Abstract: The present invention features a power semiconductor package and a method of forming the same that includes forming, in the body, a stress relief region disposed between a pair of mounting regions and attaching a semiconductor die in each of the mounting regions. The semiconductor die has first and second sets of electrical contacts with the first set being on a first surface of the semiconductor die and the second set being disposed upon a second surface of the semiconductor die opposite to the first surface. The first set is in electrical communication with the mounting region. Walls are formed on outer sides of the pair of mounting regions, defining a shaped body, with the shaped body and walls defining an electrically conductive path that extends from the first set and terminates on side of the package common with the second set.

Abstract: A system and method for segmenting a plurality of optical fibers to form an arrayed multi-fiber optical connector. In one example embodiment, the present innovations include an optical connector that has a plurality of optical fibers arranged into a two-dimensional array, the optical fibers being segmented by a laser emitting substantially in the infra-red spectrum. The optical fibers are preferably segmented after having been positioned on a substrate that becomes part of the connector.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of patterning a substrate that includes forming from a first material, disposed on the substrate, a first film having an original pattern that includes a plurality of projections. The projections extend from a nadir surface terminating in an apex surface defining a height therebetween. A portion of the first film in superimposition with the nadir surface defines a nadir portion. The nadir portion is removed to expose a region of the substrate in superimposition therewith, defining a plurality of recessions. A second material is disposed upon the first film to form a second film having a surface spaced-apart from the apex surface of the plurality of projections and filling the plurality of recessions to form a multi-film stack. The first film and portions of the second film are removed to create a plurality of spaced-apart projections of the second material on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of patterning a substrate that includes forming, on the substrate, a first film having an original pattern that includes a plurality of projections a subset of which extends from a nadir surface terminating in an apex surface defining a height therebetween. A second film is disposed upon the first film and defines a surface spaced-apart from the apex surface of the plurality of projections. A variation in a distance between the apex surface of any one of the plurality of projections and the surface being within a predetermined range. A recorded pattern is transferred onto the substrate that corresponds to the original pattern, within the predetermined range being selected to minimize pattern distortions in the recorded pattern.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system to vary dimensions of a template in order to attenuate if not prevent distortions in an underlying pattern formed by the template. To that end, the system features a compression device that includes a pair of spaced-apart contact members to compress a perimeter surface of the template between the pair of spaced-apart contact members. The compression device includes first and second bodies, each has a contact member and an actuator arm. One of the actuator arms is coupled to the first body to reciprocate about an axis in response to variations of a volume of a bladder disposed adjacent to the actuator arm. In this manner, the distance between the two contact members may be varied.

Abstract: A method for forming imprint lithography templates is described herein. The method includes forming a masking layer and a conductive layer on a substrate surface. The use of a conductive layer allows patterning of the masking layer using electron beam pattern generators. The substrate is etched using the patterned masking layer to produce a template.

Abstract: An apparatus to control displacement of a body spaced-apart from a surface includes a flexure system having a first flexure member defining a first axis of rotation and a second flexure member defining a second axis of rotation. A body is coupled to the flexure system to move about a plurality of axes. An actuation system is coupled to the flexure system to selectively constrain movement of the body along a subset of the plurality of axes.

Abstract: A filtering technique for a free space communication that features encoding and decoding of signals employing a filtering apparatus that includes a bulk holographic transform function. Employing the encoding and decoding technique facilitates providing a great number of channels of communication in a unit volume while preventing unwanted cross-talk between the communication channels. In addition, secure communication links between transmitters and receivers may be provided.

Abstract: An optical communication method and system that features concurrently refracting and filtering, employing a holographic transform function, optical energy to impinge upon an optical detector with unwanted characteristics of the optical energy being removed. To that end, the system includes a source of optical energy to direct optical energy along a path, an optical detector disposed in the path, and an optical apparatus. The optical apparatus includes a lens having an arcuate surface and a holographic transform function recorded throughout the volume of the lens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for patterning a substrate by imprint lithography. Imprint lithography is a process in which a liquid is dispensed onto a substrate. A template is brought into contact with the liquid and the liquid is cured. The cured liquid includes an imprint of any patterns formed in the template. In one embodiment, the imprint process is designed to imprint only a portion of the substrate. The remainder of the substrate is imprinted by moving the template to a different portion of the template and repeating the imprint lithography process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating bulbous-shaped vias on a substrate, having a surface, by disposing, on the substrate, a polymerizable fluid composition. A mold is placed in contact with the polymerizable fluid composition. The mold includes a relief structure on a surface thereof to create a recess in a layer of the polymerizable fluid composition. The polymerizable fluid composition is subjected to conditions to cause polymerization, forming a polymerized layer having a solidified indentation. An opening to the surface of the substrate is formed by removing material disposed on the substrate surface through etch processes. In a further embodiment a conductive layer may be disposed in the opening to form a gate. A lift-off process may be employed to remove the polymerized layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of moving a liquid between a substrate extending in a first plane and a template extending in a second plane. More specifically, the method may include forming an oblique angle between the first plane and the second plane, reducing a distance between the substrate and the template such that the template is in contact with a portion of the liquid at a desired location, and creating a dispersion of the liquid away from the desired location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for determining characteristics of substrates, such as the presence of contaminants, shape, as well as the spatial relationships between spaced-apart substrates. The spatial relationships include distance and angular orientation between first and second spaced apart substrates.

Abstract: A surface mountable PTC device includes a PTC layer, first and second electrodes formed on the PTC layer, first and second insulating layers formed respectively on the first and second electrodes, and first and second terminals connected respectively and electrically to the first and second electrodes. Each of the first and second electrodes is formed with a hole. Each of the first and second insulating layers fills the electrode hole in the respective one of the first and second electrodes and is formed with an insulating hole surrounded by the electrode hole. Each of the first and second terminals extends through the insulating hole in the respective one of the first and second insulating layers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chucking system to modulate substrates so as to properly shape and position the same with respect to a wafer upon which a pattern is to be formed with the substrate. The chucking system includes a chuck body having first and second opposed sides. A side surface extends therebetween. The first side includes first and second spaced-apart recesses defining first and second spaced-apart support regions. The first support region cinctures the second support region and the first and second recesses. The second support region cinctures the second recess, with a portion of the body in superimposition with the second recess being transparent to radiation having a predetermined wavelength. The second side and the side surface define exterior surfaces. The body includes throughways placing the first and second recesses in fluid communication with one of the exterior surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for determining characteristics of substrates, such as the presence of contaminants, shape, as well as the spatial relationships between spaced-apart substrates. The spatial relationships include distance and angular orientation, between first and second spaced apart substrates. The technique includes forming a volume of fluid on the second substrate, with the volume of fluid having an area associated therewith. The volume of fluid is compressed between the first and second substrates to effectuate a change in properties of the area, defining changed properties. The changed properties are sensed, and the characteristics of the first and second substrates are determined as a function of the changed properties.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of determining an alignment between a substrate and a template spaced-apart from the substrate and having a distance defined therebetween, the substrate having a first pattern disposed thereon and the template having a second pattern disposed thereon, the method including, sensing the first and the second pattern, with the distance being established such that the first and the second pattern form a desired moiré pattern when the template and the substrate are in a desired spatial relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chucking system to modulate substrates so as to properly shape and position the same with respect to a wafer upon which a pattern is to be formed with the substrate.