Abstract: An alignment measurement system measures an alignment target on an object. A measurement illuminates the target and is reflected. The reflected measurement beam is split and its parts are differently polarized. A detector receives the reflected measurement beam. A processing unit determines alignment on the basis of the measurement beam received by the detector. An alternative arrangement utilizes an optical dispersive fiber to guide a multi-wavelength measurement beam reflected from the object to a detector.

Abstract: An alignment mark determines alignment of a first and a second exposure on a substrate on a macro level and a micro level. The alignment mark includes a first alignment pattern projected during the first exposure and a second alignment pattern projected during the second exposure. The alignment mark includes a first sub-mark at least partially defined by the first alignment pattern and a second sub-mark at least partially defined by the second alignment pattern. Relative positions of the first and second sub-marks on the substrate are representative for alignment of the first and second exposures on the macro level. At least one sub-mark is defined by image lines of the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and wherein relative positions of image lines of the first alignment pattern and image lines of the second alignment pattern of the at least one sub-mark are representative for alignment of the first and second exposures on the micro level.

Abstract: A method is used to estimate a value representative for a level of alignment mark deformation on a processed substrate using an alignment system. The alignment sensor system is able to emit light at different measuring frequencies to reflect from an alignment mark on the substrate and to detect a diffraction pattern in the reflected light in order to measure an alignment position of the alignment mark. The two or more measuring frequencies are used to measure an alignment position deviation per alignment mark associated with each of the two or more measuring frequencies relative to an expected predetermined alignment position of the alignment mark. A value is determined representative for the spread in the determined alignment position deviations per alignment mark in order to estimate the level of alignment mark deformation.

Abstract: An IP packet may include an IP header and one or more optional IP extension headers. The packet may contain non-IP protocol data in one of the IP extension headers. An application that uses non-IP protocol data may use the non-IP protocol data from the IP extension header. This allows an application designed for a non-IP protocol stack to operate on a device with an IP protocol stack with minimal modification. The non-IP protocol data may support routing options within a network or sub-network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an extraction method. A conduit is formed in a heap-leach pad. The heap-leach pad includes a plurality of poorly perfused areas. The conduit is in fluid communication with poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad. A fluid that includes steam is injected into the conduit. The fluid travels through the heap-leach pad and condenses in poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad. An extraction solution is applied to the heap-leach pad. Condensation of steam in the poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad provides new flow pathways for the extraction solution.

Abstract: An air boost device such as a turbocharger, wherein the compressor wheel thereof is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.

Abstract: A compressor wheel (20) for an air boost device and a method for designing the wheel are provided. The compressor wheel (20) comprises a hub (24) and a plurality of blades (22, 23) connected to the hub (24). The plurality of blades (22, 23) have a ratio (f/N) of natural frequency to maximum rotational speed of less than 4.0 and are made from a titanium alloy. The plurality of blades (22, 23) can comprise a plurality of full blades (22) and a plurality of splitter blades (23).

Abstract: A paper-based plant pot comprises a container formed from a sheet of paper-based material wrapped about an axis, opposite edge portions of the sheet being secured to each other, the container having a side wall that encircles the axis and a bottom wall formed by a plurality of bottom panels of the sheet folded inwardly from a lower edge of the side wall and engaging one another. The sheet comprises a paperboard substrate formed of natural cellulose fibers, an internal sizing composition incorporated into the paperboard substrate so as to render the paperboard substrate substantially resistant to saturation by liquid water, and a thermoplastic polymer layer on one of the major surfaces of the paperboard substrate. The thermoplastic polymer layer faces an interior of the container and forms an inner surface thereof for contact with soil or other growing medium placed in the container.

Abstract: Articles that are cast from a particular titanium alloy can achieve a relatively high fatigue strength. The titanium alloy is an (?+?) titanium alloy that has a nominal composition of about 5.5 to about 6.63 mass percent aluminum, about 3.5 to about 4.5 mass percent vanadium, about 1.0 to about 2.5 mass percent chromium, maximum of 0.50 mass percent iron, about 0.15 to about 0.25 mass percent oxygen, about 0.06 to about 0.12 mass percent silicon, and at least 80 mass percent titanium or the balance titanium (Ti) with the exception of some allowable impurities. In one exemplary application, this titanium alloy may be used to cast a turbocharger compressor wheel.

Abstract: A pattern formed on a substrate includes first and second sub-patterns positioned adjacent one another and having respective first and second periodicities. The pattern is observed to obtain a combined signal which includes a beat component having a third periodicity at a frequency lower than that of the first and second periodicities. A measurement of performance of the lithographic process is determined by reference to a phase of the beat component. Depending how the sub-patterns are formed, the performance parameter might be critical dimension (CD) or overlay, for example. For CD measurement, one of the sub-patterns may comprise marks each having of a portion sub-divided by product-like features. The measurement can be made using an existing alignment sensor of a lithographic apparatus. Sensitivity and accuracy of the measurement can be adjusted by selection of the first and second periodicities, and hence the third periodicity.

Abstract: An alignment measurement system measures an alignment target on an object. A measurement illuminates the target and is reflected. The reflected measurement beam is split and its parts are differently polarized. A detector receives the reflected measurement beam. A processing unit determines alignment on the basis of the measurement beam received by the detector. An alternative arrangement utilizes an optical dispersive fiber to guide a multi-wavelength measurement beam reflected from the object to a detector.

Abstract: An alignment mark determines alignment of a first and a second exposure on a substrate on a macro level and a micro level. The alignment mark includes a first alignment pattern projected during the first exposure and a second alignment pattern projected during the second exposure. The alignment mark includes a first sub-mark at least partially defined by the first alignment pattern and a second sub-mark at least partially defined by the second alignment pattern. Relative positions of the first and second sub-marks on the substrate are representative for alignment of the first and second exposures on the macro level. At least one sub-mark is defined by image lines of the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern, and wherein relative positions of image lines of the first alignment pattern and image lines of the second alignment pattern of the at least one sub-mark are representative for alignment of the first and second exposures on the micro level.

Abstract: A method of production of alignment marks uses a self-aligned double patterning process. An alignment mark pattern is provided with first and second sub-segmented elements. After selecting the dipolar illumination orientation, dipole-X is used to illuminate the pattern and to image the first elements on the wafer, but not the second elements. Alternatively, dipole-Y is used to illuminate the pattern and to image the second elements on the wafer, but not the first elements. In either case, self-aligned double patterning processing may then be performed to produce product-like alignment marks with high contrast and wafer quality (WQ). Subsequently the X and Y alignment marks thus produced are used for the step of alignment in a lithographic process.

Abstract: A paper-based plant pot comprises a container formed from a sheet of paper-based material wrapped about an axis, opposite edge portions of the sheet being secured to each other, the container having a side wall that encircles the axis and a bottom wall formed by a plurality of bottom panels of the sheet folded inwardly from a lower edge of the side wall and engaging one another. The sheet comprises a paperboard substrate formed of natural cellulose fibers, an internal sizing composition incorporated into the paperboard substrate so as to render the paperboard substrate substantially resistant to saturation by liquid water, and a thermoplastic polymer layer on one of the major surfaces of the paperboard substrate. The thermoplastic polymer layer faces an interior of the container and forms an inner surface thereof for contact with soil or other growing medium placed in the container.

Abstract: A compressor wheel (20) for an air boost device and a method for designing the wheel are provided. The compressor wheel (20) comprises a hub (24) and a plurality of blades (22, 23) connected to the hub (24). The plurality of blades (22, 23) have a ratio (f/N) of natural frequency to maximum rotational speed of less than 4.0 and are made from a titanium alloy. The plurality of blades (22, 23) can comprise a plurality of full blades (22) and a plurality of splitter blades (23).

Abstract: Combustible packages for containing a fuel source and a fire started are provided. A combustible package may include a cardboard outer wall and top and bottom lids for substantially closing top and bottom openings defined by the outer wall. Each lid may define a central panel for extending across an opening and a plurality of tabs for facilitating a press fit between the lids and the outer wall. Each lid may also define a central opening for receiving an end of a fire starter. The fire starter may be wound paper tube impregnated with an accelerant. The fuel source may be a plurality of charcoal briquettes contained between the outer wall, the top and bottom lids and the fire starter. The outer wall may define one or more ventilation openings between the bottom edge and the bottom lid. Or the bottom edge may be scalloped to provide ventilation openings.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for reserve allocation of event data. A request event is received. The request event is associated with memory storing request event data. Memory for response event data is allocated from a first pool. The response event data is associated with a response, and the response is associated with the request. Upon failure of the allocation of memory for the response event data, memory is obtained for out-of-memory response event data. The out-of-memory response event data is associated with the response event. The request event is completed using the response event.

Abstract: An air boost device such as a turbocharger, wherein the compressor wheel thereof is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.

Abstract: The device consists of a shaft with a detachable brush head. The brush head is a new design incorporating the utility of an expandable self adjusting area that yields a complete sample of the endocervix and exocervix regardless of varying individual anatomy. The brush head has protrusions disposed at strategic positions with flat surface collection areas. A ledge with protrusions samples the exocervical area and a middle portion samples the endocervical area. The middle portion automatically elongates from approximately 2 cm to 5.5 cm as to adjust to individual anatomies as the brush head is inserted into the cervical canal. The brush head is matched to a special collection container that permits the brush head to be detached and deposited into the container without the handling of the brush/head area. The special conical insert within the container automatically orients brush head for passage through horizontal slot at bottom of insert without operator's need to manually align.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing intelligent synchronization includes a processing element configured to receive a message indicating that data for synchronization is available. The processing element may also be configured to select, in response to receipt of the message, a synchronization method from a plurality of synchronization methods based at least in part on whether the apparatus includes new data that has not been communicated to a synchronization element.