Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an electron beam imaging/inspection apparatus having an electron source device to direct flood electrons on a sample immediately before image acquisition or inspection. The apparatus comprises a first device configured to charge a sample in a first mode, wherein the first device includes an electron source configured to provide a flood beam of charged particles to a first area of the sample. The apparatus also comprises a second device configured to generate a primary beam of electrons and characterize an interaction between the primary beam and a second area of the sample within the first area in a second mode. The apparatus is configured to switch from the first mode to the second mode less than 1 second.

Abstract: An electron beam device for inspecting a target substrate or specimen thereon includes a beam separator with an asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector for improving field uniformity for a single direction of deflection. The asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector includes two orthogonal electrode plates spanning roughly 60 degrees and two electrode plates spanning roughly 120 degrees, the two latter plates defining a unidirectional deflection field. The device generates a primary electron beam and focuses the primary electron beam along an optical axis into the target substrate. Secondary electrons detected at the target substrate are focused into a secondary electron beam. The beam separator with asymmetric quadrupole electrostatic deflector deflects the secondary electron beam away from the axis of the primary electron beam in the direction of deflection and into a detector array.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a substrate support portion, a plasma generation chamber, electrodes, and a power source. The substrate support portion supports a substrate including an insulating layer and a substrate bulk. The plasma generation chamber may include chamber wall portions, a gas port, and a plasma application aperture and is configured to contain a gas. The plasma application aperture may be covered by a portion of the substrate. Each electrode may protrude into or extend into an interior portion of the plasma generation chamber. The power source may be coupled to a particular electrode, and the power source may be configured to apply a voltage to the particular electrode. Application of the voltage to the particular electrode generates a plasma within the plasma generation chamber, whereby generation of the plasma results in a conductive path through the insulating layer of the substrate between the plasma and the substrate bulk.

Abstract: A metrology system is configured to provide visual inspection of a workpiece, three-dimensional magnetic field map, and height measurement. A stage is configured to bring points of interest at the workpiece under the desired tool for measurement. The optical field, magnetic field, and height information can be used independently or together in order to correlate defects in the manufacturing process of the workpiece. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for automated handling of a hotfix. In some embodiments, this includes obtaining defects submitted to a defect repository, querying the defect repository to obtain a defect, permitting the users to approve the defect as a cumulative hotfix candidate, receiving and storing check-in data corresponding to the cumulative hotfix candidate to a source code repository, approving the check-in data, triggering an automated compiling of a build of the version of the software, examining the build, triggering an automated testing of the build based on a determination that the build is clean, storing the build in a build repository when the automated testing of the build completes without error, and publishing the build.

Abstract: A permanent magnetic lens array for charged-particle focusing includes a first sheet of soft magnetic material, wherein the first sheet of soft magnetic material includes a plurality of snorkel cone protrusions arranged in an array pattern, wherein each snorkel cone is axially symmetric and includes an opening passing from a first surface of the first sheet of soft magnetic material to a second surface of soft magnetic material, and a plurality of permanent magnetic elements, wherein each permanent magnetic element is axially symmetric and arranged concentrically with a snorkel cone of the first sheet of soft magnetic material, wherein the snorkel cones of the first sheet of soft magnetic material and the plurality of permanent magnetic elements are configured to form a plurality of magnetic lenses, wherein each magnetic lens has a magnetic field with an axial component oriented perpendicular to the first surface of the soft magnetic material.

Abstract: System and methods for decomposing an Auger electron spectrum into elemental and chemical components, includes conditioning and input spectrum to generate a normalized input spectrum; determining statistical correlation between the normalized input spectrum and stored elemental spectral signatures; and characterizing elemental or chemical species in the input spectrum from the statistical correlation, wherein said conditioning the input spectrum includes estimating a background signal of non-Auger electrons in the input spectrum and subtracting the estimated background signal from the input spectrum.

Abstract: A background reduction system may include, but is not limited to: a charged particle source configured to generate a charged-particle beam; a louvered structure including one or more apertures configured to selectively transmit charged particles according to their angle of incidence; and a charged-particle detector configured to receive charged particles selectively transmitted by the louvered structure.

Abstract: System and methods for decomposing an Auger electron spectrum into elemental and chemical components, includes conditioning and input spectrum to generate a normalized input spectrum; determining statistical correlation between the normalized input spectrum and stored elemental spectral signatures; and characterizing elemental or chemical species in the input spectrum from the statistical correlation, wherein said conditioning the input spectrum includes estimating a background signal of non-Auger electrons in the input spectrum and subtracting the estimated background signal from the input spectrum.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a charged-particle energy analyzer apparatus. A first mesh is arranged to receive the charged particles on a first side and pass the charged particles to a second side, and a first electrode is arranged such that a first cavity is formed between the second side of the first mesh and the first electrode. A second mesh is arranged to receive the charged particles on a second side and pass the charged particles to a first side, and a second electrode is arranged such that a second cavity is formed between the first side of the second mesh and the second electrode. Finally, a third mesh is arranged to receive the charged particles on a first side and pass the charged particles to a second side, and a position-sensitive charged-particle detector is arranged to receive the charged particles after the charged particles pass through the third mesh.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery and use of novel antigens/autoantigens, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies/autoantibodies thereto, and in particular methods of using the antigens/autoantigens and antibodies/autoantibodies in the diagnostic, prognostic, staging and therapeutic regimens for the control of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery and use of novel antigens/autoantigens, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies/autoantibodies thereto, and in particular methods of using the antigens/autoantigens and antibodies/autoantibodies in the diagnostic, prognostic, staging and therapeutic regimens for the control of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: A background reduction system may include, but is not limited to: a charged particle source configured to generate a charged-particle beam; a louvered structure including one or more apertures configured to selectively transmit charged particles according to their angle of incidence; and a charged-particle detector configured to receive charged particles selectively transmitted by the louvered structure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions which provide a gene expression-based prognostic signature of cancer relapse and prediction of metastatic cancer are described, and in particular methods to predict colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence and chemosensitivity.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a method of preparing a personalized genomics profile for a patient with colorectal cancer. The method includes assaying an expression level of an RNA transcript in a biological sample. The biological sample includes a colorectal cancer cell obtained from a patient. The method also includes determining a normalized expression level of the RNA transcript, wherein the normalized expression level of the RNA transcript correlates with an increased likelihood of colorectal cancer recurrence in the patient. The method further includes creating a report. The report summarizes the data obtained from the normalized expression level and includes an estimate of likelihood of long-term survival without colorectal cancer recurrence in said patient.

Abstract: Methods that improve the accuracy of gene expression profiling are provided, and more particularly, methods for quantitative PCT (qPCR) used to determine the level of gene expression or gene copy number in a high-throughput fashion.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a charged-particle energy analyzer apparatus. A first mesh is arranged to receive the charged particles on a first side and pass the charged particles to a second side, and a first electrode is arranged such that a first cavity is formed between the second side of the first mesh and the first electrode. A second mesh is arranged to receive the charged particles on a second side and pass the charged particles to a first side, and a second electrode is arranged such that a second cavity is formed between the first side of the second mesh and the second electrode. Finally, a third mesh is arranged to receive the charged particles on a first side and pass the charged particles to a second side, and a position-sensitive charged-particle detector is arranged to receive the charged particles after the charged particles pass through the third mesh.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an improved washing machine having a tilt-out laundry assembly. The tilt-out action is achieved by a tiltable joint between the side of the laundry assembly and front standing struts. The tiltable joint permits a laundry assembly to rotate about the front standing struts once rear struts are removed from the rear side of the laundry assembly. In use, the service person removes the rear struts, tilts the laundry assembly about the front standing struts, and then removes the laundry assembly from the cabinet.

Abstract: A kinship analysis program for missing persons and mass disasters for kinship and missing persons analyses. The inventive device includes consensusG, Kinship Indices, Matching, cross-checking, pedigree that performs the following: Extract a list of unique victims' genotypes from the remains or missing persons database, make perfect matches to personal effect, identify next-of-kin related to a victim, make matches through parentage trios, confirm consistency of family pedigrees, exclude nearly all fortuitous hits on the basis of the SM scoring performance of the entire family of the relative that triggered the fortuitous hit, make matches despite the known existence of errors in sample names and reported relationships, flag samples with inconsistent reported relationships, display matches in their context, so that “close-calls” are brought to the attention of the data reviewer.