Abstract: Leakage current due to light incident upon the semiconductor layer which forms the channel of a TFT is eliminated. An insulating layer is formed between one of source and drain electrodes and the semiconductor layer over a distance which is longer than a hole-electron recombination distance, from all the edges of at least one of the source and drain electrodes of the TFT so that it overlaps the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for creating an entry point into a set of execution subsequences of instructions created from a sequential execution sequence at a point other than the beginning, the subsequences being executable asynchronously in parallel on separate processing elements. The creation of intermediate entry points allows the set of execution subsequences to be used to execute different portions of the sequential execution sequence asynchronously in parallel whenever one of those portions reoccurs in another execution sequence of instructions. In the preferred embodiment, execution sequences are processed in two modes of execution, one mode being used not only to execute instructions but also simultaneously to parallelize into a set of subsequences any instruction sequences which have not already been parallelized, while the second mode is used to execute parallelized instruction sequences in parallel.

Abstract: An explanation system for use in an expert system is described. The rule base used in the inference engine of the expert system is divided into groups of rules called rule classes. With each rule class, three types of explanations are associated: strategy explanations, reason explanations and inference explanations. The rule classes are arranged in a hierarchical explanation tree structure. Each time a first rule is fired within a rule class, a frame is created into which the explanations relating to that rule class are copied. After the completion of the reasoning process, the frames can be used to generate an explanation of the reasoning process.

Abstract: An incremental method is described for distributing the instructions of an execution sequence among a plurality of processing elements for execution in parallel. The distribution is based upon anticipated availability times of the needed input values for each instruction as well as the anticipated availability times of each processing element for handling each instruction. A self-parallelizing computer system and method are also described for asynchronously processing the distributed instructions in two modes of execution on a set of processing elements which communicate with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting an optical wavelength is provided incorporating a layer of silicon with two juxtaposed partially-reflective mirrors to provide a Fabry-Perot cavity and ohmic contacts to the silicon layer for heating the silicon layer to provide a temperature change to change its index of refraction. The invention overcomes the problem of mechanically tuning a Fabry-Perot cavity for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM).

Abstract: The present invention is a structure and method for controlling the depth of an etching process. In particular, the method and structure of the present invention creates a marker layer which resides between a layer to be etched and a protected layer. The marker layer is detected during the etch process and the etch process is controlled based on the detection of the marker layer. The marker layer has physical characteristics which are very similar to the layers being etched or protected. The marker layer has a similar lattice constant and electrical behavior to either the etched layer or the protected layer. The marker layer has very different optical properties from the etched or protected layers so that even a thin marker layer can be easily detected using in-situ ellipsometric measurements. A specific embodiment of the present invention is a layer of SiGe interposed between a thick silicon layer and a thin silicon layer.

Abstract: A control system for automated management of frequency-hopping in a radio network. The system includes a Wireless Network Manager (WNM) or Controller and a Wireless Control Agent (WCA), which control the distribution and maintenance of hopping patterns in the radio network. In a single cell network, the WNM and the WCA are included in a single base station. In a multiple cell network, the WNM is in a specific station on a LAN, and a WCA is located in each base station on the LAN. In each instance, the WNM is a centralized managing station and the WCA acts as a cell controller.

Abstract: In a wireless infrared communications system, a technique for encoding data for serial transmission and the correlative technique for decoding the transmitted data. A data transmission period is divided into a plurality of slots. In a given pair of slots, the first slot comprises a gray code sequence of bits and a check bit, and the second slot comprises the same gray code sequence of bits and the complement of the check bit in the first slot. The last slot in a transmission time period comprises a guard slot to separate transmission time periods. A decoder receives the encoded data, and for a given slot derives calculated data for the slot from the gray code sequence of bits and the check bit. The check bit for the given slot is compared with a calculated check bit of the previous slot to determine if a predetermined relationship exists.

Abstract: A 1-dimensional history table, which has been named a TLBLAT, is used to predict some or all of the real address bits that correspond to (i.e., translate from) any given virtual page address in order to provisionally access a real address based cache. The selection of a TLBLAT entry from given virtual address is based on certain address bits in the virtual address. The selection of a TLBLAT entry may also be based on the hashing of such virtual address bits together with other information in order to achieve sufficient randomization. At the minimum, each TLBLAT history table entry records the bits (one or more) necessary for prediction of the congruence class in a real address based cache. The set-associativity of the cache may be as low as one (i.e., a direct-mapped cache).

Abstract: A plurality of queries (jobs) which consist of sets of tasks with precedence constraints between them are optimally scheduled in two stages of scheduling for processing on a parallel processing system. In a first stage of scheduling, multiple optimum schedules are created for each job, one optimum schedule for each possible number of processors which might be used to execute each job, and an estimated job execution time is determined for each of the optimum schedules created for each job, thereby producing a set of estimated job execution times for each job which are a function of the number of processors used for the job execution. Precedence constraints between tasks in each job are respected in creating all of these optimum schedules. Any known optimum scheduling method for parallel processing tasks that have precedence constraints among tasks may be used but a novel preferred method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrafine tip for AFM and STM profilometry of trenches having sidewalls. The tip includes a lateral circumferential edge protrusion to allow profilometry of the sidewalls of a trench located in a semiconductor or insulator substrate.

Abstract: A direct access storage device and a method of operation thereof where the output of the circuit which controls energy to the position actuator for the head may be changed at times between receipt of sequential position error signals from the medium. Instead of waiting for the next position error signal, a computation is done based on at least the current position and the desired position of the head as to when the head velocity will be equal to a desired velocity. The optimum time to switch is estimated, the energy required to achieve a predetermined velocity and a predetermined offset with respect to the desired position are computed, and operation is conducted accordingly. The amount of energy may again be changed at a time subsequent to the estimated time. The predetermined velocity and the predetermined offset may be zero or may have values other than zero in accordance with the requirements of the track following controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a single table is utilized to provide bi-directional conversion between a first graphics format such as a Computer Metafile (CGM) used on a personal computer, and a second graphics format such as a Graphics Data Format (GDF) used on a host computer. The table is accessed through the use of keywords and paired attributes of the respective graphic formats.

Abstract: A system and method for growing low defect density epitaxial layers of Si on imperfectly cleaned Si surfaces by either selective or blanket deposition at low temperatures using the APCVD process wherein a first thin, e.g., 10 nm, layer of Si is grown on the surface from silane or disilane, followed by the growing of the remainder of the film from dichlorosilane (DCS) at the same low temperature, e.g., 550.degree. C. to 850.degree. C. The subsequent growth of the second layer with DCS over the first layer, especially if carried out immediately in the very same deposition system, will not introduce additional defects and may be coupled with high and controlled n-type doping which is not available in a silane-based system.

Abstract: The present invention is a color filter and method of making a color filter in which a reactive dye is added to a photosensitive composite, which contains pigment to form the color filter, and the reactive dye reacts with the binder polymer of the photosensitive composite to form a color filter having a high contrast color filter. The photosensitive composite, which has a primary color and which contains the product of the binder polymer and the reactive dye, is deposited on a glass substrate over a shielding layer. A layer of PVA is then deposited on the photosensitive composite layer. A masking layer then defines the area of the specific primary color for the photosensitive composite. This process is then repeated for the remaining primary colors of the color filter. The color filter produced by this process has a very high contrast ratio.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device is described for detecting magnetic fields incorporating a sandwich structure of four layers, two of which are ferromagnetic and which are separated by a non-ferromagnetic metallic layer and where one ferromagnetic layer is adjacent a fourth antiferromagnetic layer and exhibiting exchange anisotropy with the adjacent ferromagnetic layer. The invention overcomes the problem of small changes in magnetoresistance and in controlling the magnetization response of the magnetoresistive device.

Abstract: An edge emitting laser combines many of the desirable attributes of the common forms of surface-emitting and edge-emitting laser structures together with elimination of their drawbacks. The laser cavity of a device according to the present invention is short (on the order of the wavelength of light in the cavity medium) and current is injected into the optical cavity substantially perpendicular to the plane of emitted light and parallel to the plane of reflective mirrors. The use of a short optical cavity permits single mode laser operation because of broad mode to mode spacing and large changes in reflectivity between wavelengths. Injecting current into the cavity perpendicular to the direction of light emission provides low power operation because the resistance associated with the injected current is low. The resistance is low because current does not cross boundaries between the different material layers forming the reflective mirrors and the optical cavity.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump actuator uses an efficient direct drive voice coil linear motor to power an hydraulic piston. The motor is immersed in oil and has but one moving part, a magnet which is attached to the piston. The piston is supported using a linear double acting hydrodynamic oil bearing that eliminates all wear and will potentially give an infinitely long life. There are no flexing leads, springs to break or parts to fatigue. A total artificial heart embodiment is very light, small, and as efficient as present prosthesis. The motor uses two commutated coils for high efficiency and has inherently low side forces due to the use of coils on both the inside and outside diameters of the magnet. The motor is cooled by forced convection of oil from the piston motion and by direct immersion of the coils in the oil. The highly effective cooling results in a smaller lighter weight motor.

Abstract: The multiple STM-tip unit comprises a plurality of individually connectable, electrically separated tunnel tips (52 . . . 54) arranged in a common sandwiched block (5), in the form of a plurality of electrically conducting layers (41, 46, 50) each associated with at least one of said tunnel tips (52 . . . 54) with insulating layers (44, 48) intercalated between said conducting layers (41, 46, 50), the latter each having a contact pad (36, 42, 43) for connection to appertaining electronics. The thickness, area, and material characteristics of said insulating layers (44, 48) are chosen such that the tunnel current through any one of the intercalated insulating layers (44, 48) is negligible with respect to the tunnel current flowing across the gap between the involved tunnel tips (52 . . . 54) and the surface with which said tips cooperate.

Abstract: A self-parallelizing computer system and method asynchronously processes execution sequences of instructions in two modes of execution on a set of processing elements which communicate with each other. Each processing element is capable of decoding instructions, generating memory operand addresses, executing instructions and referencing and updating its own set of general purpose registers. These processing elements act in concert during the first mode of execution not only to execute the instructions in an execution sequence but also to partition an execution sequence into separate instruction subsequences. The separate instruction subsequences are stored along with additional information which will allow the stored subsequences to be correctly executed in parallel.