Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an electro-active optic incorporating a blend region between two regions each having different optical properties.

Abstract: An inhaler disc cartridge comprises a carrier disc with radially outwardly extending resilient fingers, each with a medicament powder dosage. A sealing disc and an indexing ring are bonded to the disc. A cam sequentially and manually deflects a selected finger causing it to snap against an anvil to release the dosage by momentum energy transfer. In other embodiments, a cassette includes a carrier substrate reel of deposited powder dosages with a dosage sealing tape. The substrate comprises a belt with a plurality of transversely extending triangular fingers, each finger tip with a dosage thereon. Each finger is snapped in sequence against an anvil while a clamp secures the belt as the fingers are deflected. The spring fingers are corrugated in one embodiment cooperating with an anvil having channels and a device for inducing agglomeration breakup air streams through the channels.

Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic sensing chuck for attracting particles to a portion of a particle contact surface near a deposition electrode, the electrostatic sensing chuck comprising a pixel comprising: a deposition electrode (DE) for selectively establishing an attraction field (Ea) at the particle contact surface; a shield electrode (SE) oppositely biased with respect to the deposition electrode; a charge sensing circuit to measure charge accumulated on each of the deposition electrode and the shield electrode, wherein the charge sensing circuit subtracts a second charge it senses at the shield electrode from a first charge it senses at the deposition electrode, thereby determining accumulated charge at the deposition electrode balanced by accumulated charge at the shield electrode.

Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic sensing chuck for attracting particles to a portion of a particle contact surface near a deposition electrode, the electrostatic sensing chuck comprising a pixel comprising: a deposition electrode (DE) for selectively establishing an attraction field (Ea) at the particle contact surface; a shield electrode (SE) oppositely biased with respect to the deposition electrode; a charge sensing circuit to measure charge accumulated on each of the deposition electrode and the shield electrode, wherein the charge sensing circuit subtracts a second charge it senses at the shield electrode from a first charge it senses at the deposition electrode, thereby determining accumulated charge at the deposition electrode balanced by accumulated charge at the shield electrode.

Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic sensing chuck for attracting particles to a portion of a particle contact surface near a deposition electrode, the electrostatic sensing chuck comprising a pixel comprising: a deposition electrode (DE) for selectively establishing an attraction field (Ea) at the particle contact surface; a shield electrode (SE) oppositely biased with respect to the deposition electrode; a charge sensing circuit to measure charge accumulated on each of the deposition electrode and the shield electrode, wherein the charge sensing circuit subtracts a second charge it senses at the shield electrode from a first charge it senses at the deposition electrode, thereby determining accumulated charge at the deposition electrode balanced by accumulated charge at the shield electrode.

Abstract: A process of forming an epitaxial metal silicide layer on a silicon substrate is disclosed. A thin layer of a first metal that will form an oxide in preference to silicon is initially deposited on the substrate. A preferred first metal is titanium. A layer of palladium, platinum or iridium is deposited thereover. An exceptionally uniform, conductive layer of metal silicide is thereby formed by epitaxial growth without the necessity of a high temperature anneal. The disclosed process is particularly useful in forming ultra thin metal silicide Schottky barriers in devices such as infrared imaging arrays.

Abstract: A method for forming a layer of monocrystalline diamond cubic material on a mask comprises initially providing a substrate having a monocrystalline surface which is parallel to a {100}-type crystallographic plane. A mask is then formed on the substrate, the mask including at least two apertures and each aperture including an edge which is oriented between 8.degree. and 14.degree. from a particular <001> direction on the surface. The aperture edges are mutually parallel and in mutual opposition and the mask apertures each expose a monocrystalline surface portion of the substrate. The diamond cubic material is then epitaxially grown through the apertures and over the mask so as to form a monocrystalline layer of substantially uniform quality overlying the mask between the edges of the apertures.

Abstract: An apertured mask layer is disposed on a substrate having a monocrystalline portion at a surface thereof. Essentially all edges of the mask apertures are parallel to a predetermined crystallographic direction. A monocrystalline layer is then deposited such that it grows within the mask apertures and over the mask in a direction perpendicular to the aperture edges.