Abstract: A method and structure for a microelectronic device comprises a first film over a substrate, a first polish resistant layer over the first film, a second film over the first polish resistant layer, a second polish resistant layer over the second film, wherein the first and second polish resistant layers comprise diamond-like carbon. The first film comprises an electrically resistive material, while the second film comprises low resistance conductive material. The first film is an electrical resistor embodied as a magnetic read sensor. The electrically resistive material is sensitive to magnetic fields. The device further comprises a generally vertical junction between the first and second films and a dielectric film abutted to the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: A method and structure for a microelectronic device comprises a first film over a substrate, a first polish resistant layer over the first film, a second film over the first polish resistant layer, a second polish resistant layer over the second film, wherein the first and second polish resistant layers comprise diamond-like carbon. The first film comprises an electrically resistive material, while the second film comprises low resistance conductive material. The first film is an electrical resistor embodied as a magnetic read sensor. The electrically resistive material is sensitive to magnetic fields. The device further comprises a generally vertical junction between the first and second films and a dielectric film abutted to the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: A method and structure for a microelectronic device comprises a first film over a substrate, a first polish resistant layer over the first film, a second film over the first polish resistant layer, a second polish resistant layer over the second film, wherein the first and second polish resistant layers comprise diamond-like carbon. The first film comprises an electrically resistive material, while the second film comprises low resistance conductive material. The first film is an electrical resistor embodied as a magnetic read sensor. The electrically resistive material is sensitive to magnetic fields. The device further comprises a generally vertical junction between the first and second films and a dielectric film abutted to the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: A single width bar code exhibiting inherent self clocking characteristics is provided so as to be particularly useful in the identification of semiconductor wafers in very large scale integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The codes described herein are robust, reliable and highly readable even in the face of relatively high variations in scanning speed. The codes are also desirably dense in terms of character representations per linear centimeter, an important consideration in semiconductor manufacturing wherein space on the chips and the wafer is at a premium. Additionally, a preferred embodiment of the present invention exhibits a minimum number for the maximum number of spaces between adjacent bars in code symbol sequences.

Abstract: A general bit manipulator structure for parallel accessing a variable width data bus wherein, with a data bus of variable width N.sub.c and a data field of N.sub.f, the structure can place the data field on the data bus with bit 1 of the data field aligned with a selected bit n within the data bus width. If the data field N.sub.f extends beyond the end of the data bus, the overflow bits of the data field are "wrapped around" and placed at the beginning of the data bus starting at position 1 of the data bus. Also, special signals are generated and accompany these overflow or wrapped bits. Furthermore, select signals are generated to indicate which bits of the data bus contain valid data when the width of the data field is less than the width of the data bus. The structure includes a modulo N.sub.c combinational ring shifter for aligning the data field with the data bus.

Abstract: A display architecture is disclosed which supports a variable, selectable number of bits per chip and a variable, selectable segment width. The architecture comprises a plurality of dynamic memory chips and a function generator. Each of the memory chips includes at least two data islands wherein each data island has its own data in/out line, chip select and increment bit supplied by the function generator. The function generator receives a starting address X.sub.o, Y.sub.o, the data path width N.sub.D and an encoded segment width S. A bit incrementer in the function generator generates increment bits A.sub.I based on the externally supplied modulo N.sub.D. The function generator generates the physical word address w.sub.o and physical bit address b.sub.o based on the starting address X.sub.o, Y.sub.o, the data path width N.sub.D and the encoded segment width S. Logic circuitry is provided which is responsive to an overflow bit produced by the bit incrementer to control spill and wrap functions.

Abstract: A communicating random access shared memory configuration for a multiprocessor system is connected to the processors for transferring data between the processors. The random access memory configuration includes a plurality of interconnected random access memory chips, each of these memory chips including first and second separate memory bit arrays having N word storage locations of M bit length with M bit buffer connected in between the first and second bit arrays on each memory chip, and first and second input/output ports connected to first and second bit arrays on each chip for entering and removing data externally to and from the chip. A controller is located on each chip and connected to the first and second memory arrays and the M bit buffer for transferring data between the first and second memory arrays and into and out of the first and second input/output ports.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for augmenting a random access memory with a fast clear or reset mechanism are described. A dynamic RAM having a fast clear mechanism in accordance with the present invention includes means for coupling a digital signal onto all bit lines; and fast reset control means operative for energizing the coupling means for connecting the digital signal to all of the bit lines such that upon energizing of a selected word line, all the bits connected to the selected word line are reset to the state of the digital signal, whereby reset time of the random access memory is reduced. The present invention is especially beneficial for incorporation in a frame buffer of an all points addressable raster scan display, and in a page buffer of an all points addressable printer wherein there is a requirement for high update performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor random access memory is provided having a second asynchronous input/output port. Block transfers of data can be effected to and from the memory using the second input/output port. Memory throughput efficiency is improved permitting functions such as display refresh in a mapped memory display to be accomplished through the second input/output port. Memory bus contention on the primary port is also relieved. The main input/output port is thereby free to receive new data for a higher percentage of available transfer time since refresh data is available at the second input/output port.

Abstract: A unit magnification optical system having micron resolution capability over a broad frequency spectrum. A spherical concave mirror is used to provide unit magnification at high numerical aperture with respect to object and image planes which are both located at or in the proximity of the center of curvature of the mirror, or the optical equivalent thereof. A first refractory element optically close to the object and image planes corrects longitudinal chromatic aberration of the principal rays while a second refractory element optically close to the mirror corrects residual longitudinal chromatic aberration of the marginal rays. In the preferred embodiment, a double prism arrangement located between the first refractory element and the center of curvature of the mirror optically reflects the object and image planes to parallel opposed positions having a common axis perpendicular to the axis of the mirror.

Abstract: Plane polarized light is reflected from a surface of a sample film to produce an elliptically polarized reflected beam. The reflected beam is passed sequentially through a rotating one-quarter wave plate and a fixed analyzer which transmits a beam whose intensity varies as a function of the rotational angle of the plate. The transmitted beam impinges upon a photodetector which produces an electric signal proportional to the intensity of the transmitted light. The rotating one-quarter wave plate cyclically varies the polarization of the beam, so that the electrical signal, when numerically Fourier analyzed, provides Fourier coefficients having both sin .DELTA. and cos .DELTA. terms, where the ellipsometric parameter .DELTA. is the instantaneous phase difference between the parallel (R.sub.p) and perpendicular (R.sub.s) components of the electric vector of the elliptically polarized reflected beam; therefore, the phase difference .DELTA. is uniquely and unambiguously defined in a single measurement.

Abstract: A plurality of magnetic liquid streams is simultaneously excited to produce a plurality of streams of magnetic droplets of substantially uniform spacing and substantially uniform velocity. Each of the droplets in each of the streams passes over a separate selector for each stream to determine whether the droplet will be utilized for printing on a paper. A predetermined number of the droplets of each of the streams is subjected to a time periodic deflection to cause a first half of the predetermined number of droplets, which have been selected for printing by the selectors, to engage a paper in a first line and a second half to engage the paper in a second line. A ramp voltage deflection is separately applied to the predetermined number of droplets of each stream subjected to each half of the time periodic deflection to cause the print lines of the droplets to be orthogonal to the direction of movement of the paper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating target patterns with reference to a fixed axis. The apparatus includes a collimated light source providing a light beam to a rotating prism and optical flat producing a rotating light beam. A lens whose axis is the fixed axis focuses the beam to a spot on a surface containing a pattern comprising regularly spaced light scattering surfaces. A light sensor detects light from the rotating beam scattered by the target. An incremental shaft encoder provides a real time indication of spot position. The light sensor output provides a measure of target location and orientation with reference to the lens axis. The encoder can be used to control sampling apparatus and an A/D converter to provide regular digital samples of the light sensor output.

Abstract: Measurements of physical attributes such as dielectric film thickness that are susceptible to spectral analysis are accomplished rapidly and accurately by a spectrophotometric system in which a programmed digital computer operating concurrently with the optical scanning means automatically performs the calibrating, normalizing and data reducing functions that otherwise must be carried out as time-consuming human, mechanical or analog electronic operations. The control over the optical data handling operations exercised by the computer eliminates the need for mechanically or electronically adjusting the optical apparatus to meet changing system conditions, whether periodic or aperiodic.