Abstract: Methods for etching an etching stop layer disposed on the substrate using a cyclical etching process are provided. In one embodiment, a method for etching an etching stop layer includes performing a treatment process on the substrate having a silicon nitride layer disposed thereon by supplying a treatment gas mixture into the processing chamber to treat the silicon nitride layer, and performing a chemical etching process on the substrate by supplying a chemical etching gas mixture into the processing chamber, wherein the chemical etching gas mixture includes at least an ammonium gas and a nitrogen trifluoride, wherein the chemical etching process etches the treated silicon nitride layer.

Abstract: Methods for etching a material layer disposed on the substrate using a combination of a main etching step and a cyclical etching process are provided. The method includes performing a main etching process in a processing chamber to an oxide layer, forming a feature with a first predetermined depth in the oxide layer, performing a treatment process on the substrate by supplying a treatment gas mixture into the processing chamber to treat the etched feature in the oxide layer, performing a chemical etching process on the substrate by supplying a chemical etching gas mixture into the processing chamber, wherein the chemical etching gas includes at least an ammonium gas and a nitrogen trifluoride, wherein the chemical etching process further etches the feature to a second predetermined depth, and performing a transition process on the etched substrate by supplying a transition gas mixture into the processing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that provide for integration of social media with live events are disclosed. Social media content could be published to an online social media service responsive to the detection of a trigger that is associated with a live event video broadcast. In some embodiments, incoming user-driven social media content is repurposed and automatically reformatted for video display. Story content sources and citations might also be integrated for broadcast stories. Story content approval and notification could also be supported.

Abstract: Methods of forming material junctions for magnetic memory devices are described. The methods involve providing a material stack including a bottom magnetic tunneling junction layer, a tunneling barrier layer, and a top magnetic tunneling junction layer (from bottom to top) on a substrate. The top magnetic tunneling junction layer is patterned to form a top magnetic tunneling junction and then a dielectric spacer layer may be formed over the top magnetic tunneling junction. The dielectric spacer is etched to leave a vertical dielectric spacer to maintain electrical separation between the top magnetic tunneling junction and the bottom magnetic tunneling junction during and following subsequent etching/processing. In an alternative embodiment the spacer layer is lithographically defined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide various apparatus and methods for reducing particles in a semiconductor processing chamber. One embodiment of present disclosure provides a vacuum screen assembly disposed over a vacuum port to prevent particles generated by the vacuum pump from entering substrate processing regions. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a perforated chamber liner around a processing region of the substrate. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gas distributing chamber liner for distributing a cleaning gas around the substrate support under the substrate supporting surface.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). These films are useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films and in molded optical parts, such as lenses. The resins of the present inventions can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, which is uncharacteristic of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods of melt casting films while minimizing birefringence. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to films made from the cellulose esters described herein further comprising a plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that provide for integration of social media with live events are disclosed. Social media content could be published to an online social media service responsive to the detection of a trigger that is associated with a live event video broadcast. In some embodiments, incoming user-driven social media content is repurposed and automatically reformatted for video display. Story content sources and citations might also be integrated for broadcast stories. Story content approval and notification could also be supported.

Abstract: A rapid alternating process system and method of operating a rapid alternating process system includes a rapid alternating process chamber, a plurality of process gas sources coupled to the rapid alternating process chamber, wherein each one of the plurality of process gas sources includes a corresponding process gas source flow controller, a bias signal source coupled to the rapid alternating process chamber, a process gas detector coupled to the rapid alternating process chamber, a rapid alternating process chamber controller coupled to the rapid alternating process chamber, the bias signal source, the process gas detector and the plurality of process gas sources, the rapid alternating process chamber controller including logic for initiating a first rapid alternating process phase including: logic for inputting a first process gas into a rapid alternating process chamber, logic for detecting the first process gas in the rapid alternating process chamber, and logic for applying a corresponding first phase b

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). These films are useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films and in molded optical parts, such as lenses. The resins of the present inventions can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, which is uncharacteristic of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods of melt casting films while minimizing birefringence. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to films made from the cellulose esters described herein further comprising a plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. These films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing debris from a fluidized sand bed. One or more troughs extend radially from a vertical shaft. Associated with each trough is a perforated chute. The apparatus is placed into the fluidized bed of sand, and rotated. As the apparatus rotates, the perforated chute sifts, or separates, debris from the fluidized sand. That is, the fluidized sand flows through the perforations, but the debris does not. When the apparatus is removed from the fluidized bed, the debris tumbles down the chute, into the troughs, if it has not already done so, and is captured.

Abstract: A method used to fabricate a semiconductor device comprises etching a dielectric layer, resulting in an undesirable charge buildup along a sidewall formed in the dielectric layer during the etch. The charge buildup along a top and a bottom of the sidewall may reduce the etch rate thereby resulting in excessive etch times and undesirable etch opening profiles. To remove the charge, a sacrificial conductive layer may be formed to electrically short the upper and lower portions of the sidewall and eliminate the charge. In another embodiment, a gas is used to remove the charge. After removing the charge, the dielectric etch may continue. Various embodiments of the inventive process and structures are described.

Abstract: A barrier layer forming method includes providing a porous dielectric layer over a substrate, the dielectric layer having a surface with exposed pores, and treating the dielectric layer with a plasma formed from a methane-containing gas. The treating seals the exposed pores. The method includes depositing a barrier layer over the surface, the barrier layer being continuous over the sealed pores. The porous dielectric may be low K. The plasma may be formed at a bias of at least about 100 volts.

Abstract: The invention includes etching and contact opening forming methods. In one implementation, a plasma etching method includes providing a bottom powered plasma chamber that includes a plasma generating electrode powerable at different first and second frequencies, with the first frequency being lower than the second frequency. A substrate is positioned over the electrode. A plasma is generated over the substrate with the electrode from a first applied power at the first frequency and a second applied power at the second frequency. A ratio of the first applied power to the second applied power is from 0 to 0.25 or at least 6.0. Material is etched from the substrate with the plasma.

Abstract: A method for controlling striations and CD loss in a plasma etching method is disclosed. During the etching process, the substrate of semiconductor material to be etched is exposed first to plasma under a low power strike and subsequently to a conventional high power strike. CD loss has been found to be reduced by about 400 Angstroms and striations formed in the contact holes are reduced.