Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120037181 | CLEANING METHODS FOR IMPROVED PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE EFFICIENCY - Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for cleaning a substrate prior to a deposition process. The methods generally include multiple cleaning solutions for removing contaminants from a surface of a substrate. The multiple solutions generally have different compositions, and each of the solutions contain one or more additives selected to remove a variety of contaminants. Mechanical agitation may also be utilized to remove contaminants from the surface of a substrate. After cleaning a substrate, a material may be deposited on the substrate surface. | 02-16-2012 |
20120088327 | Methods of Soldering to High Efficiency Thin Film Solar Panels - Methods for forming a thin film solar cell are provided. In one aspect, a thin film solar cell is formed by providing a back contact comprising a reflective material and an interface metal, applying a solder paste slurry that include a paste flux and metal particles to the interface metal and soldering at least one buss wire to back contact. | 04-12-2012 |
20120168135 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SOLAR CELL MODULE EDGE COOLING DURING LAMINATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide a lamination module and procedure for cooling the edges of a partially formed thin film solar module to substantially the same temperature as the central region of the module just prior to compressing and bonding the layers of the heated module. The lamination module may include a cooling module having a plurality of nozzles configured to apply a curtain of cooling fluid to leading and trailing edges of the partially formed solar module after heating the module and just prior to compressing the module. The nozzles may further be configured to apply a curtain of cooling fluid to side edges of the partially formed solar cell module as it passes through the cooling module. As a result, the chance of bubble formation within the bonding material in the edge regions of the completed solar cell module is significantly lowered with respect to conventional lamination processes. | 07-05-2012 |
20140080276 | Technique For Forming A FinFET Device - A three-dimensional structure disposed on a substrate is processed so as to alter the etch rate of material disposed on at least one surface of the structure. In some embodiments, a conformal deposition of material is performed on the three-dimensional structure. Subsequently, an ion implant is performed on at least one surface of the three-dimensional structure. This ion implant serves to alter the etch rate of the material deposited on that structure. In some embodiments, the ion implant increases the etch rate of the material. In other embodiments, the ion implant decreases the etch rate. In some embodiments, ion implants are performed on more than one surface, such that the material on at least one surface is etched more quickly and material on at least one other surface is etched more slowly. | 03-20-2014 |
20140113442 | DUAL GATE PROCESS - The control of gate widths is improved for system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices which require multiple gate dielectric “gate” thicknesses, e.g., for analog and digital processing on the same chip. A hard mask is formed to protect a thick gate while the thin gate region is etched to remove oxide (sometimes referred to as a preclean step). The patterned substrate is then processed to selectively deposit a second thickness of gate material. The thin gate may be silicon oxide and the physical thickness of the thin gate may be less than that of the thick gate. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is not exposed to air or atmosphere after the hardmask is removed. | 04-24-2014 |
20140162414 | TECHNIQUE FOR SELECTIVELY PROCESSING THREE DIMENSIONAL DEVICE - A method to selectively process a three dimensional device, comprising providing a substrate having a first surface that extends horizontally, the substrate comprising a structure containing a second surface that extends vertically from the first surface; providing a film on the substrate, the film comprising carbon species; and etching a selected portion of the film by exposing the selected portion of the film to an etchant containing hydrogen species, where the etchant excludes oxygen species and fluorine species. | 06-12-2014 |
20140264483 | Metal gate structures for field effect transistors and method of fabrication - The present invention relates to combinations of materials and fabrication techniques which are useful in the fabrication of filled, metal-comprising gates for use in planar and 3D Field Effect Transistor (FET) structures. The FET structures described are of the kind needed for improved performance in semiconductor device structures produced at manufacturing nodes which implement semiconductor feature sizes in the 15 nm range or lower. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273504 | SELECTIVE DEPOSITION BY LIGHT EXPOSURE - A substrate processing chamber comprising a chamber wall enclosing a process zone having an exhaust port, a substrate support to support a substrate in the process zone, a gas distributor for providing a deposition gas to the process zone, a solid state light source capable of irradiating substantially the entire surface of the substrate with light, and a gas energizer for energizing the deposition gas. | 09-18-2014 |
20150031207 | Forming multiple gate length transistor gates using sidewall spacers - A method of fabricating multiple gate lengths simultaneously on a single chip surface. Hard masking materials which are used as spacers in a field effects transistor generation process are converted into a spacer mask to increase the line density on the chip surface. These hard masking spacers are further patterned by either trimming or by enlarging a portion of a spacer at various locations on a chip surface, to enable formation of multiple gate lengths on a single chip, using a series of process steps which make use of combinations of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. | 01-29-2015 |
20150050800 | FIN FORMATION BY EPITAXIAL DEPOSITION - Methods of forming a fin structure for a field effect transistor are described. The methods may include the operations of patterning a mandrel on a surface of a substrate, and depositing an epitaxial layer of high-mobility channel material over exposed surfaces of the patterned mandrel. The epitaxial layer leaves a gap between adjacent columns of the patterned mandrel, and a dielectric material may be deposited in the gap between the adjacent columns of the patterned mandrel. The methods may also include planarizing the epitaxial layer to form a planarized epitaxial layer and exposing the columns of the patterned mandrel, and etching at least a portion of the exposed columns of the patterned mandrel and the dielectric material to expose at least a portion of the planarized epitaxial layer that forms the fin structure. | 02-19-2015 |
20150083581 | TECHNIQUES FOR PROCESSING SUBSTRATES USING DIRECTIONAL REACTIVE ION ETCHING - A method of treating a substrate includes directing ions to the substrate along at least one non-zero angle with respect to a perpendicular to a substrate surface in a presence of a reactive ambient containing a reactive species where the substrate includes a surface feature. At least one surface of the surface feature is etched using the ions in combination with the reactive ambient at a first etch rate that is greater than a second etch rate when the ions are directed to the substrate without the reactive ambient and greater than a third etch rate when the reactive ambient is provided to the substrate without the ions. | 03-26-2015 |
20150093862 | INTERFACE TREATMENT OF SEMICONDUCTOR SURFACES WITH HIGH DENSITY LOW ENERGY PLASMA - An electron beam plasma source is used in a soft plasma surface treatment of semiconductor surfaces containing Ge or group III-V compound semiconductor materials. | 04-02-2015 |
20150118832 | METHODS FOR PATTERNING A HARDMASK LAYER FOR AN ION IMPLANTATION PROCESS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a methods for patterning a hardmask layer with good process control for an ion implantation process, particularly suitable for manufacturing the fin field effect transistor (FinFET) for semiconductor chips. In one embodiment, a method of patterning a hardmask layer disposed on a substrate includes forming a planarization layer over a hardmask layer disposed on a substrate, disposing a patterned photoresist layer over the planarization layer, patterning the planarization layer and the hardmask layer uncovered by the patterned photoresist layer in a processing chamber, exposing a first portion of the underlying substrate, and removing the planarization layer from the substrate. | 04-30-2015 |
20150255243 | GRAZING ANGLE PLASMA PROCESSING FOR MODIFYING A SUBSTRATE SURFACE - Embodiments of the disclosure provide apparatus and methods for modifying a surface of a substrate using a plasma modification process. In one embodiment, a process generally includes the removal and/or redistribution of a portion of an exposed surface of the substrate by use of an energetic particle beam while the substrate is disposed within a particle beam modification apparatus. Embodiments may also provide a plasma modification process that includes one or more pre-planarization processing steps and/or one or more post-planarization processing steps that are all performed within one processing system. Some embodiments may provide an apparatus and methods for planarizing a surface of a substrate by performing all of the plasma modification processes within either the same processing chamber, the same processing system or within processing chambers found in two or more processing systems. | 09-10-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100123258 | Low Temperature Board Level Assembly Using Anisotropically Conductive Materials - An integrated circuit may be secured to a substrate using an anisotropically conductive adhesive that may be cured at a temperature of less than 150° C. In some embodiments, an acrylic resin with embedded metallic particles may be used as the anisotropically conductive adhesive. In some embodiments, the board level reliability of the resulting product may be improved through the use of the anisotropically conductive adhesive that may be cured at a temperature of less than 150° C. | 05-20-2010 |
20100155934 | MOLDING COMPOUND INCLUDING A CARBON NANO-TUBE DISPERSION - A molding compound comprising a resin, a filler, and a carbon nano-tube dispersion is disclosed. The carbon nano-tube dispersion achieves a low average agglomeration size in the molding compound thereby providing desirable electromechanical properties and laser marking compatibility. A shallow laser mark may be formed in a mold cap with a maximum depth of less than 10 microns. | 06-24-2010 |
20110127642 | PACKAGE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE TOPOLOGICAL FEATURE ON AN ENCAPSULANT MATERIAL TO RESIST OUT-OF-PLANE DEFORMATION - Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including semiconductor packages, e.g. memory packages, including a die and an encapsulant material formed over the die, and at least one topological feature formed on an external surface of the encapsulant material, and configured to resist out-of-plane deformation of the package. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. | 06-02-2011 |
20130155767 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR SENSING A PHASE-CHANGE TEST CELL AND DETERMINING CHANGES TO THE TEST CELL RESISTANCE DUE TO THERMAL EXPOSURE - A phase change memory array may include at least one cell used to determine whether the array has been altered by thermal exposure over time. The cell may be the same or different from the other cells. In some embodiments, the cell is only read in response to an event. If, in response to that reading, it is determined that the cell has changed state or resistance, it may deduce whether the change is a result of thermal exposure. Corrective measures may then be taken. | 06-20-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100180128 | Information Source Agent Systems and Methods For Distributed Data Storage and Management Using Content Signatures - Information source agent systems and methods for distributed content storage and management using content signatures that use file identicality properties are provided. A data management system is provided that includes a content engine for managing the storage of file content, a content signature generator that generates a unique content signature for a file processed by the content engine, a content signature comparator that compares content signatures and a content signature repository that stores content signatures. Information source agents are provided that include content signature generators and content signature comparators. Methods are provided for the efficient management of files using content signatures that take advantage of file identicality properties. Content signature application modules and registries exist within information source clients and centralized servers to support the content signature methods. | 07-15-2010 |
20120011102 | Information Source Agent and Computer Program Product for Distributed Data Storage and Management Using Content Signatures - Information source agent and computer program product for distributed content storage and management using content signatures that use file identicality properties are provided. An information source agent is provided that includes a an information source collection agent for computing, gathering, or transporting file data information through the use of a content signature generator and content signature comparator, an information source modification agent that modifies files located on the information source client, and an agent controller to manage the operation of the information source collection agent. | 01-12-2012 |
20120016843 | Information Source Agent Systems and Methods for Backing Up Files To a Repository Using File Identicality - A system, method, and computer program product for storing back-up files using file identicality properties are provided. A system is provided that intercepts file information from files while they are being stored to a back-up system. The files are intercepted with a file gathering interface that is in communication with one or more information source clients. The system includes an indexing engine to index file data contents of the intercepted file, a metadata engine to manage metadata concerning the intercepted file, and a triage engine to manage the file gathering interface, the indexing engine, and the metadata engine. Methods are provided for the interception of files being sent to a back-up system that take advantage of file identicality properties. | 01-19-2012 |
20120016850 | Notifying Users of File Updates on Computing Devices Using Content Signatures - A method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing file updates using content signatures that use file identicality properties are provided. A method and computer program product are provided for the notification of receipt of a new version of the old file using content signatures that take advantage of file identicality properties. Content signature application modules and registries exist within information source clients and centralized servers to support the notification methods. An apparatus is provided that associates a file it has received, that is a new version of an old file, with previously stored content signatures in an indexed archive system. The information source clients that have the previously stored content signatures are then identified. These information source clients are then notified that the new version of the file exists. | 01-19-2012 |
20120117665 | METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR CONTROLLING RESTRICTED CONTENT - A method and computer program product for managing restricted content, such as confidential or classified content, using content signatures are provided. A registry is established within an indexed archive system for content signatures of restricted files. Participants enroll in the registry and submit content signatures of all their files to the registry. The registry compares the submitted content signatures to those stored previously in the registry. The registry initiates a control action whenever there is a match between a participant's content signature and a previously stored content signature of a file to which the participant does not have access rights. When there is no match, the participant retains access to the restricted file. | 05-10-2012 |
20120131001 | METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR GENERATING SEARCH RESULTS USING FILE IDENTICALITY - A method and computer program product for generating prioritized search results using file identicality are provided. Content signatures may facilitate searches for files based on search requests or specific signatures. A user enters a search request, which is received at an indexed archive system. All of the files in the indexed archive system are searched for any files that include the search request or its equivalent, and a list is then generated of the files that are identified in the search. The indexed archive system determines the content signatures for each file identified, as well as statistics for the files identified. These statistics are used to prioritize the list of identified files. The prioritized list is then returned to the user. | 05-24-2012 |
20120158760 | METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PERFORMING COMPUTER FORENSICS - A method and computer program product for performing computer forensics using file identicality are provided. A file under investigation, or a content signature for the file under investigation, is received. A content signature watch registry is updated with the content signature of the file under investigation. Any information source clients that contain the content signature for the file under investigation are identified. Any information source clients that previously contained the content signature are also identified. When any new files are received, their content signatures are compared against the updated content signature watch registry and any matches are identified. For all information source clients and content signatures identified, a control action is initiated to either generate a file investigation report or a notification for an administrator of the system. | 06-21-2012 |
20120185445 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR IDENTIFYING IDENTICAL FILES - A system, method and computer program product for identifying identical files using content signatures are provided. A content signature is generated within an indexed archive system for a file received at an information source client in a network. The generated content signature is compared with content signatures associated with files that already exist within the network. It is then determined whether the content signature for the received file matches that of an existing file in the network. Where there is a match, the metadata for the received file is examined to determine if the received file was independently created from the existing file with matching content signature. If the metadata confirms the independent creation, a control action is taken. | 07-19-2012 |
20120185505 | METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR ACCELERATED WEB BROWSING - A method and computer program product for accelerating web browsing using content signatures are provided. A web page is requested that has a set of content signatures associated with content of the web page. The set of content signatures is compared with content signatures already stored on an information source client. Links for any content associated with any unmatched content signatures are requested. The content and content signatures not already stored on the information source client are then stored. | 07-19-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080218353 | Method and Apparatus Using Magnetic Flux for Container Security - A seal device includes a locking member with a magnetically permeable material portion, and structure that can receive the locking member. The structure supports a magnetic field generator and detector at locations spaced from each other and from a region that is occupied by the portion of the locking member when the locking member is received by the structure. The structure defines a main flux path as a loop having a first portion, a second portion and a remainder that are mutually exclusive, and that collectively define the entirety of the flux path. The first and second portions are respectively within the magnetic field generator and the region, and most of the remainder extends through magnetically permeable material of the structure. The detector is located where the magnetic field has different characteristics when the portion of the locking member is respectively present in and absent from the region. | 09-11-2008 |
20090102657 | Method and Apparatus for Tracking and Monitoring Containers - A tag can communicate according to a cellular telephone network communication protocol, and includes one of: passive circuitry, semi-passive circuitry, or circuitry capable of communicating according to a radio frequency identification communication protocol or a satellite communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag can receive satellite signals containing positioning information, and can transmit according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. According to yet another aspect, a tag can transmit according to each of first and second communication protocols that are each one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102658 | Method and Apparatus for Tracking and Monitoring Containers - A tag detects a condition, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of information regarding the selected condition, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. According to a different aspect, a tag carries out geofencing analysis, and selectively operates a portion of its circuitry in first and second modes as a function of results of the geofencing analysis, the portion consuming less power in the second mode than in the first mode, and being capable of wireless communication according to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102659 | Method and Apparatus for Tracking and Monitoring Containers - A tag has a sensor that can detect a condition in the region of the tag. The tag effects an operational adjustment relating to the sensor based on sensor configuration information in a received wireless signal. According to a different aspect, a tag can receive wireless signals containing positioning information, and wireless signals containing location information indicating with a first accuracy the current location of the tag. The further signals conform to one of a radio frequency identification communication protocol, a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. The tag determines from the positioning information with a second accuracy greater than the first accuracy the current location of the tag, the tag being responsive to the location information for more rapidly effecting the determination with the second accuracy. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102660 | Method and Apparatus for Tracking and Monitoring Containers - A tag has a circuit portion that functions as a reader capable of wireless communication with other tags. According to a different aspect, a tag has a circuit portion with first and second modes, the circuitry consuming less power in the second mode than the first mode, and exiting the second mode only in response to an act by a human. According to yet another aspect, a tag can receive wireless communications conforming to one of a cellular telephone network communication protocol, a satellite communication protocol, and a wireless computer network communication protocol. The tag responds to receipt of a predetermined wireless signal conforming to the one protocol by carrying out one of first action that includes causing the tag to enter an electronically secure state, or a second action that includes causing the tag to exit the electronically secure state. | 04-23-2009 |
20090128299 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF RFID FREQUENCY ENCODING - In one embodiment the present invention includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) apparatus comprising an inlay layer. The inlay layer includes a plurality of resonant metal structures. The plurality of resonant metal structures has a first configuration of locations and resonate frequencies. Each resonant metal structure corresponds to a location and a resonant frequency. | 05-21-2009 |