Abstract: Method and structure for optimizing and controlling chemical mechanical planarization are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include planarization techniques to make nonplanar surfaces comprising alternating metal and intermetal layers. Relative protrusion dimensions and uniformity of various layers may be accurately controlled using the disclosed techniques.

Abstract: Method and structure for optimizing and controlling chemical mechanical planarization are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include planarization techniques to make nonplanar surfaces comprising alternating metal and intermetal layers. Relative protrusion dimensions and uniformity of various layers may be accurately controlled using the disclosed techniques.

Abstract: Method and structure for optimizing and controlling chemical mechanical planarization are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include planarization techniques to make nonplanar surfaces comprising alternating metal and intermetal layers. Relative protrusion dimensions and uniformity of various layers may be accurately controlled using the disclosed techniques.

Abstract: Method and structure for optimizing and controlling chemical mechanical planarization are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include planarization techniques to make nonplanar surfaces comprising alternating metal and intermetal layers. Relative protrusion dimensions and uniformity of various layers may be accurately controlled using the disclosed techniques.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of providing a first substrate; forming an insulator over the first substrate; forming an opening in the insulator; forming a conductor over the insulator and in the opening; removing the conductor over the insulator with a first chemical-mechanical polish process to leave the conductor in the opening; and reducing thickness of the insulator with a second chemical-mechanical process to permit the conductor in the opening to protrude. The present invention further includes a structure having such a conductor that protrudes.

Abstract: A furnace is provided for the heating of glass sheets to be bent, whereby precise control of the temperature profile across a sheet may be achieved, resulting in improved control over the shape to which the sheet is bent. The furnace has at least one differential heating zone provided with a plurality of main heating elements, and at least one shield for directing heat radiated by said heating elements whereby a controlled differential heating of the glass sheet may be achieved. Transport means, e.g. wheeled boxes, are provided to advance the sheet through the furnace and bending means, e.g. gravity bending ring moulds, may bend the sheet either during, or subsequent to, the heating step.

Abstract: A method is provided in which a glass sheet is bent on a mould having a movable end, comprising the steps of: heating the glass sheet to its bending temperature; subjecting the glass sheet to an initial gravity bending step; providing support to a portion of the glass sheet located on the movable end of the mould; while providing said support, lowering said movable end away from the glass sheet; subjecting the glass sheet to a press bending step; cooling the bent glass sheet. Support may be provided by a reduced pressure within an upper mould, a mechanical arm, or gas directed in a generally upwards direction. The invention may be used for bending glass for architectural or automotive purposes, e.g. for bending a pair of glass sheets, one on top of the other, for use in the manufacture of a laminated windscreen, to achieve deep and/or complex bent shapes.

Abstract: A data transmission routing system which allows a terminal user to access an initial host within a computer network, the initial host determines a preferred target host to respond to the user's requests, the initial host communicates with a terminal or gateway node the target host's address, and the terminal or gateway node makes a connection wth the target host. Once the terminal or gateway node is in communication with the target host, the initial host forwards through the terminal or gateway node user profile information to the target host. The initial host is then disconnected and communication then proceeds with the user in contact with the target host through the terminal or gateway node. The entire process may take less than a second or two and the user may never know that a call deflection to a new host has occurred.

Abstract: Curved glass is maufactured by supporting glass on a sag bending mould which is passed through a furnace. During initial heating of the glass on the mould, hot air is directed around the mould beneath the glass to minimize the temperature difference between the mould and the glass.

Abstract: Thermally toughened glass sheets of thickness 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm, for use as motor vehicle side or rear windows, are produced by differential quenching producing a distribution of regions of more highly toughened glass interspersed with regions of lesser toughened glass. The average central tensile stress is in the range 62 MN/m.sup.2 to 53 MN/m.sup.2, and there is a distribution of areas in which the principal stresses acting in the plane of the glass sheet are unequal. The principal stress difference in some of the areas is at a maximum in the range 8 MN/m.sup.2 to 25 MN/m.sup.2, the major principal stresses in adjacent areas in which the principal stress difference is a maximum are in different directions, and the distance between the centers of such adjacent areas is in the range 15 mm to 30 mm.