Abstract: A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments. A magnetic levitated linear motor functions to propel the transportation stage in a linear direction along a defined axis of travel and to magnetically levitate the transportation stage.

Abstract: A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments.

Abstract: A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments.

Abstract: A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments. A magnetic levitated linear motor functions to propel the transportation stage in a linear direction along a defined axis of travel and to magnetically levitate the transportation stage.

Abstract: A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling a component within a housing adapted for subsurface disposal using a vortex tube. The housing contains a first pressure chamber; a vortex tube coupled to the first pressure chamber; a cooling chamber coupled to the vortex tube; and a second pressure chambercoupled to the cooling chamber; wherein the pressure chambers are adapted to stimulate a cool fluid flow from the vortex tube into the cooling chamber. A cooling method entails disposing the component to be cooled within the cooling chamber and adapting the system pressure chambers to stimulate a cool fluid flow from a vortex tube into the cooling chamber.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a frequency profile of a quartz crystal in real time. Quartz crystals are subjected to a series of temperature cycles at various temperature rates and the crystal frequencies, crystal temperature parameters, and the temperature rates are monitored as the crystal is subjected to the temperature cycles. The monitored frequencies are grouped correlated with the monitored temperature parameters and temperature rates. A system for determining the frequency of a quartz crystal includes a processor adapted to perform the frequency profiling techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a time to failure for an electronic device. The method and apparatus includes estimating a dependency of a bond strength degradation rate on at least one parameter and estimating a temperature profile of the electronic device. Furthermore, the method and apparatus determine a bond strength based on the dependency of the bond strength degradation rate and the temperature profile, and determine the time to failure for the electronic device based on a time evolution of the bond strength.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for cooling a component within a housing using a composition of heat pipes. The housing contains a first heat pipe having a condenser section and an evaporator section; a plurality of secondary heat pipes, each having condenser and an evaporator sections, disposed in parallel within the housing with the evaporator sections of the secondary pipes near the condenser section of the first heat pipe; wherein the plurality of secondary heat pipes are adapted to absorb heat rejected from the condenser section of the first heat pipe for distribution from the condenser sections of the secondary heat pipes. A cooling method entails disposing the primary and secondary heat pipes within the housing; adapting the secondary pipes to absorb heat rejected from the primary pipe; and distributing the heat absorbed by the secondary heat pipes toward an end of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for cooling a component within a housing using a composition of heat pipes. The housing contains a first heat pipe having a condenser section and an evaporator section; a plurality of secondary heat pipes, each having condenser and an evaporator sections, disposed in parallel within the housing with the evaporator sections of the secondary pipes near the condenser section of the first heat pipe; wherein the plurality of secondary heat pipes are adapted to absorb heat rejected from the condenser section of the first heat pipe for distribution from the condenser sections of the secondary heat pipes. A cooling method entails disposing the primary and secondary heat pipes within the housing; adapting the secondary pipes to absorb heat rejected from the primary pipe; and distributing the heat absorbed by the secondary heat pipes toward an end of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling a component within a housing adapted for subsurface disposal using a vortex tube. The housing contains a first pressure chamber; a vortex tube coupled to the first pressure chamber; a cooling chamber coupled to the vortex tube; and a second pressure chambercoupled to the cooling chamber; wherein the pressure chambers are adapted to stimulate a cool fluid flow from the vortex tube into the cooling chamber. A cooling method entails disposing the component to be cooled within the cooling chamber and adapting the system pressure chambers to stimulate a cool fluid flow from a vortex tube into the cooling chamber.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a frequency profile of a quartz crystal in real time. Quartz crystals are subjected to a series of temperature cycles at various temperature rates and the crystal frequencies, crystal temperature parameters, and the temperature rates are monitored as the crystal is subjected to the temperature cycles. The monitored frequencies are grouped correlated with the monitored temperature parameters and temperature rates. A system for determining the frequency of a quartz crystal includes a processor adapted to perform the frequency profiling techniques.

Abstract: A cooling system for a downhole tool includes an insulating chamber disposed in the tool, wherein the chamber is adapted to house an object to be cooled; a Stirling cooler is disposed in the tool, the cooler has a cold end configured to remove heat from the chamber and a hot end configured to dissipate heat; and an energy source to power the Stirling cooler. A downhole tool includes: a tool body, and a cooling system with an insulating chamber; wherein the chamber is adapted to house an object to be cooled; a Stirling cooler is disposed in the tool, the cooler has a cold end configured to remove heat from the chamber and a hot end configured to dissipate heat; and an energy source to power the Stirling cooler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a time to failure for an electronic device. The method and apparatus includes estimating a dependency of a bond strength degradation rate on at least one parameter and estimating a temperature profile of the electronic device. Furthermore, the method and apparatus determine a bond strength based on the dependency of the bond strength degradation rate and the temperature profile, and determine the time to failure for the electronic device based on a time evolution of the bond strength.

Abstract: A clock system is disclosed which includes a dual mode oscillator crystal having a first output having a frequency related to a temperature of the oscillator crystal and a second output having a frequency substantially stable with respect to temperature. The clock includes a temperature maintenance device. The temperature maintenance device and the oscillator crystal are disposed in a thermally insulated chamber. The clock includes a processor operatively coupled to the temperature maintenance device and the oscillator crystal. The processor is adapted to operate the temperature maintenance device so as to maintain a temperature of the chamber within a predetermined range. The processor is adapted to calculate a substantially constant frequency clock signal from the second output and a ratio of the frequency of the first output with respect to the frequency of the second output.

Abstract: A clock system is disclosed which includes a dual mode oscillator crystal having a first output having a frequency related to a temperature of the oscillator crystal and a second output having a frequency substantially stable with respect to temperature. The clock includes a temperature maintenance device. The temperature maintenance device and the oscillator crystal are disposed in a thermally insulated chamber. The clock includes a processor operatively coupled to the temperature maintenance device and the oscillator crystal. The processor is adapted to operate the temperature maintenance device so as to maintain a temperature of the chamber within a predetermined range. The processor is adapted to calculate a substantially constant frequency clock signal from the second output and a ratio of the frequency of the first output with respect to the frequency of the second output.