Abstract: The present invention pertains to systems and methods for passivating the copper seed layer deposited in Damascene integrated circuit manufacturing. More specifically, the invention pertains to systems and methods for depositing the copper seed layer by physical vapor deposition, while passivating the copper during or immediately after the deposition in order to prevent excessive oxidation of the copper. The invention is applicable to dual Damascene processing.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for injecting gas within a plasma reactor and tailoring the distribution of an active species generated by the remote plasma source over the substrate or wafer. The distribution may be made more or less uniform, wafer-edge concentrated, or wafer-center concentrated. A contoured plate or profiler is provided for modifying the distribution. The profiler is an axially symmetric plate, having a narrow top end and a wider bottom end, shaped to redistribute the gas flow incident upon it. The profiler is situated below an input port within the plasma reactor chamber and above the wafer. The method for tailoring the distribution of the active species over the substrate includes predetermining the profiler diameter and adjusting the profiler height over the substrate.

Abstract: A splicing tape for splicing a leading edge portion of the outer turn of a roll of sheet material to a second sheet material. A typical application is to join the outer turn of a replacement roll of paper to the end of depleted roll of paper while the paper remains in motion through some handling apparatus. The splicing tape comprises a first tape component, and second tape component, and a layer of adhesive separably joining the first and second tape components. The first tape component includes a first backing, a first layer of adhesive on a first surface of the first backing, and a first barrier layer on a second surface of the first backing. The second tape component includes a second backing, a second layer of adhesive on a first surface of the second backing, and a second barrier layer on a second surface of the second backing. Alternatively, the splicing tape may include only one barrier layer between the joining adhesive layer and one of the first and second backings.

Abstract: A splicing tape for splicing a leading edge portion of the outer turn of a roll of sheet material to a second sheet material. A typical application is to join the outer turn of a replacement roll of paper to the end of depleted roll of paper while the paper remains in motion through some handling apparatus. The splicing tape comprises a first tape component, and second tape component, and a layer of adhesive separably joining the first and second tape components. The first tape component includes a first backing, a first layer of adhesive on a first surface of the first backing, and a first barrier layer on a second surface of the first backing. The second tape component includes a second backing, a second layer of adhesive on a first surface of the second backing, and a second barrier layer on a second surface of the second backing. Alternatively, the splicing tape may include only one barrier layer between the joining adhesive layer and one of the first and second backings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting gas within a plasma reactor and tailoring the distribution of an active species generated by the remote plasma source over the substrate or wafer. The distribution may be uniform, wafer-edge concentrated, or wafer-center concentrated. A contoured plate or profiler modifies the distribution. The profiler is an axially symmetric plate, having a narrow top end and a wider bottom end, shaped to redistribute the gas flow incident upon it. The method for tailoring the distribution of the active species over the substrate includes predetermining the profiler diameter and adjusting the profiler height over the substrate.

Abstract: In a grain cart equipped with a lower horizontally-disposed input drag auger, a vertically disposed lift auger, and an upper horizontally disposed discharge auger, a unique drive train is used. The lift auger and the discharge auger can be activated independently of the input auger in order to empty their contents on start-up of the grain cart discharge system. By so doing the strain on the drive train is considerably lessened thus permitting very large grain carts to be emptied without damage to the drive train system. A hydraulic cylinder activates a belt-tightener between a drive sheave and a driven sheave. The driven sheave is attached to the axis of the drag auger. When the hydraulic cylinder is extended, pressure exerted on the belt causes the input auger to rotate and to feed the lift and discharge augers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved strain relief adapted for mounting within a connector housing so as to protect a terminated cable assembled thereto from damage as a result of flexure of the cable relative to the housing. The strain relief including a sleeve having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central lumen disposed therebetween. The sleeve being adapted to slidingly receive the cable within the central lumen. The distal portion of the strain relief includes a substantially rigid tube that has a pair of shoulders which project radially-outwardly from an external surface of the distal portion in diametrically-opposed relation to one another. An annular shoulder is positioned in spaced relation to the pair of shoulders and projects radially-outwardly from the external surface of the strain relief. A recess is defined between the pair of shoulders and the annular shoulder.

Abstract: A locking device for a valve having a rotatable shaft including a stop plate, and a stop secured to a housing, including a hollow body having a first chamber for receiving the shaft, a threaded aperture extending into the first chamber for receiving a screw, a second chamber surrounding the screw, a lockable closure preventing access to the screw, and a tab coupled to the hollow body adapted to be received between the stop plate and the stop.

Abstract: A broadband optical detector is disposed to measure the total intensity I(.lambda., .alpha.) attributed to a portion of the optical spectrum passed by a sharp bandgap optical transmission element as the bandgap is caused to translate over a desired wavelength interval by a band gap control parameter, T. The differential spectrum of the incident optical radiation is recovered by the differentiation of I(.lambda., .alpha.) in respect to the parameter T.

Abstract: Polishing machines, fixtures, and apparatus for setting up connectors of varying geometries on polishing fixtures. The setup plates have a plurality of axial holes disposed around the perimeter of the setup plate that will receive optical fibers. The setup plate further comprises a reference surface for providing interference with ferrules in the connectors so that the ferrules protrude uniformly through the polishing fixtures. Since the polishing machines described herein can polish connectors of varying geometries at one time, these machines operate efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: A magnetic recording media is manufactured by depositing a nonmagnetic cobalt base alloy onto a substrate preferably aluminum as a protective layer for the substrate. The cobalt alloy includes chromium, tungsten, and nickel. The clad protective layer can be deposited in several steps with or without a polishing between the deposition steps to provide better corrosion protection for the substrate and covers surface imperfections of the substrate. The cobalt alloy is preferably sputtered onto the prepared substrate.

Abstract: An improved copper chromite catalyst having high density, low monovalent ion content, high activity and resistance to poisoning is prepared by reacting a soluble copper salt with chromic acid or a dichromate in solution in the presence of ammonia and urea to precipitate a copper-chromium-nitrogen complex, washing, drying and calcining the precipitate.