Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for autonomic management of data operations and performance resources on a grid computing system. An autonomic management apparatus includes a monitor module, a policy module, and a regulation module. The monitor module is configured to monitor the grid computing system for a trigger event. The policy module is configured to access one of a plurality of system policies. Each of the plurality of system policies corresponds to an operational control parameter of a system resource of the grid computing system. The regulation module is configured to autonomically regulate the system resource in response to a recognized trigger event according to one of the plurality of system policies. The trigger event may be a prediction trigger event, an initiation trigger event, a regulation trigger event, or a termination trigger event.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication facility (fab) configuration module is defined to virtually model physical systems and attributes of a fab. A data acquisition module is defined to interface with the physical systems of the fab and gather operational data from the physical systems. A visualizer module is defined to collect and aggregate the operational data gathered from the physical systems. The visualizer module is further defined to process the operational data into a format suitable for visual rendering. The processed operational data is displayed within a visual context of the fab in a graphical user interface controlled by the visualizer module. An analyzer module is defined to analyze data collected by the visualizer module and to resolve queries regarding fab performance. An optimizer module is defined to control systems within the fab in response to data collected by the visualizer module, data generated by the analyzer module, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A transport mechanism is configured to transport a work piece carrier within a buffer in fabrication facility, comprising: a transporter configured to travel on two rails, wherein the transporter comprises (i) a flat belt hoist mechanism configured to lift and to lower one or more work piece carriers, and (ii) a gripper mechanism configured to capture and to release the one or more work piece carriers.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided. The conveyor system includes a threshold assembly. The threshold assembly has a base plate that is secured to a floor, and the threshold assembly has a channel that is formed between two support beams that are secured to a base plate. A plurality of threshold center plates are provided, which span and enclose the channel formed by the support beams, such that each threshold assembly includes a modular printed circuit board that fits within the channel and is enclosed within the channel by threshold center plates. And, multiple conveyor segments are mountable to the threshold assembly. Other systems components and methods for making and operating the same are provided.

Abstract: A transport mechanism is configured to transport a work piece carrier within a buffer in fabrication facility, comprising: a transporter configured to travel on two rails, wherein the transporter comprises (i) a flat belt hoist mechanism configured to lift and to lower one or more work piece carriers, and (ii) a gripper mechanism configured to capture and to release the one or more work piece carriers.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided. The conveyor system includes a threshold assembly. The threshold assembly has a base plate that is secured to a floor, and the threshold assembly has a channel that is formed between two support beams that are secured to a base plate. A plurality of threshold center plates are provided, which span and enclose the channel formed by the support beams, such that each threshold assembly includes a modular printed circuit board that fits within the channel and is enclosed within the channel by threshold center plates. And, multiple conveyor segments are mountable to the threshold assembly. Other systems components and methods for making and operating the same are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for backing up data across a plurality of clients on a grid computing system. A sequence management apparatus includes a client request module, a sequence module, and packet storage module. The sequence module is configured to receive data to be backed up from a source client. The sequence module is configured to generate a non-transparent sequence key that identifies one or more target clients on the grid computing system. The packet storage module is configured to store a backup copy of the data from the source client on the plurality of target clients according to the non-transparent sequence key. The non-transparent sequence key may be generated by and known only to the sequence management apparatus in order to maintain a minimum security level for the data backed up on the plurality of target clients.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for on-demand control of a grid system resource on a grid computing system. An on-demand management apparatus includes a user input module, a parameter module, and a reservation module. The user input module is configured to allow a user to input a parameter control request. The parameter control request corresponds to a performance parameter of the grid computing system. The global parameter module is configured to dynamically change the performance parameter, which corresponds to a performance resource, according to the parameter control request. The global reservation module is configured to reserve the performance resource for a grid computing operation. The on-demand management apparatus is also configured to terminate a performance resource reservation when a client reclaims the performance resources from the grid computing system.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication facility (fab) configuration module is defined to virtually model physical systems and attributes of a fab. A data acquisition module is defined to interface with the physical systems of the fab and gather operational data from the physical systems. A visualizer module is defined to collect and aggregate the operational data gathered from the physical systems. The visualizer module is further defined to process the operational data into a format suitable for visual rendering. The processed operational data is displayed within a visual context of the fab in a graphical user interface controlled by the visualizer module. An analyzer module is defined to analyze data collected by the visualizer module and to resolve queries regarding fab performance. An optimizer module is defined to control systems within the fab in response to data collected by the visualizer module, data generated by the analyzer module, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for precision control of pole tip recession of magnetic recording heads. This is achieved by first constructing the head so that the thermal expansion coefficient of the recording head is different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the overcoat. Then the recording head is heated during the lapping process of the slider and recording head. The average and distribution of the recession between the overcoat and the recording head pole tips are improved.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a well-defined, highly-predictable chevron type MR sensor for a read head. A first material is selected for a first gap layer. A selected second material is deposited on the first gap layer followed by a resist frame that has elongated openings exposing elongated top portions of the first gap layer that extend at an acute angle to a head surface of the read head. A selected reactive ion etch (RIE) is employed to etch away the exposed portions of the second material layer down to the first material of the first gap layer. The material of the second material layer is chosen to be etched by the RIE while the material of the first gap layer is chosen not to be etched by the RIE. An example is Al2O3 for the first gap layer, SiO2 for the second material layer and a RIE that is fluorine based. The resist frame is removed leaving elongated strips of the second material layer extending at the aforementioned angle to the head surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a well-defined, highly-predictable chevron type MR sensor for a read head. A first material is selected for a first gap layer. A selected second material is deposited on the first gap layer followed by a resist frame that has elongated openings exposing elongated top portions of the first gap layer that extend at an acute angle to a head surface of the read head. A selected reactive ion etch (RIE) is employed to etch away the exposed portions of the second material layer down to the first material of the first gap layer. The material of the second material layer is chosen to be etched by the RIE while the material of the first gap layer is chosen not to be etched by the RIE. An example is Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 for the first gap layer, SiO.sub.2 for the second material layer and a RIE that is fluorine based. The resist frame is removed leaving elongated strips of the second material layer extending at the aforementioned angle to the head surface.

Abstract: A rotary plater and method of plating are provided which improve the uniformity of plating across a plating surface of a workpiece. A plating solution distribution device is located in a plating cup between an anode and a cathode in a spaced relationship therebetween and is centered about a vertical axis of the plating cup. A motor is provided for relatively rotating the cathode and the plating solution distribution device with respect to one another. The plating solution distribution device distributes the plating solution over the plating surface at a distribution rate which increases radially outwardly from the vertical axis. With this arrangement the volume of plating solution at the outer periphery of the plating surface is enriched with ions to promote plating uniformity.