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Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) — an innovative geospatial approach to analyze the locations of high crime areas within cities— was used to analyze criminogenic spaces and identify the riskiest places contributing to vehicle and residential burglary in the city of Coral Gables, Florida from 2004 to 2016. Official crime incident data on residential and vehicle burglary were provided by the Coral Gables Police Department. We investigated the role of environmental predictors of crime by analyzing the effects of the designated riskiest places including alcohol vendors, car dealers, gas stations, bars, secondary/post-secondary schools, grocery stores, and restaurants. We identified risky places and their proximity to the occurrence of residential and vehicle burglary with a regression process using the RTM technique to determine the Relative Risk Values (i.e., weighted risk) that each risk factor had. We examined different temporal designations, including day and night, day of the week, and monthly intervals. Our results indicated that restaurants and grocery stores located in the downtown area and along the US 1 highway were higher risk locations for the occurrence of both types of crime throughout the city. The locations of risky places in the study area were spatially consistent with high crime areas, supporting our main hypothesis. The use of RTM with targeted community policing strategies could move policy from a reactionary approach to more proactive solutions to crime prevention. Concepts drawn from routine activity theory, as well as crime and place perspectives, both receive moderate empirical support for vehicle and residential burglary outcomes.

This study investigates the spatial and temporal patterns of property crime at the census block level in the mid-sized, medium- to high-income city of Coral Gables, Florida, USA, between 2004 and 2016. Specifically, we analyzed residential and vehicular burglary. We used Emerging Hot Spot Analysis (EHSA) to locate and identify crime hot and cold spots over time. In order to understand the role that various sociodemographic variables play in predicting crime patterns, geographically weighted regression (GWR) was used to analyze the spatial clustering of crime, and commercial areas, renter percentage, median household income, and multifamily households. Our results revealed consistent hotspots for residential and vehicle burglary within the northeast area of the city, while vehicle burglary had hotspots along U.S. Route 1 (US-1)—a main road in Coral Gables—and around the University of Miami, with emerging hotspots within the northwest part of the city bordering lower-income areas. Hotspots were associated with structural factors within and around the city including more multifamily homes, higher poverty rates, more renters, and greater economic disadvantage in surrounding municipalities. Social disorganization and routine activity perspectives are supported as frameworks to understand crime patterns in this context. The findings suggest that policymakers should target specific locations using geospatial analyses to better address property crime.

Macroecologists seek to identify drivers of community turnover (β-diversity) through broad spatial scales. However, the influence of local habitat features in driving broad-scale β-diversity patterns remains largely untested, owing to the objective challenges of associating local-scale variables to continental-framed datasets. We examined the relative contribution of local- versus broad-scale drivers of continental β-diversity patterns, using a uniquely suited dataset of cave-dwelling spider communities across Europe (35–70° latitude). Generalized dissimilarity modelling showed that geographical distance, mean annual temperature and size of the karst area in which caves occurred drove most of β-diversity, with differential contributions of each factor according to the level of subterranean specialization. Highly specialized communities were mostly influenced by geographical distance, while less specialized communities were mostly driven by mean annual temperature. Conversely, local-scale habitat features turned out to be meaningless predictors of community change, which emphasizes the idea of caves as the human accessible fraction of the extended network of fissures that more properly represents the elective habitat of the subterranean fauna. To the extent that the effect of local features turned to be inconspicuous, caves emerge as experimental model systems in which to study broad biological patterns without the confounding effect of local habitat features.

Background: The absence of appropriately sensitive or specific real-time respiratory metrics which are physiologically representative of lung function in normal tidal breathing has, until now, prevented the development of intelligent personalised devices which would facilitate early diagnosis of respiratory deterioration in chronic respiratory disorders such as COPD. Aim: To characterise the temporal progression of COPD with metrics derived from point-of-care capnometry in a population of COPD patients and healthy controls. Methods: 30 patients and 7 healthy controls used new generation LED-based personal capnometers three times daily for up to six weeks. Temporal parameters characterising the changing exhaled CO2 waveforms (angles, tangents, timepoints, ETCO2 values) were extracted by automated mathematical shape analysis. Results: A range of mathematical indices derived from analysis of changing capnometry signatures have allowed categorisation of our COPD cohort into those with (1) minimally changing, (2) increasing and (3) decreasing ETCO2 values (figure) which requires further clinical correlation. Alpha angles clearly distinguish COPD patients (126°-162°) from healthy controls (109-123°). Conclusions: Novel respiratory indices derived from changing capnometry waveform shapes can potentially facilitate temporal disease monitoring and ultimately optimised management of COPD.

Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) are widespread in subterranean ecosystems worldwide and represent an important component of subterranean trophic webs. Yet, global-scale diversity patterns of subterranean spiders are still mostly unknown. In the frame of the CAWEB project, a European joint network of cave arachnologists, we collected data on cave-dwelling spider communities across Europe in order to explore their continental diversity patterns. Two main datasets were compiled: one listing all subterranean spider species recorded in numerous subterranean localities across Europe and another with high resolution data about the subterranean habitat in which they were collected. From these two datasets, we further generated a third dataset with individual geo-referenced occurrence records for all these species. Data from 475 geo-referenced subterranean localities (caves, mines and other artificial subterranean sites, interstitial habitats) are herein made available. For each subterranean locality, information about the composition of the spider community is provided, along with local geomorphological and habitat features. Altogether, these communities account for > 300 unique taxonomic entities and 2,091 unique geo-referenced occurrence records, that are made available via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (Mammola and Cardoso 2019). This dataset is unique in that it covers both a large geographic extent (from 35° south to 67° north) and contains high-resolution local data on geomorphological and habitat features. Given that this kind of high-resolution data are rarely associated with broad-scale datasets used in macroecology, this dataset has high potential for helping researchers in tackling a range of biogeographical and macroecological questions, not necessarily uniquely related to arachnology or subterranean biology.

Macroecologists seek to identify drivers of community turnover ( β -diversity) through broad spatial scales. However, the influence of local habitat features in driving broad-scale β -diversity patterns remains largely untested, owing to the objective challenges of associating local-scale variables to continental-framed datasets. We examined the relative contribution of local- versus broad-scale drivers of continental β -diversity patterns, using a uniquely suited dataset of cave-dwelling spider communities across Europe (35–70° latitude). Generalized dissimilarity modelling showed that geographical distance, mean annual temperature and size of the karst area in which caves occurred drove most of β -diversity, with differential contributions of each factor according to the level of subterranean specialization. Highly specialized communities were mostly influenced by geographical distance, while less specialized communities were mostly driven by mean annual temperature. Conversely, local-scale habitat features turned out to be meaningless predictors of community change, which emphasizes the idea of caves as the human accessible fraction of the extended network of fissures that more properly represents the elective habitat of the subterranean fauna. To the extent that the effect of local features turned to be inconspicuous, caves emerge as experimental model systems in which to study broad biological patterns without the confounding effect of local habitat features.

Dance critic Judith Mackrell wrote recently that dramaturgy might “go a long way to help realise [dance's] potential” (2014). What kinds of change can dance dramaturgs help foster? This alternative-format workshop combines spoken presentation, small-group conversation, and physical movement. We create a collaborative space for exploring what dramaturgy can contribute to dance under contemporary conditions of uneven access to material and cultural resources. We invite artists, scholars, curators—anyone curious about developing dramaturgical practices of questioning, relational process, and well-timed intervention—to join us in talking, writing, watching, and participating in movement structures that lead toward creative change.

Zoological collections house a huge range of biological diversity preserved in a wide variety of ways ranging from microscope mounts to whole animals preserved in fluids. The result is that these collections consist of a wide range of differing materials which can make the long term care and conservation of such collections a considerable challenge. This workshop is designed for museum professionals with the aim of giving an introductory overview on museum conservation approaches towards the care of zoological collections. This will be achieved through identifying the key risks and looking at the application of both remedial and preventative conservation methodologies to their care. The format of the workshop will be lectures on specific topics with group discussions, along with (where feasible) activities in small groups and practical examinations of specimens. Topics covered will include: Introduction to the concepts of ‘museum conservation’ and its application within the Natural Sciences. The types of material found in zoological collections – an overview of the core collection types, the chemistry of preservation and the potential long term challenges these present. An overview of the key agents of deterioration. Environmental effects and how to recognise them. Awareness of hazardous materials and core H&S issues encountered with the care and handling of zoological collections. Assessing collections and deciding conservation priorities. Fur, feathers and bones - practical conservation approaches to cleaning, consolidation and repair. Fluid collections - practical conservation approaches to handling, identifying fluids and carrying out remedial activities. Other key collection areas – e.g. conservation of entomology and other dried invertebrate collections; microscope slide collections. Consideration of the care and conservation of specialist collections e.g. historic models such as Blaschka glass models. Discussion and feedback from attendees will be a core part of the day.

Background: Ambulatory capnometers can be relatively unreliable due to condensation from breath. The development of a new ambulatory capnometer (N-Tidal) brings advantages through a novel optical system that also increases accuracy over the range of concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in tidal breathing. Aim: Demonstrate the reproducibility of common parameters used in capnography via a novel capnometer. Introduce the measurement of lowest CO2 from an exhaled breath (exBL) Methods: 30 COPD patients were recruited to the pilot trial. Tidal exhaled CO2 was performed daily for 6 weeks. There was 84% device compliance. 7 COPD patients were excluded (6 exacerbation, 1 incorrect use of the device). 6 healthy individuals also recruited. Results:Table 1 provides reproducibility of the parameters measured in COPD patients. exBL is higher in COPD patients (Table 1) than in healthy controls median (CV) 0.20kPa (31%). Conclusions: A novel device for monitoring exhaled CO2 has been demonstrated to be reliable and reproducible for use in patients with COPD. We have demonstrated that COPD patients have a greater low-point of exhaled CO2 than healthy controls which will have an added impact on the sensation of breathlessness in this patient group through CO2 rebreathing.

To develop a connected, portable, point-of-care medical device (capnometer) for the diagnosis, monitoring and management of acute and chronic cardiorespiratory diseases at home and in primary and secondary care environments, facilitating timely, evidence-based treatment interventions and

This section includes eighty-six short original essays commissioned for the inaugural issue of TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly. Written by emerging academics, community-based writers, and senior scholars, each essay in this special issue, “Postposttranssexual: Key Concepts for a Twenty-First-Century Transgender Studies,” revolves around a particular keyword or concept. Some contributions focus on a concept central to transgender studies; others describe a term of art from another discipline or interdisciplinary area and show how it might relate to transgender studies. While far from providing a complete picture of the field, these keywords begin to elucidate a conceptual vocabulary for transgender studies. Some of the submissions offer a deep and resilient resistance to the entire project of mapping the field terminologically; some reveal yet-unrealized critical potentials for the field; some take existing terms from canonical thinkers and develop the significance for transgender studies; some offer overviews of well-known methodologies and demonstrate their applicability within transgender studies; some suggest how transgender issues play out in various fields; and some map the productive tensions between trans studies and other interdisciplines.

Currently, most explorations of homonormativity privilege political interpretations. In contrast, this essay brackets political analysis of homonormativity's effects in order to attend more closely to the affect that helps motivate homonormative choices. Though from an external, critical perspective, particular alliances with dominant power structures may often look like blatant and cynical attempts at self-advancement, there is abundant evidence that they are more often experienced as emotionally driven, personal choices that are different from political ones and superior to them as guides for intimate behavior. Attending to this dimension of homonormative experience not only shifts current queer conversations about norms but also extends the relevance of such conversations back into the past. Ann Bannon's midcentury lesbian paperback novels are rich sources of information about the socially produced emotional situations that helped push Cold War-era gay and lesbian people into alliances with heterosexist institutions and values such as marriage. In Bannon's novels, “gay marriage” appears as a kind of representational shorthand for a happy resolution to what I suspect was the common midcentury gay dilemma of how to be both erotically and emotionally deviant, and socially conventional. Bannon depicts that dilemma as a painful suspension between simultaneous disidentifications with heterosexuality and queer abrasiveness to dominant cultural norms. Thus exploring the fantasy of gay marriage in these pulp fictions not only sheds historical light on the affective dimensions of homonormativity but also raises theoretically significant questions about the definition and political ramifications of disidentification.

Historically collected specimens of the Pennsylvanian pteridosperm Eremopteris artemisiaefolia have been reinvestigated to provide detailed information on its morphology and cuticular anatomy and to enable some of the external features of the plant to be reconstructed. The stem bore a distal crown of helically arranged compound leaves that show evidence they were actively abscissed from the plant. The blade consists of a main rachis that is straight or curved and may be undivided or show a single overtopped or occasionally dichotomous division. Secondary foliar segments are once or twice divided, with ultimate segments consisting of an elongate lanceolate blade, sometimes with one or two pairs of suboppositely arranged basal lobes or subsegments. Dense parallel veins run along the ultimate segments and only rarely fork. Stomata occur on both surfaces of the blade but more densely on the abaxial surface; papillae surrounded the abaxial stomata but not the adaxial ones. Remains of platyspermic bicornute ovu...

Sector-field high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) has been used, at R=3000, to resolve spectral interferences caused by N2+ and CO+ on 28Si+, and NOH+ and NO+ on 31P+, thereby facilitating the speciation of these elements. Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), ranging from 162 g mol−1 to 16 500 g mol−1, and their silanol breakdown products, have been separated by size exclusion and reverse phase chromatography, respectively, and detected using HR-ICP-MS. Detection limits (as Si) of between 12–30 ng ml−1 and 0.1–4 ng ml−1 were obtained for the PDMS and silanol compounds, respectively. Quantitative and reproducible methods have been developed for the analysis of four common organophosphorous pesticides in blood plasma, and inorganic phosphates in food, with detection limits of between 0.9–2 ng ml−1 and 1–39 ng ml−1, respectively.

Ion stopping experiments have been performed using a triple grid placed between the ion extraction and collector lenses of a modified lens stack. Stopping voltages for ions extracted from the plasma were between 6.6 and 13.1 V (Be+), 9.8–13.1 V (Co+, In+, Ce+, Pb+), and 11.8–14.4 V (U+). Controlled contamination of the ion extraction interface was performed, and the stopping voltage for Be+ ions contributing to the subsequent background signal was determined to be between 1.5–5.9 V. This suggests that these ions originated downstream of the ion sampling interface, possibly due to deposition of Be on the skimmer cone, which was subsequently re-volatilised. The low stopping voltage of these ions meant that they would be prevented from entering the quadrupole by applying a small retarding potential on one of the lens elements (or possibly the quadrupole itself), while still admitting those ions with higher energies which were extracted from the plasma.

The Jefferson Collection in the National Museum and Gallery of Wales (NMGW) is an assorted collection of mainly fluid‐preserved invertebrate animals from subterranean habitats in the UK, and represents an important biological resource. In 1994 the collection was in very poor condition and in need of extensive conservation both to provide access and to preserve. This paper describes a project which developed protocols and techniques to sort, conserve and correctly store the collection. The methods used, including rehydrating using a detergent, re‐preparing and relabelling and the rationale behind these processes are described. The collection is now in a conserved and accessible state and forms the basis of a cave fauna collection at the NMGW.

The performance of the material is demonstrated in a top gate, bottom contact device architecture operational in air without the requirement for device encapsulation. From a device performance aspect, we also highlight the influence that contact resistance has on the mobility. Keywords: Organic transistor, OFET, OTFT, soluble semiconductor, high mobility, crystalline semiconductor

The determination of trap state density is demonstrated using high frequency capacitance measurements on metal-oxide-polysilicon-silicon structures. An exact transmission line model is used to model equilibrium capacitance-voltage curves. Values of trap state density are compared with those obtained using more complicated structures.

The extraction of bulk silicon defect information using MOSFET noise analysis is discussed. The calculation of generation-recombination (GR) trapping parameters, from noise-measurements, including a new approach to estimating defect densities, is outlined. The defect density calculation involves estimating the size of a volume, in the depletion layer of the MOSFET, which is considered to contain all the defects actively contributing to the observed noise. These techniques are then used to extract information from n-channel rapid thermal annealed (RTA) MOSFETs that exhibited pronounced GR noise. Hole traps at energies 0.26 and 0.42 eV above the valence band were found, which compares favorably with previous reports of such defects in RTA diode structures. For high-temperature anneals (>1050 degrees C) in one particular set of samples a trap of energy 0.165 eV was responsible for a rise in the E/sub N/(f) noise of two orders of magnitude. The origins and implications of the observed defects are discussed, and the validity of the data extraction techniques for these samples is reviewed. >

High-frequency ring oscillators with sub-microsecond stage delay fabricated from spin-coated films of a specially formulated small-molecule/host-polymer blend are reported. Contacts and interconnects are patterned by photolithography with plasma etching used for creating vias and removing excess material to reduce parasitic effects. The characteristics of transistors with 4.6 I¼m channel length scale linearly with channel width over the range 60â��2160 I¼m. Model device parameters extracted using Silvaco's Universal Organic Thin Film Transistor (UOTFT) Model yield values of hole mobility increasing from 1.9 to 2.6 cm2 Vsâ��1 as gate voltage increased. Simulated and fabricated Vgs = 0 inverters predict that the technology is capable of fabricating 5-stage ring oscillators operating above 100 kHz. Initial designs operated mainly at frequencies in the range 250â��300 kHz, due to smaller parasitic gate overlap capacitances and higher supply voltages than assumed in the simulations. A design incorporating graded inverter sizes operates at frequencies above 400 kHz with the best reaching 529 kHz. The corresponding stage delay of 189 ns is the shortest reported to date for a solution-processed p-type semiconductor and compares favorably with similar circuits based on evaporated small molecules. Significant further improvements are identified which could lead to the fabrication of digital circuits that operate at much higher bit rates than previously reported.

The fabrication of high resolution light emitting polymer (LEP) OLED displays using ink jet printing to deposit the hole conducting and conjugated polymer electroluminescent components has required the development of both printing and ink technology. We review the issues associated with meeting the technology requirement and split these into the areas of ink delivery, getting the correct volume out of ink jet nozzles with well defined velocity and direction; surface energy considerations to maximize aperture ratio and display resolution; solution drying to form flat films and solution formulation to create polymer films that perform as well as films created by conventional spin coating. In addition we will describe the current status of the technology both in terms of polymer performance for both passive and active matrix applications, printing technology and polymer ink performance.

The information explosion has created a need for large, flat hang-on-the-wall displays to display the ever increasing quantity of information. Rapid advances in computing power and communication technology are outpacing the advances in display technology. Typical monitors have progressed from VGA with 0.3 M pixels, to SXGA with 1.3 M pixels. Top of the line displays are pushing 4 M pixels. Costs of displays with increased number of pixels have risen exponentially with pixel count. Display technology is limiting the exploitation of advances in information and communications technologies. A revolutionary new display technology is needed to enable practical use of the information and communications revolutions. The Sarnoff Corporation and Cambridge Display Technology Ltd. are developing a modular display approach for thin hang-on-the- wall displays that has a cost structure that is linear with pixel count. This approach is based on three display technology advances: smart block matrix addressing, light emitting polymers (LEP), and integrated packaging. Smart block matrix addressing enables the use of low cost addressing while at the same time decoupling the display performance from display size. LEP materials enable low manufacturing cost for bright emissive thin display modules. Integrated packaging enables the mass production of low cost display modules that can be assembled into large area, seamless displays. Together, these three technologies produce for the first time a thin scaleable display. The displays made using this technology have been named 'Array Displays.' Array Display size and shape are determined at assembly, not by the manufacturing line, Pixel densities of about one million pixels per square meter are possible with this low cost manufacturing approach. Array Displays provide the pathway to low cost scaleable displays to meet the needs for the information age.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

This note reports on the noise of CMOS devices. It is shown experimentally that a weak boron threshold implant (∼1012 cm−3) can influence the 1/f noise levels. For wafers with threshold adjustment the p-channel noise decreases whilst the n-channel noise increases. The changes in the n/p noise ratio with/without threshold implantation are predicted using a simple model in conjunction with carrier profile simulations.

We have developed a 14.1 inch full color polymer LED display, based on an a-Si TFT backplane, using ink jet printing, which does not show visible swathe marks during display operation. To remove the swathe marks, we have developed the single path printing technology for the hole-conduction layer deposition to significantly reduce the complexity of interlacing printing across the panel, which is known as an alternative to remove the swathe marks. In addition, we have adopted the interlayer process to increase the lifetime of ink jet printed displays. These technologies will enable the scale-up of the ink jet printed AMOLED applications to larger size displays, such as desktop monitors and TVs.

— Ink-jet-printing technology for displays has been making rapid progress and is now nearing production. This paper will go through the developments that have been carried out at CDT, Ltd., to achieve this status. The ink-jet head and machine development that underpin the capability of the RGB printing process to manufacture P-OLEDs at high speed with high reliability and with the film-forming properties to achieve the appropriate device performance will be described. The important contribution made by the availability of flexible metrological tools will be discussed.

The feasibility of using ink jet printing to define hole conduction and electroluminescent layers in OLED display has been well demonstrated. The particular motivation for ink jet printing has been driven by the prospect of developing scalable and adaptable manufacturing processes, enabling large substrate sizes to be processed, without the requirement for expensive product specific tooling. In this paper we discuss the implication of scalable and adaptable criteria for an ink jet print process and demonstrate how this can be achieved by development of suitable ink formulations.

We have developed polymer LED displays using ink jet printing without visible swathe marks which can be observed during display operation. In addition, we have also developed a single-pass printing technology for hole-conduction layer deposition to significantly reduce the complexity of interlacing printing across the panel which is known as an alternative to remove the swathe mark.

The latest developments in light-emitting-polymer (LEP) technology at CDT continue to show steady progress. Device performance for blue, green, and red systems as well as a high-performance yellow system in terms of device efficiency and stability will be described. Some of the issues associated with the commercialization of LEP technology including the development of direct-patterning techniques enabling full-color passive- and active-matrix display will be discussed.

The latest developments in light emitting polymer (LEP) technology at CDT continues to show steady progress. Device performance is described for blue, green and red systems as well as a high performance yellow system in terms of device efficiency and stability. Some of the issues associated with the commercialisation of LEP technology including the development, of direct patterning techniques enabling full colour passive and active matrix display will be presented.

For the first time, n-channel MOSFETs with elevated source and drain structures realised by selective epitaxial growth (SEG) of silicon using silane only have been stressed under various conditions. Depending on the gate voltage, up to 10 times improvement in hot-electron related degradation has been observed compared with the standard MOSFET structure. This has been attributed to the alleviation and spreading of the lateral electric Meld near the drain end of the transistor because of the very shallow and graded junctions obtained in elevated S/D structures.

The fabrication of an Sb delta-doped Si n-MESFET grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) and a low-energy Sb ion source is reported. The FETs have gate lengths of 2 mu m and showed a transconductance as high as 28 mS/mm and a gate breakdown voltage of 3.7-4.8 V.

A new technique for the extraction of submicrometre MOSFET parameters (effective threshold voltage, low field mobility, effective channel length, parasitic series resistance and mobility degradation parameter) is described. The method has been tested on transistors down to 0.3μm effective gate length. The technique is compared with others and is found to be fast, accurate and simpler to implement and can be carried out with standard measurement equipment.

Secco and periodic etches have been used to delineate n+p and p+n junctions found in ULSI CMOS. Preliminary trials indicated that delineated depth depends on etch time. An interpretation of these results in terms of etching of the substrate material leads to a simple expression between delineated depth and etch time. Once this relation has been established the technique allows a quick and consistent check on two dimensional dopant profiles and has been used on shallow junctions found in deep submicrometre structures.

The faces of 19 healthy subjects were immersed in water at the temperatures varying between 10 degrees and 30 degrees C and at different degrees of lung inflation. Several abnormalities of cardiac conduction were noted. They occurred with the greatest frequency in the coldest water and when there was relatively little air in the lungs at the moment of immersion. There was fragmentary evidence, confirmatory of earlier studies, that heart-rate slowing was accentuated by fear and that very little slowing occurred when the subject was distracted or preoccupied. Various conduction abnormalities were recorded. The most striking finding was the wide difference from person to person in the occurrence of conduction disturbances under more or less comparable circumstances. Moreover, the patterns of conduction alterations, differing from person to person, were nevertheless relatively consistent from dive to dive for the same individual. To ascertain whether or not such idiosyncratic responses may have prognostic significance calls for a long-term, prospective study.

Defects present in semiconductor layers can lead to increased transistor low frequency noise. This paper reports on the noise performance degradation caused by modern complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and bipolar-CMOS (BiCMOS) processing techniques, these being the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) and the use of polysilicon emitters in bipolar transistors. A rise in both the bulk and oxide defect densities was thought to be responsible for the increased noise of RTA MOSFETs over conventionally annealed devices. A significant low frequency noise component was discovered to be present in poly-silicon-emitter transistors. This was thought to be due to the presence of SiO2 at the polysilicon-single-crystal interface.

CMOS devices fabricated with a rapid thermal anneal source and drain activation have been compared with similar devices fabricated with a standard furnace anneal. Measurements have been made of low frequency noise, average interface state density, channel mobility, threshold voltage and bulk states using DLTS. Results show that in some instances RTA can have a deleterious effect on device performance that appears to be due to the rapid rates of cooling that can occur when using this techology.