Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus comprising a mask; a pellicle spacer, the pellicle spacer attached to the mask; and an electrostatic pellicle system, the electrostatic pellicle system attached to the pellicle spacer. The present invention further describes a method of keeping contaminants away from a vicinity of a mask during exposure, the contaminants including an uncharged or neutral particle, a positively-charged particle, or a negatively-charged particle, comprising: inducing a positive or negative charge on the uncharged or neutral particle; attracting the positively-charged particle with a negatively-charged electric field; and attracting the negatively-charged particle with a positively-charged electric field.

Abstract: A self timed logic circuit is used to generate a self timed memory clock to access data in a memory. The self timed memory clock has a periodic pulse which enables circuitry in the memory for a brief period of time over its pulse width. The amount of charge and voltage change, required on bit lines for resolving a bit of data stored in a memory cell during the pulse width of the self timed memory clock, is reduced by using a sensitive sense amplifier so that power can be conserved.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of processing interrupts, includes the following. An interrupt status message is transmitted after detecting a change in state of an interrupt. Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method of processing interrupts includes the following. Interrupts signals received after receiving an end of interrupt (EOI) signal are masked until an interrupt status message indicating that the interrupt state is current is received.

Abstract: A switch structure having multiple contact surfaces that may contact each other. One or more of the contact surfaces may be coated with a resilient material such as diamond.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of processing interrupts includes the following. An interrupt status message is transmitted after detecting a change in state of an interrupt. Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method of processing interrupts includes the following. After receiving an end of interrupt (EOI) signal interrupting signals until an interrupt status message indicating that the interrupt state is current is recieved.

Abstract: A self timed logic circuit is used to generate a self timed memory clock to access data in a memory. The self timed memory clock has a periodic pulse which enables circuitry in the memory for a brief period of time over its pulse width. The amount of charge and voltage change, required on bit lines for resolving a bit of data stored in a memory cell during the pulse width of the self timed memory clock, is reduced by using a sensitive sense amplifier so that power can be conserved.