Nonoperative Management of Iatrogenic Right Atrial Appendage Pseudoaneurysm During Catheter Ablation.

Atrial pseudoaneurysms are exceedingly rare. Cardiac pseudoaneurysms are at risk for rupture, which may be catastrophic and require emergent thoracotomy for definitive treatment. We report a case of right atrial appendage perforation during catheter ablation leading to tamponade and right atrium pseudoaneurysm.

Sorry to ask but how is apology effectiveness dependent on apology content and gender?

While it is well understood that the content included in an apology matters, what constitutes an effective apology may differ depending on the gender of the person delivering it. In this article, we test competing theoretical perspectives (i.e., role congruity theory and expectancy violation theory [EVT]) about the relative effectiveness of apologies that include language that conforms (or not) with the gender stereotypes ascribed to the apologizer. Results of four studies supported an EVT perspective and showed that apologies were perceived to be relatively more effective when they contradicted gender stereotypes (i.e., communal [agentic] apologies by men [women]). Specifically, Study 1 provided an initial test of the competing hypotheses using celebrity apologies on Twitter. Then, results of three experiments (Studies 2, 3a, and 3b) built upon these initial findings and tested the psychological mechanisms proposed by EVT to explain why counterstereotypical apologies are beneficial (i.e., attributions of interpersonal sensitivity [assertiveness] and enhanced perceptions of benevolence [competence] for men [women]). Our contributions to theory and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Enhancement of Ar Ion Flux on the Substrate by Heterogeneous Charge Transfer Collision of Ar Atom with He Ion in an Inductively Coupled Ar/He Plasma.

The understanding of ion dynamics in plasma applications has received significant attention. In this study, we examined these effects between He and Ar species, focusing on the Ar ion flux on the substrate. To control heterogeneous collisions, we varied the He addition rate at fixed chamber pressure and the chamber pressure at fixed Ar/He ratio in an inductively coupled Ar/He plasma source. Throughout the experiments, we maintained an electron density in the bulk plasma and plasma potential as a constant value by adjusting the RF power and applying an additional DC bias to eliminate any disturbances caused by the plasma. Our findings revealed that the addition of He enhances the Ar ion flux, despite a decrease in the Ar ion density at the plasma-sheath boundary due to the presence of He ions. Moreover, we found that this enhancement becomes more prominent with increasing pressure at a fixed He addition rate. These results suggest that the heterogeneous charge transfer collision between Ar atoms and He ions in the sheath region creates additional Ar ions, ultimately leading to an increased Ar ion flux on the substrate. This finding highlights the potential of utilizing heterogeneous charge transfer collisions to enhance ion flux in plasma processing, without the employment of additional equipment.

Characterization of SiO2 Plasma Etching with Perfluorocarbon (C4F8 and C6F6) and Hydrofluorocarbon (CHF3 and C4H2F6) Precursors for the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction.

This paper proposes the use of environmentally friendly alternatives, C6F6 and C4H2F6, as perfluorocarbon (PFC) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) precursors, respectively, for SiO2 plasma etching, instead of conventional precursors C4F8 and CHF3. The study employs scanning electron microscopy for etch profile analysis and quadrupole mass spectrometry for plasma diagnosis. Ion bombardment energy at the etching conditions is determined through self-bias voltage measurements, while densities of radical species are obtained using quadrupole mass spectroscopy. The obtained results compare the etch performance, including etch rate and selectivity, between C4F8 and C6F6, as well as between CHF3 and C4H2F6. Furthermore, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are evaluated using a million metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, indicating significantly lower emissions when replacing conventional precursors with the proposed alternatives. The results suggest that a significant GHG emissions reduction can be achieved from the investigated alternatives without a deterioration in SiO2 etching characteristics. This research contributes to the development of alternative precursors for reducing global warming impacts.

Contribution of Ion Energy and Flux on High-Aspect Ratio SiO2 Etching Characteristics in a Dual-Frequency Capacitively Coupled Ar/C4F8 Plasma: Individual Ion Energy and Flux Controlled.

As the process complexity has been increased to overcome challenges in plasma etching, individual control of internal plasma parameters for process optimization has attracted attention. This study investigated the individual contribution of internal parameters, the ion energy and flux, on high-aspect ratio SiO2 etching characteristics for various trench widths in a dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasma system with Ar/C4F8 gases. We established an individual control window of ion flux and energy by adjusting dual-frequency power sources and measuring the electron density and self-bias voltage. We separately varied the ion flux and energy with the same ratio from the reference condition and found that the increase in ion energy shows higher etching rate enhancement than that in the ion flux with the same increase ratio in a 200 nm pattern width. Based on a volume-averaged plasma model analysis, the weak contribution of the ion flux results from the increase in heavy radicals, which is inevitably accompanied with the increase in the ion flux and forms a fluorocarbon film, preventing etching. At the 60 nm pattern width, the etching stops at the reference condition and it remains despite increasing ion energy, which implies the surface charging-induced etching stops. The etching, however, slightly increased with the increasing ion flux from the reference condition, revealing the surface charge removal accompanied with conducting fluorocarbon film formation by heavy radicals. In addition, the entrance width of an amorphous carbon layer (ACL) mask enlarges with increasing ion energy, whereas it relatively remains constant with that of ion energy. These findings can be utilized to optimize the SiO2 etching process in high-aspect ratio etching applications.

Determination of Plasma Potential Using an Emissive Probe with Floating Potential Method.

Despite over 90 years of study on the emissive probe, a plasma diagnostic tool used to measure plasma potential, its underlying physics has yet to be fully understood. In this study, we investigated the voltages along the hot filament wire and emitting thermal electrons and proved which voltage reflects the plasma potential. Using a circuit model incorporating the floating condition, we found that the lowest potential on the plasma-exposed filament provides a close approximation of the plasma potential. This theoretical result was verified with a comparison of emissive probe measurements and Langmuir probe measurements in inductively coupled plasma. This work provides a significant contribution to the accurate measurement of plasma potential using the emissive probe with the floating potential method.

On the Quenching of Electron Temperature in Inductively Coupled Plasma.

Electron temperature has attracted great attention in plasma processing, as it dominates the production of chemical species and energetic ions that impact the processing. Despite having been studied for several decades, the mechanism behind the quenching of electron temperature with increasing discharge power has not been fully understood. In this work, we investigated the quenching of electron temperature in an inductively coupled plasma source using Langmuir probe diagnostics, and suggested a quenching mechanism based on the skin effect of electromagnetic waves within local- and non-local kinetic regimes. This finding provides insight into the quenching mechanism and has implications for controlling electron temperature, thereby enabling efficient plasma material processing.

Are We Essential, or Sacrificial? The Effects of Felt Public Gratitude on Essential Worker Recovery Activities During COVID-19.

COVID-19 has been characterized by unprecedented levels of public gratitude to some, but not all, essential workers. In this research, we integrate insights from the stigmatized occupations and gratitude literature to build theory on the positive and negative relationships between such displays of public gratitude and essential workers' recovery activities. We argue that felt public gratitude positively relates to adaptive recovery activities (e.g., exercise) and negatively relates to maladaptive recovery activities (e.g., overdrinking). We further explain how felt public gratitude impacts (mal)adaptive recovery activities through (a) felt invisibility and (b) negative/positive affect. We find support for our predictions in a two-wave survey of 186 corrections officers (Study 1) and an experiment with 379 essential workers across a variety of industries (Study 2).

Development of the Tele-Measurement of Plasma Uniformity via Surface Wave Information (TUSI) Probe for Non-Invasive In-Situ Monitoring of Electron Density Uniformity in Plasma Display Fabrication Process.

The importance of monitoring the electron density uniformity of plasma has attracted significant attention in material processing, with the goal of improving production yield. This paper presents a non-invasive microwave probe for in-situ monitoring electron density uniformity, called the Tele-measurement of plasma Uniformity via Surface wave Information (TUSI) probe. The TUSI probe consists of eight non-invasive antennae and each antenna estimates electron density above the antenna by measuring the surface wave resonance frequency in a reflection microwave frequency spectrum (S11). The estimated densities provide electron density uniformity. For demonstration, we compared it with the precise microwave probe and results revealed that the TUSI probe can monitor plasma uniformity. Furthermore, we demonstrated the operation of the TUSI probe beneath a quartz or wafer. In conclusion, the demonstration results indicated that the TUSI probe can be used as an instrument for a non-invasive in-situ method for measuring electron density uniformity.

Observation of prior light emission before arcing development in a low-temperature plasma with multiple snapshot analysis.

Arcing is a ubiquitous phenomenon and a crucial issue in high-voltage applied systems, especially low-temperature plasma (LTP) engineering. Although arcing in LTPs has attracted interest due to the severe damage it can cause, its underlying mechanism has yet to be fully understood. To elucidate the arcing mechanism, this study investigated various signals conventionally used to analyze arcing such as light emission, arcing current and voltage, and background plasma potential. As a result, we found that light emission occurs as early as 0.56 µs before arcing current initiation, which is a significant indicator of the explosive development of arcing as well as other signals. We introduce an arcing inducing probe (AIP) designed to localize arcing on the tip edge along with multiple snapshot analysis since arcing occurs randomly in space and time. Analysis reveals that the prior light emission consists of sheath and tip glows from the whole AIP sheath and the AIP tip edge, respectively. Formation mechanisms of these emissions based on multiple snapshot image analysis are discussed. This light emission before arcing current initiation provides a significant clue to understanding the arcing formation mechanism and represents a new indicator for forecasting arcing in LTPs.

Characterization of an Etch Profile at a Wafer Edge in Capacitively Coupled Plasma.

Recently, the uniformity in the wafer edge area that is normally abandoned in the fabrication process has become important for improving the process yield. The wafer edge structure normally has a difference of height between wafer and electrode, which can result in a sheath bend, distorting important parameters of the etch, such as ionic properties, resulting in nonuniform etching. This problem nowadays is resolved by introducing the supplemented structure called a focus ring on the periphery of the wafer. However, the focus ring is known to be easily eroded by the bombardment of high-energy ions, resulting in etch nonuniformity again, so that the focus ring is a consumable part and must be replaced periodically. Because of this issue, there are many simulation studies being conducted on the correlation between the sheath structural characteristics and materials of focus rings to find the replacement period, but the experimental data and an analysis based on this are not sufficient yet. In this study, in order to experimentally investigate the etching characteristics of the wafer edge area according to the sheath structure of the wafer edge, the etching was performed by increasing the wafer height (thickness) in the wafer edge area. The result shows that the degree of tilt in the etch profile at the wafer edge and the area where the tilt is observed severely are increased with the height difference between the wafer and electrode. This study is expected to provide a database for the characteristics of the etching at the wafer edge and useful information regarding the tolerance of the height difference for untilted etch profile and the replacement period of the etch ring.

Influence of Additive N2 on O2 Plasma Ashing Process in Inductively Coupled Plasma.

One of the cleaning processes in semiconductor fabrication is the ashing process using oxygen plasma, which has been normally used N2 gas as additive gas to increase the ashing rate, and it is known that the ashing rate is strongly related to the concentration of oxygen radicals measured OES. However, by performing a comprehensive experiment of the O2 plasma ashing process in various N2/O2 mixing ratios and RF powers, our investigation revealed that the tendency of the density measured using only OES did not exactly match the ashing rate. This problematic issue can be solved by considering the plasma parameter, such as electron density. This study can suggest a method inferring the exact maximum condition of the ashing rate based on the plasma diagnostics such as OES, Langmuir probe, and cutoff probe, which might be useful for the next-generation plasma process.

Database Development of SiO2 Etching with Fluorocarbon Plasmas Diluted with Various Noble Gases of Ar, Kr, and Xe.

In the semiconductor industry, fluorocarbon (FC) plasma is widely used in SiO2 etching, with Ar typically employed in the dilution of the FC plasma due to its cost effectiveness and accessibility. While it has been reported that plasmas with other noble gases, namely Kr and Xe, have distinct physical properties such as electron density and temperature, their implementation into plasma etching has not been sufficiently studied. In this work, we conducted SiO2 etching with FC plasmas diluted with different noble gases, i.e., FC precursors of C4F8 and CH2F2 with Ar, Kr, or Xe, under various gas flow rates of each as well as plasma diagnostics for the process interpretation. We show that Ar, Kr, and Xe gas mixtures depend on the FC precursor flow rate and the pattern width in a significantly different manner and we elucidate these findings based on plasma diagnostic results. The results of this work are expected to offer a practical etching database for diverse applications including plasma process engineering and the development of plasma simulation in the semiconductor industry.

Comprehensive Assessments in Bonding Energy of Plasma Assisted Si-SiO2 Direct Wafer Bonding after Low Temperature Rapid Thermal Annealing.

Direct wafer bonding is one of the most attractive techniques for next-generation semiconductor devices, and plasma has been playing an indispensable role in the wider adoption of the wafer bonding technique by lowering its process temperature. Although numerous studies on plasma-assisted direct wafer bonding have been reported, there is still a lack of deep investigations focusing on the plasma itself. Other than the plasma surface treatment, the wafer bonding process includes multiple steps such as surface cleaning and annealing that require comprehensive studies to maximize the bonding strengths. In this work, we evaluate the various process steps of Si-SiO2 wafer bonding through case-by-case experimental studies, covering factors including the plasma conditions for surface treatment and secondary factors such as the time intervals between some process steps. The results show that plasma treatment with increasing input power has a trade-off between bonding strengths and interfacial voids, requiring the optimization of the plasma conditions. It is also noticeable that the effects of plasma treatment on wafer bonding can be improved when the plasma-treated wafers are stored in ambient atmosphere before the subsequent process step, which may suggest that wafer exposure to air during the bonding process is advantageous compared to processing entirely in vacuum. The results are expected to allow plasma-assisted direct wafer bonding technology to play a bigger role in the packaging process of semiconductor device manufacturing.

Refined Appearance Potential Mass Spectrometry for High Precision Radical Density Quantification in Plasma.

As the analysis of complicated reaction chemistry in bulk plasma has become more important, especially in plasma processing, quantifying radical density is now in focus. For this work, appearance potential mass spectrometry (APMS) is widely used; however, the original APMS can produce large errors depending on the fitting process, as the fitting range is not exactly defined. In this research, to reduce errors resulting from the fitting process of the original method, a new APMS approach that eliminates the fitting process is suggested. Comparing the neutral densities in He plasma between the conventional method and the new method, along with the real neutral density obtained using the ideal gas equation, confirmed that the proposed quantification approach can provide more accurate results. This research will contribute to improving the precision of plasma diagnosis and help elucidate the plasma etching process.

Low-Temperature Plasma Diagnostics to Investigate the Process Window Shift in Plasma Etching of SiO2.

As low-temperature plasma plays an important role in semiconductor manufacturing, plasma diagnostics have been widely employed to understand changes in plasma according to external control parameters, which has led to the achievement of appropriate plasma conditions normally termed the process window. During plasma etching, shifts in the plasma conditions both within and outside the process window can be observed; in this work, we utilized various plasma diagnostic tools to investigate the causes of these shifts. Cutoff and emissive probes were used to measure the electron density and plasma potential as indicators of the ion density and energy, respectively, that represent the ion energy flux. Quadrupole mass spectrometry was also used to show real-time changes in plasma chemistry during the etching process, which were in good agreement with the etching trend monitored via in situ ellipsometry. The results show that an increase in the ion energy flux and a decrease in the fluorocarbon radical flux alongside an increase in the input power result in the breaking of the process window, findings that are supported by the reported SiO2 etch model. By extending the SiO2 etch model with rigorous diagnostic measurements (or numerous diagnostic methods), more intricate plasma processing conditions can be characterized, which will be beneficial in applications and industries where different input powers and gas flows can make notable differences to the results.

Development of a Noninvasive Real-Time Ion Energy Distribution Monitoring System Applicable to Collisional Plasma Sheath.

As the importance of ion-assisted surface processing based on low-temperature plasma increases, the monitoring of ion energy impinging into wafer surfaces becomes important. Monitoring methods that are noninvasive, real-time, and comprise ion collision in the sheath have received much research attention. However, in spite of this fact, most research was performed in invasive, not real-time, and collisionless ion sheath conditions. In this paper, we develop a noninvasive real-time IED monitoring system based on an ion trajectory simulation where the Monte Carlo collision method and an electrical model are adopted to describe collisions in sheaths. We technically, theoretically, and experimentally investigate the IED measurement with the proposed method, and compared it with the result of IEDs measured via a quadrupole mass spectrometer under various conditions. The comparison results show that there was no major change in the IEDs as radio-frequency power increased or the IED gradually became broad as gas pressure increased, which was in a good agreement with the results of the mass spectrometer.

Development of a High-Linearity Voltage and Current Probe with a Floating Toroidal Coil: Principle, Demonstration, Design Optimization, and Evaluation.

As the conventional voltage and current (VI) probes widely used in plasma diagnostics have separate voltage and current sensors, crosstalk between the sensors leads to degradation of measurement linearity, which is related to practical accuracy. Here, we propose a VI probe with a floating toroidal coil that plays both roles of a voltage and current sensor and is thus free from crosstalk. The operation principle and optimization conditions of the VI probe are demonstrated and established via three-dimensional electromagnetic wave simulation. Based on the optimization results, the proposed VI probe is fabricated and calibrated for the root-mean-square (RMS) voltage and current with a high-voltage probe and a vector network analyzer. Then, it is evaluated through a comparison with a commercial VI probe, with the results demonstrating that the fabricated VI probe achieved a slightly higher linearity than the commercial probe: R2 of 0.9967 and 0.9938 for RMS voltage and current, respectively. The proposed VI probe is believed to be applicable to plasma diagnostics as well as process monitoring with higher accuracy.

Development of the Measurement of Lateral Electron Density (MOLE) Probe Applicable to Low-Pressure Plasma Diagnostics.

As the importance of measuring electron density has become more significant in the material fabrication industry, various related plasma monitoring tools have been introduced. In this paper, the development of a microwave probe, called the measurement of lateral electron density (MOLE) probe, is reported. The basic properties of the MOLE probe are analyzed via three-dimensional electromagnetic wave simulation, with simulation results showing that the probe estimates electron density by measuring the surface wave resonance frequency from the reflection microwave frequency spectrum (S11). Furthermore, an experimental demonstration on a chamber wall measuring lateral electron density is conducted by comparing the developed probe with the cutoff probe, a precise electron density measurement tool. Based on both simulation and experiment results, the MOLE probe is shown to be a useful instrument to monitor lateral electron density.

A Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Patient With Coronary Artery Fistula.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy and mimics acute coronary syndrome in the setting of non-obstructive coronary artery disease. It is associated with reversible left ventricular apical, mid, and/or basal wall motion abnormalities. A coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a connection between one or more of the coronary arteries and the cardiac chamber or great vessel. We present a case of an elderly woman who presented with chest pain and was found to have non-obstructive coronary artery disease with wall motion abnormality pattern consistent with TTC and multiple CAF involving the left circumflex coronary artery and pulmonary artery. This case highlights a rare association between two uncommon entities.