Abstract: In some implementations, one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a metal cap on a metal gate. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form one or more dielectric layers on the metal cap. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may form a recess to the metal cap within the one or more dielectric layers. The one or more semiconductor processing tools may perform a bottom-up deposition of metal material on the metal cap to form a metal plug within the recess and directly on the metal cap.

Abstract: A photonic microwave mixing apparatus and method thereof are disclosed. An optical input carrying a frequency-to-be-converted microwave signal is injected into a photonic microwave mixing module of the photonic microwave mixing apparatus, wherein the photonic microwave mixing module includes a microwave mixing laser. The optical power and carrier frequency of the optical input are adjusted so as to place the microwave mixing laser in period-one nonlinear dynamics, and, at the same time, to achieve frequency-unlocking between the oscillation sidebands of the period-one nonlinear dynamics and the modulation sidebands of the optical input. Under such operation, the microwave mixing laser emits a nonlinear wave-mixing optical signal. Properly selecting the frequency components of the nonlinear wave-mixing optical signal through an optical frequency component selector generates an optical output carrying a frequency-converted microwave signal, therefore achieving microwave frequency conversion.

Abstract: A photonic microwave mixing apparatus and method thereof are disclosed. An optical input carrying a frequency-to-be-converted microwave signal is injected into a photonic microwave mixing module of the photonic microwave mixing apparatus, wherein the photonic microwave mixing module includes a microwave mixing laser. The optical power and carrier frequency of the optical input are adjusted so as to place the microwave mixing laser in period-one nonlinear dynamics, and, at the same time, to achieve frequency-unlocking between the oscillation sidebands of the period-one nonlinear dynamics and the modulation sidebands of the optical input. Under such operation, the microwave mixing laser emits a nonlinear wave-mixing optical signal. Properly selecting the frequency components of the nonlinear wave-mixing optical signal through an optical frequency component selector generates an optical output carrying a frequency-converted microwave signal, therefore achieving microwave frequency conversion.

Abstract: A photonic microwave generation apparatus and a method thereof are disclosed. A comb-like optical signal generation module of the photonic microwave generation apparatus generates a comb-like optical signal. The comb-like optical signal is injected into a photonic microwave generation module of the photonic microwave generation apparatus, wherein the photonic microwave generation module includes a microwave generation laser. An optical power and a carrier frequency of the comb-like optical signal are adjusted so as to place the microwave generation laser in period-one nonlinear dynamics, and, at the same time, to phase-lock an oscillation sideband of the period-one nonlinear dynamics by one harmonic of the comb-like optical signal. Under such operation, the microwave generation laser emits an output optical signal that carries a microwave signal of a narrow linewidth and a stable frequency, which can be retrieved from the output optical signal by using a photodetector.

Abstract: A photonic microwave generation apparatus and a method thereof are disclosed. A comb-like optical signal generation module of the photonic microwave generation apparatus generates a comb-like optical signal. The comb-like optical signal is injected into a photonic microwave generation module of the photonic microwave generation apparatus, wherein the photonic microwave generation module includes a microwave generation laser. An optical power and a carrier frequency of the comb-like optical signal are adjusted so as to place the microwave generation laser in period-one nonlinear dynamics, and, at the same time, to phase-lock an oscillation sideband of the period-one nonlinear dynamics by one harmonic of the comb-like optical signal. Under such operation, the microwave generation laser emits an output optical signal that carries a microwave signal of a narrow linewidth and a stable frequency, which can be retrieved from the output optical signal by using a photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for conversion from optical double-sideband modulation signals to optical single-sideband modulation signals. Period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers is utilized to achieve such optical signal conversion. Only a typical semiconductor laser is required as the key conversion unit. The microwave and data quality are maintained or even improved after conversion, increasing detection sensitivity, transmission distance, and link gain of the communication networks. The device is relatively less sensitive to ambient variations, can be self-adapted to changes in operating conditions, and can be applied for a broad range of operating microwave frequency up to at least 80 GHz and a high data rate up to at least 2.5 Gbits/s. The device can therefore be dynamically reconfigured for different communication networks adopting different operating microwave frequencies and different data rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for conversion from optical double-sideband modulation signals to optical single-sideband modulation signals. Period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers is utilized to achieve such optical signal conversion. Only a typical semiconductor laser is required as the key conversion unit. The microwave and data quality are maintained or even improved after conversion, increasing detection sensitivity, transmission distance, and link gain of the communication networks. The device is relatively less sensitive to ambient variations, can be self-adapted to changes in operating conditions, and can be applied for a broad range of operating microwave frequency up to at least 80 GHz and a high data rate up to at least 2.5 Gbits/s. The device can therefore be dynamically reconfigured for different communication networks adopting different operating microwave frequencies and different data rates.

Abstract: Period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers are utilized to provide an apparatus for photonic microwave power amplification in radio-over-fiber links through optical modulation depth improvement. The microwave power amplification apparatus includes a microwave-modulated optical signal generation module and a microwave power amplification module. The amplification capability of the present microwave power amplification apparatus covers a broad microwave range, from less than 25 GHz to more than 60 GHz, and a wide gain range, from less than 10 dB to more than 30 dB. The microwave phase quality is mainly preserved while the microwave power is largely amplified, improving the signal-to-noise ratio up to at least 25 dB. The bit-error ratio at 1.25 Gb/s is better than 10?9 and a sensitivity improvement of up to at least 15 dB is feasible.

Abstract: Period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers are utilized to provide an apparatus for photonic microwave power amplification in radio-over-fiber links through optical modulation depth improvement. The microwave power amplification apparatus includes a microwave-modulated optical signal generation module and a microwave power amplification module. The amplification capability of the present microwave power amplification apparatus covers a broad microwave range, from less than 25 GHz to more than 60 GHz, and a wide gain range, from less than 10 dB to more than 30 dB. The microwave phase quality is mainly preserved while the microwave power is largely amplified, improving the signal-to-noise ratio up to at least 25 dB. The bit-error ratio at 1.25 Gb/s is better than 10?9 and a sensitivity improvement of up to at least 15 dB is feasible.

Abstract: A transport equipment comprises at least a carrier that is disposed on the window platform or balcony and thus becomes one part of a building in normal condition, or that is pushed out of the window or balcony for personnel and commodity transportation through a cantilever beam of a slow descending mechanism when in need, to descend or ascend along the outer wall of a building. In this manner, personnel or commodity can be transported by the carrier to reach ground directly or in relay-floor connection mode. For example, personnel or precious commodity can be evacuated at the first instant of fire. Even in the case of electricity disconnection due to the happening of a fire, the slow descending mechanism of the transport equipment can be operated by uninterruptible power supply or by hand.