Lifetime of innovation recognised!

Imec, the research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, today presented its annual Lifetime of Innovation Award to Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Founding Chairman and CEO Emeritus of Qualcomm. The annual industry honor is presented to the individual who has significantly advanced the field of semiconductor technology. The formal presentation will be made at the global Imec Technology Forum (ITF) in May in Belgium.

Dr Irwin M. Jacobs

In making the announcement, Luc Van den hove, president and CEO of imec, said: “Irwin Jacobs’ many technological contributions laid the groundwork for creating the mobile industry and markets that we know today. Under his leadership, Qualcomm developed two-way mobile satellite communications and tracking systems deemed the most advanced in the world. He pioneered spread-spectrum technology and systems using CDMA (code division multiple access), which became a digital standard for cellular phone communications. Together, these technologies opened mobile communications to the global consumer market.”

Irwin Jacobs began his career first as an assistant and then associate professor of electrical engineering at MIT and, later, as professor of computer science and engineering at the University of California in San Diego. While at MIT, he co-authored Principles of Communication Engineering, a textbook still in use. He began his corporate life as a cofounder of Linkabit, which developed satellite encryption devices. In 1985, he co-founded Qualcomm, serving as CEO until 2005 and chairman through 2009. His numerous awards include the National Medal of Technology, the Marconi Prize, and the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. His honors include nine honorary degrees including doctor of engineering from the National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan.

Imec initiated the Lifetime of Innovation Award in 2015 at their annual global forum known as ITF (Imec Technology Forum). The award marks milestones that have transformed the semiconductor industry. The first recipient was Dr. Morris Chang, whose foundry model launched the fabless semiconductor industry, spurring creation of new innovative companies. In 2016, Gordon Moore was honored, creator of the famous Moore’s law theory and co-founder of Intel. Dr. Kinam Kim was honored in 2017 for his contributions in memory technologies and his visionary leadership at Samsung.

Luc Van den hove concluded, saying: “Our mission is to create innovation through collaboration. By gathering global technology leaders at the ITF, imec provides an open forum to share issues and trends challenging the semiconductor industry. In this international exchange, imec and participants outline ways to collaborate in bringing innovative solutions to market.”

@imec_int #PAuto 

High resolution position sensor.

Employing capacitance micrometry, the NX NanoSensor® from Queensgate delivers sensitivity levels that are able to measure changes in position to an atomic scale.

This state-of-the-art non-contact position measuring system relies on 2 sensor plates - a target and a probe, which between them form a parallel plate capacitor. Through the use of an appropriate electronic controller, the spacing of these two plates can be accurately ascertained. Among the key applications for the NX NanoSensor are stage feedback, vibration measurement, metrology, deformation measurements, precision manufacturing, drift measurement, precision beam steering and microscopy.

Via NX NanoSensor position can be determined to a margin of better than 7pm, with a linearity to 0.02% and a bandwidth from 50Hz up to 10KHz. There is provision for the system to be tuned so that either the positional accuracy is improved or conversely the responsiveness to dynamic motion is heightened. Plate shapes that are round, square or rectangular can be selected. Active areas of 22.5mm2, 113mm2 and 282mm2 are offered. Working in tandem with the NX NanoSensor, the NS2000 controller module measures any changes in the parallel plate capacitance and subsequently produces an analogue voltage that is directly proportional to the difference in position of the target and a probe sensor plates.

The non-contact measurement and non-self-heating mechanism means that NX NanoSensor products do not impact the values they are measuring, thereby giving true nanoscale measurements. Furthermore, they use a non-hysteretic technique, which means the position is repeatable. Numerous material options can be used in their construction; Super-Invar, Zerdur, aluminium, stainless steel and ceramic - allowing thermal properties to be matched to the stability required by the specific application, in order to safeguard against position drift. Ultra high vacuum, radiation hardened, non-magnetic and cryogenic variants can be specified.

Nanopositioning.

Delivering new benchmarks in dynamic performance and accuracy, Queensgate’s NPC-D-5200 is a digital controller for use with the company’s highly advanced closed loop piezo actuators and stages.

Queensgate, a Elektron Technology brand, pioneered the use of capacitive sensors to provide precise positional feedback in closed loop; the NPC-D-5200 incorporates a precision capacitive measurement circuit and is updated with the stage position 120000 times per second, delivering high positional accuracy at speed. It has the capacity to address a broad spectrum of highly demanding alignment and metrology applications. By employing proprietary low noise technology, stage position noise has been reduced so that in the majority of implementations it is just a few tens of pm.

The NPC-D-5200 controller has a compact (268mm x 194mm x 70mm) and lightweight (1.7kg) construction. It incorporates serial (RS232), USB 2.0 and Ethernet interfaces, so that connectivity options are not restricted and system flexibility is maximized. The unit has an operational temperature range that covers 10°C to 40°C.

@elektrontech #PAuto

Encyclopedia explores temperature measurements and nanomeasurements!

The 'Handbook of Thermometry and Nanothermometry' presents and explains of main catchwords in the field of temperature measurements and nanomeasurements. This the first, well illustrated in full color, encyclopedia contains more than 800 articles (vocabulary entries) in thermometry and nanothermometry, and covers nearly every type of temperature measurement device and principles. This makes this book unique!

Written by experts, the book at the first place is destined for all who are not acquainted enough with specificity of temperature measurement but are interested in it and study literary sources in this realm. The authors tried to enter maximally on catchwords list the issues, which refer directly or indirectly to thermometry as well as to nanothermometry. The last one is the most modern chapter of thermometry and simultaneously of nanometrology.

The Handbook of Thermometry and Nanothermometry is a probably a 'must have' guide for both beginners and experienced practitioners who want to learn more about temperature measurements in various applications: engineers, students, researchers, physicists and chemists of all disciplines. In addition, this book will influence the next decade or more of road design in the nanothermometry.

• 'Handbook of Thermometry and Nanothermometry'

Publisher: IFSA

ISBN: 978-84-606-7518-1; e-ISBN: 978-84-606-7852-6; 

486 p., paperback (print) and pdf (electronic) formats.

First ever Nanopower AMR sensor!

Honeywell has introduced the industry’s first Nanopower Anisotropic Magnetoresistive Sensor ICs that provide the highest level of magnetic sensitivity (as low as 7 Gauss typical) while requiring nanopower (360 nA). When compared to other widely used magnetic technologies, these sensors offer design engineers a number of advantages.

Smaller and more durable and reliable than reed switches, at the same sensitivity and essentially the same cost, the new Nanopower Series Magnetoresistive Sensor ICs are ideal for battery powered applications where previously only reed switches could be used due to very low power requirements and large air gap needs.

Compared with Hall-effect sensors, the new Nanopower Series Magnetoresistive Sensor ICs’ higher sensitivity can allow the ability to sense air gaps two times the distance of Hall-effect sensors. The higher sensitivity improves design flexibility and can offer significant application cost savings by utilizing smaller or lower strength magnets.

The Nanopower Series Magnetoresistive Sensor ICs are designed for use in a wide range of battery-operated applications including water and gas meters, electricity meters, industrial smoke detectors, exercise equipment, security systems, handheld computers, scanners, as well as white goods such as dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, refrigerators and coffee machines, and medical equipment such as hospital beds, medication dispensing cabinets, infusion pumps, and consumer electronics such as notebook computers, tablets, and cordless speakers.

“Due to the significant price increases for rare earth magnets, design engineers using Hall-effect sensors have been looking for ways to decrease the total cost of design by using less magnetic material, or moving to a more common magnet in their applications,” said Josh Edberg, senior product marketing manager for Honeywell Sensing and Control. “Design engineers are also looking for an alternative to reed switches to reduce size and increase quality and durability, while maximizing battery life. Honeywell’s new Nanopower Series Magnetoresistive Sensor ICs are ideal for these battery powered applications due to their high sensitivity and nanopower.”

The Nanopower Series is available in two magnetic sensitivities:

• Ultra-high sensitivity SM351LT: 7 Gauss typical operate, 11 Gauss maximum operate, very low current draw (360 nA typical)
• Very high sensitivity SM353LT: 14 Gauss typical operate, 20 Gauss maximum operate, very low current draw (310 nA typical)

Omnipolarity allows the sensor to be activated by either a north or south pole, eliminating the need for the magnet polarity to be identified, simplifying installation and potentially reducing system cost. The push-pull (CMOS) output does not require external resistors, making it easier and more cost-effective to operate. The non-chopper stabilized design eliminates electrical noise generated by the sensor. The subminiature SOT-23 surface mount package, supplied on tape and reel (3000 units per reel), is smaller than most reed switches, allowing for use in automated pick-and-place component installation and can reduce production costs.

Collaboration in silicon-based power devices and LEDs.

The Nanoelectronics research centre imec and Veeco Instruments are collaborating on a project aimed at lowering the cost of producing gallium nitride on silicon (GaN-on-Si) -based power devices and LEDs.

Barun Dutta, imec’s Chief Scientist, commented, “The productivity, repeatability, uniformity and crystal quality of Veeco’s metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) equipment has been instrumental in helping us meet our development milestones on GaN-on-Si for power and LED applications. The device performance enabled by the epi has helped us realize state-of-the-art D-mode (depletion mode) and E-mode (enhancement mode) power devices. Our goal is to establish an entire manufacturing infrastructure that allows GaN-on-Si to be a competitive technology.”

Imec's multi-partner GaN-on-Si research and development program gathers the industry to jointly develop world-class GaN LED and power devices on 200 mm silicon substrates compatible with a 200 mm CMOS-compatible infrastructure. By joining forces at imec, companies share costs, talent and intellectual property to develop advanced technologies and bring them to the market faster.

Jim Jenson, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Veeco MOCVD, commented, “We have been working with imec on this program since 2011 and are encouraged by our progress. Our work is mutually rewarding, as we are both focused on being able to realize lower costs while maintaining world-class performance on GaN-on-Si devices. This technology can be used to create lower cost LEDs that enable solid state lighting, more efficient power devices for applications such as power supplies and adapters, PV inverters for solar panels, and power conversion for electric vehicles.”

Veeco’s MOCVD equipment features excellent film quality and low defects, which are key for effective GaN-on-Si processing. It also incorporates Veeco's Uniform FlowFlange® technology for superior uniformity and excellent run-to-run repeatability. Low maintenance TurboDisc® technology enables highest system availability, excellent particle performance and high throughput.

E-Handbook on Nanoscale electrical measurements

 Keithley Instruments has published an informative e-handbook titled "Ensuring the Accuracy of Nanoscale Electrical Measurements."

The e-handbook is divided into several topic areas:
* Nanotech Testing Challenges
* Electrical Measurement Considerations
* Electrical Noise
* Source-Measure Instruments
* Pulsing Technologies
* Avoiding Self-Heating Problems

In addition to these topics, the e-handbook provides insights on  graphene, the single-atom-thick crystal of carbon, thought by many to be the semiconductor industry's eventual replacement for silicon. A useful glossary of low-level measurement terminology and a guide to selecting instruments suitable for nanotechnology applications are included. In addition, links to a variety of webinars, white papers, and application notes relevant to each topic area are included.

The company is helping advance the state of the art in a growing list of nanotechnology applications. Six decades of experience in designing ultra-sensitive measurement tools allow Keithley to provide university, corporate, and government labs around the world with solutions for investigating new
material and device properties. Keithley partners with organizations like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), leading Nanotechnology Centers of Excellence, customers, and other
leading nanotechnology measurement tool vendors to create more complete nano test solutions. The insight into emerging needs provided by these working partnerships helps Keithley deliver new capabilities faster.

Nanotechnology measurement techniques!

Keithley Instruments has published an informative poster on nanotechnology measurement tips and techniques. A free copy of the poster, titled "Measurement Techniques for Characterizing Graphene  , Carbon Nanotubes, and Nano-materials and Devices: Low Power, Low Voltage, Low Resistance" is available upon request from Keithley here!

The poster is divided into several topic areas:
• Measurement Technique for Hall Voltage and Resistivity Measurements 
• Technique for Measuring Resistance as a Function of Gate Voltage
• Circuit to Measure Drain Family of Curves on a Carbon Nanotube
• Avoiding Sources of Error When Measuring Low Power Materials and Devices

Keithley instrumentation is helping advance the state of the art in a growing list of nanotechnology applications. Six decades of experience in designing ultra-sensitive measurement tools allow Keithley to provide university, corporate, and government labs around the world with solutions for investigating new material and device properties. Keithley partners with organizations like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), leading Nanotechnology Centers of Excellence, customers, and other leading nanotechnology measurement tool vendors to create more complete nano test solutions. The insight into emerging needs these working partnerships provide helps Keithley deliver new capabilities faster.

Nanotechnology tutorials

Keithley Instruments has announced its new Nanotechnology Technical Test Library on CD. The content of this free CD is helping to advance electrical measurements by providing technical papers, articles, data sheets, and links to online seminars covering a wide range of nanotechnology test applications.

These applications include measurements that reveal important parameters of nanoscale semiconductor devices and materials, carbon nanotubes, Hall Effect devices, materials with non-linear resistance, and many others.

Test and measurement solutions on the CD are organized by type of instrument: current sources, electrometers and picoammeters, integrated source/measure instruments, nanovoltmeters, parametric analyzers, and pulse/pattern generators.

Nanoresearch

Next-generation wireless ECG patch drives joint research activity
Terepac and IMEC join forces in low-cost flexible electronics packaging

Terepac Corporation and IMEC, the European research center in nanotechnology, have announced their collaboration on novel packaging technologies for flexible electronics. The initial driver for this synergistic shared research relationship is a next generation wireless ECG system, developed in the Human++ Program at Holst Centre, Eindhoven (NL).

As electronic systems become ubiquitous, the demand for innovative packaging technologies increases. For many applications, like on-the-body devices, thin and flexible form factors greatly improve the comfort of the wearer. In order to allow large-scale manufacturing and market penetration, low-cost yet high value solutions are key. Traditional electronics packaging and assembly with rigid printed circuit boards and pick-and-place machines are unable to cope with these demands.

The technology developed by Terepac holds great promise to give a unique answer to the challenges mentioned above. In its patented photochemical printing process, thinned silicon dies and passive components can be placed on flexible substrates at speeds of more than one chip per second and with accuracies down to a few microns.

The wireless ECG patch that is being developed in IMEC's Human++ program at Holst Centre, an open-innovation initiative by IMEC and TNO, will be used as a test vehicle for further development of Terepac's technology. For IMEC it is an opportunity to go from a lab-scale assembly on polyimide carrier to a more production-ready version of its wireless sensor nodes. First results are expected by mid 2010.

Ric Asselstine, CEO of Terepac: "Following five years of development by a team of world-class scientists and engineers and based on the patents of co-founder and CTO Dr Jayna Sheats, Terepac is ready to completely transform the landscape of small form factor electronic packaging. The company aims to become a total solutions provider able to collaborate with companies up- and downstream in the value chain. Apart from being on the forefront of technological innovation, being able to tap into the existing partner network of IMEC and Holst Centre is a great asset to our collaboration."

Julien Penders, Program Manager Body Area Networks at IMEC/Holst Centre: "Initial contacts with Terepac were laid a few months ago. It quickly became clear that their expertise would be a valuable addition to the existing competences that we and our partners have on board. We look forward to further developing our sensor technology and opening doors towards low-cost and large-scale manufacturing for our existing partners or companies interested in this technology."