Abstract: A method for forming a via in an integrated circuit comprises patterning a first opening in a first hardmask, the first hardmask disposed on a first organic self-planarizing polymer (OPL) layer, removing an exposed portion of the first OPL layer to define a cavity, removing an exposed portion of a second hardmask in the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a first dielectric layer disposed under the second hardmask to further define the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a first cap layer in the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a second dielectric layer to further define the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a second cap layer to further define the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a liner layer over a second conductive material in the cavity, and depositing a conductive material in the cavity.

Abstract: A method for forming a via in an integrated circuit comprises patterning a first opening in a first hardmask, the first hardmask disposed on a first organic self-planarizing polymer (OPL) layer, removing an exposed portion of the first OPL layer to define a cavity, removing an exposed portion of a second hardmask in the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a first dielectric layer disposed under the second hardmask to further define the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a first cap layer in the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a second dielectric layer to further define the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a second cap layer to further define the cavity, removing an exposed portion of a liner layer over a second conductive material in the cavity, and depositing a conductive material in the cavity.

Abstract: A selective wet etching process is used, prior to air gap opening formation, to remove a sacrificial nitride layer from over a first region of an interconnect dielectric material containing a plurality of first conductive metal structures utilizing a titanium nitride hard mask portion located over a second region of the interconnect dielectric material as an etch mask. The titanium nitride hard mask portion located over the second region of the interconnect dielectric material is thereafter removed, again prior to air gap opening formation, utilizing another wet etch process. The wet etching processes are used instead of reactive ion etching.

Abstract: After forming a manganese (Mn)-containing cap layer over interconnects embedded in an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer, a lithographic stack is formed over the Mn-containing cap layer. The lithographic stack is subsequently patterned to expose a portion of the Mn-containing cap layer that overlies a subset of the interconnects between which the air gaps are to be formed. A portion of the ILD layer located between the subset of the interconnects is damaged through the exposed portion of the Mn-containing cap layer. The damaged portion of the ILD layer is subsequently removed to form openings between the subset of the interconnects. The Mn-containing cap layer acts as a temporary protection layer preventing erosion of the underlying interconnects during the air gap formation.

Abstract: After completely etching through a material stack comprising an oxide hard mask layer and an underlying interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer formed on a substrate to provide at least one opening, top corners of the at least one opening are rounded by performing a plasma etch employing a combination of an etching gas and a deposition gas comprising a hydrofluorocarbon compound. The hydrofluorocarbon compound forms a hydrofluorocarbon polymer layer on sidewalls of the at least one opening and helps to preserve the profile of the at least one opening.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sequencing system capable of rapidly imaging samples at multiple wavelengths are provided herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a fast-indexing filter wheel having a plurality of excitation and emission filters capable of being rapidly rotated into and out of communication with an excitation source (e.g., an arc lamp, a laser. For example, the filter wheel can be configured to index in an amount of time falling within a range of about 40 ms to about 60 ms, preferably 50 ms. The system can also be configured to account for vibrations resulting from the quick starts and stops of the fast-indexing filter wheel as well as vibrations resulting from other sources. Various methods of rapidly imaging a sample at multiple wavelengths are also provided herein.

Abstract: Toy surfboard toys and methods of a figurine mounted on a surfboard with hydrofoil allowing the surfboard to ride incoming waves back to a shore. The hydrofoil can have a V or boomerang shape with side wings having ends extending rearward and out from the surfboard. Wing ends can be curved discs for stability. Optional stabilizing tail/fin/rudder can extend rearward from the hydrofoil. Games can include racing toys by tossing them simultaneously from the shore to see which one reaches the shore first.

Abstract: Toy surfboard toys and methods of a figurine mounted on a surfboard with hydrofoil allowing the surfboard to ride incoming waves back to a shore. The hydrofoil can have a V or boomerang shape with side wings having ends extending rearward and out from the surfboard. Wing ends can be curved discs for stability. Optional stabilizing tail/fin/rudder can extend rearward from the hydrofoil. Games can include racing toys by tossing them simultaneously from the shore to see which one reaches the shore first.

Abstract: A device for loading cartridges into a magazine comprising: a magazine housing; a bullet carrier comprising a cartridge support seat and a spring; and a rod that is inserted into an aperture in the bottom end of the magazine housing and through the middle of the spring. In one embodiment, the cartridge support seat comprising a viewing port and a trough that extends from the underside of the cartridge support seat and is situated adjacent to the viewing port and beneath the feed lips of the magazine housing, and the L-shaped end of the rod is inserted through the middle of the spring and onto the shelf of the trough. In an alternate embodiment, the cartridge support seat comprises a viewing port and a second aperture, and the L-shaped end of the rod is inserted through the middle of the spring, through the viewing port, and into the second aperture.

Abstract: A device for loading cartridges into a magazine comprising: a magazine housing; a bullet carrier comprising a cartridge support seat and a spring; and a rod that is inserted into an aperture in the bottom end of the magazine housing and through the middle of the spring. In one embodiment, the cartridge support seat comprising a viewing port and a trough that extends from the underside of the cartridge support seat and is situated adjacent to the viewing port and beneath the feed lips of the magazine housing, and the L-shaped end of the rod is inserted through the middle of the spring and onto the shelf of the trough. In an alternate embodiment, the cartridge support seat comprises a viewing port and a second aperture, and the L-shaped end of the rod is inserted through the middle of the spring, through the viewing port, and into the second aperture.

Abstract: A universal resistance testing device is provided and includes a bridge circuit, a metering circuit, a comparator circuit, and an output circuit. The universal resistance testing device is incorporated into a control circuit and is used to verify a resistive value of a variable resistance device. The universal resistance testing device includes multiple replaceable resistors to thereby allow the universal resistance testing device to be used in the same control circuit to test different variable resistance devices having a different resistive value.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sequencing system capable of rapidly imaging samples at multiple wavelengths are provided herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a fast-indexing filter wheel having a plurality of excitation and emission filters capable of being rapidly rotated into and out of communication with an excitation source (e.g., an arc lamp, a laser. For example, the filter wheel can be configured to index in an amount of time falling within a range of about 40 ms to about 60 ms, preferably 50 ms. The system can also be configured to account for vibrations resulting from the quick starts and stops of the fast-indexing filter wheel as well as vibrations resulting from other sources. Various methods of rapidly imaging a sample at multiple wavelengths are also provided herein.

Abstract: An interlocking device for a drawer slide is disposed at the end of a drawer and comprises a positioning block disposed at the end of the fixed slide rail, at least one moveable slide rail received in the fixed slide rail, a control block assembly, a first locking member, a second locking member, a pivot control member and a spring. The first and second locking members are pushed to clamp the pivot control member by the spring. The control block of the control block assembly is fixed at the end of the moveable slide rail. The drawer is used to move a control block on the slide rail, and then the guiding portion and the pushing block of the control block can push the pivot control member to move. Therefore, the interlocking device for a drawer slide is simple.

Abstract: An interlocking device for a drawer slide is disposed at the end of a drawer and comprises a positioning block disposed at the end of the fixed slide rail, at least one moveable slide rail received in the fixed slide rail, a control block assembly, a first locking member, a second locking member, a pivot control member and a spring. The first and second locking members are pushed to clamp the pivot control member by the spring. The control block of the control block assembly is fixed at the end of the moveable slide rail. The drawer is used to move a control block on the slide rail, and then the guiding portion and the pushing block of the control block can pDush the pivot control member to move. Therefore, the interlocking device for a drawer slide is simple.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the compound of the formula To methods of treating upper and lower obstructive airway diseases using said compound, to formulations comprising it, and to polymorphs and processes of synthesis of the polymorphic forms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a particular material, such as photo-resist material, on a sample surface are disclosed. A narrow beam of light is projected onto the sample surface and the fluoresced and/or reflected light intensity at a particular wavelength band is measured by a light detector. The light intensity is converted to a numerical value and transmitted electronically to a logic circuit, which determines the proper disposition of the sample. The logic circuit controls a sample-handling robotic device which sequentially transfers samples to and from a stage for testing and subsequent disposition. The method is particularly useful for detecting photo-resist material on the surface of a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluid systems comprising a first fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a second fluid comprising an alkaline crosslinked fluid. The fluid combinations of the present invention may be used, for example, in hydraulic fracturing, frac-packing, and gravel packing. Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems for treating a subterranean formation comprising a first fluid comprising a foamed carbon dioxide fluid, an emulsion of carbon dioxide, or a carbon dioxide gel; and, a second fluid comprising an alkaline crosslinked fluid.

Abstract: A glass shard-paved structure includes a substrate having an outer surface, and a plurality of glass shards bonded to the outer surface of the substrate so as to form a glass pattern on the substrate. The glass shards are formed by mixing raw glass shards with carbon powders so as to permit adhesion of the carbon powders to the surface of each of the raw glass shards, heating the raw glass shards so as to melt the surface of each of the raw glass shards, cooling the heated glass shards, and removing the carbon powders from the glass shards.