Detection of failure sites by focused ion beam and nano-probing in the interconnect of three-dimensional stacked circuit structures

Focused ion beam (FIB) and nano-probing were applied for failure analysis of three-dimensional stacked circuits with copper through-silicon-vias between the stacked chips. The failure analysis was done after high temperature storage and thermal cycling tests. Passive voltage contrast in FIB allowed to pinpoint the open sites. FIB cross-sections showed the presence of opens at the bottom of the copper vias. The failure cause was suspected to be an interlayer particle, which was confirmed by optical profilometry. Nano-probing was used on another sample to pinpoint the failure location through the measurement of the local resistance within the daisy chains. The failure was traced out to be related with surface contamination.     

Shape-Controlled Synthesis and Upconversion Luminescence of Y2O3:Yb, Er Microstructures

The Y2O3: Yb3 , Er3 microstructures were fabricated by a hydrothermal method without surfactants.The microstructures structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM,KYKY 1000B).The up-conversion luminescence spectra were studied under 978 nm laser diode excitation.In Yb3 and Er3 codoped Y2 O3 microcrystals, the relative intensity of green emission became stronger as the morphology of sample changed from wires to films.     

Task versus relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction: A meta-analysis.

This study provides a meta-analysis of research on the associations between relationship conflict, task conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction. Consistent with past theorizing, results revealed strong and negative correlations between relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction. In contrast to what has been suggested in both academic research and introductory textbooks, however, results also revealed strong and negative (instead of the predicted positive) correlations between task conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction. As predicted, conflict had stronger negative relations with team performance in highly complex (decision making, project, mixed) than in less complex (production) tasks. Finally, task conflict was less negatively related to team performance when task conflict and relationship conflict were weakly, rather than strongly, correlated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of growth rate on the structural and morphological properties of TiN, ZrN and TiN/ZrN multilayers

The effect of the deposition rate on the structural and morphological properties of TiN and ZrN single layers and TiN/ZrN multilayers deposited by radiofrequency reactive magnetron sputtering has been studied. The total pressure was kept constant and the growth rate variation was obtained by small difference of nitrogen concentration in the fed gas. The decreasing deposition rate results in a structural change in the thin films from (111) orientation to (100) one. As consequence the surface morphology becomes smoother. Films roughness is strongly related with texture and it decreases with an increase in the (100) X-ray diffraction line intensity. In order to achieve a clear interpretation of our experimental results, the ratio between the N⁺ ions of the plasma and the atoms number reaching the substrate was considered. At high deposition rate with respect to the N⁺ concentration, the chemical potential of transition metal on (100) growth surface is higher than (111) one favouring the (111) orientation of the films. On the contrary, when the growth rate is low with respect to the nitrogen concentration, the chemical potential of transition metal on (111) growth surface is higher than the (100) one leading to a preferential growth in the (100) direction.     

Isolation and Spectroscopic Characterization of Eu@C72

A new Eu-endohedral fullerene cage, namely, Eu@C₇₂, was synthesized, separated, and a single isomer, Eu@C₇₂-I, has been isolated by multi-step HPLC for the first time and characterized by LDI-TOF mass spectrometry, UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopy. Additionally, a second isomer, Eu@C₇₂-II, has been separated by HPLC and identified by LDI-TOF mass spectrometry.     

Controlling the Critical Temperature in Mg1−x Al x B2

Here we report synthesis and characterization of high quality samples of the superconducting system Mg_1−x Al _x B₂, with a novel optimized preparation method, in a wide range of Al concentration. All the physical properties of the samples can be tuned continuously with increasing Al content. We have characterized the samples for their structural, morphological and magnetic properties with high resolution XRD, SEM-EDS and susceptibility measurements. We have prepared a large number of Al doped MgB₂ in the range 0<x<0.57. All the samples are bulk superconductors and the critical temperature show a smooth and regular behavior as a function of x. This work was supported by European project 517039 “Controlling Mesoscopic Phase Separation” (COMEPHS) (2005). An erratum to this article can be found at     

Systems that Should Have Failed: Critical Infrastructure Protection in an Institutionally Fragmented Environment

Recent years have witnessed major governmental initiatives regarding critical infrastructure protection (CIP). During that same time, critical infrastructures (CIs) have undergone massive institutional restructuring under the headings of privatization, deregulation and liberalization. Little research has gone into understanding the interactions between these two developments. In this article, we outline the consequences of institutional restructuring for the changing ways in which CIs ensure the reliability and security of their networks and services. Neither Normal Accident Theory nor High‐Reliability Theory can account for reliability under these conditions. We then investigate the implications of these findings for CIP.     

A Profile of Psychologists' Views of Critical Risk Factors for Completed Suicide in Older Adults.

The ability to accurately and reliably predict whether an older adult will commit suicide has eluded clinicians and researchers. A random national sample of psychologists who work with older adults was surveyed regarding their perception of 36 risk factors for completed suicide and indirect self-destructive behavior in older adults. This study produced a profile of psychologists' assessment and treatment practices when working with suicidal older adults. Determining what psychologists consider to be the most salient risk factors for completed suicide is important in identifying a minimum standard that clinicians should follow when assessing older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

可实现性k-ε模型在水轮机流场计算中的应用

本文针对目前水轮机转轮内部流场计算中存在的偏工况计算困难的问题，探讨了一种不同于标准k-ε模型的可实现性k-ε模型（Realizablek-ε在水轮机偏工况计算中的应用。文章首先对该模型的优点进行了分析。然后针对某混流式转轮进行了计算，计算与实验结果比较表明，二者在设计工况附近时十分接近；在小开底小流量下，对转轮的主要特征的预测也是成功的。但小开度下计算值与实测值之间的差别也表明，在水轮机偏工况计算中，该湍流模型有待进一步改进。