Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interconnect having electrically conductive portions and a dielectric layer made of a first dielectric material. A trench is formed in the dielectric layer. The exposed portions of the dielectric layer which form the side walls of the trench are removed. A dielectric liner is then deposited on the side walls of the trench, the liner being made of a second dielectric material.

Abstract: An actuator driver circuit comprises a drive signal source (60) and an electrical damping element (100) having a negative resistance connected in series with the drive signal source (60). A controllable switch is provided for selectively switching said electrical damping element (100) into or out of a signal path from a drive signal source output to a driver circuit output, in order to selectively amend the electrical damping of an actuator, especially to increase the electrical damping of a radial actuator or a focus actuator of an optical disc drive in case of loss of track or loss of focus, respectively.