Abstract: A technique is provided for improving the depth resolution of tomosynthesis images. The technique provides for the use of spiral scan trajectories. The X-ray source may moved along the spiral scan trajectory, acquiring projection data at various locations on the trajectory which are offset in the z-direction, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the detector. Projection data acquired at different positions in the z-direction may be used to generate three-dimensional, tomosynthesis images having improved depth resolution.

Abstract: A method for use and an improved oximeter sensor substrate that is conforming to the shape of the patient's forehead. In one embodiment, the present invention is an oximeter sensor, having a substrate with a shape similar to a shape of at least a portion of a patient's forehead and including a section adapted to substantially fit over a portion of a forehead of a patient; an emitter disposed on the substrate at a position located on the section; and a detector disposed on the substrate at a distance from the emitter. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a hat that holds the emitter and the detector in a spaced-part manner against the patient's forehead.

Abstract: High-permeability, low-core-loss soft magnetic composite materials, compositions containing the same, and methods for making the same are described. These magnetic materials are made by forming fiber or flake shaped particles from a ferromagnetic material, annealing the particles, and then coating an insulating material on the particles. These particles can then be compacted to form an article that has high permeability, high saturation, low core loss, and is a suitable replacement for laminations in various applications, such as motors.

Abstract: The use of two separate ensemble averagers for processing a detected waveform for use in calculating oxygen saturation and a pulse rate. The ensemble averager used for calculating oxygen saturation operates on a signal which has been normalized, while the ensemble averager for the pulse rate calculation operates on a signal which has not been normalized. The metrics chosen for the two paths through the two ensemble averagers can be varied to optimize the ensemble averaging for oxygen saturation or pulse rate calculations.

Abstract: A capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (cMUT) cell is presented. The cMUT cell includes a lower electrode. Furthermore, the cMUT cell includes a diaphragm disposed adjacent to the lower electrode such that a gap having a first gap width is formed between the diaphragm and the lower electrode, wherein the diaphragm comprises one of a first epitaxial layer or a first polysilicon layer. In addition, a stress reducing material is disposed in the first epitaxial layer.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the alignment of an H/D puller for use in a cyclotron. One aspect of the technique comprises magnetically attaching a pair of feeler gages to an alignment tool for use in aligning the H/D puller. The magnetic retention of the feeler gages allows a field engineer to make the desired adjustments to align the H/D puller. Another aspect of the present technique provides for the H/D puller to include a replaceable tip such that the tip may be replaced without removing the H/D puller. Because the H/D puller is not removed and replaced, the alignment of the H/D puller to the ion source is maintained.

Abstract: Titanium-containing films exhibiting excellent uniformity and step coverage are deposited on semiconductor wafers in a cold wall reactor which has been modified to discharge plasma into the reaction chamber. Titanium tetrabromide, titanium tetraiodide, or titanium tetrachloride, along with hydrogen, enter the reaction chamber and come in contact with a heated semiconductor wafer, thereby depositing a thin titanium-containing film on the wafer's surface. Step coverage and deposition rate are enhanced by the presence of the plasma. The use of titanium tetrabromide or titanium tetraiodide instead of titanium tetrachloride also increases the deposition rate and allows for a lower reaction temperature. Titanium silicide and titanium nitride can also be deposited by this method by varying the gas incorporated with the titanium precursors.

Abstract: A technique for storing accurate operating current values using programmable elements on memory devices. More specifically, programmable elements, such as antifuses, located on a memory device are programmed with measured operating current values corresponding to the memory device, during fabrication. The memory device may be incorporated into a memory module that is incorporated into a system. Once the memory module is incorporated into a system, the programmable elements may be accessed such that the system can be configured to optimally operate in accordance with the operating current values measured for each memory device in the system.

Abstract: An all-optical switching array for switching a direction of optical signals is presented. The all-optical switching array includes a first substrate. Furthermore, the all-optical switching array includes a plurality of optical switches disposed on the first substrate, wherein each of the plurality of optical switches comprises a first state and a second state and is configured to change the direction of an optical signal, depending on whether the optical switch is in the first state or the second state. The transition of the switch between the first state and the second state is triggered by an ultra-fast laser beam.

Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for improving atomization in a spray coating device by internally mixing and breaking up a desired coating fluid prior to atomization at a spray formation section of the spray coating device. An exemplary spray coating device of the present technique has a mixture-inducing valve disposed adjacent a flow barrier upstream of a spray formation exit. The mixture-inducing valve may have a variety of blunt/angled structures and internal passages to facilitate fluid mixing. The mixture-inducing valve also may interact with the flow barrier to enhance the fluid mixing and fluid breakup. One embodiment of the present spray coating device has an internal fluid breakup section, such as an impinging jet section, adjacent the mixture-inducing valve. The resulting spray coating has refined characteristics, such as reduced mottling.

Abstract: A technique for forming die stacks. Specifically, a stacking tip is provided to facilitate the stacking of die in a desired configuration. A first die is picked up by the stacking tip. The first die is coated with an adhesive on the underside of the die. The first die is brought in contact with a second die via the stacking tip. The second die is coupled to the first die via the adhesive on the underside of the first die. The second die is coated with an adhesive coating on the underside of the die. The second die is then brought in contact with a third die via the stacking tip. The third die is coupled to the second die via the adhesive on the underside of the second die, and so forth. Die stacks are formed without being coupled to a substrate. The die stacks may be functionally and/or environmentally tested before attaching the die stack to a substrate.

Abstract: A micromachined ultrasonic transducer array comprising a multiplicity of cMUT cells built on a substrate. Each cMUT cell comprises a compliant support structure built on the substrate, a membrane supported over a cavity by the compliant support structure, a first electrode supported by the membrane, and a second electrode that forms a capacitor with the first electrode, the cavity being disposed between the first and second electrodes. The compliant support structure uncouples the non-membrane outer surface of each cMUT cell from the supporting substrate.

Abstract: An improved technique is described for acquiring MR image data such as needed for FSE-based Dixon imaging techniques. A gradient-induced echo shift is produced in the pulse sequences by a small gradient applied along the readout axis prior to a readout pulse. When necessary, another small pulse is applied along the readout axis, equal in area and opposite in polarity to the first, to compensate for the shifting effect. Similar pulses are applied for each acquisition window. While data with non-zero phase shifts between water and fat signals are collected as fractional echoes, no increase in echo spacing is necessary with the modified acquisition strategy. Images corresponding to different phase shifts are reconstructed using phase-sensitive partial Fourier reconstruction algorithms whenever necessary. These images are then used to separate different chemical species (such as water and fat) in the object to be imaged.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a vertical tunneling transistor that may include a channel disposed on a substrate. A quantum dot may be disposed so that an axis through the channel and the quantum dot is substantially perpendicular to the substrate. A gate may be disposed so that an axis through the channel, the quantum dot and the gate is substantially perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to circuits that produce synchronized output signals. An input signal is received and used to produce a delayed input signal. The period of the input signal and the phase difference between the input signal and the delayed input signal are measured. The period of the input signal and the phase difference between the input signal and the delayed input signal are used to construct an output signal.

Abstract: A technique for compensating for duty cycle distortion in an output data signal generated by a synchronous dynamic random access memory device (SDRAM) is provided. The output latch of the SDRAM is driven by an output clock signal generated by a delay lock loop (DLL). The output clock signal is phase-shifted relative to a reference clock signal received by the DLL such that the data removed from the output latch is synchronous with the reference clock signal. Further the duty cycle of the output clock signal is adjusted in a phase inverse relationship to the duty cycle distortion introduced by the output latch. As a result, the output data signal has reduced duty cycle distortion.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for reducing artifacts in image data generated by a computed tomography system is provided. The artifacts are due to the presence of a high density object in a subject of interest. The method comprises receiving measured sinogram data from the computed tomography system. The sinogram data is representative of sinogram elements. The measured sinogram data is reconstructed to generate initial reconstructed image data. Then corrected sinogram data is generated using the measured sinogram data. The corrected sinogram data is iteratively reconstructed to generate an improved reconstructed image data based on a weight measure derived from the measured sinogram data.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming polymer on an interior surface of a reaction chamber. A polymer-forming gas is introduced into the chamber and the environment is regulated to form the polymer on the interior surface of the chamber. Methods for the manufacture of integrated circuits, electronic devices, and electronic systems, are also provided.