Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition system includes a gas concentration sensor for determining the quantity of precursor gases admitted thereto. The gas concentration sensor can include a transmitter and a receiver for transmitting an acoustic signal across a chamber. In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver are designed to increase transmitted signal while reducing transmitted noise, facilitating use of the gas concentration sensor at low pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: According to embodiments, systems and methods are described herein that facilitate use of a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) system continuously. The systems and methods shown herein include multiple precursor gas sources, and structures for independently connecting or disconnecting those sources for replacement. Furthermore, by providing user inputs for diluting the outputs of these multiple precursor gas sources, mixtures of precursor gas in carrier gas can be generated that have sufficiently low concentrations to be routed to a remove CVD system even at relatively low temperatures. Therefore, in embodiments many precursor gas sources, located remotely from the CVD chamber, can be independently operated and replaced as needed without interrupting a supply of precursor gas to the CVD chamber.

Abstract: An acoustical transformer having a last matching section that includes a protective barrier of low permeability. The protective barrier is in contact with a test medium. In one embodiment, the protective barrier comprises one or more low permeability layers, such as a metallic foil or metallic coating(s) disposed on a low impedance layer such as polyimide, so that the low impedance layer and the protective barrier constitute the last matching section of the acoustical transformer. In other embodiments, the protective barrier comprises a fluoropolymer. A method for determining the thicknesses of the various layers of the acoustical transformer for enhanced performance is also disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition system includes a gas concentration sensor for determining the quantity of precursor gases admitted thereto. The gas concentration sensor can include a transmitter and a receiver for transmitting an acoustic signal across a chamber. In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver are designed to increase transmitted signal while reducing transmitted noise, facilitating use of the gas concentration sensor at low pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: An acoustical transformer having a last matching section that includes a protective barrier of low permeability. The protective barrier is in contact with a test medium. In one embodiment, the protective barrier comprises one or more low permeability layers, such as a metallic foil or metallic coating(s) disposed on a low impedance layer such as polyimide, so that the low impedance layer and the protective barrier constitute the last matching section of the acoustical transformer. In other embodiments, the protective barrier comprises a fluoropolymer. A method for determining the thicknesses of the various layers of the acoustical transformer for enhanced performance is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus (15, 30) and methods for performing acoustical measurements are provided having some and preferably all of the following features: (A) the system (15, 30) is operated under near-field conditions; (B) the piezoelement (40) or piezoelements (40, 48) used in the system are (i) mechanically (41, 49) and electrically (13, 16) damped and (ii) efficiently electrically coupled to the signal processing components of the system; (C) each piezoelement (40, 48) used in the system includes an acoustical transformer (42, 50) for coupling the element to a gaseous test medium (9); (D) speed of sound is determined from the time difference between two detections of an acoustical pulse (81, 82) at a receiver (40, FIG. 3; 48, FIG.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing acoustical measurements are provided having some and preferably all of the following features: (1) the system is operated under near-field conditions; (2) the piezoelement or piezoelements used in the system are (a) mechanically and electrically damped and (b) efficiently electrically coupled to the signal processing components of the system; (3) each piezoelement used in the system includes an acoustical transformer for coupling the element to a gaseous test medium; (4) speed of sound is determined from the time difference between two detections of an acoustical pulse at a receiver; (5) cross-correlation techniques are employed to detect the acoustical pulse at the receiver; (6) fast Fourier transform techniques are used to implement the cross-correlation techniques; and (7) stray path signals through the body of the acoustic sensor are removed from detected signals prior to signal analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing acoustical measurements are provided having some and preferably all of the following features: (1) the system is operated under near-field conditions; (2) the piezoelement or piezoelements used in the system are (a) mechanically and electrically damped and (b) efficiently electrically coupled to the signal processing components of the system; (3) each piezoelement used in the system includes an acoustical transformer for coupling the element to a gaseous test medium; (4) speed of sound is determined from the time difference between two detections of an acoustical pulse at a receiver; (5) cross-correlation techniques are employed to detect the acoustical pulse at the receiver; (6) fast Fourier transform techniques are used to implement the cross-correlation techniques; and (7) stray path signals through the body of the acoustic sensor are removed from detected signals prior to signal analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing acoustical measurements are provided having some and preferably all of the following features: (1) the system is operated under near-field conditions; (2) the piezoelement or piezoelements used in the system are (a) mechanically and electrically damped and (b) efficiently electrically coupled to the signal processing components of the system; (3) each piezoelement used in the system includes an acoustical transformer for coupling the element to a gaseous test medium; (4) speed of sound is determined from the time difference between two detections of an acoustical pulse at a receiver; (5) cross-correlation techniques are employed to detect the acoustical pulse at the receiver; (6) fast Fourier transform techniques are used to implement the cross-correlation techniques; and (7) stray path signals through the body of the acoustic sensor are removed from detected signals prior to signal analysis.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the diameters of transparent filaments with high precision, e.g., RMS standard deviations of less than 0.02 microns, are provided. The methods involve determining the average spatial frequency .omega. of the far-field interference pattern produced by illuminating the filament with a beam of laser light. The average spatial frequency is determined by performing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) on the interference data to obtain a coarse estimate for the average and then performing a set of discrete sequence Fourier transforms (DSFTs) in the region of the coarse estimate to obtain the desired high precision estimate of the average. Efficient on-line processing procedures are provided so that real time measurements can be performed on, for example, a moving optical waveguide fiber, at rates of 500 measurements/second and above.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus and method for crimping electrical connectors to cables. The apparatus can automatically sense the size of a connector and can automatically determine a minimum acceptable distance of work travel in relation to the size of a connector. The apparatus can crimp articles and control the movement of an indentor by use of a computer. The apparatus can sense predetermined crimping information and at least partially record crimping information. The apparatus can determine the occurrence of a bad crimp. The apparatus can monitor predetermined characteristics of the crimper. The apparatus can sense free travel movement of an indentor and determine appropriate work travel movement of the indentor relative to sensed free travel movement. The apparatus can sense free travel movement of an indentor and compare sensed free travel movement to a stored memory of potential free travel movements and connector sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping electrical connectors to cables. The apparatus generally has a ram, an anvil, an electrical ram position sensor, and a computer for at least partially controlling movement of the ram relative to the anvil. The computer can use the position sensor for monitoring the position or location of the ram. The apparatus can have a hydraulic system for moving the ram relative to the anvil and a hydraulic system deactivation valve with a plunger, an extension, means for biasing, and a computer controlled limiter for limiting movement of the plunger and/or extension. The apparatus can also have a pressure sensor for sensing pressure in the hydraulic drive system including two electrical switches and two plungers suitably connected to the hydraulic drive system and adapted to be moveable by hydraulic system pressure at different hydraulic system pressures such that the different hydraulic system pressures can be communicated to the computer by the plungers activating the electrical switches.