Laser anneal of oxycarbosilane low-k film

Submilisecond laser anneal has been experimentally investigated for porogen removal and its ability to improve the mechanical strength in oxycarbosilane ultra low-k films compromised due to the introduction of porosity. We report the occurrence of extensive bond rearrangements inferred from Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, elastic recoil detection (ERD) and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) in the energy range of 1.4-8 eV. The laser anneal affects most notably the organic content of the organosilicate matrix leading to depletion and reorganization. Nevertheless, the tested conditions reveal a processing window which allows for 13% improvement of Young’s modulus as compared to the reference film, annealed in a conventional furnace at 400°C for 2 h, while not impacting the relative dielectric constant of 2.25

Morphological changes in the Scheldt estuary and its consequences on hydrodynamics

This paper starts with a brief physical description of the estuary and a summary of its historical developments, with emphasis on human interference, such as the loss of storage area in the basin, sediment circulation by dredging and dumping, etc. Next, the various relevant hydrodynamic processes are described, responsible for the morphodynamic development of the estuary: -tidal asymmetry, length of ebb and flood period, length of HWS and LWS-period, and -effect of the hypsometry (cross sectional shape of the estuary) on the tidal propagation. The impact of morphological changes on the overall tidal movement and on the overtides is treated in the last two sections of the paper. Where possible, the interaction between morphological changes and water movement is discussed

Human and environmental effects on the top of the mud layer in the entrance of the Zeebrugge harbour [POSTER]

Navigation in the port of Zeebrugge can be hindered by the presence of a high concentrated benthic suspension (hcbs). Depth averaged suspended sediment concentrations (including the hcbs layer) range from 10mg.l-1 up to 4,OOOmg.l-1. The suspended sediment concentration within the benthic layer can reach several tens of grams per litre. The top of this hcbs layer is identified by the 210kHz acoustic reflection surface. The Nautical Bottom, a site-specific upper limit for the bulk density, above which navigation is concerned to be safe, is defined at l,200kg.m-3. A better understanding of the human and environmental effects on the hcbs layer could result in countermeasures reducing siltation and maintenance dredging.A statistical analysis of parameters such as weekly dredging intensity, location of the top of the mud layer, growth rate of the mud layer, fresh water input from the Leie by-pass channel, wind force and wave height in the period from 1999 till 2005 resulted in poor correlation coefficients. Three interpretations are given. Week averaged hydro-meteo data masks the occurrence of short-time events such as storms. The mud layers calculated growth rate can be levelled out due to the variable time span between soundings. Finally , dredging works are not planned solely based on the level of nautical depth, which reduces the correlation between environmental conditions and dredged volumes. However, seasonally trends are clearly visible in both human and environmental effects