Abstract: A thin-film deposition system includes a top plate positioned above a wafer and configured to generate a plasma during a thin-film deposition process. The system includes a sensor configured to generate sensor signals indicative of a lifetime of a component of the thin-film deposition system, a characteristic of a thin-film deposited by the thin-film deposition system or a characteristic of a process material that flows into the thin-film deposition system. The system includes a control system configured to adjust a relative location of a top plate of the thin-film deposition system with respect to a location of a wafer in the thin-film deposition system during the thin-film deposition process responsive to the sensor signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of processing a semiconductor substrate in a processing chamber, such as a chemical vapor deposition chamber. The chemical vapor deposition chamber includes a spindle mechanism that cooperates with one or more carrier ring forks to move the semiconductor substrate from one station to another station. The methods include monitoring one or more spindle operation parameters and carrying out one or more maintenance steps on the spindle mechanism based on the results of monitoring the one or more spindle operation parameters. The monitored spindle operation parameters provide an indication of undesirable vibration of the semiconductor substrates in the processing chamber. The vibration of the semiconductor substrates in the processing chamber is undesirable because it promotes generation of unwanted particles that deposit onto a surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wavelength conversion of a signal, for example, a dual-polarization signal, is disclosed. The apparatus implements a single-loop counter-propagating wavelength conversion scheme which provides both up-conversion and down-conversion of the signal within the same loop. Nonlinear wavelength conversion devices in the loop provide both up-conversion and down-conversion of the polarization components of the signal within the loop depending on whether the polarization component travels through the nonlinear conversion device in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. The wavelength-converted signal is available to be extracted from the wavelength-conversion loop. An all-optical wavelength-division multiplexing transponder based on the wavelength-conversion scheme is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for predicting and compensating frictions of a feed system includes following steps: constantly obtaining current signals and angle-position signals of a motor by a motor driver of a feed system after being activated; calculating frictions of the motor upon each rotating position according to the obtained current signals and angle-position signals and generating multiple records of friction data; creating a friction model according to the multiple records of friction data and the angle-position signals each respectively corresponding to each record of friction data with respect to each rotating position; importing current angle-position signal of the motor to the friction model for predicting a predicted friction; calculating a compensation current based on the predicted friction; and, controlling the motor driver to additionally provide the compensation current to the motor for conquering an upcoming friction of the feed system approximate to the predicted friction.

Abstract: A high atomic number material is applied to one or more surfaces of a semiconductor structure of a wafer. The one or more surfaces are at a depth different from a depth of a surface of the wafer. An electron beam is scanned over the semiconductor structure to cause a backscattered electron signal to be collected at a collector. A profile scan of the semiconductor structure is generated based on an intensity of the backscattered electron signal, at the collector, resulting from the high atomic number material. The high atomic number material increases the intensity of the backscattered electron signal for the one or more surfaces of the semiconductor structure such that contrast in the profile scan is increased. The increased contrast of the profile scan enables accurate critical dimension measurements of the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A wavelength converter for LiDAR systems, such as automotive LiDAR, is disclosed. Implementation of the wavelength converter in LiDAR systems makes possible generation and modulation of laser light in the silicon response region, conversion of the laser light to an eye-safe wavelength for emission and reflection from a target, and efficient conversion of the wavelength of the laser light to the silicon response region. The wavelength converter may implement a single-loop counter-propagating wavelength conversion scheme which provides both up-conversion and down-conversion of the signal within the same loop. The wavelength conversion design also has the potential for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to enable a combined LiDAR and V2V communication system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for batch registration and configuration of devices are disclosed. A plurality of devices are detected over one or more networks. Data indicative of the plurality of devices is provided through a user interface. Through the user interface, user input is received that indicates a selected plurality of the devices. The selected plurality of the devices are registered with a service provider environment. The selected plurality of the devices are authenticated using device-specific credentials and registered for device-specific accounts with the service provider environment. A configuration profile is deployed to the selected plurality of the devices.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a feedback service that collects feedback for skills, or capabilities, of a virtual assistant that interacts with users, and associates the feedback with the appropriate skills. Virtual assistants interact with users via voice-enabled devices that are backed by voice-processing systems that support various skills of the virtual assistants. Due to large numbers of skills, users are unable to determine which skill is invoked during interactions with virtual assistants, and are thus unable to provide feedback for the skill. The techniques described herein include continuing a speech dialogue with a user after completion of an interaction, and requesting feedback regarding the interaction. Additionally, the techniques may include collecting contextual data for the interaction (e.g., dropped packets, latency caused by jitter, etc.).

Abstract: A wavelength converter for LiDAR systems, such as automotive LiDAR, is disclosed. Implementation of the wavelength converter in LiDAR systems makes possible generation and modulation of laser light in the silicon response region, conversion of the laser light to an eye-safe wavelength for emission and reflection from a target, and efficient conversion of the wavelength of the laser light to the silicon response region. The wavelength converter may implement a single-loop counter-propagating wavelength conversion scheme which provides both up-conversion and down-conversion of the signal within the same loop. The wavelength conversion design also has the potential for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to enable a combined LiDAR and V2V communication system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wavelength conversion of a signal, for example, a dual-polarization signal, is disclosed. The apparatus implements a single-loop counter-propagating wavelength conversion scheme which provides both up-conversion and down-conversion of the signal within the same loop. Nonlinear wavelength conversion devices in the loop provide both up-conversion and down-conversion of the polarization components of the signal within the loop depending on whether the polarization component travels through the nonlinear conversion device in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. The wavelength-converted signal is available to be extracted from the wavelength-conversion loop. An all-optical wavelength-division multiplexing transponder based on the wavelength-conversion scheme is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wavelength converter for LiDAR systems, such as automotive LiDAR, is disclosed. Implementation of the wavelength converter in LiDAR systems makes possible generation and modulation of laser light in the silicon response region, conversion of the laser light to an eye-safe wavelength for emission and reflection from a target, and efficient conversion of the wavelength of the laser light to the silicon response region. The wavelength converter may implement a single-loop counter-propagating wavelength conversion scheme which provides both up-conversion and down-conversion of the signal within the same loop. The wavelength conversion design also has the potential for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to enable a combined LiDAR and V2V communication system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor manufacturing method and a system therefore. The semiconductor manufacturing method includes: providing a gas from a container through an outlet to a semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment, wherein a control valve is connected to the outlet to control a gas flow; retrieving a set of parameters corresponding to the gas flow; and determining a nominal position of the control valve by incorporating the set of parameters through a processor in order to provide a desired flow passage into the semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment, wherein the semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment includes a plurality of independent reaction chambers, wherein each reaction chamber is individually supplied with a gas pipe, and each gas pipe receives the gas from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wavelength conversion of a signal, for example, a dual-polarization signal, is disclosed. The apparatus implements a single-loop counter-propagating wavelength conversion scheme which provides both up-conversion and down-conversion of the signal within the same loop. Nonlinear wavelength conversion devices in the loop provide both up-conversion and down-conversion of the polarization components of the signal within the loop depending on whether the polarization component travels through the nonlinear conversion device in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. The wavelength-converted signal is available to be extracted from the wavelength-conversion loop. An all-optical wavelength-division multiplexing transponder based on the wavelength-conversion scheme is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for predicting and compensating frictions of a feed system includes following steps: constantly obtaining current signals and angle-position signals of a motor by a motor driver of a feed system after being activated; calculating frictions of the motor upon each rotating position according to the obtained current signals and angle-position signals and generating multiple records of friction data; creating a friction model according to the multiple records of friction data and the angle-position signals each respectively corresponding to each record of friction data with respect to each rotating position; importing current angle-position signal of the motor to the friction model for predicting a predicted friction; calculating a compensation current based on the predicted friction; and, controlling the motor driver to additionally provide the compensation current to the motor for conquering an upcoming friction of the feed system approximate to the predicted friction.

Abstract: A method (of generating a layout diagram) includes identifying, in the layout diagram, a group of three or more cells arranged so as to exhibit two or more edge-pairs (EPs) that are edge-wise abutted relative to a first direction. The method further includes, for each of at least one but fewer than all of the three or more cells, selectively moving a given one of cells corresponding to one of the members of the corresponding EP resulting in at least a minimum gap in the first direction between the members of the corresponding EP.

Abstract: A quantum flow cytometer for detecting an analyte with photon-number statistics includes: a flow cytometer that: receives a pump light in a first direction; receives an analyte flow comprising the analyte in a second direction; and produces scattered light from scattering the pump light by the analyte; a single photon detector in optical communication with the flow cytometer and that: receives, in a third direction, the scattered light from the flow cytometer: provides a correlative time-of-arrival waveform comprising photon-number statistics as an amplitude and an integrated area, the integrated area being proportional to a number of photons received by the single photon detector, wherein the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are arranged at oblique angles.

Abstract: A method (of generating a layout diagram) includes: identifying, in the layout diagram, a group of three or more cells which violates a horizontal constraint vector (HCV) and is arranged so as to exhibit two or more vertically-aligned edge-pairs (VEPs); each VEP including two members representing at least partial portions of vertical edges of corresponding cells of the group; relative to a horizontal direction, the members of each VEP being disposed in edgewise-abutment and separated by a corresponding actual gap; and the HCV having separation thresholds, each of which has a corresponding VEP and represents a corresponding minimum gap in the horizontal direction between the members of the corresponding VEP; and for each of at least one but fewer than all of the separation thresholds, selectively moving a given one of cells corresponding to one of the members of the corresponding VEP thereby to avoid violating the HCV.

Abstract: A quantum flow cytometer detects an analyte with photon-number statistics and includes: a flow cytometer that receives a pump light, an analyte and produces scattered light from the analyte; an intensity interferometer that includes a beam splitter and receives the scattered light; splits the scattered light; and single photon detectors that receive the scattered light, such that the beam splitter and the single photon detectors provide photon number statistics that detects the analyte. A process for detecting the analyte with photon-number statistics includes: receiving the pump light; producing, by the analyte, scattered light from scattering the pump light; splitting the scattered light into first scattered light and second scattered light; detecting, by single photon detectors, the first scattered light and second scattered light; producing, by the single photon detectors, detection signals; and subjecting the detection signals to an analyzer to detect the analyte by photon number statistics.

Abstract: Techniques for selecting a meeting to join in response to a voice command from a user are described herein. A user may utter a voice command to “join my meeting” and, in response, the techniques may access a calendar associated with the user to identify the call-in information used to join the meeting. If the calendar indicates that the user is listed as an invitee for multiple meetings at the current time, then the techniques may analyze an array of criteria to determine which meeting the user most likely would like to join.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for location-based functionality for voice-capturing devices are disclosed. An association is determined between a location value for a location parameter and one or more functionalities. The association is stored by a device management component of a service provider environment. An assignment of the location value to a device account is stored by the device management component. The device account corresponds to a voice-capturing device coupled to the service provider environment over one or more networks. Based at least in part on the assignment of the location value to the device account, the one or more functionalities are enabled for use by the voice-capturing device.