Abstract: A high volume lens curing system is described. The high volume lens curing system may be configured to cure multiple eyeglass lenses in a continuous manner. An embodiment of a system may include a mold assembly, a lens curing apparatus, a mold filling apparatus and a controller. In some embodiments, the system may include a conveyor system and/or a coating apparatus.

Abstract: In a system and method for displaying status of critical indicators or variables, icons representing the indicators are displayed in superposition with a reference shape. The reference shape is divided into “higher-interest” and “lower-interest” portions, such that display of an icon over the higher-interest portion of the reference shape indicates a higher-interest value of the corresponding variable. The reference shape is preferably elongated horizontally, with its upper portion designated as the higher-interest portion and its lower portion designated the lower-interest portion. Each monitored variable may be allocated a vertical “slice” of the reference shape, such that the position of the corresponding icon when the variable is in the higher-interest state is laterally aligned with the position of the icon when the variable is in the lower-interest state.

Abstract: An acoustic logging tool including an elongated body, one or more acoustic transmitters, one or more acoustic receivers, and a broadband acoustic absorption region. A substantial portion of the broadband acoustic absorption region is between the transmitter and the receiver. The acoustic energy absorber includes a first absorber for absorbing a first mode of acoustic energy and a second absorber for absorbing a second mode of acoustic energy. The acoustic absorption material used to make the acoustic absorbers has an acoustic impedance between 20% and 120% of the material used to construct the acoustic logging tool. The acoustic logging tool includes an elongated hollow tool body, an insert configured to be inserted into the tool body, and a ring configured to be inserted onto the insert. A first element is supported by the ring and exposed to a pressure field, and a second element is supported by the ring and exposed to a pressure field.

Abstract: A process is herein described for analyzing an integrated circuit chip for defects by observing changes in the appearance of a liquid crystal applied to the backside of the integrated circuit. The process includes spreading a thin film of a liquid crystal material on the backside of the integrated circuit. Using an optical microscope, the liquid crystal film is optically inspected as the chip is biased.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting (e.g., displaying) a hierarchical structure are presented. The hierarchical structure includes multiple elements and defines hierarchical relationships between the elements. The hierarchical structure may be embodied within an electronic document such as a Web document, an interactive application program, or a map divided into sections. Each element has a “presentation property” which may be a value or a function. One of the elements has “focus” (e.g., as created, by default, etc.). A “branch isolation” method includes forming a tree-like model of the hierarchical structure having multiple nodes and at least one branch. Each node represents one of the elements. One node is a root node and occupies a highest level in the hierarchical structure. A given branch connects a first node in a first level to a second node in a level directly below the first level. Each branch represents a hierarchical relationship between connected nodes.

Abstract: An adsorbent gas scrubber is provided in which the processing efficiency of the gas generated during semiconductor manufacturing can be increased, as the idle time of the system is reduced. The above mentioned object and other objects are accomplished by an adsorbent gas scrubber in accordance with aspects of the present invention which comprise an induction tube being connected to a gas inlet attached with a first pressure gauge for measuring a pressure of the entered gas, and an adsorbent case placed adjacent to the induction tube. The adsorbent case contains a layered arrangement of multiple catalytic-adsorbent members which adsorb the gas that flows from the induction tube to a gas outlet attached with a second pressure gauge for measuring pressure of the processed gas being discharged. A series of gas passage tubes placed at the bottom portion of the induction tube and the adsorbent case supply gas to the catalytic-adsorbent members.

Abstract: A system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well comprises an unmanned floating platform positioned over the well, the platform including equipment for inserting coiled tubing or wireline tools or the like into the well for servicing, controlling, or conducting other operations in or to the well, a vertical access riser connecting the platform to the well, a control umbilical connecting the platform to the well, a host facility adapted to receive the produced hydrocarbons, and aproduction pipeline connecting the well to the host facility, the production pipeline including at least one access port between the well and the host facility.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method for retaining a substantially transparent dielectric above alignment marks during polishing of the dielectric to ensure that the alignment marks are preserved for subsequent processing steps. According to an embodiment, alignment marks are etched into a semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, a pad oxide layer is deposited across the substrate surface, followed by the deposition of a first nitride layer. Isolation trenches which are deeper than the alignment mark trenches are formed spaced distances apart within the substrate. Optical lithography may be used to define the regions of the first nitride layer, the pad oxide layer, and the substrate to be etched. The isolation trenches thus become the only areas of the substrate not covered by the pad oxide layer and the first nitride layer. A substantially transparent dielectric, e.g., oxide, is then deposited across the semiconductor topography to a level spaced above the first nitride layer.

Abstract: An embodiment of a memory cell includes a series of four substantially oblong parallel active regions, arranged side-by-side such that the inner active regions of the series include source/drain regions for p-channel transistors, and the outer active regions include source/drain regions for n-channel transistors. Another embodiment of the memory cell includes six transistors having gates substantially parallel to one another, where three of the gates are arranged along a first axis and the other three gates are arranged along a second axis parallel to the first axis. In another embodiment, the memory cell may include substantially oblong active regions arranged substantially in parallel with one another, with substantially oblong local interconnects arranged above and substantially perpendicular to the active regions.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a transistor wherein polysilicon is preferably deposited upon a dielectric-covered substrate to form a sacrificial polysilicon layer. The sacrificial polysilicon layer may then be reduced to a desired thickness. Thickness reduction of the sacrificial polysilicon layer is preferably undertaken by oxidizing a portion of the sacrificial polysilicon layer and then etching the oxidized portion. As an option, the sacrificial polysilicon layer may be heated such that it is recrystallized. The sacrificial polysilicon layer is preferably annealed in a nitrogen-bearing ambient such that it is converted to a gate dielectric layer that includes nitride. Polysilicon may be deposited upon the gate dielectric layer, and select portions of the polysilicon may be removed to form a gate conductor. LDD and source/drain areas may be formed adjacent to the gate conductor.

Abstract: A flasher ballast system includes a high frequency instant start ballast and one or more transformers. The high frequency instant start ballast may provide the strike voltage and perform the current limiting functions for a fluorescent lamp. The transformers may be electrically coupled to one or both of the filaments of a fluorescent lamp to provide a low voltage to the filaments.

Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for determining retide tilt in a lithographic system is provided. Test patterns contained on a reticle are printed in a photoresist located on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate by a lithographic system. The test patterns may include three posts of different diameters wherein one of the diameters is approximately equal to the minimum allowable feature size printable by the lithographic system. Images of the test patterns are measured by a scanning electron microscope under the control of a computer system. The computer system then assesses the measured images of the test patterns to determine if the reticle tilt is acceptable or unacceptable. In one embodiment, the computer system may assess the measured images by comparing the measured images to predetermined images of the test patterns for different focus conditions. The computer system may also calculate the amount of reticle tilt.

Abstract: A circuit, system, and method are provided for imparting improved randomness into the selection of components or elements of a data converter, such as a D/A converter. The elements are intended to be of equal value, however, regardless of whether they are or not. A circuit is used to randomly select subsets of elements according to a bi-directional selection technique in order to effectively rending the elements or components of equal value. Associated with each component is a switch, and a subset of the plurality of components are correspondingly switched in successive order progressing in a first direction and, subsequently, in successive order progressing in a second direction opposite the first direction. Connecting components in a first direction from left-to-right follows by selecting components in a second direction from right-to-left, and then again selecting components in the first direction from left-to-right, and so forth.

Abstract: A system and storage medium for tracking quartzware utilization in vertical furnaces is provided. The system includes a computer server and a plurality of computer systems. The computer server maintains a database of quartzware inventory data and furnace data. The quartzware inventory data includes all relevant information about each piece of quartzware including a history of each piece of quartzware. The furnace data includes information about the part numbers of each piece of quartzware used for each vertical furnace. Program instructions are also stored on the computer server. The program allow personnel to access and modify information maintained in the database from any one of the plurality of computer systems. During servicing of a vertical furnace, the program displays each of the quartzware pieces that need to be changed. The program may also calculate statistical information relating to quartzware usage.

Abstract: A device for seamlessly providing 10BASE-T compatible data communications over an ordinary single twisted pair home phone line between multiple computers, between computers and peripherals, and between multiple peripherals. Each component that is to communicate over the home phone line will have a 10BASE-T compatible network interface card (NIC) for interfacing with the device. A transmit/receive switch is used to switch the device between a transmit mode and a receive mode. When signal are being transmitted from a component a Manchester coder decodes signals received from the NIC. A differential converter is used to convert the differential signal received from the NIC to a single signal. A modulator is used to modulate the signal to a RF signal using a modulation scheme such as PSK, QPSK, QAM or MCM schemes. A filter is used to limit the bandwidth of the modulated signal and a driver is used to amplify the signal to match the impedance of the phone line.

Abstract: A method for recovering small bandgap fullerenes, including metallofullerenes, from soot by passivating individual fullerenes and/or metallofullerenes to an anionic configuration. The addition of extra electrons to a metallofullerene or small bandgap fullerene breaks the interfullerene bonding in the solid material, and the resulting anions are soluble in organic electrochemical solvents. Once dissolved, the small bandgap fullerenes can be plated out or precipitated by returning them to a neutral state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient Rwp from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient Rpd from A, B and Rwp, and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Zd from Rwp, Rpd, and Zw, where Zw is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface.

Abstract: An antenna includes a conductive loop with multiple feed points spaced around the loop. The loop may be opened at each feed point, thereby forming multiple loop portions. In an embodiment, the antenna may be a shielded loop antenna having multiple shielded feed lines. A kit including one or more components of such a shielded loop antenna may include a conductive structure in the form of a loop having multiple radial arms. In an embodiment of a method for forming an antenna, multiple feed points may be spaced apart around a conductive loop, and a respective feed line coupled to each of the feed points. In an embodiment, the feed lines may be shielded lines connected together at a shunt connection. The antenna may produce an isotropic radiation pattern similar to that of an electrically small antenna, but from an antenna of moderate electrical size.

Abstract: A magnetic lens configured to apply a magnetic field to a charged particle beam is provided. The magnetic lens may include an outer pole piece and an inner pole piece. The outer pole piece may have at least two sectors and at least two slots. The magnetic lens may also have a primary coil winding interposed between the outer pole piece and the inner pole piece. In addition, the magnetic lens may have a number of sector coil windings, and each sector of the outer pole piece may be coupled to one sector coil winding. A magnetic potential of the outer pole piece relative to the inner pole piece may be generated by applying a current to the primary coil winding. A separate magnetic potential of each sector may also be generated by applying a current to the respective sector coil windings of each sector of the outer pole piece.

Abstract: A digital communications system employing modulated Walsh functions to convey data across a communications channel. In one embodiment, the system includes a transmitter having a constellation encoder, and a Walsh constellation modulator. The constellation encoder receives a sequence of data words and converts it into a sequence of constellation signal point labels. The modulator receives the sequence of labels, and responsively generates one or more amplitude-modulated Walsh functions which are summed to produce a modulated signal. The modulated signal passes through a communications channel to a receiver. The receiver includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a demodulation circuit. The ADC oversamples the received signal. The demodulation circuit manipulates the sign of the samples to effectively multiply the received samples with one or more Walsh functions, and sums the resulting values over one symbol interval to determine the modulated amplitude of the corresponding functions.