride liner, which may be maintained throughout the entire manufacturing sequence at the bottom of the gate stacks. For this purpose, a mask material may be applied prior to removing cap materials and spacer layers that may be used for encapsulating the gate stacks during the selective epitaxial growth of a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy. Consequently, enhanced integrity may be maintained throughout the entire manufacturing sequence, while at the same time one or more lithography processes may be avoided.

Abstract: Bonding wires for sophisticated bonding applications may be efficiently formed on the basis of a corresponding template device that may be formed on the basis of semiconductor material, such as silicon, in combination with associated fabrication techniques, such as lithography and etch techniques. Hence, any appropriate diameter and cross-sectional shape may be obtained with a high degree of accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: A final agent of the message provides a first encryption key to a first agent, interposed between a message sender and the final agent. The first agent but not the final agent knows an identity of the sender. The final agent provides a second encryption key to a second agent, interposed between the sender and the final agent. The second agent knows an identity of the sender. The first agent generates a third encryption key and provides the first encryption key and the third encryption key to the sender. The second agent generates a fourth encryption key and provides the second encryption key and the fourth encryption key to the sender. The first agent receives from the sender a message encrypted with the first, second, third and fourth keys, and in response, decrypts the message based on the third key. Afterwards, the first agent provides the message decrypted based on the third key to the second agent. In response, the second agent decrypts, based on the fourth key, the message provided by the first agent.

Abstract: Election system enabling coercion-free remote voting wherein a remote voter transmits his/her selected vote to the election authority through a data transmission network such as the Internet network by using a host computer having a card reader, the vote being transmitted after the voter has introduced an identifying smart card into the card reader. At least one secret code is recorded into the smart card at the location of the election authority at the moment when the latter delivers the smart card, the secret code having to be input by the voter into the host computer when the voter wants to vote during an election in order for the vote to be transmitted to the election authority and validated by the election authority.

Abstract: Election system enabling coercion-free remote voting wherein a remote voter transmits his/her selected vote to the election authority through a data transmission network such as the Internet network by using a host computer having a card reader, the vote being transmitted after the voter has introduced an identifying smart card into the card reader. At least one secret code is recorded into the smart card at the location of the election authority at the moment when the latter delivers the smart card, the secret code having to be input by the voter into the host computer when the voter wants to vote during an election in order for the vote to be transmitted to the election authority and validated by the election authority.

Abstract: In a method according to the present invention, a substrate thinning process is performed on a bumped substrate prior to the ultimate solder reflow process to heal bump defects caused by the substrate thinning process. Concurrently, the risk of substrate breakage is reduced compared to the prior art process since the number of process steps, requiring handling of thinned substrates, is reduced.

Abstract: In a method according to the present invention, a substrate thinning process is performed on a bumped substrate prior to the ultimate solder reflow process to heal bump defects caused by the substrate thinning process. Concurrently, the risk of substrate breakage is reduced compared to the prior art process since the number of process steps, requiring handling of thinned substrates, is reduced.

Abstract: Election system enabling coercion-free remote voting wherein a remote voter transmits his/her selected vote to the election authority through a data transmission network such as the Internet network by using a host computer having a card reader, the vote being transmitted after the voter has introduced an identifying smart card into the card reader. At least one secret code is recorded into the smart card at the location of the election authority at the moment when the latter delivers the smart card, the secret code having to be input by the voter into the host computer when the voter wants to vote during an election in order for the vote to be transmitted to the election authority and validated by the election authority.

Abstract: A final agent of the message provides a first encryption key to a first agent, interposed between a message sender and the final agent. The first agent but not the final agent knows an identity of the sender. The final agent provides a second encryption key to a second agent, interposed between the sender and the final agent. The second agent knows an identity of the sender. The first agent generates a third encryption key and provides the first encryption key and the third encryption key to the sender. The second agent generates a fourth encryption key and provides the second encryption key and the fourth encryption key to the sender. The first agent receives from the sender a message encrypted with the first, second, third and fourth keys, and in response, decrypts the message based on the third key. Afterwards, the first agent provides the message decrypted based on the third key to the second agent. In response, the second agent decrypts, based on the fourth key, the message provided by the first agent.

Abstract: To provide an information processing apparatus, a server apparatus, a method of an information processing apparatus, a method of a server apparatus, and an apparatus executable program. An information processing apparatus uses signed integrity values unique to software configuration and asserting integrity of initial codes of a networked server. The server apparatus generates keys used for certifying the server apparatus(S810, S820, S830). One of the keys are certified by a third party to generate a digital signature (S840). The digital signature is attached to the integrity values and the signed integrity values are transmitted to the information processing apparatus for allowing the information processing apparatus to have secure services through the network (S850, S860).

Abstract: Described is a mechanism for securely handling an information unit by a first information processing device (2), for instance a terminal device like a chip card reader, which interoperates with a second secure information processing device (1), for instance a portable device like a chip card, whereby the information unit is provided by an issuer. The information unit is provided from the issuer to the first device and encrypted by using a first key. The first key is also encrypted by using a second key. The second key is provided on the second secure device (1) and interconnecting the first and the second device enables to decrypt the first key by using the second key and then to decrypt the information unit by using the first key.