Author: claimsbot

1. A method of exciting sodium atoms, comprising:
a. selecting a first and a second wavelength which when frequency summed produce a third wavelength capable of exciting said sodium atoms,
b. generating internally circulating pulsed coherent light at said second wavelength by laser action in a laser oscillator, wherein the pulse repetition frequency of said internally circulating pulsed coherent light is chosen to be near the Larmor frequency of said sodium atoms, or near a subharmonic of that frequency,
c. positioning a nonlinear crystal so that it is traversed by said internally circulating pulsed coherent light,
d. generating a beam of coherent light at said first wavelength,
e. passing said beam of coherent light at said first wavelength once through said nonlinear crystal to generate a pulsed beam of coherent light at said third wavelength by sum frequency generation,
f. transmitting said pulsed beam of coherent light at said third wavelength to said sodium atoms.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising modulating the phase of said beam of coherent light at said first wavelength, whereby said beam of coherent light at said third wavelength is also modulated, and said sodium atoms are more efficiently excited.
3. A method of remotely measuring a magnetic field in a region containing sodium atoms, comprising:
a. selecting a first and a second wavelength which when frequency summed produce a third wavelength capable of exciting said sodium atoms,
b. generating internally circulating pulsed coherent light at said second wavelength by laser action in a laser oscillator, wherein the pulse repetition frequency of said internally circulating pulsed coherent light is chosen to be near the Larmor frequency of said sodium atoms, or near a subharmonic of that frequency,
c. positioning a nonlinear crystal so that it is traversed by said internally circulating pulsed coherent light,
d. generating a beam of coherent light at said first wavelength,
e. passing said beam of coherent light at said first wavelength once through said nonlinear crystal to generate a pulsed beam of coherent light at said third wavelength by sum frequency generation,
f. transmitting said pulsed beam of coherent light at said third wavelength to said sodium atoms,
g. adjusting said pulse repetition frequency to find the Larmor frequency, whereby the magnetic field at the sodium atoms can be determined.

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 conveyor assembly suitable for use with a substrate processing system, comprising:
at least one substrate carrier having a substrate-carrying surface configured to support at least one substrate thereon;
a processing track;
a return track;
a drive system configured to drive the substrate carrier along the processing track and the return track; and
a first and a second swivel unit, both configured to pivot the substrate carrier around a substantially horizontal axis through an angle from about 70 to about 120 degrees from a first substantially horizontal orientation into a second orientation, andor vice versa
wherein the processing track is disposed substantially above or below the return track;
wherein the first swivel unit is disposed between an end point of the processing track and a starting point of the return track, and the second swivel unit is disposed between an end point of the return track and a starting point of the processing track, such that the substrate carrier is transferred from the processing track to the return track, andor vice versa, by the first or second swivel unit pivoting the substrate carrier between its first orientation and its second orientation; and
wherein the conveyor assembly is configured to move the substrate carrier along the processing track in its first orientation, and to move the substrate carrier along the return track in its second orientation.
2. A conveyor assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the processing track is defined by a first guide rail, and wherein the substrate carrier comprises a number of first rollers that are configured to cooperate with the first guide rail, such that the substrate carrier is rollably moveable over the first guide rail along said portion of the processing track.
3. A conveyor assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the return track is defined by a second guide rail, and wherein the substrate carrier comprises a number of second rollers that are configured to cooperate with the second guide rail, such that the substrate carrier is rollably moveable over the second guide rail along said portion of the return track.
4. A conveyor assembly according to claim 3, wherein at least one swivel unit is configured to transfer a substrate carrier from the first guide rail of the processing track onto the second guide rail of the return track, andor vice versa, by pivoting the substrate carrier around a substantially horizontal axis between its first orientation and its second orientation.
5. A conveyor assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one swivel unit configured to transfer a substrate carrier from the first guide rail of the processing track onto the second guide rail of the return track, andor vice versa, comprises:
a first and a second guide rail extension, arranged such that the first guide rail extension is in alignment with the first guide rail when the swivel unit holds the substrate carrier in its first orientation, and wherein the second guide rail extension is in alignment with the second guide rail when the swivel unit holds the substrate carrier in its second orientation.
6. A conveyor assembly according to claim 2, wherein the drive system comprises:
at least one magnet, mounted on the substrate carrier.
7. A conveyor assembly according to claim 6, wherein the drive system further comprises:
a number of electric coils, disposed along the first or second guide rail and nearby positions along which the at least one magnet of the substrate carrier is moveable, which coil(s) can be powered to advance the substrate carrier along the first or second guide rail.
8. A conveyor assembly according to claim 6, wherein the drive system further comprises:
a driveable belt, disposed along the first or second guide rail and nearby positions along which the at least one magnet of the substrate carrier is moveable, which belt is configured to interact with the at least one magnet provided on the substrate carrier to drag the substrate carrier along the first or second guide rail, for example via magnetic interaction.
9. A conveyor assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate carrier exchange unit, disposed in the processing track or the return track, and configured to remove a substrate carrier from andor inserting a substrate carrier into a stream of carriers being conveyed along said track without interrupting said stream.
10. The conveyor assembly according to claim 9, wherein the substrate carrier exchange unit comprises:
a frame that is slideable between a first position and a second position;
a first exchanger guide rail section and a second exchanger guide rail section, both mounted on said frame;
wherein, when the substrate carrier exchange unit is disposed in the processing track, the first guide rail comprises two sections that respectively extend upstream and downstream of the substrate carrier exchange unit, and wherein the first exchanger guide rail section is in alignment with both said sections of the first guide rail when the frame is in its first position, and wherein the second exchanger guide rail section is in alignment with both sections of the first guide rail when the frame is its second position, such that in both positions of the frame a continuous processing track exists that is defined by both sections of the first guide rail and the first andor second exchanger guide rail section, or
wherein, when the substrate carrier exchange unit is disposed in the return track, the second guide rail comprises two sections that respectively extend upstream and downstream of the substrate carrier exchange unit, and wherein the first exchanger guide rail section is in alignment with both said sections of the second guide rail when the frame is in its first position, and wherein the second exchanger guide rail section is in alignment with both sections of the second guide rail when the frame is its second position, such that in both positions of the frame a continuous return track exists that is defined by both sections of the second guide rail and the first andor second exchanger guide rail section.
11. A conveyor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the processing track at least partly extends through a conditioned environment, for example a vacuum environment.
12. A conveyor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the return track at least partly extends through an atmospheric environment, for example separate from a processing track environment.
13. A substrate processing system comprising:
a loading station configured to load the substrate carrier with at least one substrate;
one or more processing stations;
a discharge station configured to remove substrates from the substrate carrier; and
a conveyor assembly according to claim 1.
14. A substrate processing system according to claim 13, further comprising:
a first load lock; and
a second load lock;
the first and second load lock being configured to seal a conditioned environment, for example a vacuum environment, in which the one or more processing stations are disposed.
15. A method for conveying a substrate carrier, comprising:
providing a substrate carrier configured for carrying at least one substantially planar substrate;
conveying the substrate carrier along a processing track;
conveying the substrate carrier along a return track;
rotating the substrate carrier around a substantially horizontal axis from a first orientation into a second orientation; and
conveying the substrate carrier along the return track in the second orientation;
rotating the substrate carrier around a substantially horizontal axis from the second orientation back into the first orientation;
conveying the substrate carrier along the processing track in the first orientation,
wherein the rotation of the substrate carrier from the first substantially horizontal orientation to the second orientation, andor vice versa, involves a rotation through an angle from about 70 to about 120 degrees;
wherein the processing track is disposed substantially above or below the return track;
wherein the substrate carrier is rotated from the first orientation to the second orientation between an endpoint of the processing track and a starting point of the return track, and wherein the substrate carrier is rotated from its second to its first orientation between an end point of the return track to a starting point of the processing track such that the substrate is transferred from the processing track to the return track, andor vice versa by said rotations between the first and second orientations.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein rotating the substrate carrier from the first orientation into the second orientation involves rotating the substrate carrier back and forth between the first and second orientation andor one or more intermediate orientations, so as to rock the substrate carrier.
17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:
subjecting the substrate carrier to a gas flow, for example an air flow.
18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:
subjecting the substrate carrier to vibrations to dislodge any contaminants from the substrate carrier.
19. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:
collecting any material falling off the substrate carrier due to, in particular, a change in its orientation or another specific action taken to dislodge material therefrom.
20. A method according to claim 15, further comprising processing one or more substrates disposed on the substrate carrier, wherein the action of rotating the substrate carrier from its first orientation into its second orientation is performed after properly processed substrates have been removed from the substrate carrier.
21. A method according to claim 15, wherein the first track andor the second track extend at least partly through a conditioned environment, for example a vacuum environment.
22. A conveyor assembly according to claim 1, wherein:
in the first orientation, the substrate carrier is configured and arranged to support the at least one substrate in a substantially horizontal orientation; and
in the second orientation, the substrate carrier is configured and arranged to support the at least one substrate in a substantially vertical orientation.
23. A method according to claim 15, wherein the conveying the substrate carrier along a processing track comprises conveying the substrate in a substantially horizontal orientation and wherein the conveying the substrate carrier along a return track comprises conveying the substrate in a substantially vertical orientation.

1. A fixing structure configured to fix a cable to a wiring substrate, the fixing structure comprising:
a cable including a flexible insulating sheet defining a base member, an elongated transmission conductor configured to transmit a signal, and a protrusion-shaped connection conductor with a solid columnar shape protruding in a thickness direction of the insulating sheet; and
a fixing portion provided at the wiring substrate and configured to fix the cable; wherein
the fixing portion has a shape corresponding to a shape of the protrusion-shaped connection conductor, and a hole-shaped connection conductor with a conductor on an inner peripheral surface of the hole-shaped connection conductor;
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor has a truncated conical shape;
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor is inserted into the hole-shaped connection conductor; and
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor is electrically connected with the hole-shaped connection conductor through a conductive joining material.
2. The fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of a bottom portion of the protrusion-shaped connection conductor is larger than an inner diameter of the hole-shaped connection conductor.
3. The fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a first protrusion-shaped connection conductor connected with the transmission conductor.
4. The fixing structure according to claim 3, wherein
the transmission conductor includes a plurality of elongated transmission conductive members; and
the first protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a plurality of connection conductive members respectively connected with the plurality of transmission conductive members.
5. The fixing structure according to claim 3, wherein
the cable further includes a ground conductor including a ground potential; and
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a second protrusion-shaped connection conductor connected with the ground conductor.
6. The fixing structure according to claim 5, wherein the second protrusion-shaped connection conductor surrounds the first protrusion-shaped connection conductor.
7. A fixing structure configured to fix a cable to a wiring substrate, the fixing structure comprising:
a cable including a flexible insulating sheet defining a base member, and an elongated transmission conductor configured to transmit a signal; and
a fixing portion provided at the wiring substrate and configured to fix the cable; wherein
the fixing portion includes a terminal conductor electrically coupled with a terminal of the wiring substrate, and a protrusion-shaped connection conductor integrated with the terminal conductor and having a solid columnar shape;
the cable has a shape corresponding to a shape of the protrusion-shaped connection conductor, and further includes a hole-shaped connection conductor with a conductor provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hole-shaped connection conductor;
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor has a truncated conical shape;
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor is inserted into the hole-shaped connection conductor; and
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor is electrically connected with the hole-shaped connection conductor through a conductive joining material.
8. The fixing structure according to claim 7, wherein
the terminal of the wiring substrate includes a plurality of terminal members configured to transmit the signal;
the terminal conductor includes a plurality of terminal conductive members respectively corresponding to the plurality of terminal members;
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a plurality of protrusion-shaped conductive members respectively corresponding to the plurality of terminal conductive members; and
the hole-shaped connection conductor includes a plurality of hole-shaped conductive members respectively corresponding to the plurality of protrusion-shaped conductive members.
9. The fixing structure according to claim 7, wherein a hole defining the hole-shaped connection conductor corresponds to a through hole penetrating through principal surfaces of the insulating sheet.
10. The fixing structure according to claim 7, wherein an outer diameter of a bottom portion of the protrusion-shaped connection conductor is larger than an inner diameter of the hole-shaped connection conductor.
11. The fixing structure according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a first protrusion-shaped connection conductor connected with the transmission conductor.
12. The fixing structure according to claim 11, wherein
the transmission conductor includes a plurality of elongated transmission conductive members; and
the first protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a plurality of connection conductive members respectively connected with the plurality of transmission conductive members.
13. The fixing structure according to claim 11, wherein
the cable further includes a ground conductor including a ground potential; and
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a second protrusion-shaped connection conductor connected with the ground conductor.
14. The fixing structure according to claim 13, wherein the second protrusion-shaped connection conductor surrounds the first protrusion-shaped connection conductor.
15. A cable comprising a flexible insulating sheet defining a base member, and an elongated transmission conductor configured to transmit a signal, the cable being configured to be fixed to a fixing portion including a hole-shaped connection conductor with a conductor electrically coupled with a terminal of a wiring substrate provided on an inner peripheral surface of the fixing portion, further comprising:
a protrusion-shaped connection conductor having a shape corresponding to a shape of the hole-shaped connection conductor that is a solid columnar shape and a truncated conical shape protruding in a thickness direction of the insulating sheet, and being configured to be inserted into and electrically connected with the hole-shaped connection conductor through a conductive joining material.
16. The cable according to claim 15, wherein an outer diameter of a bottom portion of the protrusion-shaped connection conductor is larger than an inner diameter of the hole-shaped connection conductor.
17. The cable according to claim 15, wherein the protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a first protrusion-shaped connection conductor connected with the transmission conductor.
18. The cable according to claim 17, wherein
the transmission conductor includes a plurality of elongated transmission conductive members; and
the first protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a plurality of connection conductive members respectively connected with the plurality of transmission conductive members.
19. The cable according to claim 17, wherein
the cable further includes a ground conductor including a ground potential; and
the protrusion-shaped connection conductor includes a second protrusion-shaped connection conductor connected with the ground conductor.
20. The cable according to claim 19, wherein the second protrusion-shaped connection conductor surrounds the first protrusion-shaped connection conductor.

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. Method of operating an industrial dishwasher in the form of a batch dishwasher, in which method a washing phase, a final rinse phase and a drying phase can be implemented;
wherein, during the drying phase, program control automatically provides for a main blower to blow atmospheric first ambient air through an air inlet into a treatment chamber, and over wash ware located therein, and then through an air outlet out of the treatment chamber and from the air outlet, through a drying channel, to a blowing-out opening and, through the latter, out of the dishwasher,
and wherein, likewise during the drying phase, program control automatically provides for an additional blower to blow atmospheric second ambient air directly into the drying channel and, through the drying channel, to the blowing-out opening;
characterized in that, during at least one operating state other than the drying phase, program control automatically provides for second ambient air to be blown by means of the additional blower directly into the drying channel and through the latter and out through the blowing-out opening, the dishwasher being switched on but the main blower being switched off.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in each case once a wash tank of the dishwasher has been filled with wash liquid, when the wash tank is filled for the first time, or is completely filled again, the additional blower is switched on, and blows second ambient air into the drying channel and through the drying channel and then out through the blowing-out opening if a door of the treatment chamber is not opened following completion of the filling operation, the main blower remaining switched off during the filling operation and also during this operation of the additional blower.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that, following completion of the filling operation, the additional blower is automatically switched on only if the door of the treatment chamber has not been opened within a predetermined period of time following the filling operation.
4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the additional blower is automatically switched off when the door is opened.
5. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that if the additional blower has been running for a predetermined period of time, and the door is still closed, this automatically results in the start-up of a standby phase in which the additional blower is switched on for a short period of time in each case at predetermined time intervals, the standby phase lasting until such time as the door is opened or a cleaning program is started or the dishwasher is switched off, in which case the additional blower is automatically switched off definitively.
6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, during the drying phase, the main blower and the additional blower are switched on and blow air through the drying channel; in that if, during the drying phase, the door of the treatment chamber is opened, the main blower and the additional blower are automatically switched off and, if the door remains open, also remain switched off; in that nevertheless, if the door is closed again within a predetermined period of time, the additional blower is switched on again at least once for at least one predetermined period of time, the main blower remaining switched off.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that if, following opening and reclosure, the door still remains closed, this automatically results in the start-up of a standby phase in which the additional blower is periodically switched on, and then switched off again, for a short period of time in each case at certain points in time, the main blower remaining switched off.
8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made possible to switch off the drying phase manually, so that, at the start of a cleaning program, only at least one washing phase, and then at least one final rinse phase, but no drying phase, proceed, and in that, in the case of such a cleaning program which proceeds without a drying phase, the additional blower is at least temporarily switched on during the final rinse phase in order, at least temporarily during the final rinse phase, to blow ambient air directly into the drying channel and, through the latter, to the blowing-out opening, the main blower remaining switched off.
9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that if, following completion of the final rinse phase, the door of the treatment chamber is not opened, the additional blower is automatically switched on again, and then switched off again, for a short period of time in each case at certain time intervals until such time as the door is opened, or a new cleaning program is started or the dishwasher is switched off.
10. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that if, following completion of the final rinse phase, the door is opened and, following opening and reclosure, still remains closed, this automatically results in the start-up of a standby phase in which the additional blower is periodically switched on, and then switched off again, for a short period of time in each case at certain points in time, the main blower remaining switched off.
11. Dishwasher in the form of a batch dishwasher, characterized in that the program control is designed for implementing a washing phase, a final rinse phase and a drying phase; wherein, during the drying phase, program control automatically provides for a main blower to blow atmospheric first ambient air through an air inlet into a treatment chamber, and over wash ware located therein, and then through an air outlet out of the treatment chamber and from the air outlet, through a drying channel, to a blowing-out opening and, through the latter, out of the dishwasher,
and wherein, likewise during the drying phase, program control automatically provides for an additional blower to blow atmospheric second ambient air directly into the drying channel and, through the drying channel, to the blowing-out opening;
characterized in that, during at least one operating state other than the drying phase, program control automatically provides for second ambient air to be blown by means of the additional blower directly into the drying channel and through the latter and out through the blowing-out opening, the dishwasher being switched on but the main blower being switched off.