Abstract: Disclosed is polymer-ceramic composite material with colossal permittivity, comprising polymer matrix and ceramic powders embedded in the polymer matrix, wherein a part of the polymer matrix is exposed and adsorbed to the surface of the ceramic powders, and the polymer is electrically insulating. This invention simultaneously achieves large dielectric constant, negligible dielectric loss and high energy density in flexible composite capacitors based on metal-ion co-doped colossal permittivity materials. The host oxides used in this CP system is friendly to the environment, non-toxic and abundant. Additionally, the process developed is relatively simple, low cost and suitable for mass production-scale. Therefore, these composite capacitors have great technological potential for many applications. Compared to the conventional ceramic materials, composites of this invention are lightweight, scalable and easily fabricated into complex shapes towards miniaturization of the compact systems.

Abstract: A method for treating progression of a refractive disorder in a human eye. The method includes the steps of producing a first image on a retina of the human eye and producing a second image to generate a defocus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing (transporting) data, such as in a data warehouse system. In one embodiment, the data are received from a source and compared to data in a lookup cache comprising a subset of data from a first data set (e.g., a dimension table). Instances of the data not present in a lookup cache (that is, new data) are identified. Information corresponding to these instances are generated (e.g., a unique identifier is associated with each of these instances), and the first data set is updated accordingly. The lookup cache is then updated with the new data and the unique identifiers. Accordingly, the information (data) in the lookup cache and in the first data set are in synchronization. The lookup cache does not need to be rebuilt (e.g., to update a second data set such as a fact table).

Abstract: A method of populating multiple data marts in a single operation from a set of transactional data held in a database in a single aggregation process, in which aggregate values are calculated only once, a determination is made as to which output data marts required the aggregate value, and the aggregate values are output to the appropriate data marts. Dimension data associated with the output aggregate records is also output to the appropriate data marts.

Abstract: A method for checking the position of alignment marks after a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process and automatically compensating for alignment of a wafer stepper based on the position checking is described. A wafer is provided having an alignment mark thereon for the purpose of aligning a reticle in the wafer stepper. The wafer is polished by CMP. Thereafter, alignment mark positioning is checked for deviation from a normal vectorial position of the alignment mark whereby information about the deviation is fed back to the wafer stepper and wherein the wafer stepper automatically compensates for correctable alignment error based on the deviation information.

Abstract: An aggregation engine for a data warehouse which provides an indexing technique which allows the measures in a fact table data entry to be added to the appropriate aggregate bucket by mapping the each of the dimension keys to an aggregate index within a level in that dimension and then calculating an overall index using the aggregate index from each dimension which is then mapped onto the aggregate bucket in question. A rolling cache is also provided allowing frequently or recently used aggregate buckets to be represented in memory rather than in a file, and merged with the equivalent bucket in an aggregate file when necessary, so that the slower access to the address file and the aggregate files can be avoided.

Abstract: A method of populating multiple data marts in a single operation from a set of transactional data held in a database in a single aggregation process, in which aggregate values are calculated only once, a determination is made as to which output data marts required the aggregate value, and the aggregate values are output to the appropriate data marts. Dimension data associated with the output aggregate records is also output to the appropriate data marts.

Abstract: A method of removing excess metal, particularly copper, in the fabrication of interconnects has been achieved. In accordance with the objects of this invention, a new method of removing excess metal in the formation of an interconnect has been achieved. A semiconductor substrate is provided. A dielectric layer is provided overlying the semiconductor substrate. Trenches are formed in this dielectric layer for planned damascene or dual damascene interconnects. A barrier layer is provided overlying the dielectric layer and lining the trenches. A metal layer is provided overlying the barrier layer and completely filling the trenches. A masking layer is deposited overlying the metal layer. The masking layer is patterned to form a mask that only overlies the trenches. The metal layer is etched down where not covered by the mask. This etching down is partial so that the barrier layer is not exposed. This etching down leaves the metal layer underlying the mask thicker than the metal layer not underlying the mask.

Abstract: A method of populating multiple data marts in a single operation from a set of transactional data held in a database in a single aggregation process, in which aggregate values are calculated only once, a determination is made as to which output data marts required the aggregate value, and the aggregate values are output to the appropriate data marts. Dimension data associated with the output aggregate records is also output to the appropriate data marts.

Abstract: A method of defining aggregate levels to be used in aggregation in a data store having one or more dimensions. Levels are defined corresponding to attributes in the dimension, so that data can be aggregated into aggregates corresponding to values of those attributes. The invention provides for the definition of sub-levels which act as levels but define which detail entries in the associated dimension will contribute to the sub-level. The invention also provides for the definition of level groups. A level group can replace a level in a level cross-product and such a cross product is then expanded before aggregation into a set of cross products, each containing one of the level group entries.