Abstract: A method to maintain a well-defined gate stack profile, deposit or grow a uniform gate dielectric, and maintain gate length CD control by means of an inert insulating liner deposited after dummy gate etch and before the spacer process. The liner material is selective to wet chemicals used to remove the dummy gate oxide thereby preventing undercut in the spacer region. The method is aimed at making the metal gate electrode technology a feasible technology with maximum compatibility with the existing fabrication environment for multiple generations of CMOS transistors, including those belonging to the 65 nm, 45 nm and 25 nm technology nodes, that are being used in analog, digital or mixed signal integrated circuit for various applications such as communication, entertainment, education and security products.

Abstract: A process for the production of trialkoxyhalosilanes which comprises reacting a tetrahalosilane [37] with a tetra-alkoxysilane [38] in the presence of an alcohol whose alkoxy group is the same as those of the tetraalkoxysilane to thereby obtain a trialkoxyhalosilane [39], characterized in that the alcohol is used in an amount of 5 to 50% by mole based on the total amount of Si of the tetrahalosilane and the tetraalkoxysilane: SiX4 [37] (wherein X is halogeno) Si(OR1)4 [38] (wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms) XSi(OR1)3 [39] (wherein X and R1 are each as defined above).

Abstract: A connector (20) to a couple breathing conduit to a patient interface or another conduit. The connector allows for an electrical connection (22a, 22b) in a first conduit (14a) to be connected to another electrical connection (21a, 21b) in a patient interface or second conduit (14b). The connector is capable of swivelling without disrupting the gas flow through the conduits of the electrical connection.

Abstract: A process for the production of trialkoxyhalosilanes which comprises reacting a tetrahalosilane [37] with a tetra-alkoxysilane [38] in the presence of an alcohol whose alkoxy group is the same as those of the tetraalkoxysilane to thereby obtain a trialkoxyhalosilane [39], characterized in that the alcohol is used in an amount of 5 to 50% by mole based on the total amount of Si of the tetrahalosilane and the tetraalkoxysilane: SiX4 [37] (wherein X is halogeno) Si(OR1)4 [38] (wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms) XSi(OR1)3 [39] (wherein X and R1 are each as defined above).

Abstract: A methodology for generating scan based transition patterns (i.e., ATPG pattern generation for transition delay faults (“TDF”)) wherein when either a slow-to-rise (STR) or a slow-to-fall (STF) transition fault is detected, that specific fault is removed from a fault universe as well as its companion TDF, wherein the companion fault is a fault on the same node as the detected fault but has the opposite transition. In other words, if a slow-to-rise (STR) transition fault is detected, the slow-to-rise (STR) transition fault is removed from the fault universe as well as its corresponding slow-to-fall (STF) transition fault (and vise versa). By removing companion faults as well as those which are specifically detected, pattern generation run time is reduced as well as the total pattern count for the final delay test pattern.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively identifying reliability risk die based on characteristics of local regions on a wafer by computing particle sensitive yield and using the particle sensitive yield to identify reliability risk die. Specifically, a bin characteristics database which identifies hard and soft bins that are sensitive to different failure mechanisms is maintained, and the bin characteristics database is used to compute particle sensitive yield. It is determined whether the particle sensitive yield of the local region around the current die is less than a pre-set threshold, and the die is downgraded if the particle sensitive yield of the local region around the current die is less than the pre-set threshold. If the particle sensitive yield of the local region around the current die is not less than the pre-set threshold, the die is not downgraded.

Abstract: An apparatus for in vivo, endoscopic laser Raman spectroscopy probe and methods for its use are described. The probe comprises a fiber bundle assemble small enough to fit through an endoscope instrument channel, a novel combination of special coatings to the fiber bundle assembly, including a short-pass filter on the illumination fiber and a long-pass filter on the collection fiber bundle, a novel filter adapter comprising collimating lenses, focusing lenses, a band-pass filter, and a notch filter, and a round-to-parabolic linear array fiber bundle. The apparatus further comprises a laser to deliver illumination light and a spectrometer to analyze Raman-scattered light from a sample. The analysis of Raman spectra from in vivo measurements can discover molecular and structural changes associated with neoplastic transformations and lead to early diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A circuit which facilitates TDF testing without having to purchase expensive new test equipment, such as a new test platform that is capable of supporting test frequencies well beyond the current 200 MHz limitation. A solution to current TDF testing problems by adding circuitry to the device-under-test (DUT) that is configured to receive two reference clock signals from automated test equipment (ATE), i.e. conventional ATE which does not provide test frequencies beyond 200 Mhz, and create two high-speed clock pulses that serve as the launch and capture clocks for the TDF test sequence on the DUT.

Abstract: A device for accurately and flexibly delivering item-specific information from a voice server to a user and the method of using same is disclosed. The user scans a unique identification code associated with an item using a scanner on the device. The device then connects to the voice server. The voice server searches for information related to the item and converts the information for the item into audible information for delivery to the user. The audible information is audibly played to the user by the device.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal gate in a wafer. PolySi1-xGex and polysilicon are used to form a tapered groove. Gate oxide, PolySi1-xGex, and polysilicon is deposited on a wafer. A resist pattern is formed. A portion of the polysilicon, PolySi1-xGex, and gate oxide is removed to provide a tapered profile. The resist is removed; a dielectric liner is deposited, and then at least a portion of the dielectric liner is removed, thereby exposing the polysilicon and leaving the dielectric liner in contact with the polysilicon, PolyS1-xGex, and gate oxide. A dielectric is deposited, and a portion is removed thereby exposing the polysilicon. The polysilicon, PolySi1-xGex, and gate oxide is removed from inside the dielectric liner, thereby leaving a tapered gate groove. Metal is then deposited in the groove.

Abstract: Noise and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation are relatively straightforward tasks. However, when SNR is small, systematic errors in measurement may result in over-estimation of SNR, which also occurs during runtime monitoring of SNR. Here, sufficient numbers of bits have been preassigned to each channel using QAM modulation scheme. Therefore, SNR relative to QAM lattice size depends on the noise margin and the desired (bit error rate) BER. If a relatively small margin is desired, similar measurement errors may result in over-estimation of SNR. Another problem that arises is that the variance of the noise estimator is relatively high. Therefore, SNR estimates may vary by several dB, and there is only 50% confidence in the usual estimators that the actual SNR value will not be worse than that estimated. Thus, a computationally efficient method for SNR estimation that also allows for specification of a confidence level in the estimates is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using and combining sub-frame processing and adaptive jitter-buffers for improved voice quality in voice-over-packet networks. Data is placed in a jitter buffer, where the data has a frame-length consisting of a plurality of samples. Some of the samples are placed in the DMA buffer, and some of the samples are placed in the back-up buffer. Samples are read out of the DMA buffer, and samples are moved from the back-up buffer to the DMA buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging material in netting is described. The apparatus in a first embodiment is a netter for enclosing material in netting and a scissors assembly for severing the netting. The scissors assembly comprises a pair of blade elements pivotally connected by a pin affixed to the netter and each of the pair of blade elements comprises a knife section extending in a first direction from the pin and a lever section extending in a second direction from the pin. The scissors assembly further comprises a pair of link arms each connecting one of the lever sections of the pair of blade elements to a piston, the piston extendable in a first direction to pivot the knife sections of the blade elements toward each other and extendable in a second direction to pivot the knife sections of the blade elements away from each other. In another embodiment, the piston comprises an air-actuated cylinder.

Abstract: A semiconductor package for a die with improved thermal cycling reliability. A first layer of the package provides ball pads dispersed throughout. A second layer of the package provides signal traces. A high stress area associated with the corner of the dies is defined. Preferably the high stress area is defined as two ball pitches away from the corner of the die. Signal traces are routed away from the high stress area and in particular signal traces are routed away from the ball pads associated with the high stress to eliminate the cracks in the routed traces.

Abstract: A connector for resuscitating an infant or neonate is disclosed. The pressure is varied between Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP) and Peak End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) by the occlusion of the PEEP outlet. The PEEP outlet may either allow variable PEEP, by adjustment, or substantially flow independent fixed PEEP using a novel umbrella valve. A duck billed valve is included for suctioning of surfactant delivery during resuscitation. The connector is adapted to one handed use.