Abstract: A clamping plate capable of reliably clamping a disk-shaped medium. In the clamping plate, at an imaginary intersecting portion between an imaginary extended surface of a rear surface of an outer peripheral portion of a main body and an imaginary extended surface of a rear surface of an inner peripheral wall of the main body, an annular groove recessed from the imaginary extended surfaces in the directions of the thicknesses of the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral wall is formed along an imaginary cross line of the imaginary extended surfaces.

Abstract: Information carrier, comprising a disc (101) which is provided with at least one data layer (102) for optically reading and/or writing information, wherein the disc comprises an annular clamping part (C), to be held by a clamper (121) during use, wherein the disc comprises at least one integrated circuit (103), wherein said integrated circuit comprises a first communicator (104) for communication with at least a second, external, communicator (111) during use, wherein the first communicator extends in a centre area (T) which is enclosed by said annular clamping part.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium has tolerance to warping. The optical information recording medium includes at least one information recording layer on a main surface of a substrate and a light-transmitting layer. The substrate includes a clamp area and an information recording area in accordance with the information recording layer. In the light-transmitting layer, the average thickness of a second area corresponding to the clamp area is thinner than the average thickness of a first area corresponding to the information recording area.

Abstract: The recording layer of a DVD is at least partially or entirely positioned at a distance T7 of less than 0.4 mm with respect to the second surface. Therefore, when the optical recording medium of the present invention is clamped in a drive, the recording layer has a “higher” position. The layer structure of the optical recording medium is a feature in reducing the thickness of the disc in an area of the recording layer. In particular, a thickness T1 of only 0.4 to 0.7 mm is possible while remaining the reliability of the optical recording medium (i.e. without reading problems in most or all drives). Further, it is achieved that the optical recording medium may have only one substrate, e.g., one disc of polycarbonate, whereas the other side of the recording layer is covered by a protective lacquer.

Abstract: The recording layer of a DVD is at least partially or entirely positioned at a distance T7 of less than 0.4 mm with respect to the second surface. Therefore, when the optical recording medium of the present invention is clamped in a drive, the recording layer has a “higher” position. The layer structure of the optical recording medium is a feature in reducing the thickness of the disc in an area of the recording layer. In particular, a thickness T1 of only 0.4 to 0.7 mm is possible while remaining the reliability of the optical recording medium (i.e. without reading problems in most or all drives). Further, it is achieved that the optical recording medium may have only one substrate, e.g., one disc of polycarbonate, whereas the other side of the recording layer is covered by a protective lacquer.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is described. The optical recording medium includes a substrate and a recording layer arranged on one side of the substrate. The optical recording medium has a predetermined clamping area. The clamping area is formed such as to achieve a deformation of or a tension in at least a part of the optical recording medium when it is clamped within a recording and/or reproducing device.

Abstract: The recording layer of a DVD is at least partially or entirely positioned at a distance T7 of less than 0.4 mm with respect to the second surface. Therefore, when the optical recording medium of the present invention is clamped in a drive, the recording layer has a “higher” position. The layer structure of the optical recording medium is a feature in reducing the thickness of the disc in an area of the recording layer. In particular, a thickness T1 of only 0.4 to 0.7 mm is possible while remaining the reliability of the optical recording medium (i.e. without reading problems in most or all drives). Further, it is achieved that the optical recording medium may have only one substrate, e.g., one disc of polycarbonate, whereas the other side of the recording layer is covered by a protective lacquer.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an optical information recording medium including a substrate (1) and an optical information layer in one of the layers the substrate (1) and having a light incident surface on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate side and the opposite side. The optical information recording medium also includes a magnetic clamp layer (2) at a position not disturbing the incident light into the optical information layer from the light incident surface and covering optical information layer partially or entirely. The magnetic clamp layer (2) is pulled by and fixed to the magnet of an optical information recording/reproduction apparatus. The pulling force between the clamp layer and the magnet is preferably in a range from 0.1 N to 5 N. Thus, it is possible to provide an optical information recording medium and an optical information recording/reproduction apparatus in which recording/reproduction can be performed up to the vicinity of the center of the substrate (1).

Abstract: It is an object to provide an optical information recording medium including a substrate (1) and an optical information layer in one of the layers the substrate (1) and having a light incident surface on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate side and the opposite side. The optical information recording medium also includes a magnetic clamp layer (2) at a position not disturbing the incident light into the optical information layer from the light incident surface and covering optical information layer partially or entirely. The magnetic clamp layer (2) is pulled by and fixed to the magnet of an optical information recording/reproduction apparatus. The pulling force between the clamp layer and the magnet is preferably in a range from 0.1 N to 5 N. Thus, it is possible to provide an optical information recording medium and an optical information recording/reproduction apparatus in which recording/reproduction can be performed up to the vicinity of the center of the substrate (1).

Abstract: An improved and new process for fabricating self-aligned contacts (SAC) to source/drain areas of complimentary (CMOS) FET's has been developed using a non-conformal layer of silicon nitride, eliminating the need for a hard mask. This process allows for “zero” spacing from contact structure to polysilicon gate structure, for closely spaced design rule gates. Some key process features of this invention are as follows: no hard mask is needed and the gate process is exactly the same as “standard” logic process. The process differences are that between the S/D implant, salicidation and the normal contact process, there is inserted a non-conformal CVD silicon nitride deposition with a SAC pattern and etch process. The process is fully compatible with both state of-the-art salicide and polycide processes. The self-aligned contact process simplifies processing, while yielding improvements in electrical device performance and reliability.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for thermal, vapor phase removal of silicon oxides and metal-containing contaminants from a surface of a substrate of a type used in manufacturing semiconductor devices comprising contacting the substrate at an elevated temperature at an elevated temperature appropriate to generate and maintain an effective amount of a cleaning reagent to form volatile by-products of the silicon oxides and the metal-containing contaminants and removing the volatile by-products from the surface, wherein the cleaning reagent is a complex of hydrogen fluoride and an oxygen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of one or more of trifluoroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic anhydride, 1,2-propanedione, a .beta.-diketone and a .beta.