Abstract: A laser beam (88) is raster scanned over the surface of a patterned semiconductor wafer (66) at an angle normal thereto. A plurality of detectors, radially spaced from the wafer (66) and substantially coplanar therewith detect light scattered from contaminating particulate thereon. The detected light is converted into a video signal that is forwarded to a video monitor (84) to display the particulate material while eliminating the patterned surface background.

Abstract: An exhaust system (3) for a vapor-phase axial deposition (VAD) system (5) is comprised of the serial combination of an exhaust tube (26), an outlet pipe (27), a soot collection chamber (32) and a discharge line (34). The exhaust tube (26) has a constricted central portion (48) and a flared intake (44) with a gradually turned back end (46).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an oxy-hydrogen torch (10) comprised of a nozzle plate (16) captured between first and second outer members (12 and 14). Each outer member has a plenum (18) which open towards, and is separated by, the plate (16). The nozzle plate (16) has a plurality of spaced grooves (32--32) in one major surface (34) which are arranged in an interleaved relationship with the spaced grooves (36--36) on the opposite surface (38). The grooves (32 and 36) extend from an edge of the plate (16) to the respective plenums (18--18) in the outer members (12 and 14). Oxygen is directed into one plenum (18) and hydrogen urged into the other plenum. The gases pass through the respective grooves (32 and 36) to the surface (46) of the torch (10) for surface mixing and ignition.

Abstract: A vapor-phase axial deposition system (5) for fabricating a lightguide soot boule (16). The system (5) is comprised of a short cylindrical housing (10) having end plates (26--26) affixed thereto. A starting member (58) is radially directed into the central portion of the housing (10) and a torch (12) is activated to direct a stream of glassy soot thereat. The member (58) is simultaneously rotated and withdrawn from the housing (10) as a cylindrical, porous, soot boule is formed on the end thereof. The housing (10) having a substantially two-dimensional character eliminates secondary gas flow within the housing (10) resulting in enhanced deposition rates and repeatability.

Abstract: A power operated tool (20) functions to cut and collect a multitude of precious metal contacts (11,11) from wire spring relays (10). The tool (20) includes a pair of jaws (31,32) that in the open position fit over several rows of contacts (11,11). When the tool (20) is energized, the jaws (31,32) are snapped shut thereby severing the contacts (11,11) from the relays (28). The jaws (31,32) in the closed engaged position define a closed chamber (41) having a port (44) for attachment to a vacuum source for sucking the severed contacts (11,11) into a collection vessel. The jaws (31,32) reopen following collection and the tool (20) is ready to cut the next set of spring contacts (11,11).

Abstract: Two elongated gripping members (12,12) cooperate to form a closed pressure chamber about a waxed billet (61). The gripping members are reciprocated relative to an extrusion station (13), such reciprocation first moving the pressure chamber toward and past the extrusion station so as to extrude the billet through a die (66) at the extrusion station, and then returning the gripping members, in separated condition, to their initial positions to permit the immediate loading of another billet between the gripping members. Also disclosed are various additional systems, e.g.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition reactor (40) is disclosed. The reactor (40) has a vertically mounted tube (43), axially disposed within a chamber (41). A plurality of spaced, planar, wafer holders (44--44), having resistance heated portions (45--45) thereon, are fixedly mounted to and radially extend from the tube (43). Silicon wafers (13--13) are placed on the resistance heated portions of the holders (44--44) and reactant gases are caused to radially flow through apertures (91--91) in the tube (43), between adjacent heated holders (44--44) and across the surface of the wafers (13--13) to deposit doped silicon thereon. Undeposited reactants and gases are removed via an axisymmetric exhaust port 81.

Abstract: An apparatus (50) for cutting a wire (21) and softening the insulation thereof. The apparatus (50) is comprised of a pair of wire cutters (52) with a pair of opposed rollers (74, 76) associated therewith. The rollers (74, 76) are mounted for relative movement away from one another to enable an insulated wire to be passed therebetween and into the wire cutters (52). The rollers (74, 76) are also relatively movable toward each other for engaging and softening the wire (21) insulation upon actuation of the wire cutters (52) to cut the wire.

Abstract: A reactant deposition torch (10) has a plurality of concentric glass tubes (16, 18, 20, 24 and 26). Various gases pass through the tubes (18, 20, 24 and 26) while particle producing reactants pass through the inner tube (16). The concentricity of the tubes is accurately maintained by a plurality of precision machined splines located on the outer periphery of the inner and intermediate tubes (16, 18, 20 and 24). Additionally, the inner tube (16) is movable in the axial direction during the deposition process to controllably alter the amount of reactant to be deposited.

Abstract: A photomask (30) used to form patterns on a resist coated semiconductor wafer is comprised of a transparent baseplate (31) having a thin metallic pattern (32) thereon; a transparent, planar coverplate (33) in intimate contact with the patterned baseplate (31) and an index matching fluid (34) interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A flux filtration system (10) for removing rosin flux from a heat transfer liquid (14). The flux and heat transfer liquid (14) on an article (17) that has been condensation soldered is drained into a pan (13) located within a condensation soldering facility (11). The pan (13) diverts the liquid-flux mixture from a boiling reservoir of the liquid (14) in the lower portion of the facility (11). The liquid-flux mixture drained during a plurality of batch soldering operations is accumulated in a coarse flux filter (21). Periodically the filter (21) outpulses the coarsely filtered material sequentially through a heat exchanger (23), a fine flux filter (24), a preheater (28) and is then returned to the reservoir in the facility (11).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an oxy-hydrogen torch (10) comprised of a nozzle plate (16) captured between first and second outer members (12 and 14). Each outer member has a plenum (18) which open towards, and is separated by, the plate (16). The nozzle plate (16) has a plurality of spaced grooves (32--32) in one major surface (34) which are arranged in an interleaved relationship with the spaced grooves (36--36) on the opposite surface (38). The grooves (32 and 36) extend from an edge of the plate (16) to the respective plenums (18--18) in the outer members (12 and 14). Oxygen is directed into one plenum (18) and hydrogen urged into the other plenum. The gases pass through the respective grooves (32 and 36) to the surface (46) of the torch (10) for surface mixing and ignition.

Abstract: Molten material is fed into an elongated outwardly open mold, moving in a predetermined path, and is thereafter conveyed by the mold movement at least partway through a region of such path over which a closure for the outward opening of the mold moves along therewith, the material concurrently being cooled to become solidified. The movements of such mold and closure cause the solidified material to be extruded through stationary die means disposed in such region. Such material may solder metal formed into a tube into which is inserted rosin, the same heat exchange medium being used both to cool the metal prior to its extrusion and to keep the rosin molten prior to such insertion thereof.

Abstract: A technique for automatically centering a lightguide fiber (7) in a transparent plastic coating (6) having a refractive index lower than that of the fiber. The fiber (7) is passed through an applicator (14) having the coating material (6) therein to coat the fiber. Orthogonal laser beams (50 or 52) are directed at the coated fiber (5) resulting in first and second forward scattered light patterns (51 or 53) impinging on first and second screens (36 and 37). The patterns are monitored with a pair of CCTV cameras (38 and 39) and the video output signals therefrom are processed to determine the period (P.sub.1 and P.sub.2) of outboard interference fringes (61 and 62) of each pattern. The period of the interference fringes are compared to determine the difference therebetween which is proportional to the eccentricity of the fiber (7) within the coating. The position of the applicator (14) is then adjusted to center the lightguide fiber (7) in the coating (6).

Abstract: Undeposited reactants (i.e., soot) passing through a glass substrate tube (12), during the fabrication of a lightguide perform by the Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD) process, flow into a reactant exhaust system (50) and are carried therethrough by a uniformly flowing reactant-free gas. The reactants pass through an exhaust tube (52), a reactant collection chamber (54), through a pressure control apparatus (56;114) and into a gas scrubber. The pressure within the exhaust system (50) is maintained substantially constant during the MCVD process by continuously monitoring the pressure therein and adjusting the pressure control apparatus (56;114) accordingly. Additionally, a continuous, uniform flow of soot-free gas is directed into the exhaust system to assist in the removal of the undeposited reactants therefrom.

Abstract: A wire wrapping tool (10) includes a gun (20), a bit (24) for cutting, stripping and wrapping a wire (21), a sleeve (25) for receiving the bit and a wire softening device (26). The device (26) includes a pair of opposed rollers (28,30) for softening the wire (21) pulled therethrough.

Abstract: A technique for elevating the temperature of a heat transfer liquid is disclosed. The liquid, at a low temperature (e.g., 70.degree. F.), is directed through a coil (72) located in the upper portion of an enclosed chamber (71). Condensing, hot vapor on the coils (72) heats the liquid (e.g., 200.degree. F.) passing therethrough. The heated liquid from the coil (72) passes, via a conduit (73) into a reservoir in the lower portion of the chamber (71) where immersion heaters (76-76) heat the liquid (e.g., 400.degree. F.) to the desired temperature. The heated liquid is then discharged from the chamber (71) via an outlet pipe (74). Advantageously, the vapor from the heated liquid in the reservoir is the same vapor which condenses on the coils (72).

Abstract: A method of making solder spheres having non-oxidized surfaces by introducing solder into a flux composition comprising an activator and an antioxidant. Molten solder (12) is extruded into a flux composition (24) maintained at ambient temperature or solder powder (40) is sifted into hot flux (46) and then cooled.

Abstract: A filter (21) for removing flux from a hot heat transfer liquid-flux mixture. The heat transfers liquid-flux mixture is directed into a chamber (41) having a plurality of spaced, hollow members (64--64) through which a coolant passes. Upon being cooled the flux deposits on the surface of the members (64--64). The liquid, with substantial portions of the flux removed therefrom, then leaves the filter (21).

Abstract: A thick solder blob (56) is bonded to a land area 34 on a metallized substrate (31) by (a) depositing a thick layer of solder paste on the land area; (b) confining the solder paste with a hard material; and (c) reflowing the solder paste to bond the solder blob (56) to the land area (34) while maintaining the thickness thereof.