Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus that includes a probe card having probe needles associated therewith. A temperature stabilizer element is couplable to the probe card. The temperature stabilizer is configured to either raise or lower a temperature of the probe needles to reduce movement of the probe needles.

Abstract: A system and method for removing photoresist or other organic compounds from semiconductor wafers is provided. Non-fluorinated reactant gases (O2, H2, H2O, N2 etc.) are activated in a quartz tube by a medium pressure surface wave discharge. As the plasma jet impinges on a substrate, volatile reaction products (H2O, CO2, or low molecular weight hydrocarbons) selectively remove the photoresist from the surface. The medium pressure also enables high gas temperatures that provide an effective source of heat in the reactive zone on the wafer that enhances etch rates and provides a practical means of removing ion implanted photoresist.

Abstract: A plunger tip for being located on a distal end of a syringe plunger and for sliding sealed engagement with an interior surface of a syringe barrel includes a core constructed of a generally rigid material. The core has a first end for being secured to the plunger, a second end and an endless sidewall between the first and second ends. An elastomeric sleeve at least partially surrounds the endless sidewall of the core.

Abstract: An energetic neutral particle lithographic apparatus is disclosed for replicating sub-micron and nanoscale patterns including a source producing a beam of energetic neutral particles, comprising atoms or molecules, by charge transfer scattering of energetic ions from the molecules of a gas, a mask member having open stencil windows in a supporting membrane, an energetic neutral particle protective layer on the membrane, and a reproduction member consisting of an energetic neutral particle-sensitive layer between a substrate and the mask for absorbing energetic neutral particles in a pattern created by the mask.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel ligands for transition metals. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of catalysts comprising these ligands in transition metal-eatalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The subject methods provide improvements in many features of the transition metal-catalyzed reactions, including the range of suitable substrates, reaction conditions, and efficiency.

Abstract: A surround sound processor system for multichannel redistribution of stereophonic signals has digitally controlled gains in each input and each output channel, controlled by a microprocessor, which receives an input signal from a microphone placed at the preferred listening location within the listening area for automatically balancing the input signals and setting both input and output gains during a calibration process so as to provide the listener with the best possible surround sound reproduction of the stereophonic source material. As a visual aid, the microprocessor displays menus and messages on a video screen, and a visual display shows the relative levels of the six axes of control signals within the surround sound processor.

Abstract: Communication units organized into user groups are divided into user groups that distinguish whether a member of the user group may or may not interrupt active calls. Communications will not be interrupted (303) by units that are not allowed to interrupt active calls. Communications are interrupted (304) only by units that are allowed to interrupt active calls.

Abstract: In a multi-site communication system (100), audience continuity of an established communication group call can be maintained by a central controller (116) in the following manner. Upon initial establishment of the call, the central controller (116) allocates a communication resource (105-108) of each site in a first set of sites (101-104) to the communication group and establishes an audience list of active communication units (111-115). The audience list is continually updated with information on newly transmitting communication units and relocation information of communication units already in the list throughout the group call. When the group call ends, the audience list is maintained for a predetermined period of time. If during this predetermined period of time, a subsequent group call is requested for the same communication group, the group call can be re-established based on the information contained in the audience list.

Abstract: A filter cartridge of the type made from a sheet of filter paper pleated as an accordion on a cylindrical surface. It is produced by pinching pairs of contiguous pleats at various levels in order to make on the outer surface of the cartridge a plurality of honeycombs. The invention results in substantially prolonged life of the filter cartridges, which have applications in a variety of uses, including regeneration of solvents of washing baths for dry cleaning machines, filtration of air for internal combustion engines and water filtration.