Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer determines the width of media to be printed on. When the width of the media is below a threshold the printer prints using multiple printing passes where the amount of ink is divided between the multiple printing passes with a first distribution. When the width of the media is not below the threshold the printer prints using multiple printing passes where the amount of ink is divided between the multiple printing passes with a second, different distribution.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer determines the width of media to be printed on. When the width of the media is below a threshold the printer prints using multiple printing passes where the amount of ink is divided between the multiple printing passes with a first distribution. When the width of the media is not below the threshold the printer prints using multiple printing passes where the amount of ink is divided between the multiple printing passes with a second, different distribution.

Abstract: A new method is provided for creating an inductor on the surface of a silicon substrate. The invention provides overlying layers of oxide fins beneath a metal inductor. The oxide fins provide the stability support for the overlying metal inductor while also allowing horizontal air columns to simultaneously exist underneath the inductor. Overlying layers of air cavities that are spatially inserted between the created overlying layers of oxide fins can be created under the invention by repetitive application of the mask used. The presence of the air wells on the surface of the substrate significantly reduces parasitic capacitances and series resistance of the inductor associated with the substrate.

Abstract: A new method is provided for creating an inductor on the surface of a silicon substrate. The invention provides overlying layers of oxide fins beneath a metal inductor. The oxide fins provide the stability support for the overlying metal inductor while also allowing horizontal air columns to simultaneously exist underneath the inductor. Overlying layers of air cavities that are spatially inserted between the created overlying layers of oxide fins can be created under the invention by repetitive application of the mask used. The presence of the air wells on the surface of the substrate significantly reduces parasitic capacitances and series resistance of the inductor associated with the substrate.

Abstract: A new method is provided for creating an inductor on the surface of a silicon substrate. The invention provides overlying layers of oxide fins beneath a metal inductor. The oxide fins provide the stability support for the overlying metal inductor while also allowing horizontal air columns to simultaneously exist underneath the inductor. Overlying layers of air cavities that are spatially inserted between the created overlying layers of oxide fins can be created under the invention by repetitive application of the mask used. The presence of the air wells on the surface of the substrate significantly reduces parasitic capacitances and series resistance of the inductor associated with the substrate.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus with a USB connection has a functional circuit with a processor, a parallel address data bus couple to the processor and a USB device controller circuit with a USB interface in parallel with said address/data bus. The apparatus contains an interface integrated circuit electronically between the USB connection on one hand and the parallel address/data interface and the USB interface on the other hand. The interface integrated circuit has external terminals for connecting to a USB bus, a transceiver capable of transceiving for both a USB host and a USB device, the transceiver having a USB interface, a host interface and a device interface. The USB interface is coupled to the USB connection. The device interface is connected to the external USB device controller circuit. A host controller is coupled to the host interface, the host controller being coupled to the functional circuits via the parallel data/address bus.

Abstract: A process for forming a high dielectric constant, (High K), layer, for a metal-oxide-metal, capacitor structure, featuring localized oxidation of an underlying metal layer, performed at a temperature higher than the temperature experienced by surrounding structures, has been developed. A first iteration of this process features the use of a laser ablation procedure, performed to a local region of an underlying metal layer, in an oxidizing ambient. The laser ablation procedure creates the desired, high temperature, only at the laser spot, allowing a high K layer to be created at this temperature, while the surrounding structures on a semiconductor substrate, not directly exposed to the laser ablation procedure remain at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A process for forming a high dielectric constant, (High K), layer, for a metal-oxide-metal, capacitor structure, featuring localized oxidation of an underlying metal layer, performed at a temperature higher than the temperature experienced by surrounding structures, has been developed. A first iteration of this process features the use of a laser ablation procedure, performed to a local region of an underlying metal layer, in an oxidizing ambient. The laser ablation procedure creates the desired, high temperature, only at the laser spot, allowing a high K layer to be created at this temperature, while the surrounding structures on a semiconductor substrate, not directly exposed to the laser ablation procedure remain at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A process for forming a high dielectric constant, (High K), layer, for a metal-oxide-metal, capacitor structure, featuring localized oxidation of an underlying metal layer, performed at a temperature higher than the temperature experienced by surrounding structures, has been developed. A first iteration of this process features the use of a laser ablation procedure, performed to a local region of an underlying metal layer, in an oxidizing ambient. The laser ablation procedure creates the desired, high temperature, only at the laser spot, allowing a high K layer to be created at this temperature, while the surrounding structures on a semiconductor substrate, not directly exposed to the laser ablation procedure remain at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A method for forming an RF inductor of helical shape having high Q and minimum area. The inductor is fabricated of metal or damascened linear segments formed on three levels of intermetal dielectric layers and interconnected by metal filled vias to form the complete helical shape with electrical continuity.

Abstract: The method for a transistor using a replacement gate process that has a doped low-K dielectric spacer that lowers the junction capacitance. A dummy gate is formed over a substrate. Ions are implanted into the substrate using the dummy gate as an implant mask to form source and drain regions. A masking layer is formed on the substrate over the source and drain regions. We remove the dummy gate. Doped low k spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the masking layer. The doped spacers are heated to diffuse dopant into the substrate to form lightly doped drain (LDD regions). We form a high k gate dielectric layer over the masking layer. A gate layer is formed over the high K dielectric layer. The gate layer is chemical-mechanical polished (CMP) to form a gate over the high k dielectric layer and to remove the gate layer over the masking layer.

Abstract: A method for siliciding source/drain junctions is described wherein compressive stress of the underlying silicon is avoided by the insertion of a buffer layer between the silicide and the silicon. A gate electrode and associated source/drain extensions are provided in and on a semiconductor substrate. A buffer oxide layer is deposited overlying the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode. A polysilicon layer is deposited overlying the buffer oxide layer. The polysilicon layer will form the source/drain junctions and silicon source. The source/drain junctions are silicided whereby the buffer oxide layer provides compressive stress relief during the siliciding.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal capacitor wherein top metal corner shaping during patterning is eliminated is described. An insulating layer is provided overlying a semiconductor substrate. A first metal layer is deposited over the insulating layer. A capacitor dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first metal layer. A second metal layer is deposited overlying the capacitor dielectric layer and patterned to form a top metal electrode. A flowable material layer is deposited overlying the capacitor dielectric and the top metal electrode and anisotropically etched away to leave spacers on sidewalls of the top metal electrode. A photoresist mask is formed overlying the capacitor dielectric and the top metal electrode wherein the spacers provide extra photoresist thickness at the sidewalls of the top metal layer.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating an inductor utilizing air as an underlying barrier in the manufacturing of integrated circuits is described. A field oxide region is formed in and on a semiconductor substrate and then removed whereby a well is left in the semiconductor substrate. A polish stop layer is deposited over the substrate and within the well. The polish stop layer is covered and the well filled with a spin-on-glass layer. The spin-on-glass layer is polished back to the polish stop layer. The said polish stop layer is removed. A first oxide layer is deposited overlying the spin-on-glass layer and the semiconductor substrate and is patterned using an inductor reticle whereby a plurality of openings are made through the first oxide layer to the spin-on-glass layer. All of the spin-on-glass layer within the well is removed through the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating an inductor utilizing air as an underlying barrier in the manufacture of integrated circuits is described. A metal line is provided overlying a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate. An intermetal dielectric layer is deposited overlying the metal line and the dielectric layer. The intermetal dielectric layer is patterned whereby a plurality of openings are made through the intermetal dielectric layer to the semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, an oxide layer is deposited overlying the intermetal dielectric layer and capping the plurality of openings thereby forming air gaps within the intermetal dielectric layer. A metal plug is formed through the oxide layer and the intermetal dielectric layer to the metal line.

Abstract: A process for curing low-k spin-on dielectric layers based on alkyl silsesquioxane polymers by laser scanning is described wherein curing is achieved by both photothermal and photochemical mechanisms. The layers are deposited by spin deposition, dried and cured by raster scanning with a pulsed laser at energies between 0.1 and 1 Joules/cm.sup.2. Because the laser causes heating of the layer, a nitrogen jet is applied in the wake of the scanning laser beam to rapidly cool the layer and to inhibit oxidation and moisture absorption. The laser induced heating also assists in the discharge of moisture and by-products of the polymerization process. The laser operates at wavelengths between 200 and 400 nm. Insulative layers such as silicon oxide are sufficiently transparent at these so that oxide segments overlying the polymer layer do not inhibit the curing process. Implementation of the laser scanning feature is readily incorporated into an existing spin-on deposition and curing tool.