Abstract: The present invention relates to novel and improved high purity diffusion bonded copper (Cu) sputtering targets having a Cu purity level of 99.9999% (6N) or greater. The target assemblies of the present invention exhibit sufficient bond strength and microstructural homogeneity, both of which are properties previously considered mutually exclusive for conventional 6N Cu target assemblies. The grain structure is characterized by an absence of alloying elements and the bonded interface is generally flat without any type of interlayer or interlocking arrangement.

Abstract: A modified and improved lithium cobalt oxide sputtering target with reduced resistivity is described. Unique modifications to the composition of the lithium cobalt oxide target allow adjustment or fine-tuning of the resistance of the target not previously possible. Incorporation of a controlled amount of one or more conductive materials into the lithium cobalt oxide composition is described alone or in combination with altering the stoichiometric ratio of Li:Co to significantly reduce resistivity and thereby enhance conductivity of the target. The result is a modified sputtering target capable of sputtering lithium-containing thin films that does not exhibit deterioration of their properties by virtue of elevated levels of conductive containing material incorporated into the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel and improved high purity diffusion bonded copper (Cu) sputtering targets having a Cu purity level of 99.9999% (6N) or greater. The target assemblies of the present invention exhibit sufficient bond strength and microstructural homogeneity, both of which are properties previously considered mutually exclusive for conventional 6N Cu target assemblies. The grain structure is characterized by an absence of alloying elements and the bonded interface is generally flat without any type of interlayer or interlocking arrangement.

Abstract: A novel WTi target is described as having a Ti particle size similar to that of the W particle size. The target also contains controlled microstructural multi-phases characterized by an absence of a ? (titanium-tungsten) alloy lamellar phase structure. The combination of controlled microstructural phases and controlled particle size improves overall sputtering performance whereby the sputtered face reduces formation of nodules which can flake off and deposit onto the resultant film to produce film defects during sputtering.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sputter target is provided which comprises mixing aluminum and at least one other metallic powder to form a powder blend, compressing said powder blend under significant force to achieve a pressed blank having a packing density of at least 50% of the theoretical density, heating the blank at a temperature less then the temperature which would form greater than an average of 25% inter-metallic phases in the blank under the conditions employed, rolling the blank to obtain at least 95% of the theoretical thickness of the blank, and bonding the blank to a suitable substrate. Also provided is a sputter target made from this method.

Abstract: A precious metal sputter target has a composition selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium and single-phase alloys thereof. The sputter target's grain structure is at least about 99 percent recrystallized and has a grain size of less than about 200 ?m for improving sputter uniformity. The cryogenic method for producing these sputter targets is also effective for improving sputter performance-for silver an gold sputter targets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for digital audio encoding. A method of digital encoding includes receiving an audio source having multiple stems, and generating an enhanced audio wave file from the audio source. Generating can include routing each of the multiple stems to an individual channel in a specific format, compressing each individual channel, passing each individual channel through a limiter, passing each individual channel through an equalizer, and passing each individual channel through a phase shifter. Generating can include time aligning each individual channel, sound modeling each individual channel, and modifying an amplitude of each individual channel, processing each individual channel for sound design, movement and automation, and digitally mixing the multiple channels. Generating can include normalizing and compressing the digitally mixed multi-channel sound recording.

Abstract: A network compatible user interface system and method are presented for supporting navigation through patient medical information. The system comprises a communication processor for acquiring a patient group identifier allocated to a grouping of patients and for acquiring medical information associated with the patients. A display generator operates to generate a composite display window incorporating a first window including the patient group identifier and a list of patients in the grouping and a second window for displaying different medical information corresponding to different medical applications. The different medical information is associated with patients within the patient grouping. A display navigation processor maintains the first window display while displaying different medical information in the second window in response to user navigation between the different applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting pharmacological compounds for selective inhibition of cancer cells comprising identifying a compound, determining the reduction potential (ER) of the compound, and selecting the compound which has a reduction potential from ?1.1 to ?0.8 volts. The invention also relates to a pharmacological compound comprising at least one cyanine dye or merocyanine dye, wherein the dye has at least one cationic substituent, wherein the dye has a reduction potential of from—1.1 to 0.8 volts, and wherein the pharmacological compound demonstrates selective inhibition of cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic film exposed by electrons in a transmission electron microscope to form a latent image in the film. The photothermographic film has at least one imaging layer comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion, but wherein thermal development of unexposed silver salts in exposed areas relative to unexposed areas is inhibited when thermally developing the imagewise exposed assembly, thereby producing a positive image. The present invention is also directed to the processing of the photothermographic film in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed in the film when heated above 150° C.

Abstract: The method forms a sputter target assembly by attaching a sputter target to an insert and applying a bond metal layer between the insert and a backing plate. Then pressing the insert and backing plate together forms a solid state bond with the bond metal layer, attaches the insert to the backing plate and forms at least one cooling channel between the insert and the backing plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic assembly comprising a photothermographic material and an intensifying means for converting ionizing radiation, wherein the assembly has been imagewise exposed to ionizing radiation to form a latent image in the photothermographic material. The photothermographic material has at least one imaging layer comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion, wherein thermal development of unexposed silver salts in exposed areas relative to unexposed areas is inhibiting when thermally developing the imagewise exposed assembly, thereby producing a positive image. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic assembly that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.

Abstract: The high-purity aluminum sputter target is at least 99.999 weight percent aluminum and has a grain structure. The grain structure is at least 99 percent recrystallized and has a grain size of less than 200 ?m. The method forms high-purity aluminum sputter targets by first cooling a high-purity target blank to a temperature of less than ?50 ° C. and then deforming the cooled high-purity target blank introduces intense strain into the high-purity target. After deforming, recrystallizing the grains at a temperature below 200 ° C. forms a target blank having at least 99 percent recrystallized grains. Finally, finishing at a low temperature sufficient to maintain the fine grain size of the high-purity target blank forms a finished sputter target.

Abstract: The sputter target has a composition selected from the group consisting of high-purity copper and copper-base alloys. The sputter target's grain structure is at least about 99 percent recrystallized; and the sputter target's face has a grain orientation ratio of at least about 10 percent each of (111), (200), (220) and (311). In addition, the sputter target has a grain size of less than about 10 ?m for improving sputter uniformity and reducing sputter target arcing.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming ferromagnetic sputter targets and sputter target assemblies having a uniform distribution of magnetic leakage flux. The method includes providing a ferromagnetic sputter workpiece and hot rolling the workpiece to a substantially circular configuration sputter target; machining a taper in a surface of the sputter target to have a thickness gradient of the sputter target, where the center of the sputter target is about 0.020 to about 0.005 inches thinner than the edge of the sputter target, and where the magnetic leakage flux across the sputter target is uniformly distributed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing sputter target assemblies, and the products thereof. The method includes manufacturing a backing plate, the backing plate having a planar top surface and a cylindrical recess therein. Then a near final shape target insert having a frusta-conical rear surface that corresponds to the cylindrical recess of the backing plate and a front surface is manufactured. The target insert has a yield strength greater than that of the backing plate, and a height greater than the depth of the cylindrical recess in the backing plate. Thereafter, the target insert is hot pressed into the cylindrical recess of the backing plate to a state of plastic deformation so as to diffusion bond the target insert to the backing plate and form the target assembly. The target insert protrudes above the planar front surface of the backing plate.

Abstract: An internet compatible system and method are presented for displaying medical information derived from a plurality of sources. Medical parameters associated with a patient including patient laboratory results are collected via a communication network, collated and stored in a relational database. The database is then searched for specific laboratory test results based on one or more of (a) a text string identifying a portion of a lab test name, (b) a patient identifier, and (c) a date. Those test results meeting the specified search criteria are then displayed to a user in a desired order. An attribute is allocated to distinguish newly acquired or non-reviewed laboratory results.

Abstract: A network compatible user interface system is presented for displaying patient medical parameters and supporting user customization of medical parameter image displays. The system comprises a display generator for generating a customization menu incorporating a first window including fields for user entry of items including a label identifying a medical parameter, a value of the medical parameter and a unit of measure of the parameter; a new image menu displays a value of the parameter identified by the user entered parameter label, the value being derivable from user data entry via the customization menu and from network sources, where the new image menu is displayable in response to user selection of a displayed icon. An acquisition processor communicates with network sources to acquire the medical parameter values from a network source.

Abstract: A network compatible user interface system and method are presented for supporting navigation through patient medical information. The system comprises a communication processor for acquiring a patient group identifier allocated to a grouping of patients and for acquiring medical information associated with the patients. A display generator operates to generate a composite display window incorporating a first window including the patient group identifier and a list of patients in the grouping and a second window for displaying different medical information corresponding to different medical applications. The different medical information is associated with patients within the patient grouping. A display navigation processor maintains the first window display while displaying different medical information in the second window in response to user navigation between the different applications.