Abstract: A denormalized table, referred to as a semantic cluster table, allows for improved database system performance. Rather than accessing multiple tables, database operations can access a single table, which can reduce the number and complexity of database operations. The semantic cluster table includes a semantic indicator field. Different values of the semantic indicator field can be associated with different semantic contexts, allowing data to be accessed at a coarse granularity. Each semantic context can also be associated with one or more attribute fields, which can be used to access data, including at different level of granularity than the semantic indicator field value alone. Each semantic context can also be associated with specific key figure fields, which can preserve the different semantic contexts of data in the semantic cluster table.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a semiconductor wafer may include: a semiconductor body including an integrated circuit structure; and at least one tetrahedral amorphous carbon layer formed at least one of over or in the integrated circuit structure, the at least one tetrahedral amorphous carbon layer may include a substance amount fraction of sp3-hybridized carbon of larger than approximately 0.4 and a substance amount fraction of hydrogen smaller than approximately 0.1.

Abstract: A method for depositing an insulating layer includes performing a primary deposition over a sidewall of a feature by depositing a layer of silicate glass using a silicon source at a first flow rate and a dopant source at a second flow rate. The method further includes performing a secondary deposition over the sidewall of a feature by increasing the flow of the silicon source relative to the flow of the dopant source. A reflow process is performed after stopping the flow. A variation in thickness of the layer of silicate glass over the sidewall of a feature after the reflow process is between 1% to 20%.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a structured metal layer. The structured metal layer lies above a semiconductor substrate. In addition, a thickness of the structured metal layer is more than 100 nm. Furthermore, the semiconductor device comprises a covering layer. The covering layer lies adjacent to at least one part of a front side of the structured metal layer and adjacent to a side wall of the structured metal layer. In addition, the covering layer comprises amorphous silicon carbide.

Abstract: A silicon-carbide substrate that includes: a doped silicon-carbide contact region directly adjoining a main surface of the substrate, and a dielectric layer covering the main surface is provided. A protective layer is formed on the silicon-carbide substrate such that the protective layer covers the dielectric layer and exposes the doped silicon-carbide contact region at the main surface. A metal layer that conforms to the protective layer and directly contacts the exposed doped silicon-carbide contact region is deposited. A first rapid thermal anneal process is performed. A thermal budget of the first rapid thermal anneal process is selected to cause the metal layer to form a silicide with the doped silicon-carbide contact region during the first rapid thermal anneal process without causing the metal layer to form a silicide with the protective layer during the first rapid thermal anneal process.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a wafer chuck may include at least one support region configured to support a wafer in a receiving area; a central cavity surrounded by the at least one support region configured to support the wafer only along an outer perimeter; and a boundary structure surrounding the receiving area configured to retain the wafer in the receiving area.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a semiconductor wafer may include: a semiconductor body including an integrated circuit structure; and at least one tetrahedral amorphous carbon layer formed at least one of over or in the integrated circuit structure, the at least one tetrahedral amorphous carbon layer may include a substance amount fraction of sp3-hybridized carbon of larger than approximately 0.4 and a substance amount fraction of hydrogen smaller than approximately 0.1.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method for processing a semiconductor layer may include: generating an etch plasma in a plasma chamber of a remote plasma source, wherein the plasma chamber of the remote plasma source is coupled to a processing chamber for processing the semiconductor layer; introducing the etch plasma into the processing chamber to remove a native oxide layer from a surface of the semiconductor layer and at most a negligible amount of semiconductor material of the semiconductor layer; and, subsequently, depositing a dielectric layer directly on the surface of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A silicon-carbide substrate that includes: a doped silicon-carbide contact region directly adjoining a main surface of the substrate, and a dielectric layer covering the main surface is provided. A protective layer is formed on the silicon-carbide substrate such that the protective layer covers the dielectric layer and exposes the doped silicon-carbide contact region at the main surface. A metal layer that conforms to the protective layer and directly contacts the exposed doped silicon-carbide contact region is deposited. A first rapid thermal anneal process is performed. A thermal budget of the first rapid thermal anneal process is selected to cause the metal layer to form a silicide with the doped silicon-carbide contact region during the first rapid thermal anneal process without causing the metal layer to form a silicide with the protective layer during the first rapid thermal anneal process.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure includes providing a silicon-carbide substrate having a highly doped silicon-carbide contact region formed in the substrate and extending to a main surface of the substrate. A carbon-based contact region is formed which is in direct contact with the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region and which extends to the main surface. A conductor is formed on the carbon-based contact region such that the carbon-based contact region is interposed between the conductor and the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region. A thermal budget for forming the carbon-based contact region is maintained below a level that induces metal silicidization of the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region.

Abstract: A micromechanical structure in accordance with various embodiments may include: a substrate; and a functional structure arranged at the substrate; wherein the functional structure includes a functional region which is deflectable with respect to the substrate responsive to a force acting on the functional region; and wherein at least a section of the functional region has an elastic modulus in the range from about 5 GPa to about 70 GPa.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure includes providing a silicon-carbide substrate having a highly doped silicon-carbide contact region formed in the substrate and extending to a main surface of the substrate. A carbon-based contact region is formed which is in direct contact with the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region and which extends to the main surface. A conductor is formed on the carbon-based contact region such that the carbon-based contact region is interposed between the conductor and the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region. A thermal budget for forming the carbon-based contact region is maintained below a level that induces metal silicidization of the highly doped silicon-carbide contact region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming openings in a substrate. The method includes forming a dummy fill material within the openings and thinning the substrate to expose the dummy fill material. The dummy fill material is removed.

Abstract: A passivation layer and a method of making a passivation layer are disclosed. In one embodiment the method for manufacturing a passivation layer includes depositing a first silicon based dielectric layer on a workpiece, the first silicon based dielectric layer comprising nitrogen, and depositing in-situ a second silicon based dielectric layer on the first silicon based dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer comprising oxygen.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a mold including a pyrolytic carbon film disposed at a surface of the mold. Various embodiments relate to using a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process (LPCVD) or using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process in order to form a pyrolytic carbon film at a surface of a mold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming openings in a substrate. The method includes forming a dummy fill material within the openings and thinning the substrate to expose the dummy fill material. The dummy fill material is removed.

Abstract: A silicon-carbide substrate that includes a doped contact region and a dielectric layer is provided. A protective layer is formed on the dielectric layer. A structured mask is formed on the protective layer. Sections of the protective layer and the dielectric layer that are exposed by openings in the mask are removed. The structured mask is removed. A metal layer is deposited such that a first portion of the metal layer directly contacts the doped contact region and a second portion of the metal layer lines the remaining sections of the protective layer and the dielectric layer. A first rapid thermal anneal process is performed. After performing the first rapid thermal anneal process, the second portion of the metal layer and the remaining section of the protective layer are removed without removing the first portion of the metal layer.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a financial instrument impairment calculation business object.

Abstract: A method for depositing an insulating layer includes performing a primary deposition over a sidewall of a feature by depositing a layer of silicate glass using a silicon source at a first flow rate and a dopant source at a second flow rate. A ratio of the flow of the dopant source to the flow of the silicon source is a first ratio. The method further includes performing a secondary deposition over the sidewall of a feature by increasing the flow of the silicon source relative to the flow of the dopant source. The ratio of the flow of the dopant source to the flow of the silicon source is a second ratio lower than the first ratio, and stopping the flow of the silicon source after performing the secondary deposition. A reflow process is performed after stopping the flow. A variation in thickness of the layer of silicate glass over the sidewall of a feature after the reflow process is between 1% to 20%.

Abstract: A method for processing a sacrificial material of an intermediate microfabricated product includes forming a hydrogen-containing carbon layer on a surface of a base structure and releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen-containing carbon layer to obtain a hydrogen-released (i.e., densified) carbon layer with low shrink. The method further includes forming a structural layer on at least a portion of a surface of the hydrogen-released carbon layer, and oxidizing the hydrogen-released (densified) carbon layer to release the structural layer. In this manner, a cavity is formed between the base structure and the structural layer. The ashing of the hydrogen-released carbon layer leaves substantially no residues within the cavity of the intermediate or final microfabricated product. Further embodiments provide a method for manufacturing a microfabricated product, to an intermediate microfabricated product, and to a microfabrication equipment.