Abstract: Switching uniformity of an optical modulation device for controlling the propagation of electromagnetic radiation is improved by use of an electrode comprising an electrically resistive layer that is transparent to the radiation. The resistive layer is preferably an innerlayer of a wide-bandgap oxide sandwiched between layers of indium tin oxide or another transparent conductor, and may be of uniform thickness, or may be graded so as to provide further improvement in the switching uniformity. The electrode may be used with electrochromic and reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) smart window devices, as well as display devices based on various technologies.

Abstract: An optical modulation device includes an electrolyte containing electrodepositable metal ions sandwiched between a conducting polymer counter electrode and an optical modulation electrode involving reversible metal electrodeposition. The conducting polymer counter electrode does not generate mobile reactive species, and avoids the light blocking associated with grid or dot matrix electrodes involving reversible metal electrodeposition. A polyaniline counter electrode in a smart window device employing a reversible electrochemical mirror modulation electrode provides high light transmission, fast switching, and coloration to mask the backside of the mirror electrode.

Abstract: Bottom-up filling of fine Damascene trenches and vias in semiconductor chips is attained using a copper pyrophosphate electroplating bath with a single accelerating additive species present at low concentration (<5 ?M). This bath is much easier to control than the acid copper sulfate bath, which employs a complicated additive system involving a minimum of two organic additives and chloride ion (as well as significant additive breakdown products). Pyrophosphate copper deposits exhibit stable properties without annealing and are typically twice as hard as acid sulfate copper deposits, which facilitates chemical mechanical planarization. The mechanical properties and texture of the fine-grained pyrophosphate copper deposits are also much less substrate dependent, which minimizes the effects of variations and flaws in the barrier and seed layers. Attack of copper seed layers is minimized for the copper pyrophosphate bath, which operates in the pH 8 to 9 range.

Abstract: An improved compressed air spray gun includes a conventional compressed air spray head unit connected to a mounting block. The mounting block is fabricated from an integral block of material and includes radially extending passageways intersecting within a medial portion of the mounting block and communicatively connecting at their intersection point with an outlet on the upper face of the mounting block which communicatively connects with the fluid inlet of the spray head unit. The passageways extend outwardly through the mounting block to form outlets on the peripheral side edge portions of the block. Fluid inlet ports are positioned on the lower face of the mounting block and extend into the block and communicate with respective ones of the passageways. Each fluid inlet port has connected thereto a fluid holding canister.