Abstract: Covering metal test pads of a passivated integrated circuit process intermediate wafer or completed integrated circuit chip-to-test, with a thin conductive overlayer, and then accessing the test pads through the passivation layer and conductive overlayer, by a pulsed laser to provide voltage-modulated photon-assisted tunneling through the insulation layer, to the conductive overlayer as an electron current, and detecting the resulting electron current, provides a nondestructive test of integrated circuits. The passivation, normally present to protect the integrated circuit, also lowers the threshold for photoelectron emission. The conductive overlayer acts as a photoelectron collector for the detector. A chip-to-test which is properly designed for photon assisted tunneling testing has test sites accessible to laser photons even though passivated.

Abstract: Cumulative translational sweeps are used to shape geometric objects in a computer model, and they permit display of the resulting changes in shape in the object modelled, and control of processes involving the object modelled. If the geometric object is polyhedral, the cumulative translational sweeps, by creating additional facets, effect selective rounding along model edges and around model vertices. This permits computer modelling of the growth of layers, encompassing in addition to flat surface growth, growth with rounding around corners and over obstacles. Such growth occurs in the manufacture of semiconductors. Modelling a change in a solid structure in stages of growth (or shrinking) and of rounding, as might take place during processing of integrated circuits is achieved by controlled sweep sequences that sweep the structure a finite number of times in accordance with a rayset and stipulated parameters of shape, balance, convexity/concavity, degree of faceting, and memory limitation.

Abstract: Equipping individual processing elements with an instruction adapter provides an array processor with adaptive spatial-dependent and data-dependent processing capability. The instruction becomes variable, at the processing element level, in response to spatial and data parameters of the data stream. An array processor can be optimized, for example, to carry out very different instructions on spatial-dependent data such as blank margin surrounding the black lines of a sketch. Similarly, the array processor can be optimized for data-dependent values, for example to execute different instructions for positive data values than for negative data values. Providing each processing element with a processor identification register permits an easy setup by flowing the setup values to the individual processing elements, together with setup of condition control values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic inspection of periodic patterns typically found on patterned silicon wafers, printed circuit board, and the like is disclosed herein. The method comprises an inspection algorithm of two parts: a low-level algorithm and a higher level algorithm which includes, therein the operation of the low-level algorithm. The low-level algorithm utilizes the known periodicity of the pattern to find defects by comparing identical cells in the periodic array. The high-level algorithm comprises applying the low-level algorithm, some number of times (N) in succession on the image. An accumulator image is formed by adding the results of the low-level algorithm to create a separate image array where the pixels relate to the number of times that the pixel in the original image was detected as defective by the low-level algorithm.

Abstract: A color CRT has stripes of different color light emission phosphors (r, g and b) deposited on a faceplate of the tube with the relative widths of the stripes being inversely proportional to the light emission efficiency of the phosphors. By this means the integrated brightness of the emitted light from the different phosphor stripes is the same for the same value beam current. By using a novel double shadow mask arrangement, the widths of the beams from the three guns can be made to match, or substantially to match, the widths of the phosphor elements on which they land. Specifically, the beam from one gun is aligned with apertures through both masks in order to transmit a relatively wide portion of the beam onto the least efficient, phosphor. The portion of the beams transmitted by the first mask for the other two guns are further clipped by the relatively off-set apertures in the second mask.

Abstract: An automatic assembly apparatus or robot holds a pin in an instrumented gripper, moves open loop to the "detection region" in which airflow forces, primarily lateral forces, in the vicinity of the hole may be dependably sensed. Relatively large lateral airflow forces in the detection region are sensed and the pin is moved toward the hole. The airflow forces exhibit an abrupt force change as the pin reaches the insertion point within the "capture region" of the hole defined by the mechanical chamfer or significantly extended as a result of the virtual chamfer of airflow through the hole. The insertion point is the point where lateral X,Y force vectors balance to a null, where Z force readings change from complex X,Y,Z force vectors to simple Z force vectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrostatic removal of micron and sub-micron sized contaminant particles is disclosed herein. The apparatus and method comprise creating a potential difference with a megavolt/cm electrostatic field between two conducting bases in a predetermined geometrical relation to each other. An insulator (e.g. a dielectric film) is maintained at or near contact between one of the bases and the surface to be cleaned to electrostatically remove particles from said surface. The bases can be made to move relative to each other and the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: The trajectory of an electromagnetic actuator is adjusted by pulse-width-modulating feedback control of the waveform which energizes the coil. As applied to actuators for impact printing, the objectives of the control scheme are to regulate the armature's time of flight and its velocity at impact, in spite of disturbances, thereby to provide higher-quality printing at increased speed. Each actuation is produced by energizing the coil with a series of pulses. Regulation is accomplished under microprocessor control by measuring the state variables of the system--armature position, armature velocity, and coil current--at the beginning of each pulse, comparing these measurements to ideal values, and modulating the width of the pulse as a function of the errors. In general, the appropriate functional relationship between the measured errors and the pulse-width modulation is nonlinear, and is different for each pulse in the series. Systematic means for determining these relationships are given.

Abstract: Using a smooth laminated armature assembly, with a ferromagnetic double-helix stator shaft, provides an economical radial pole linear reluctance motor requiring no external armature bearings. The stator shaft has a double-helical screw tooth pattern cut into its surface. Spaces between screw threads are preferably filled with low permeability material. The armature assembly has radial pole laminar plates, separated by identically configured laminar spacers, separated by an insulating layer, which provides eddy current isolation, physical stability and original adjustment of laminations for overall accuracy to linear positioning, despite tolerances in the individual laminar plates. Each laminar plate has a number of inwardly projecting teeth centered about the internal channel. These internal teeth and the double helix screw teeth on the stator shaft provide flux paths through the stator.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining sheet material and cutting joined material comprises a set of drums rotating against one another. A first drum is provided along its surface with a raised pattern serving as welding surfaces when operating in conjunction with one or more ultrasonic resonators. As sheet material is fed through the nip formed between the drum and the resonator, the material is joined in accordance with the pattern. A second drum is provided along its surface with a complementary raised pattern of cutting surfaces. As the material subsequently is fed through the nip between both drums, the welded portions are severed from the surrounding material. The welding and cutting pattern surfaces are constructed to mesh for providing positive severing of the material interposed therebetween.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ultrasonic angle test probe comprising at least two ultrasonic transducers for respectively generating and receiving ultrasonic waves propagating in different directions. According to the invention, in order to obtain relatively small wedge shaped coupling members and small coupling surfaces on the side of the probe contacting the workpiece, a plurality of transducers are disposed above one another instead of side by side. In a typical embodiment, a first transducer is disposed on a first wedge-shaped coupling member and second transducer is disposed on a second wedge-shaped coupling member superposed upon said first coupling member for providing different angles of propagation of sound waves responsive to energizing one or the other transducer.

Abstract: Thin plastic film is welded by ultrasonic energy by placing two layers of film upon one another on a supporting surface having a cavity. A source of ultrasonic energy, such as a resonator, is brought with its output surface in close proximity to, but non-contacting relation with, the exposed surface of the films for coupling ultrasonic energy via a thin air or gas column to the films at the area of the cavity. The dissipation of ultrasonic energy causes a weld and when the films are moved relative to the resonator output surface and supporting surfce, a seam weld is achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic test instrument for the nondestructive testing of materials. The instrument includes a transit time measuring circuit and an amplitude and time gate circuit. According to the invention, to measure the amplitudes and the corresponding transit times of a number of echo signals falling within a predetermined measurement range, the output of the amplitude and time gate circuit is connected to the input of a presettable counter which outputs a signal whenever the number of counted pulses is equal to the preset value of the counter. The counter output is connected to the transit time measuring circuit and by way of a second time gate circuit to the amplitude measuring circuit so that amplitude evaluation is carried out only during the time interval defined by the second time gate circuit.

Abstract: The invention concerns resonators of rectangular or blade like configuration providing substantially uniform motional output along the output surface. The improvement is achieved by disposing the change in cross-sectional area for producing increased motional amplitude at the output surface in relation to the nodal region of the resonator in such a manner as to cause the lateral portions of the resonator to exhibit a greater motional amplitude gain than that of the central portion.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a runway rail in the form of an extruded hollow body of oblong cross-section. The runway rail has a top portion which includes a pair of parallel surfaces including between them an angle. A similar pair of parallel surfaces is disposed at the bottom portion of the runway rail, which surfaces are parallel to respective surfaces of the top portion and include the same angle. A crab having load and guide wheels is disposed on the runway rail, the load wheels engaging the pair of surfaces at the top portion and at least one guide wheel engaging one of the surfaces at the bottom portion. A driving motor mounted to the lateral flange of the crab is adapted to drive the crab along the runway rail by engaging a stationary drive element mounted to a side rail of the runway rail. A hoist mounted to the crab serves to raise and lower work pieces.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for determining the hardness of a solid workpiece. An elongated rod is excited to be mechanically resonant along its longitudinal axis and is provided at its front end with a defined contact surface of hard material (Vickers diamond). When the rod is rendered resonant at its natural frequency of vibration .omega.o, the contact surface of the rod is pressed into the surface of the workpiece, whose hardness is to be determined, under a predetermined engagement force while the rod is forcibly maintained oscillating at the frequency .omega.o. A sensor coupled to the rod provides a signal indicative of the amplitude of vibrations of the rod when in forced contact with the workpiece and such signal is fed to a computing device for providing a value indicative of the hardness of the workpiece.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and circuits for the generation and rapid adjustment of direct current voltages, such method and circuits being used particularly for the adjustment of amplifiers, and amplitude and time gates in ultrasonic test instruments. The voltage to be generated is selected by a selector switch and its value is increased or decreased by means of a set switch. For this purpose, the appropriate contents of storage locations of a read-write memory (RAM) are successively read out of the memory for setting the count of a binary counter. The count may be incremented, decremented or left unchanged according to the position of the set switch and of the selector switch. The binary counter contents are then written back into the appropriate storage location of the memory and converted by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to an analog value and stored temporarily by means of a capacitor.

Abstract: A fixture for use in conjunction with welding workpieces by vibration welding including a pin adapted to assume two states, namely a first state in which the pin is movable to seek an aperture in the workpiece and is free to enter such aperture, and a second state in which the pin is rigidly fixed. The pin is attached to a plate which responsive to fluid pressure is either free to float in a generally lateral direction, or is clamped rigidly between two superposed plates.

Abstract: An anvil for our ultrasonic textile slitting apparatus comprises an elongated, flat, substantially rectangular, housing in which two pistons are disposed for motion relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the housing. A first piston, responsive to fluid pressure, is urged against the force exerted by springs into motion toward the second piston for causing the second piston, which is provided with a slitting implement, to be urged toward contact with the output surface of an ultrasonic horn. Further, springs are interposed between the first and the second piston for urging the pistons apart, but becoming compressed responsive to such fluid pressure. The combination of fluid pressure and springs causes the slitting implement to be kept in continuous contact with the horn despite the very high acceleration forces manifest at the horn output surface. In addition, the springs provide vibratory isolation from the vibratory energy of the horn.

Abstract: The method of joining two thermoplastic workpieces by ultrasonic energy along respective confronting surfaces includes providing one workpiece surface with an energy director while the opposing other workpiece surface contacted by the energy director exhibits a rough textured surface, rather than a conventional smooth surface, and an article manufactured according to such method.