Abstract:
An electrical monitor comprising a via array and method for determining and reducing an electrically charged state of a semiconductor process wafer the method including providing a metal filled via array including a plurality of interspersed electrically isolated dummy metal portions to form a via array monitor; exposing the semiconductor process wafer including the via array monitor to an electrical charge altering process including to produce an electrically charged state over at least a portion of the semiconductor wafer; carrying out electrical measurements of the via array monitor to determine a level of the electrically charged state; and, carrying out an electrically charge neutralizing process to reduce a level of the electrically charged state to a predetermined acceptable level prior to carrying out a subsequent process.
Abstract:
A structure for a handheld device with a function of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection has a circuit member (230), a displaying member (240), and a conductive supporting frame (250) with a hollow region (251). The circuit member and the displaying member are affixed to the conductive supporting frame at the hollow region to construct a subassembly (300). The subassembly is then mounted in a housing (202) consisting of upper and lower housings (210,212) at a location that the conductive supporting frame is just beside a gap (203) between the upper and lower housings. ESD-sensitive components (231,232) on the circuit member and the displaying member are surrounded by the conductive supporting frame, whereby ESD entering the housing via the gap which may cause a harm to the ESD-sensitive components and the displaying member is absorbed by the supporting frame and transmitted to ground via an electrical connection between the supporting frame and ground trace of the circuit member. The handheld device can be a personal digital assistant.
Abstract:
A PDA includes a housing and a detachable panel. An exterior surface of the housing has an engaging sink and a dimple. The detachable panel has a hook for locking onto the engaging sink and a cylindrical shaft protruding from the detachable panel for engaging with the dimple so as to prevent lateral movement of the detachable panel with respect to the housing.
Abstract:
A flexible voltage transient detector circuit is disclosed. The detector circuit includes an initialization unit, a first comparator, and a second comparator. The output of the initialization unit decides the operational modes of an integrated circuit. When the power voltage suddenly falls below the lower reference voltage, the first comparator will give an output to reset the initialization unit and force the integrated circuit into the initialized mode. Once the power voltage rises back above the higher reference voltage, the second comparator will order the counting of the initialization unit to start. The integrated circuit remains in the initialized mode until the counting stops after a period of delay time which can be flexibly set as needed and then returns the normal situation. This circuit design prevents the unpredictable operation of the integrated circuit.
Abstract:
A method to form capacitance node contacts with improved isolation in a DRAM process is described. An isolation layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first contact hole is formed and filled with a polysilicon plug and the top surface of the isolation layer and of the polysilicon plug are polished to a planar surface. A first interpoly isolation layer is deposited. A stopping layer is deposited. A capping layer is deposited. A first polysilicon layer is deposited. The first polysilicon layer is etched to form features. A second interpoly isolation layer is deposited. The second interpoly isolation layer is planarized. The second contact hole is etched through the second interpoly isolation layer and the capping layer. The exposed first polysilicon material is etched back to the vertical sides of the second contact hole. The stopping layer and the first interpoly isolation layer are etched through to the top surface of the polysilicon plug. A lining layer of silicon nitride is deposited and etched to remain only on the vertical interior surfaces of the second contact hole. A second polysilicon layer is deposited to fill the second contact hole. The second polysilicon layer and the second interpoly isolation layer are planarized. The fabrication of the integrated circuit device is completed.
Abstract:
A method of forming a capacitor for DRAM or other circuits is described which avoids the problem of weak spots or gaps forming between a polysilicon contact plug and the first capacitor plate. A layer of first dielectric is formed on a substrate, A layer of second dielectric is formed on the layer of first dielectric. A layer of third dielectric is formed on the layer of second dielectric. A first hole is formed in the first, second, and third dielectrics exposing a contact region of the substrate. The first hole is then filled with a protective material and a second hole is formed in the layer of third dielectric using the layer of second dielectric as an etch stop. The first hole lies within the periphery of the second hole. The protective material prevents re-deposition of the third dielectric. The remaining protective material is then removed and a layer of conducting material is formed on the top surface of the layer of third dielectric, the sidewalls of the second hole, the sidewalls of the first hole, and the contact region of the substrate thereby forming a first capacitor plate.
Abstract:
A shower head has a nozzle, a shell, a water inlet, and an assembly for holding the nozzle. The assembly has an upper plate made of a first plastic material and has a first opening having a first diameter through which the nozzle extends, a lower plate made of a second plastic material and has a second opening through which the nozzle extends, and an elastomeric middle plate has a third opening having a third diameter that is smaller than the first or second diameter through which the nozzle extends and is in contact therewith. The first material and the second material are ultrasonically welded together to trap the middle plate therebetween and the first opening, the second opening and the third opening are roughly coaxial with each other.
Abstract:
A shower head has a nozzle, a shell, a water inlet, and an assembly for holding the nozzle. The assembly has an upper plate made of a first plastic material and has a first opening having a first diameter through which the nozzle extends, a lower plate made of a second plastic material and has a second opening through which the nozzle extends, and an elastomeric middle plate has a third opening having a third diameter that is smaller than the first or second diameter through which the nozzle extends and is in contact therewith. The first material and the second material are ultrasonically welded together to trap the middle plate therebetween and the first opening, the second opening and the third opening are roughly coaxial with each other.