Author: claimsbot

1. An apparatus comprising:
a semiconductor substrate having a non-metal silicon-based semiconductor surface; and
a reactive solder material bonded to said surface of said semiconductor substrate, said reactive solder material including:
a base solder material consisting of indium; and
an active element material alloyed with the base solder material, wherein the active material is less than about 2% of the reactive solder material and wherein the active element material is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, cerium, titanium, lutetium, iron, cobalt, magnesium, and strontium.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said semiconductor surface is a backside surface of one of a wafer and a die.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said die is of a semiconductor package, said semiconductor package including a sealant adjacent a perimeter of said die.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said sealant is of a material that includes one of a polymer and said reactive solder material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reactive solder material is to bond to said semiconductor surface with a bong strength up to about 2000 psi.
6. An apparatus comprising:
a semiconductor substrate having a non-metal silicon-based semiconductor surface;
a thermal management device; and
a reactive solder material bonded to said semiconductor surface and said thermal management device, said reactive solder material being bonded to said semiconductor substrate at only said non-metal silicon-based semiconductor surface and to act as an interface between said semiconductor substrate and said thermal management device, wherein said reactive solder material comprises:
a base solder material consisting of indium; and
an active element material alloyed with the base solder material, wherein the active material is less than about 2% of the reactive solder material and wherein the active element material is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, cerium, titanium, lutetium, iron, cobalt, magnesium, and strontium.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said semiconductor surface is a surface on one of a wafer and a die and said thermal management device comprises one of an integrated heat spreader and a heat sink.
8. A semiconductor package, comprising:
a package substrate having a plurality of conductive pads on an upper surface thereof;
a semiconductor die attached to the upper surface of the package substrate, the semiconductor die having a first surface with a plurality of conductive bumps thereon and a second surface that is not metallized, the conductive bumps begin in contact with the conductive pads on the upper surface of the package substrate;
a heat spreader positioned over the semiconductor die; and
a reactive solder material bonded to the semiconductor die and the heat spreader, the reactive solder material including:
a base solder consisting of indium, wherein the base solder is greater than about 98% and less than 100% of the reactive solder material, and
an active element material alloyed with the base solder material, wherein the active material is less than about 2% of the reactive solder material and wherein the active element material is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, cerium, titanium, lutetium, iron, cobalt, magnesium, and strontium.
9. An apparatus comprising:
a semiconductor substrate having a non-metal silicon-based semiconductor surface; and
a reactive solder material bonded to said surface of said semiconductor substrate, said reactive solder material comprising:
a base solder material consisting of indium, wherein the base solder is greater than about 98% and less than 100% of the reactive solder material, and
an active element material alloyed with the base solder material, wherein the active materials is less than about 2% of the reactive solder material and wherein the active element material is selected from the group consisting of hafnium, cerium, titanium, lutetium, iron, cobalt, magnesium, and strontium.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an optical receiver for receiving a modulated optical carrier comprising a polarization-multiplexed (PMUX) return-to-zero (RZ) pulse stream having first and second polarization components bearing respective first and second phase-shift keying (PSK) modulated data streams, the optical receiver comprising:
a first polarization-independent optical delay interferometer (ODI) to provide an optical signal associated with in-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams to a first balanced optical detector;
a first electrical decision circuit, coupled to said first balanced optical detector, for extracting said in-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams;
a second polarization-independent ODI to provide an optical signal associated with quadrature-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams to a second balanced optical detector; and
a second electrical decision circuit, coupled to said second balanced optical detector, for extracting said quadrature-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an optical transmitter configured to split a RZ pulse stream having a duty cycle not exceeding 50% into first and second orthogonal polarization components to provide respective first and second optical signals of orthogonal polarization, modulate respective data streams onto the first and second optical signals using phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation, and combine the modulated optical signals to provide said modulated optical carrier.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second phase-shift keying (PSK) modulated data streams comprises a differential quadrature phase-shift keying (DQPSK) modulated data stream.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second phase-shift keying (PSK) modulated data streams comprises a m-ary Phase Shift Keyed (mPSK) modulated data streams.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first electrical decision circuit comprises:
an analog to digital (AD) converter having a sample rate twice the orthogonal polarization component symbol rate for providing a bitstream including multiplexed in-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams; and
a de-interleaver, for demultiplexing said in-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said optical receiver further comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), coupled to said first and second de-interleavers to process demultiplexed in-phase and quadrature-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams to recover respective first and second data streams therefrom.
7. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an all-optical transmission line connecting the optical transmitter to the optical receiver.
8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical transmitter further comprises a pulse carver configured to generate the stream of RZ pulses from a continuous wave optical carrier.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pulse carver is configured to generate RZ pulses having a pulse period substantially matching a symbol period Ts of said first and second orthogonal polarization components.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises:
a power divider responsive to said modulated optical carrier signal, for providing thereby first and second divided signals to, respectively, first and second ODIs.
11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical transmitter comprises:
a first modulator, for modulating first and second digital data streams onto a first orthogonal polarization component; and
a second modulator, for modulating third and fourth digital data streams onto a second orthogonal polarization component.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, the optical transmitter further comprising:
a third modulator, for modulating digital data onto one or both of the first and second orthogonal polarization components according to a phase modulation format.
13. A method, comprising:
receiving a modulated optical carrier comprising a polarization-multiplexed (PMUX) return-to-zero (RZ) pulse stream having first and second polarization components bearing respective first and second phase-shift keying (PSK) modulated data streams;
processing said modulated optical carrier using a first polarization-independent optical delay interferometer (ODI) and a first balanced optical detector to provide a first detected output signal including in-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams;
extracting from said first detected output signal said in-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams;
processing said modulated optical carrier using a second polarization-independent optical delay interferometer (ODI) and a second balanced optical detector to provide a second detected output signal including quadrature-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams; and
extracting from said second detected output signal said quadrature-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising
splitting a RZ (return-to zero) pulse stream having a duty cycle not exceeding 50% into first and second orthogonal polarization components to provide respective first and second optical signals of orthogonal polarization;
modulating respective data streams onto the first and second optical signals using phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation; and
combining the modulated optical signals to provide said modulated optical carrier.
15. A system, comprising:
an optical transmitter configured to split a RZ (return-to zero) pulse stream having a duty cycle not exceeding 50% into first and second orthogonal polarization components to provide respective first and second optical signals of orthogonal polarization, modulate respective data streams onto the first and second optical signals using phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation; and combining the modulated optical signals to provide a modulated optical carrier; and
an optical receiver connected to receive the modulated optical carrier from the optical transmitter, extract in-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams via first circuit elements comprising a first polarization-independent optical delay interferometer (ODI), a first balanced optical detector and a first electrical decision circuit, and extract quadrature-phase data tributaries of each of said first and second PSK modulated data streams via second circuit elements comprising a second polarization-independent ODI, a second balanced optical detector and a second electrical decision circuit.

1. A heating system, comprising:
a shroud defining an inner volume; and
a plurality of electrical infrared heating elements oriented generally downward or lateral facing in the inner volume of the shroud wherein the infrared heating elements provide substantially solely infrared heat.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the shroud includes a plurality of radially extending supports and the heating elements are mounted on exterior surfaces of the radially extending supports.
3. (canceled)
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the infrared heating elements each include an electric filament enclosed in a quartz glass housing.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the infrared heating elements each include a reflector positioned adjacent to an upward facing surface of the infrared heating elements.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the shroud includes refractive material.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one heat sensor configured to monitor temperatures of objects heated by the heating elements.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating elements provide infrared waves having a wavelength between about 1 \u03bcm to about 20 \u03bcm.
9. A patio umbrella heating system, comprising:
a patio umbrella including radially extending supports and webbing extending between the supports; and
a heating element providing substantially solely infrared heat and being mounted to at least one of the supports.
10. The system of claim 9, further comprising two or more heating elements, each heating element being mounted to a separate support.
11. The system of claim 9, further comprising at least two heating elements, and each heating element is supported by two or more supports.
12. The system of claim 9, further comprises a center support secured to the umbrella at a central portion of the umbrella and extending downward from the umbrella.
13. The system of claim 9, further comprising an umbrella support secured to the umbrella at a central portion of the umbrella and extending upward from the umbrella.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein the radially extending supports are curved so as to form a downward facing concave shape
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the radially extending supports are straight and are sloped from a central point downward relative to a horizontal plane so as to form a conical shape.
16. The system of claim 11, further comprising controls for controlling functions of the heating element.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the controls are mounted to the support pole.
18. The system of claim 9, wherein the umbrella is adjustable between an open position and a closed position.
19. The system of claim 9, wherein the heating element is substantially downward facing.
20. The system of claim 9, wherein the heating element is radially inward facing.
21. The system of claim 9, wherein the heating elements are electronic.
22. The system of claim 9, wherein the heating elements generate heat using combustion.
23. The system of claim 9, further comprising a proximity sensor that generates an onoff signal for the heating elements in response to an object being positioned near the patio umbrella.
24. The system of claim 9, further comprising an heating element switch that is operable to automatically turn the heating element off when the umbrella is adjusted from an open position to a closed position.
25. A heating system, comprising:
a plurality of radially extending support members;
webbing extending between the radially extending support members; and
an infrared beating element secured to an outer surface of at least one of the radially extending supports.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein infrared heating element solely provides infrared heat.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the infrared heating element is oriented in a generally downward facing direction.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein the infrared heating element is powered by electricity.
29. The system of claim 25, further comprising a reflector positioned adjacent to an upward facing side of the infrared heating element to reflect downward the infrared waves produced by the infrared heating element.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein the reflector comprises sheet metal.
31. The system of claim 29, wherein the reflector comprises a ceramic fiber and a binder.
32. The system of claim 29, wherein the infrared heating element is a ceramic infrared emitter.
33. The system of claim 29, wherein the infrared heating element is a metal infrared emitter.
34. The system of claim 29, wherein the infrared heating element is a quartz glass infrared emitter.
35. The system of claim 29, wherein the infrared heating element is selected from a group consisting of a tube, a panel and an Edison bulb type infrared emitter.
36. A method of heating objects in proximity to a patio umbrella using an infrared heating element, the method comprising the steps of:
opening the umbrella;
supporting the infrared heating element with the umbrella;
orienting the infrared heating elements in a generally downward direction; and
directing infrared waves from the infrared heating element to the objects substantially without heating air positioned between the objects and the heating element.
37. A heated patio furniture set, comprising:
a table;
at least one chair; and
an umbrella comprising:
a plurality of radially extending support members;
webbing extending between the radially extending support members; and
an infrared heating element secured to an outer surface of at least one of the radially extending supports in a generally downward facing direction to direct infrared waves toward the table and chairs, the infrared heating element being configured to produce substantially solely waves having wavelengths that are absorbed by solid structures and not by air.
38. The furniture set of claim 37, further comprising a heat sensor mounted to the table and char to determine an amount of heat generated in the table and chair from the directed infrared waves.
39. The furniture set of claim 37, wherein the umbrella is supported in an upright position with the table.
40. The furniture set of claim 38, wherein the furniture comprises a material that absorbs at least some of the infrared waves and is heated.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of preparing a barrier layer comprising the step of applying a second coating comprising a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker onto a first coating, the first coating comprising a polyurethane resin.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coating comprises a water-dispersible polyurethane resin or an organic solvent-soluble polyurethane resin.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coating comprises a combination of the polyurethane resin and a neutralizing agent.
4. A two-coat barrier system comprising:
a. a first coating comprising a polyurethane resin; and
b. a second coating comprising a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker.
5. The two-coat barrier system of claim 4, wherein the first coating is a dispersion of a polyurethane resin in an aqueous or water-miscible solvent, or wherein the first coating is a solution of a polyurethane resin in an organic solvent.
6. The two-coat barrier system of claim 5, wherein the first coating is a dispersion of a neutralized polyurethane resin in an aqueous or water-miscible solvent.
7. The two-coat barrier system of claim 4, wherein at least 10% by weight of the polyurethane resin is made up of urethane groups, and urea groups if present.
8. The two-coat barrier system of claim 4, wherein polyurethane resin is the reaction product of a diisocyanate and one or polyols selected from C2-10 polyols andor polyols having a molecular weight (Mr) of no more than 350.
9. The two-coat barrier system of claim 8, wherein the one or more polyols includes a polyhydroxy acid.
10. The two-coat barrier system of claim 4, wherein the polyurethane resin includes acid groups.
11. The two-coat barrier system of claim 4, that provides an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) at 90% RH and 23\xb0 C. of no more than 8 cm3m2day, when the first coating is applied at a coating weight of 12 gm2 or less to a 12 \u03bcm thick corona surface treated biaxially orientated PET film and the second coating is applied onto the first coating.
12. The two-coat barrier system of claim 4, that provides a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) at 90% RH and 38\xb0 C. of no more than 15 gm2day, when the first coating is applied at a coating weight of 12 gm2 or less to a 12 \u03bcm thick corona surface treated biaxially orientated PET film and the second coating is applied onto the first coating.
13. The two-coat barrier system of claim 4, wherein no more than about 10 wt % of the total solid content of the first and second coatings, is inorganic laminar filler materials.
14. A coating composition for use in preparing the first coating of the method of claim 1, comprising the polyurethane resin as defined in claim 10 dissolved in an organic solvent.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein at least 10% by weight of the polyurethane resin is made up of urethane groups, and urea groups if present.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer is prepared using a two-coat barrier system comprising:
a. a first coating comprising a polyurethane resin; and
b. a second coating comprising a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker.
17. A barrier layer comprising the product of the polyurethane resin and a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker, prepared according to the method of claim 1.
18. The barrier layer of claim 17, providing an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) at 90% RH and 23\xb0 C. of no more than 8 cm3m2day wherein a coating weight of the polyurethane resin is no more than 12 gm2.
19. The barrier layer of 17, providing a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) at 90% RH and 38\xb0 C. of no more than 15 gm2day, wherein a coating weight of the polyurethane resin is no more than 12 gm2.
20. A barrier material comprising the barrier layer of claim 17 on a substrate.
21. A barrier material including a barrier layer coated on a substrate, the barrier layer comprising a polyurethane resin and less than about 5 wt % inorganic laminar filler materials.
22. The barrier material of claim 20, providing an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) at 90% RH and 23\xb0 C. of no more than 8 cm3m2day wherein a coating weight of the polyurethane resin is no more than 12 gm2.
23. The barrier material of claim 20, providing a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) at 90% RH and 38\xb0 C. of no more than 15 gm2day, wherein a coating weight of the polyurethane resin is no more than 12 gm2.
24. A method of enhancing the barrier properties of a barrier material comprising a coating layer including a polyurethane resin coated on a substrate, the method comprising the step of applying a coating composition comprising a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker onto the coating layer.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the polyurethane resin is made up of urethane groups, and urea groups if present.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of applying the coating composition comprising a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker, reduces the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) at 90% RH and 23\xb0 C. in cm3m2day of the coating layer by at least 50%.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of applying the coating composition comprising a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker, reduces the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) at 90% RH and 38\xb0 C. in gm2day of the coating layer by at least 10%.
28. The use method of claim 24, wherein A(B\xb7C)>2, in which:
A=oxygen transmission rate at 23\xb0 C. and 90% RH in gm2day for the barrier material including a substrate coated with the coating layer comprising the polyurethane resin;
B=oxygen transmission rate at 23\xb0 C. and 90% RH in gm2day for the barrier material further comprising a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker applied onto the coating layer; and
C=coating weight in gm2 (dry) of the coating layer.
29. The method of claim 24, wherein no more than 10 wt % of the total solid content of the coating layer and coating composition is inorganic laminar materials.
30. A system for enhancing the barrier properties of a coating layer comprising:
a polyurethane resin applied on a substrate according to the formula A(B\xb7C)>2, in which:
A=the oxygen transmission rate at 23\xb0 C. and 90% RH in gm2day for the coating layer;
B=the oxygen transmission rate at 23\xb0 C. and 90% RH in gm2day for a barrier layer including a multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker applied onto the coating layer; and
C=a coating weight in gm2 (dry) of the coating layer.
31. The method of claim 1 wherein less than about 5 wt % of the barrier layer is inorganic laminar filler materials.
32. The method of claim 1 wherein less than or equal to 2 wt % of the solid content of the barrier layer is inorganic laminar filler materials.
33. The method of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer includes no inorganic laminar filler materials.
34. A laminate film including a barrier material comprising a barrier layer on a substrate, the barrier layer comprising the product of the polyurethane resin and the multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker, prepared according to the method of claim 1.
multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker, prepared on a substrate.
35. A packaging material that incorporates a barrier material comprising a barrier layer on a substrate, the barrier layer comprising the product of the polyurethane resin and the multivalent metal cation or other crosslinker, prepared according to the method of claim 1.