1212 results about "Stepper" patented technology

A portable peritoneal dialysis apparatus having (1) a hinged door for enclosing a disposable cassette that seals tightly shut using air pressure; (2) accurate pressure sensing of pressures applied to the patient through an enclosure in the disposable cassette; (3) two pumps that can operate separately or in tandem actuated by two separate stepper motors; and (4) a touch screen user interface where indicia of the operating mode is always visible along with indicia for the other possible operating modes and the mode can be changed by touching one of these indicia.

Disclosed is a method of inspecting a sample. The method includes moving to a first field associated with a first group of test structures. The first group of test structures are partially within the first field. The method further includes scanning the first field to determine whether there are any defects present within the first group of test structures. When it is determined that there are defects within the first group of test structures, the method further includes repeatedly stepping to areas and scanning such areas so as to determine a specific defect location within the first group of test structures. A suitable test structure for performing this method is also disclosed.< / PTEXT>

A fused filament fabrication printer has a fixed extrusion module having multiple printheads having print tips. The fixed arrangement of the printing heads allows the close spacing of multiple print tips in a printhead unit, and the simple routing of multiple plastic or metal filaments to the individual printing heads. The closely spaced print tips in the printhead unit share common components. An exemplary printhead unit has four printing heads which share a common heating block and heating block temperature sensor. The heating block incorporates a group of four print tips evenly spaced along a line. Each printing head has a separate filament which is controlled and driven by its own stepper motor through the heating block to one of the print tips. Printing of a part is by control of individual stepper motors which drive filaments through the heating block and through one of the printing tips.

An apparatus and method for mixing fluids and / or solids in a manner that can be varied from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy. Variation in the manner of mixing is accomplished using an electronic controller to generate signals to control the frequency and amplitude of the motor(s), which drive an unbalanced shaft assembly to produce a linear vibratory motion. The motor may be a stepper motors a linear motor or a DC continuous motor. By placing a sensor on the mixing vessel platform to provide feedback control of the mixing motor, the characteristics of agitation in the fluid or solid can be adjusted to optimize the degree of mixing and produce a high quality mixant.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for analyzing the quality of overlay targets. In one embodiment, a method of extracting data from an overlay target is disclosed. Initially, image information or one or more intensity signals of the overlay target are provided. An overlay error is obtained from the overlay target by analyzing the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target. A systematic error metric is also obtained from the overlay target by analyzing the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target. For example, the systematic error may indicate an asymmetry metric for one or more portions of the overlay target. A noise metric is further obtained from the overlay target by applying a statistical model to the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target. Noise metric characterizes noise, such as a grainy background, associated with the overlay target. In other embodiments, an overlay and / or stepper analysis procedure is then performed based on the systematic error metric and / or the noise metric, as well as the overlay data.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for predicting and correcting geometrical errors in lithography using masks, such as large-area photomasks or reticles, and exposure stations, such as wafer steppers or projection aligners, printing the pattern of said masks on a workpiece, such as a display panel or a semi-conductor wafer. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of collecting information about a mask substrate, a mask writer, an exposure stati n, and / or about behavior of a processing step that will occur after the writing of the mask. Further the method comprises predicting from the combined information distorsions occuring in the pattern, when it is subsequently printed on the workpiece; calculating from said prediction a correction to diminish said predicted distorsion, and exposing said pattern onto said mask substrate while applying said correction for said distorsions.

A method for controlling uniformity in a wafer is provided. A wafer is provided. A layer of photoresist is formed on the wafer, and the photoresist layer is patterned. A portion of the patterned photoresist layer is illuminated in at least first and second positions. Light reflected at the two positions is measured to generate first and second measurements. A recipe of a stepper is adjusted in response to the first measurement differing from the second measurement. A wafer processing system includes a stepper, a scatterometer, and a process controller. The stepper is adapted to expose a layer of photoresist in accordance with a recipe to generate an exposed layer of photoresist. The scatterometer is adapted to take first and second measurements in at least first and second positions on the exposed layer of photoresist. The process controller is adapted to compare the first and second measurements and adjust the recipe based on the first and second measurements.

A method for controlling a photolithography process includes providing a wafer having a first grating structure and a second grating structure overlying the first grating structure; illuminating at least a portion of the first and second grating structures with a light source; measuring light reflected from the illuminated portion of the first and second grating structures to generate a reflection profile; determining an overlay error between the first and second grating structures based on the reflection profile; and determining at least one parameter of an operating recipe for a photolithography stepper based on the determined overlay error. A processing line includes a photolithography stepper, a first metrology tool, and a controller. The photolithography stepper is adapted to process wafers in accordance with an operating recipe. The first metrology tool is adapted to receive a wafer having a first grating structure and a second grating structure overlying the first grating structure. The metrology tool includes a light source, a detector, and a data processing unit. The light source is adapted to illuminate at least a portion of the first and second grating structures. The detector is adapted to measure light reflected from the illuminated portion of the first and second grating structures to generate a reflection profile. The data processing unit is adapted to determine an overlay error between the first and second grating structures based on the reflection profile. The controller is adapted to determine at least one parameter of the operating recipe of the photolithography stepper based on the determined overlay error.

Methods and systems for inspecting a reticle are provided. A method may include forming an aerial image of the reticle with an inspection system at a wavelength different from a wavelength of an exposure system. The method may also include correcting the aerial image for differences between modulation transfer functions (MTF) of the inspection system and the exposure system. In this manner, the corrected aerial image may be substantially equivalent to an image of the reticle that would be printed onto a specimen by the exposure system at the wavelength of the exposure system. In addition, the method may include detecting defects on the reticle using the corrected aerial image. The detected defects may include approximately all of the defects that would be printed onto a specimen by the exposure system using the reticle.

Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper / scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.

Forming a back-illuminated type CMOS image sensor, includes process for formation of a registration mark on the wiring side of a silicon substrate during formation of an active region or a gate electrode. A silicide film using an active region may also be used for the registration mark. Thereafter, the registration mark is read from the back side by use of red light or near infrared rays, and registration of the stepper is accomplished. It is also possible to form a registration mark in a silicon oxide film on the back side (illuminated side) in registry with the registration mark on the wiring side, and to achieve the desired registration by use of the registration mark thus formed.

The seated stepper is provided for exercising the lower body. The stepper includes a frame having opposite sides and a longitudinal axis, and a seat attached to the frame. First and second foot lever arrangements are pivotally coupled together on opposite sides of the frame to move alternately in forward and rearward directions towards forward and rearward positions. The foot lever arrangements have linearly moveable right and left foot receptacles adapted to be engaged by an exerciser's feet. First and second motion transfer arrangements are mounted on opposite sides of the frame and coupled to the foot lever arrangements for enabling reciprocating movement of one foot lever arrangement relative to the other foot lever arrangement. A transmission arrangement is mounted on the frame and is operably connected to the first and second motion transfer arrangements. The transmission arrangement includes upper and lower pulley and gear trains in meshing relationship with one another. A resistance structure is mounted to the frame and is operably connected to the transmission arrangement for resisting pivotal movement of each foot lever arrangement in one of the forward and rearward directions. The transmission arrangement enables either of the foot receptacles to be moved and prevents any inertia from the resistance structure from being transferred back to the foot lever arrangements.

A cartridge for holding a test specimen with an extremely small volume. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. The cartridge has a stopper having a pair of seals, the first of which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the second, of which seals the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stepper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants and the vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber.

The present invention discloses a mechanical sensor array calibration device and the working method thereof. The device comprises locating transmission part and control part which is electrically connected with the locating transmission part; wherein, the locating transmission part comprises calibrated working platform and pressure head testing part; the pressure head testing part is connected with a force sensor through an extension head of a Z-directional linear stepper motor. Using the working method of the device adopts three stepper motors as the driving source; two stepper motors drive the coordinate motion of the slides on the guide rail to finish the location of coordinate point on the working platform; an extension of a linear stepper motor drives the pressure head to exert force on the tested sensor; when the force exerted by the pressure head achieves the set pressure valve, the singlechip collects the output of the tested sensor and the force sensor and the position coordinate of the tested sensor. The present invention is able to execute the choose and configuration of the calibrating mode and process according to the specific sensor array and the specific calibrating demand so as to enlarge the using range of the device.

A gallery of seed profiles is constructed and the initial parameter values associated with the profiles are selected using manufacturing process knowledge of semiconductor devices. Manufacturing process knowledge may also be used to select the best seed profile and the best set of initial parameter values as the starting point of an optimization process whereby data associated with parameter values of the profile predicted by a model is compared to measured data in order to arrive at values of the parameters. Film layers over or under the periodic structure may also be taken into account. Different radiation parameters such as the reflectivities Rs, Rp and ellipsometric parameters may be used in measuring the diffracting structures and the associated films. Some of the radiation parameters may be more sensitive to a change in the parameter value of the profile or of the films then other radiation parameters. One or more radiation parameters that are more sensitive to such changes may be selected in the above-described optimization process to arrive at a more accurate measurement. The above-described techniques may be supplied to a track / stepper and etcher to control the lithographic and etching processes in order to compensate for any errors in the profile parameters.

The present invention provides a method for fabricating chip package comprises the following steps: forming a photoresist layer on a metal layer over a passivation layer, an opening in the photoresist layer exposing the metal layer, wherein said forming the photoresist layer comprises exposing the photoresist layer using 1X stepper with at least two of G-line, H-line and I-line; electroplating a gold layer over the metal layer exposed by the opening with an electroplating solution containing gold and sulfite ion; removing the photoresist layer and the metal layer not under the gold layer.

A system and a method for operating devices (e.g., luminaries, light dimmers, effect devices, stepper motors, and the like) used in entertainment lighting applications is disclosed. Embodiments include a power supply operating a plurality of such devices coupled to selectively addressable outputs and having a converter of an industry-standard communication protocol (e.g., DMX512, RDM, or ACN protocol) in a communication protocol compatible with such devices.

The invention discloses an electronic expansion valve, which comprises an electrical control part and a mechanical part. The electrical control part comprises a bus signal reception / transmission module, a central processing module and a stepper motor driving module; wherein the bus signal reception / transmission module is used for receiving a bus control signal and transmitting the bus control signal to the central processing module; the central processing module is used for extracting valve opening information included in the bus control signal, generating a corresponding pulse control signalin combination with current position information of a stepper motor read from a data storage module, and outputting the pulse control signal to the stepper motor driving module; and the stepper motordriving module is used for driving the stepper motor to adjust the valve opening according to the pulse control signal. The invention also discloses a stepper motor and a reversing valve. The number of drive wires directly connected with a main control board can be reduced, the structure of the main control board can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be saved.

A computer simulation enhanced exercise device is provided which engages the user by directly relating the users exercise motion in real time to a visual simulation or interactive game. The exercise device may comprise any variety of machines including, stationary bikes, rowing machines, treadmills, stepper, elliptical gliders or under desk exercise. These exercise devices are configured with sensors to measure physical movements as the user exercises and are coupled to computer hardware with modeling and virtualization software to create the system. These sensor measurements are then sent to a computer for use in the physics based modeling and real-time visual simulation. The computer simulation enhanced exercise device is further provided with features including manual and automatic adjustment of resistance levels, visualization of accurate caloric burn rates and correlation to everyday food items, and network connectivity providing for multiplayer network simulations and directed advertising.

A method includes providing a wafer having a first grating structure and a second grating structure formed in a photoresist layer. At least a portion of the first and second grating structures is illuminated with a light source. Light reflected from the illuminated portion of the first and second grating structures is measured to generate a reflection profile. Misregistration between the first and second grating structures is determined based on the reflection profile. A processing line includes a photolithography stepper, a metrology tool, and a controller. The photolithography stepper is adapted to process wafers in accordance with an operating recipe. The metrology tool is adapted to receive a wafer processed in the stepper. The wafer has a first grating structure and a second grating structure formed in a photoresist layer. The metrology tool includes a light source, a detector, and a data processing unit.

An apparatus and method provide various desk structures as workstations to receive a user, standing or sitting, walking or stationary, exercising or sedentary. A double duty desk system may include multiple, dedicated “sitting desks” at seated height and fixed to a shared “standing desk,” the height of whose desktop stands accessible to a user exercising on an exercise bike, treadmill, stepper, or the like. A user in an exercise (e.g., standing) position may view materials set on the standing desk and on the attached sitting desks and returns. Heights of desks may be permanently fixed, adjustable, powered, mechanized, manual, or a combination. A user may selectively exercise or sit, in order to read, browse online, attend webinars, edit, monitor, handwrite, type, lecture, listen, answer phones, make calls, develop software, or the like from a standing or sitting position, at will.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for predicting and / or measuring and correcting geometrical errors in lithography using masks, such as large-area photomasks or reticles, and exposure stations, such as wafer steppers or projection aligners, printing the pattern of said masks on a workpiece, such as a display panel or a semiconductor wafer. A method to compensate for process variations when printing a pattern on a workpiece, including determining a two-dimensional CD profile in said pattern printed on said workpiece, generating a two-dimensional compensation file to equalize fluctuations in said two-dimensional CD-profile, and patterning a workpiece with said two-dimensional compensation file.

Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper / scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In track lithography type cluster tools, since the chamber processing times tend to be rather short, and the number of processing steps required to complete a typical track system process is large, a significant portion of the time it takes to process a substrate is taken up by the processes of transferring the substrates in a cluster tool between the various processing chambers. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, the cost of ownership is reduced by grouping substrates together and transferring and processing the substrates in groups of two or more to improve system throughput, and reduces the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, thus reducing wear on the robot and increasing system reliability. In one aspect of the invention, the substrate processing sequence and cluster tool are designed so that the substrate transferring steps performed during the processing sequence are only made to chambers that will perform the next processing step in the processing sequence. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.