Abstract: A method for fabricating encapsulated micro-channels in a substrate is described. The method includes the formation of a thin film layer over an area of a substrate. Following the formation of the thin layer, a periodic array of access holes are formed within the thin film layer along dimensions of one or more desired micro-channels. Following formation of the access holes, the one or more micro-channels are formed, via the access holes, within an underlying layer of the substrate. Finally, the one or more micro-channels are encapsulated, thereby closing the one or more access holes along the dimensions of the desired micro-channels. Accordingly, the method is suitable in one context for rapid prototyping of micro-electromechanical systems in the areas of, for example, RF micro-systems, fluidic micro-systems and bio-fluidic applications. In addition, the method enables the rapid prototyping of integrated circuits.

Abstract: Time-correlated photon counting is used to measure integrated circuit (IC) performance related to signal jitter (such as clock jitter) in a manner that is non-invasive to the circuit or node of interest. The signal jitter is measured by counting photon emissions at various nodes of interest across a controlled collapse chip connect (C4) mounted die, without interfering with the normal operation of the circuit of interest. This increases the precision and accuracy of the measurement of signal jitter significantly, since small amounts of phase noise on a particular clock signal edge can be detected. The emitted photons can be detected and subsequently correlated to a precise time base to obtain a statistical spread of switching events in time. The range of the photon distribution can be used to reliably determine safe and reasonable timing guard bands for clock and data paths in an IC.

Abstract: Time-correlated photon counting is used to measure integrated circuit (IC) performance related to signal jitter (such as clock jitter) in a manner that is non-invasive to the circuit or node of interest. The signal jitter is measured by counting photon emissions at various nodes of interest across a controlled collapse chip connect (C4) mounted die, without interfering with the normal operation of the circuit of interest. This increases the precision and accuracy of the measurement of signal jitter significantly, since small amounts of phase noise on a particular clock signal edge can be detected. The emitted photons can be detected and subsequently correlated to a precise time base to obtain a statistical spread of switching events in time. The range of the photon distribution can be used to reliably determine safe and reasonable timing guard bands for clock and data paths in an IC.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating encapsulated micro-channels in a substrate is described. The apparatus includes the formation of a thin film layer over an area of a substrate. Following the formation of the thin layer, a periodic array of access windows are formed within the thin film layer along dimensions of one or more desired micro-channels. Following formation of the access windows, the one or more micro-channels are formed within an underlying layer of the substrate. Finally, the one or more micro-channels are encapsulated, thereby closing the one or more access windows along the dimensions of the desired micro-channels. Accordingly, the apparatus is suitable in one context for rapid prototyping of micro-electromechanical systems in the areas of, for example, RF micro-systems, fluidic micro-systems and bio-fluidic applications. In addition, the apparatus enables the rapid prototyping of integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating encapsulated micro-channels in a substrate is described. The method includes the formation of a thin film layer over an area of a substrate. Following the formation of the thin layer, a periodic array of access windows are formed within the thin film layer along dimensions of one or more desired micro-channels. Following formation of the access windows, the one or more micro-channels are formed within an underlying layer of the substrate. Finally, the one or more micro-channels are encapsulated, thereby closing the one or more access windows along the dimensions of the desired micro-channels. Accordingly, the method is suitable in one context for rapid prototyping of micro-electromechanical systems in the areas of, for example, RF micro-systems, fluidic micro-systems and bio-fluidic applications. In addition, the method enables the rapid prototyping of integrated circuits.