Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and computer readable medium for configuring programmable equipment having hardware devices that can be programmatically interconnected into different hardware configurations. A graphical user interface is provided on a computer display which permits a user to iconically define both a hardware and procedural configuration of the available hardware devices. Configuration data is generated that can be used to automatically configure the programmable equipment according to the user-defined hardware and procedural configuration.

Abstract: Shielding associated with an ion source, such as an anode layer source, reduces the amount and/or concentration of sputtered contaminants impinging and remaining on the surface of a target substrate. While passing the ion beam through to the target substrate, shielding can reduce the total amount of sputtered contaminants impinging the substrate before, during, and/or after passage of the substrate through the envelope of the etching beam. Particularly, a shield configuration that blocks the contaminants from impinging the substrate after the substrate passes through the etching beam (i.e., outside of the envelope of the etching beam) yields a higher quality substrate with reduced substrate contamination.

Abstract: Magnetic materials having a coercivity not less than about 1000 Oersted are prepared in a single step procedure. A molten mixture of a desired composition having a relatively high boron content is cooled at a rate slower than about 105 degrees Celsius per second. Preferably, the molten mixture is cooled by depositing it on a chilled surface such that it forms a layer between about 120 and about 300, and preferably between about 120 and about 150, microns thick.

Abstract: An ion source design and manufacturing techniques allows longitudinal cathode expansion along the length of the anode layer source (ALS). Cathode covers are used to secure the cathode plates to the source body assembly of an ion source. The cathode covers allow the cathode plate to expand along the longitudinal axis of the ion source, thereby relieving the stress introduced by differential thermal expansion. In addition, the cathode cover configuration allows for less expensive cathode plates, including modular cathode plates. Such plates can be adjusted relative to the cathode-cathode gap to prolong the life of a given cathode plate and maintain source performance requirements. A cathode plate in a linear section of an ion source has symmetrical edges and can, therefore, be flipped over to exchange the first (worn) cathode edge with the second (unworn) cathode edge.

Abstract: A modular ion source design relies on relatively short modular anode layer source (ALS) components, which can be coupled together to form a longer ALS. For long ion sources, these shorter modular components allow for easier manufacturing and further result in a final assembly having better precision (e.g., a uniform gap dimensions along the longitudinal axis of the ion source). Modular components may be designed to have common characteristics so as to allow use of these components in ion sources of varying sizes. A modular gas distribution system uniformly distributes a working gas to the ionization region of the module ion source. For each gas distribution module, gas distribution channels and baffles are laid out relative to the module joints to prevent gas leakage. Furthermore, gas manifolds and supply channels are used to bridge module joints while uniformly distributing the working gas to the ALS.

Abstract: An ion source design and manufacturing techniques allows longitudinal cathode expansion along the length of the anode layer source (ALS). Cathode covers are used to secure the cathode plates to the source body assembly of an ion source. The cathode covers allow the cathode plate to expand along the longitudinal axis of the ion source, thereby relieving the stress introduced by differential thermal expansion. In addition, the cathode cover configuration allows for less expensive cathode plates, including modular cathode plates. Such plates can be adjusted relative to the cathode-cathode gap to prolong the life of a given cathode plate and maintain source performance requirements. A cathode plate in a linear section of an ion source has symmetrical edges and can, therefore, be flipped over to exchange the first (worn) cathode edge with the second (unworn) cathode edge.

Abstract: A modular ion source design relies on relatively short modular anode layer source (ALS) components, which can be coupled together to form a longer ALS. For long ion sources, these shorter modular components allow for easier manufacturing and further result in a final assembly having better precision (e.g., a uniform gap dimensions along the longitudinal axis of the ion source). Modular components may be designed to have common characteristics so as to allow use of these components in ion sources of varying sizes. A modular gas distribution system uniformly distributes a working gas to the ionization region of the module ion source. For each gas distribution module, gas distribution channels and baffles are laid out relative to the module joints to prevent gas leakage. Furthermore, gas manifolds and supply channels are used to bridge module joints while uniformly distributing the working gas to the ALS.

Abstract: Shielding associated with an ion source, such as an anode layer source, reduces the amount and/or concentration of sputtered contaminants impinging and remaining on the surface of a target substrate. While passing the ion beam through to the target substrate, shielding can reduce the total amount of sputtered contaminants impinging the substrate before, during, and/or after passage of the substrate through the envelope of the etching beam. Particularly, a shield configuration that blocks the contaminants from impinging the substrate after the substrate passes through the etching beam (i.e., outside of the envelope of the etching beam) yields a higher quality substrate with reduced substrate contamination.

Abstract: Magnetic materials having a coercivity not less than about 1000 Oersted are prepared in a single step procedure. A molten mixture of a desired composition having a relatively high boron content is cooled at a rate slower than about 105 degrees Celsius per second. Preferably, the molten mixture is cooled by depositing it on a chilled surface such that it forms a layer between about 120 and about 300, and preferably between about 120 and about 150, microns thick.

Abstract: Magnetic materials having a coercivity not less than about 1000 Oersted are prepared in a single step procedure. A molten mixture of a desired composition having a relatively high boron content is cooled at a rate slower than about 105 degrees Celsius per second. Preferably, the molten mixture is cooled by depositing it on a chilled surface such that it forms a layer between about 120 and about 300, and preferably between about 120 and about 150, microns thick.

Abstract: A permanent magnet material having the formula, in atomic %:TM.sub.(84.3.-w-z) RE.sub.(3.0+w) B.sub.(12.7+z),wherein -3.3.ltoreq.z<3.3 and -2.0.ltoreq.w<2.0; orTM.sub.(89.8-x-y) RE.sub.(3.5+y) B.sub.(6.7+x),wherein -2.5.ltoreq.y<2.5 and -2.7.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.2.7; orTM.sub.(96.5-q-r) RE.sub.(1+q) B.sub.(2.5+r),wherein -1.5.ltoreq.r.ltoreq.1.5 and 0.ltoreq.q<6.5-r; and wherein TM is a transition metal, RE is a rare earth metal, and B is boron or a combination of boron and carbon. The permanent magnet materials include at least weight percent non-uniaxial material and possess a coercivity of at least 1,000 Oersteds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a high magnetic parameter ferromagnetic material. The material has a distribution of magnetic parameters as solidified, and is separated into a first fraction having relatively high magnetic parameters and a second fraction having relatively low magnetic parameters. The method comprises applying a magnetic field to the materials, the magnetic field being high enough to magnetize the low magnetic parameter fraction, but low enough to avoid substantially magnetization of the high parameter fraction. Thereafter the fractions of material are magnetically separated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a controlled pressure melt spinning method of rapidly solidifying alloys to obtain a solid alloy of controlled mean crystallite size, narrow crystallite distribution, and a fine grain microstructure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating initially non-magnetized ferromagnetic material. The material has a distribution of magnetic parameters, and is separated into a first fraction having relatively high magnetic parameters and a second fraction having relatively low magnetic parameters. The method comprises applying a magnetic field to the materials, the magnetic field being high enough to magnetize the low magnetic parameter fraction, but low enough to avoid substantial magnetization of the high parameter fraction. Thereafter the fractions of material are magnetically separated.

Abstract: X-ray dispersive and reflective structures and materials are provided which exhibit at least one third of the theoretical integral reflection coefficient for the structures in the range of interest without fluorescence or absorption edges. The materials can be thermally activated to control the desired properties, during or post deposition. The structures can be deposited by ion beam absorption techniques to form the structures in a precise manner. The index of the refraction of the structures can be continuously varying throughout the structures.

Abstract: An incident radiation sensing apparatus comprises an array of photosensitive elements formed as an integrated circuit on a substrate. Each of the photosensitive elements includes a capacitor for storing charge, a conductive means for charging the capacitor to a preselected magnitude, a blocking means for inhibiting the discharge of charge stored on the capacitor; and a photoresponsive means formed from deposited semiconductor material for generating charge carriers at a rate responsive to the intensity of radiation incident upon the photoresponsive means. The photoresponsive means is connected to the capacitor so that the charge carriers generated in the photoresponsive means reduce the magnitude of the charge on the capacitor as a function of the magnitude of, and the time incidence of, the incident radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coated steel article, e.g., a stainless steel article, having a corrosion resistant coating of disordered silicon carboxynitride over at least a portion of the steel surface. Also disclosed is a method of forming an adherent, ductile, disordered silicon carboxynitride coating on a steel substrate by glow discharge deposition.