Abstract: One embodiment relates to a loadlock having a first support structure therein to support one unprocessed substrate and a second support structure therein to support one processed substrate. The first support structure is located above the second support structure. The loadlock includes an elevator to control the vertical position of the support structures. The loadlock also includes a first aperture to permit insertion of an unprocessed substrate into the loadlock and removal of a processed substrate from the loadlock, as wall as a second aperture to permit removal of an unprocessed substrate from the loadlock and insertion of a processed substrate into the loadlock. A cooling plate is also located in the loadlock. The cooling plate includes a surface adapted to support a processed substrate thereon. A heating device may be located in the loadlock above the first support structure.

Abstract: System and method for reserving a memory space for multithreaded processing is described. Memory space within a memory resource is allocated responsive to thread type. Examples of thread types for graphics processing include primitive, vertex and fragment types. Memory space allocated may be of a predetermined size for a thread type. Memory locations within a first memory space may be interleaved with memory locations within a second memory space.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing photolithography on a substrate which has a first region on a lower level and a second region on an upper level, wherein a first pattern area exists within said first region, a second pattern area exists within said second region, and at least said first and second regions are coated with a photoresist, the method comprising: a) exposing the photoresist through a first mask so as to expose said first region including said first pattern area, and thus create a first pattern in said first pattern area, but not expose said second pattern area; and b) exposing the photoresist through a second mask so as to expose said second pattern area, and thus create a second pattern in said second pattern area, but not expose said first pattern area, and also to expose an area of said first region which lies adjacent said second region.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods, systems and articles of manufacture for programmatically providing a user interface for creating queries. In one embodiment, graphical user interface content which defines a graphical user interface is provided. The graphical user interface comprises (i) a region for displaying conditions of a query; and (ii) a first graphical element for initiating a process of combining two or more conditions of the query together with logic values to form a complex condition. In another embodiment, the graphical user interface further comprises a second graphical element for initiating a process of separating two or more conditions of a complex condition.

Abstract: An approach for incrementally updating graphical images when using anti-aliasing techniques is disclosed. Data for an original color is stored, and an image is filtered based on the original color. A new color for an image portion less than the entire image is identified. The new color is used with the old color to re-filter the image portion. The re-filtering may be performed by a two-step approach in which the image portion is filtered using the negative of the original color and then the image portion is filtered using the new color. The re-filtering may be performed by a one-step approach in which the portion of the image is filtered using the difference between the new color and the old color. The appearance of a halo around the portion of the image that would otherwise occur when filtering based on only the new color is thereby avoided.

Abstract: A programmable, pipelined graphics processor (e.g., a vertex processor) having at least two processing pipelines, a graphics processing system including such a processor, and a pipelined graphics data processing method allowing parallel processing and also handling branching instructions and preventing conflicts among pipelines. Preferably, each pipeline processes data in accordance with a program including by executing branch instructions, and the processor is operable in any one of a parallel processing mode in which at least two data values to be processed in parallel in accordance with the same program are launched simultaneously into multiple pipelines, and a serialized mode in which only one pipeline at a time receives input data values to be processed in accordance with the program (and operation of each other pipeline is frozen).

Abstract: A signal acquisition instrument, such as an oscilloscope, having an input stage that is referenced to a user's ground is disclosed. Information gathered by the input stage is stored in a storage element powered by a floating power supply that is referenced to the user's ground. After storage, the storage element is disconnected from the floating power and from the user's ground and switched to a power supply referenced to the remainder of the system. FET switching is beneficial, and information can be stored either in an analog format or in a digital format.

Abstract: The laser type semiconductor optical component comprises: a semiconductor material substrate, a bottom cladding layer containing n-type carriers, an active layer forming one of more quantum wells, and a top cladding layer containing p-type carriers. To increase the emission power of the laser without increasing the vertical divergence of the beam, the bottom cladding layer has a higher refractive index than the top cladding layer. The lasers for pumping optical fiber amplifiers.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for notifying a user of a portable communication device. In one embodiment, a location of a first portable communication device is determined for a first user and the location of a second portable communication device is determined for a second user. A determination is made as to whether the location of the second portable communication device is within a same region containing the first portable communication device. If the second portable communication device is within the same region as the first portable communication device, then the first user is notified of the presence of the second user.

Abstract: Embodiments of a gas distribution plate for distributing gas in a processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a gas distribution plate includes a diffuser plate having a plurality of gas passages passing between an upstream side and a downstream side of the diffuser plate. At least one of the gas passages includes a first hole and a second hole coupled by an orifice hole. The first hole extends from the upstream side of the diffuser plate while the second hole extends from the downstream side. The orifice hole has a diameter less than the respective diameters of the first and second holes.

Abstract: A controller for an optical amplifier and a method for controlling an optical amplifier are disclosed. The illustrative method includes inputting a set-point to a controller; receiving a portion of an input signal; receiving a portion of an output signal from a first amplifier stage; receiving a portion of an output signal from an attenuation stage; receiving a portion of an output signal from a second amplifier stage and adjusting the first amplifier stage, the second amplifier stage and the attenuation stage based on the received portions to substantially maintain the set-point.

Abstract: An improved VGA connector that supports enhanced graphic performance by internally incorporating one or more functions of fusing, filtering, shielding, and the controlling of signal line impendances. The improved VGA connector is dimensionally interchangeable with many aspects of standard VGA connectors, and use standard pin-outs that mate with mating connectors. Integral DACs can be included to provide analog outputs.

Abstract: A method for etching magnetic and ferroelectric materials using a pulsed substrate biasing technique (PSBT) that applies a plurality of processing cycles to the substrate, where each cycle comprises a period of plasma etching without substrate bias and a period of plasma etching with the substrate bias. In exemplary applications, the method is used for fabricating magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) and ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing redundancy, diagnostics, and authentication for hardwired circuit boards in an electronic device. The method and apparatus include a first printed circuit board and at least one second circuit board physically and electrically hardwired to the first printed circuit board. A wireless communications system comprising a first transceiver coupled to the first printed board and at least one second transceiver is respectively coupled to the at least one second printed circuit board. The first transceiver communicates with each of the at least one second transceivers via a respective wireless communications path, such that each wireless communications path runs parallel with at least one hardwired signal path between the first printed circuit board and the at least one second circuit boards.

Abstract: A fixed function engine and method are described for processing a set of primitive commands. One embodiment of the fixed function engine includes a means for receiving one or more primitive commands, where each such primitive command includes information for processing vertex data using a user-developed program or subroutine. The fixed function engine also includes a means for determining a set of related primitive commands from the received primitive commands and a means for identifying a first primitive command to process from that set. In addition, the fixed function engine includes a means for transmitting a first program command, which is related to the first primitive command, to a processing engine for processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for polarization measurements. A polarization state of an optical signal can be determined using a polarization analyzer comprising a polarization controller, a polarizer, a wavelength dispersive element and a photo-detector. The method and apparatus can be applied to polarization and polarization mode dispersion measurements in wavelength division multiplexed communication systems.

Abstract: Methods for the deposition of tungsten films are provided. The methods include depositing a nucleation layer by alternatively adsorbing a tungsten precursor and a reducing gas on a substrate, and depositing a bulk layer of tungsten over the nucleation layer.

Abstract: A method to selectively deposit a barrier layer on dielectric material that surrounds one or more metal interconnects on a substrate is disclosed. The barrier layer is selectively deposited on the metal film using a cyclical deposition process including a predetermined number of deposition cycles followed by a purge step. Each deposition cycle comprises alternately adsorbing a refractory metal-containing precursor and a reducing gas on the dielectric material formed on the substrate in a process chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a method, apparatus and system for journaling an object in a file system of a computer. In one aspect, a request to make a change on the object is received. In response, a journal entry containing a set of information regarding the change is generated. The journal entry is then stored to a journal. A determination is made as to whether the object contains an indicator indicating to a journal file system to bypass storing the change to the object. If so, the journal file system bypasses storing the change to the object if the object contains the indicator.