Abstract: In a method of vapor etching, a sample that includes a first layer atop of and in contact with a second layer which is atop of and in contact with a third layer, wherein at least the first and second layers are comprised of different materials. The sample is etched by a vapor etchant under first process conditions that cause at least a part of the first layer to be fully removed while leaving the third layer and the second layer underlying the removed part of the first layer substantially unetched. The sample is then etched by the same or a different vapor etchant under second process conditions that cause at least the part of the second layer exposed by the removal of the at least part of the first layer to be fully removed while leaving the third layer underlying the removed part of the second layer substantially unetched.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of vapor etching, a sample (S) to be etched is located in a main chamber 107 from which the atmosphere inside is evacuated. Etching gas is input into the main chamber 107 for a first period of time. Thereafter, the etching gas is evacuated from the main chamber 107 and cooling/purging gas is input into the main chamber for a second interval of time. Thereafter, the cooling/purging gas is evacuated from the main chamber 107. Desirably, the steps of inputting the etching gas into the main chamber 107 for the first period of time, evacuating the etching gas from the main chamber, inputting the cooling/purging gas into the main chamber 107 for the second period of time, and evacuating the cooling/purging gas from the main chamber are repeated until samples have been etched to a desired extent.

Abstract: In a method and system for vapor etching, a material to be etched and an etch resistant material are placed into an etching chamber. Thereafter, a pressure in the etching chamber is adjusted to a desired pressure and the substrate is exposed to an etching gas and a gas that comprises oxygen. The exposure substantially selectively etches the material to be etched while substantially avoiding the etching of the etch resistant material.

Abstract: In a system and method of etching a sample disposed in an etching chamber, a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas is discharged, one at a time, into a sample etching chamber. The discharge of each charge of etching gas occurs such that a momentary overlap exists in the end discharge of one charge of etching gas with the beginning discharge of another charge of etching gas, whereupon the desired flow of etching gas into the etching chamber is maintained. During discharge of one charge of etching gas, a previously discharged charge of etching gas is recharged. The process of discharging a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas, one at a time, and recharging at least one previously discharged charges of etching gas during the discharge of at least one charge of etching gas continues until the sample is etched to a desired extent.

Abstract: In a method of vapor etching, a sample that includes a first layer atop of and in contact with a second layer which is atop of and in contact with a third layer, wherein at least the first and second layers are comprised of different materials. The sample is etched by a vapor etchant under first process conditions that cause at least a part of the first layer to be fully removed while leaving the third layer and the second layer underlying the removed part of the first layer substantially unetched. The sample is then etched by the same or a different vapor etchant under second process conditions that cause at least the part of the second layer exposed by the removal of the at least part of the first layer to be fully removed while leaving the third layer underlying the removed part of the second layer substantially unetched.

Abstract: In a system and method of etching a sample disposed in an etching chamber, a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas is discharged, one at a time, into a sample etching chamber. The discharge of each charge of etching gas occurs such that a momentary overlap exists in the end discharge of one charge of etching gas with the beginning discharge of another charge of etching gas, whereupon the desired flow of etching gas into the etching chamber is maintained. During discharge of one charge of etching gas, a previously discharged charge of etching gas is recharged. The process of discharging a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas, one at a time, and recharging at least one previously discharged charges of etching gas during the discharge of at least one charge of etching gas continues until the sample is etched to a desired extent.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of vapor etching, a sample (S) to be etched is located in a main chamber 107 from which the atmosphere inside is evacuated. Etching gas is input into the main chamber 107 for a first period of time. Thereafter, the etching gas is evacuated from the main chamber 107 and cooling/purging gas is input into the main chamber for a second interval of time. Thereafter, the cooling/purging gas is evacuated from the main chamber 107. Desirably, the steps of inputting the etching gas into the main chamber 107 for the first period of time, evacuating the etching gas from the main chamber, inputting the cooling/purging gas into the main chamber 107 for the second period of time, and evacuating the cooling/purging gas from the main chamber are repeated until samples have been etched to a desired extent.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of vapor etching, a sample (S) to be etched is located in a main chamber (107) from which the atmosphere inside is evacuated. Etching gas is input into the main chamber (107) for a first period of time. Thereafter, the etching gas is evacuated from the main chamber (107) and cooling/purging gas is input into the main chamber for a second interval of time. Thereafter, the cooling/purging gas is evacuated from the main chamber (107). Desirably, the steps of inputting the etching gas into the main chamber (107) for the first period of time, evacuating the etching gas from the main chamber, inputting the cooling/purging gas into the main chamber (107) for the second period of time, and evacuating the cooling/purging gas from the main chamber are repeated until samples have been etched to a desired extent.

Abstract: In a system and method of etching a sample disposed in an etching chamber, a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas is discharged, one at a time, into a sample etching chamber. The discharge of each charge of etching gas occurs such that a momentary overlap exists in the end discharge of one charge of etching gas with the beginning discharge of another charge of etching gas, whereupon the desired flow of etching gas into the etching chamber is maintained. During discharge of one charge of etching gas, a previously discharged charge of etching gas is recharged. The process of discharging a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas, one at a time, and recharging at least one previously discharged charges of etching gas during the discharge of at least one charge of etching gas continues until the sample is etched to a desired extent.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosis, markers, and screening techniques and animal models for assessing the severity and/or progression or regression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COPD-related diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of vapor etching, a sample (S) to be etched is located in a main chamber (107) from which the atmosphere inside is evacuated. Etching gas is input into the main chamber (107) for a first period of time. Thereafter, the etching gas is evacuated from the main chamber (107) and cooling/purging gas is input into the main chamber for a second interval of time. Thereafter, the cooling/purging gas is evacuated from the main chamber (107). Desirably, the steps of inputting the etching gas into the main chamber (107) for the first period of time, evacuating the etching gas from the main chamber, inputting the cooling/purging gas into the main chamber (107) for the second period of time, and evacuating the cooling/purging gas from the main chamber are repeated until samples have been etched to a desired extent.