Abstract: Apparatus for processing an article with a single-phase supercritical dense processing fluid in a processing chamber while applying ultrasonic energy during processing. The single-phase supercritical dense fluid may be generated in a separate pressurization vessel and transferred to the processing chamber, or alternatively may be generated directly in the processing chamber. A processing agent may be added to the pressurization vessel, to the processing chamber, or to the single-phase supercritical dense fluid during transfer from the pressurization vessel to the processing chamber. The ultrasonic energy may be generated continuously at a constant frequency or at variable frequencies. Alternatively, the ultrasonic energy may be generated intermittently.

Abstract: Methods for generating a single-phase supercritical dense processing fluid have been disclosed. The single-phase supercritical dense processing fluid may be generated in a separate pressurization vessel and transferred to the processing chamber, or alternatively may be generated directly in the processing chamber. At least one processing agent is added to the pressurization vessel, or to the processing chamber, or to the single-phase supercritical dense fluid during transfer from the pressurization vessel to the processing chamber; to produce the single-phase supercritical dense processing fluid. Methods for processing an article with a single-phase supercritical dense processing fluid in a processing chamber are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for supplying to a processing apparatus a gas containing at least one impurity that reacts and/or nucleates to form contaminating particles suspended in the gas is disclosed. The improvement includes sampling a flow of the gas upstream of the processing apparatus with a particle counter and/or particle capture filter to detect an amount of the contaminating particles in the flow of the gas, and generating a signal when the amount of particles is in excess of a predetermined amount. An apparatus for performing the process includes: a supply source; at least one processing tool; a particle counter upstream of the processing tool and downstream of the supply source; a microprocessor in electrical communication with at least the particle counter; and optionally a particle capture filter in parallel with the particle counter. The process and apparatus are useful in the manufacture of integrated circuits.

Abstract: Method for removing contaminant material from a contaminated article comprising contacting the contaminated article with a reactive cleaning fluid comprising water and an oxidant material at a temperature at or above the critical temperature of the reactive cleaning fluid and a pressure at or above the critical pressure of the reactive cleaning fluid, oxidizing at least a portion of the contaminant material to yield a cleaned article and a product mixture comprising unreacted reactive cleaning fluid and removed contaminant material, and separating the product mixture from the cleaned article.

Abstract: System for separating a gas mixture comprising a plurality of separation stages, each having a reference number n from 1 to N, inclusive. Each stage has a housing, a turbomolecular pump assembly therein having inlet and outlet ends, a first chamber adjacent the inlet end and having an inlet port and a first outlet port, and a second chamber adjacent the outlet end and having a second outlet port. The inlet port of a separation stage n is connected with the first outlet port of an adjacent stage n+1, and the second outlet port of the stage n is connected with the inlet port of the stage n+1. The inlet port of any stage may serve as a feed port. The first chamber of stage n=1 and the second chamber of stage n=N have first and second product outlets, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in apparatus and process for effecting storage and delivery of a gas. The storage and delivery apparatus is comprised of a storage and dispensing vessel containing a medium capable of storing a gas and permitting delivery of the gas stored in the medium from the vessel, the improvement comprising: (a) a reactive liquid having Lewis acidity or basicity; (b) a gas liquid complex in a reversible reacted state formed under conditions of pressure and temperature by contacting the gas having Lewis acidity with the reactive liquid having Lewis basicity or the gas having Lewis basicity with the reactive liquid having Lewis acidity; (c) a non-reactive wick medium holding and dispersing the reactive liquid and the gas liquid complex therein.

Abstract: Method for removing flux residue and defluxing residue from an article using a dense processing fluid and a dense rinse fluid is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: introducing the article comprising contaminants into a processing chamber; contacting the article with a dense processing fluid comprising a dense fluid, at least one processing agent, and optionally a cosolvent to provide a partially treated article; and contacting the partially treated article with a dense rinse fluid comprising the dense fluid and optionally the cosolvent to provide a treated article wherein an agitation source is introducing during at least a portion of the first and/or the second contacting step.

Abstract: A system and method comprising same for measuring and analyzing particles within a gas feed stream. In one aspect, the system comprises a particle counter and a particle capture filter that are arranged in parallel. In another aspect, the system comprises a purifying device to remove trace molecular impurities from a gas feed stream to reduce the presence of impurities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the dry fluxing of at least one component and/or solder surface via electron attachment. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for removing oxides from the surface of a component comprising: providing a component on a substrate wherein the substrate is grounded or has a positive electrical potential to form a target assembly; passing a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas through an ion generator comprising a first and a second electrode; supplying an amount of voltage to at least one of the first and second electrodes sufficient to generate electrons wherein the electrons attach to at least a portion of the reducing gas and form a negatively charged reducing gas; and contacting the target assembly with the negatively charged reducing gas to reduce the oxides on the component.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from an article is described herein. In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising loosening at least a portion of the contaminants by treating the article with a treatment method involving a processing fluid and/or dense processing fluid to provide a partially treated article comprising loosened contaminants; contacting the partially treated article with a dense rinse fluid comprising a dense fluid, optionally a co-solvent, and optionally an entrainer to remove liquid-based contaminants; and removing at least a portion of the loosened contaminants by exposing the partially treated article with at least one exposure method to provide a treated article wherein the selection of the at least one exposure method depends upon whether the loosened contaminants are wet or dry.

Abstract: Method for removing flux residue and defluxing residue from an article using a dense processing fluid and a dense rinse fluid is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: introducing the article comprising contaminants into a processing chamber; contacting the article with a dense processing fluid comprising a dense fluid, at least one processing agent, and optionally a cosolvent to provide a partially treated article; and contacting the partially treated article with a dense rinse fluid comprising the dense fluid and optionally the cosolvent to provide a treated article wherein an agitation source is introducing during at least a portion of the first and/or the second contacting step.

Abstract: Ultrasonic probe comprising an elongate body having a first end and a second end, an ultrasonic transducer attached to the probe at or adjacent the first end, and an enlarged support section intermediate the ultrasonic transducer and the second end, wherein the enlarged support section has an equivalent diameter greater than an equivalent diameter of the body at any location between the enlarged support section and the ultrasonic transducer. The probe may be used to introduce ultrasonic energy into ultrasonic cleaning systems.

Abstract: A lighting device for a room environment, in a form of a table, ceiling or swag unitary fixture, provides primary illumination for general living and working activities within the space of a room, subject to the on-off control of persons therein; flashing illumination occurring at repetition rates designated for alerting persons, including individuals having impaired hearing abilities, to specific fire, burglar or other alarm conditions, responsive to local or supervised control sensors; and supplemental signaling illumination for communicating instructional information.