Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for deriving an enhanced sensitivity matrix for describing coil sensitivity in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The enhanced sensitivity matrix provides sensitivity information for pixels near the edge of the imaged object such that pixels near the edge for which there was no sensitivity information are associated with a derived sensitivity. Likewise pixels near the edge for which there is measured sensitivity information are instead associated with a derived sensitivity to offset deficient sensitivity measurements near the edge of the object.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, such as a memory device, includes a built-in repair circuit. The repair circuit includes an on-chip source that produces a programming signal of sufficient duration and magnitude to program a programmable element that normally isolates a secondary circuit, such as redundant circuitry, from the remainder of the circuits on the device. Once programmed, the redundant circuitry may take the place of failed circuitry, and thus repair the device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a memory cell having a non-volatile resistive memory element with a limited size active area. The method comprises a first step of providing a dielectric volume and forming a plug opening within the dielectric volume. A recessed plug of a conductive material is then formed within a lower portion of the opening and a dielectric spacer is formed along the sidewalls of an upper portion of the opening. The spacer is cylindrical and has a central hole. A contact plug is subsequently formed within the central hole, the contact plug electrically coupled to the recessed plug. The contact plug can include a memory element or an additional memory element can be applied over the contact plug.

Abstract: A method for depositing a rough polysilicon film on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes introducing the reactant gases argon and silane into a deposition chamber and enabling and disabling a plasma at various times during the deposition process.

Abstract: An apparatus for film deposition onto a substrate from a source of target particles including a plasma generator creating a plasma that isotropically accelerates the target particles towards the substrate. A secondary ionizer creates a secondary ionization zone between the plasma and the substrate support. The isotropically accelerated target particles are ionized as they pass through the secondary ionization zone. A static field generator creates a static field between the secondary ionization zone and the substrate accelerating the ionized target particles along a substantially collimated trajectory perpendicular to the substrate. Optionally, a collimator is included between the secondary ionization zone and the substrate and biased to focus and accelerate the collimated target particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting semiconductor wafers. Specifically, an arm which is constructed to hold a wafer, is mounted on a rotational device to provide a user with the means of inspecting a wafer in any position without having to physically touch the wafer or move the wafer to another inspection station. The arm provides rotation about an axis parallel to the surface of the wafer, as well as rotation about an axis run which is perpendicular to the surface of the wafer and extends through the axial center of the wafer.

Abstract: Heater duty cycle (the active pressure control circuit) in recondensing superconducting magnet systems is monitored to determine total thermal system performance, to minimize non-zero boil-off operation, and to reduce maintenance costs. Undesirable conditions, such as a degrading cold head, plumbing leaks, and so forth, may be detected earlier by monitoring heater duty cycle. Appropriate service intervals may be determined and cryogen or helium losses may be reduced. The technique provides earliest possible identification of failures related to such variables, as well as, facilitates isolation of the root cause of the problem. Monitoring of heater duty cycle (energization time) offers advantages over the traditional approach of monitoring or alarming on low level in the cryogen (helium) vessel. The technique may provide for relying on observation of the effects of reduced cooling capacity, such as abnormal heater duty cycle, early enough in the failure cycle to prevent helium loss and equipment damage.

Abstract: A method for performing geometric dimension and tolerance stack-up analysis for an assembly, the method comprising receiving a target assembly dimension for stack-up analysis, where the assembly includes at least one part. The method further comprises receiving a feature corresponding to the part and receiving feature tolerance data associated with the feature. The feature tolerance data includes at least one of size tolerance and geometric tolerance. Stack-up rules are accessed in response to receiving the feature tolerance data. The stack-up rules include instructions to determine if a form tolerance, an orientation tolerance and a profile tolerance should be included in a stack-up tolerance for the feature. The stack-up rules also include formulas to calculate a nominal dimension and the stack-up tolerance for the feature when the feature tolerance data applies to features of sizes.

Abstract: A method for forming a nickel cap layer over copper metalized bond pad is disclosed in which the phosphorous content of the nickel cap, and particularly the surface of the nickel cap, may be controlled. The phosphorous content of the surface of the nickel cap is suitably determined such that oxidation is inhibited. The resulting nickel cap may be wire-bonded directly, without the deposition of a gold cap layer.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for a very high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system is provided comprising a plurality of conductors arranged cylindrically and disposed about a cylindrical patient bore tube of the MRI system and a plurality of capacitive elements for electrically interconnecting the plurality of conductors at respective ends of the conductors. The conductors have a width selected for the RF coil assembly to resonate at substantially high frequencies. A very high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system is provided that comprises a RF coil assembly adapted to resonate at substantially high frequencies, a RF coil shield assembly and a plurality of RF drive power cables.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a handle. The handle is adapted to cool the interior of the handle with a flow of air. The handle may be adapted with a plurality of ventilation holes to enable air to pass through the handle. The handle may have a plurality of ribs disposed along the interior of the handle to direct air flow around a conductive member disposed therein. The ribs may be adapted to direct the air to flow radially and/or longitudinally around the interior of the handle.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer element incorporates material of low dielectric constant to confine the electric field of a stack of piezoelectric ceramic layers. Edge segments made of material having a low dielectric constant and extending in the thickness direction are formed at opposing ends of the multilayer structure. These regions of low dielectric constant material confine the electric field to the piezoelectric ceramic material of high dielectric constant, where it remains directed vertically. In this way, when a voltage is applied between the electrodes, the piezoelectrically induced strains are almost entirely vertical. Spurious modes are therefore substantially reduced.

Abstract: A recycling and recovery system and process comprising a flash gas separator that receives a slurry comprising liquid medium and solid polymer particles. The flash gas separator separates the diluent from the solid polymer particles as a vapor stream comprising at least diluent and heavies. A line receives the vapor stream from the flash gas separator. The line leads to a heavies removal system that yields a liquid that is relatively concentrated in heavies and a diluent vapor that is relatively free of heavies. The liquid is passed to a heavies column, while the diluent vapor is passed to a diluent recycle chamber and then recycled to a slurry polymerization reactor without additional treatment to remove heavies.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost ballast circuit for adjusting the lumen output of a gas lamp. A number of ballast circuits are provided for a gas lamp, such as a fluorescent lamp. Specifically, a variable resistor is provided in each of the ballast circuits. The variable resistor is included in the resonant control circuit to adjust the switching frequency of the ballast circuit, thereby controlling the lumen output or brightness of a gas lamp. Additional components, such as a fixed resistor or an inductor may be added to the ballast circuit to limit the maximum switching frequency.

Abstract: An improved polymerization process includes withdrawing a portion of a fluid slurry through a plurality of active continuous take off mechanisms, monitoring the pressure of feed material fed to the reactor, and adjusting the continuous take off mechanisms in response to the monitored feed line pressure.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a handle. The handle has a first end and a second end. The handle may be operable to receive a welding cable from a first and a second direction, respectively. The handle may be operable to position a trigger in any one of four quadrants of the handle. The handle may increase in cross-sectional area in each direction from a gripping portion located between the first and second ends towards the first and second ends.

Abstract: A technique for reducing acoustic noise emitted by a magnetic resonance imaging system includes providing energy dampening elements in the scanner, such as within the gradient coil assembly, between the gradient coil assembly and the primary magnet, and around the outer and inner peripheries of the primary magnet and RF coil. The elements may be formed to conform to the structures of the scanner, and may be tile-like elements which can be fitted to new scanners and retrofitted to existing equipment.

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 is provided for accessing data stored in separate databases. A communication system having a first and second computer system is used to retrieve data from a primary or a secondary database. The primary and secondary databases are coupled to the first computer system. A data access controller is used in the system to automatically shift the first computer system from retrieving data from the primary database to retrieving data from the secondary database. The data access controller shifts when a communication error between the primary database and the first computer system is detected by the system.

Abstract: A technique is provided whereby a solvent spectrum may be partially modulated from a spectrum of interest using magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. The technique utilizes a solvent suppression technique capable of variable levels of suppression and alternates the application of first and second suppressive pulses in the imaging sequence which differ in the degree of solvent suppression they produce. The alternation of these suppressive pulses results in the partial modulation of the solvent signal from the signal of interest after processing.