Abstract: A diffuser for use with a wound retractor and configured to deliver gases includes an interface tube for connecting to a gases supply and a diffuser interface positioned at a proximal end of the interface tube, the diffuser interface configured for delivering gases received from the gases supply through the interface tube, and the diffuser interface comprising a diffusion mechanism configured to deliver gases in a diffusion direction. A wound retractor with an integrated diffuser is also disclosed. The wound retractor includes an upper ring, a lower ring, a sleeve extending between and connecting the upper ring to the lower ring, and an integrated diffuser interface having a gases inlet and a diffusion mechanism.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and computer program products for controlling access security protocols in a database management system. The method includes monitoring process information relating to a process. The monitoring includes monitoring a security protocol used during an authentication. The method also includes determining the security protocol used during the authentication. The security protocol is a first security protocol (e.g., primary security protocol) or a second security protocol (e.g., backup security protocol). In an instance in which the second security protocol is used, the method includes determining action(s) to allow the authentication to use the first security protocol. The method also includes implementing the action to allow for the authentication to use the first security protocol. The action may include updating the process code to allow for the first security protocol to operate.

Abstract: Computers and methods are provided for receiving a search request sent by a computer associated with a user. A set of documents comprising a plurality of documents that satisfy the search request is identified. At least some documents in the plurality of documents have previously been annotated by at least one user of a plurality of users. A response to the search request is sent. The response includes a ranked set of links to at least some of the plurality of documents that satisfy the search request. At least some of the links are to documents that have previously been annotated by at least one user of the plurality of users. The response is associated with instructions to display one or more corresponding annotations for at least some of the links to documents that have previously been annotated by at least one user of the plurality of users. The response is further associated with instructions to display a filter selector including one or more filter options to reduce the identified set of documents.

Abstract: Computers and methods are provided for receiving a search request sent by a computer associated with a user. A set of documents comprising a plurality of documents that satisfy the search request is identified. At least some documents in the plurality of documents have previously been annotated by at least one user of a plurality of users. A response to the search request is sent. The response includes a ranked set of links to at least some of the plurality of documents that satisfy the search request. At least some of the links are to documents that have previously been annotated by at least one user of the plurality of users. The response is associated with instructions to display one or more corresponding annotations for at least some of the links to documents that have previously been annotated by at least one user of the plurality of users. The response is further associated with instructions to display a filter selector including one or more filter options to reduce the identified set of documents.

Abstract: A method, system, and graphical user interface for improved web searching via user-specified annotations are disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface on a computer that includes a ranked set of links responsive to a search request by a user. At least some of the links are to documents that have not previously been annotated by the user and at least some of the links are to documents that have previously been annotated by the user. The graphical user interface also includes one or more corresponding annotations previously created based on the user's input for at least some of the links to documents that have previously been annotated by the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and graphical user interfaces for improved searching via user specified ratings are disclosed. A rating icon for a document in a group of documents is provided. A user rates the document in the group of documents by performing a selection operation on the rating icon. A user-specific rating for the document is generated based on the user rating. A search request is received from a user. A plurality of documents that satisfy the search request are identified (including a first respective document which not previously been rated by the user but is in the group of documents that included the rated document.) A response to the search request is sent. The response includes instructions to display a ranked set of links to at least some of the documents that satisfy the search request including a link to the first respective document displayed with the user-specific rating.

Abstract: A method, system, and graphical user interface for improved web searching via user-specified annotations are disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a search engine receives a user's ratings of some, but not all, web pages associated with a group of web pages. The group of web pages is selected from the group consisting of web pages in a particular web site and web pages in a particular subunit of a web site. The search engine generates a user-specific site rating for the group of web pages based on the user's ratings for web pages in the group of web pages. The search engine uses the generated site rating for the group of web pages when responding to a search query from the user.

Abstract: A method, system, and graphical user interface for improved web searching via user-specified annotations are disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface on a computer that includes a ranked set of links responsive to a search request by a user. At least some of the links are to documents that have not previously been rated by the user and at least some of the links are to documents that have previously been rated by the user. The links are displayed in an order that depends at least in part on the ratings of the documents that have previously been rated by the user.

Abstract: A method and a apparatus are provided for operating an E-beam system including an E-beam source for generating an E-beam directed along a column axis and an electrode aligned with the column axis direct the E-beam towards means for measuring the E-beam. A signal proportional to leakage current emitted from the E-beam is generated. When the result of a comparison with a desired value is excessive, an excess leakage signal is generated. The excess leakage signal can be provided as an emergency output signal and/or produce an OFF signal for stopping production of the E-beam by turning OFF voltage/power sources for producing the E-beam in response to the excess leakage signal. Preferably, a filament is heated by an electric current and a cathode is bombarded with electrons from the filament to produce the E-beam. Then a filament control signal is employed for controlling the filament heating current.

Abstract: A method and a apparatus are provided for operating an E-beam system including an E-beam source for generating an E-beam directed along a column axis and an electrode aligned with the column axis direct the E-beam towards means for measuring the E-beam. A signal proportional to leakage current emitted from the E-beam is generated. When the result of a comparison with a desired value is excessive, an excess leakage signal is generated. The excess leakage signal can be provided as an emergency output signal and/or produce an OFF signal for stopping production of the E-beam by turning OFF voltage/power sources for producing the E-beam in response to the excess leakage signal. Preferably, a filament is heated by an electric current and a cathode is bombarded with electrons from the filament to produce the E-beam. Then a filament control signal is employed for controlling the filament heating current.

Abstract: An instrument for measurement of illumination intensity distribution of an Electron Beam Projection System (EBPS) comprises a reticle with a clear subfield, a pinhole plate comprising a block of a low atomic number material with a high aspect ratio pinhole therethrough, the pinhole plate being positioned at the image plane of the EBPS. Means is provided for detecting electrons passing through the pinhole, and means is provided for moving, scanning, the pinhole with respect to a fixed electron intensity distribution or scanning the electron intensity distribution with respect to pinhole when held in a fixed position.

Abstract: A method for improving the alignment of an electron-beam through the optical axis of lenses in a lithographic system is described. The beam is nominally tilted through the center of the lens, and by using a plurality of deflectors the beam is pivoted through the center of the lens using a square wave toggle. The resolution of the beam is measured as it scans over a target, for both toggle states. The nominal tilt angle is chosen such that the resolution is identical for both toggle states. This technique does not rely on using an observation station, as it is common on TEMs, to view a magnified image of the specimen. Therefore, this technique can be used to align a beam that has been shifted off the optical axis, for instance, in a Variable-Axis-Lens lithography (VAL) system.

Abstract: A method for reducing contamination in a silicon membrane mask in a lithography system is described. The method includes: doping the top surface of the silicon membrane mask with boron to lower the electrical resistance of the mask; subsequently metalizing the surface of the mask to further lower its electrical resistance; and, finally, applying a voltage between opposite surfaces of the mask, the voltage generating an electric field that passes through the membrane mask, heating the membrane mask. The method further includes: calculating distortions in the shape of each of the patterns within the mask caused by heating the membrane mask; compensating for the proximity of other shapes positioned in the vicinity of each of the patterns; and appropriately modifying the shape of each of the patterns. The above described method can be equally applied to an e-beam system or to an ion-beam lithography system, and both, to stencil masks and to scattering masks.

Abstract: A charged particle beam is controlled by two pairs of deflectors that adjust the beam through two or more deflection centers, thereby saving cost and space and reducing system noise. The mathematics of the superposition of signals and, therefore, of the deflecting fields provide orthogonality of the adjustments so that all adjustments are independent of each other.