Three fuel systems -oxide, metal and carbide -are shown to be reliable to high burnup, and a fourth system, nitride, is shown to have promise for LMR applications. The excellent steady state performance of the oxide and metal driver fuels for FFTF test pins is provided. Achieving 300 MWd/kg in the oxide fuel system through the use of low swelling cladding and duct materials is described and arguments for economic viability are presented. Responses to operational transients and severe over-power events are shown to have large safety margins, and run beyond cladding breach, RBCB, likewise, is shown to be nonthreatening to LMR reactor systems. The Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) concept that utilizes metallic fuel and the commercial viability of this concept is discussed. Results from a joining US-Swiss carbide test that operated successfully at high power and burnup in FFTF are also presented.
This paper reviews some of the problems limiting broad manufacturing implementation of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) as a planarization process for interlevel dielectrics. We examine the mechanism whereby polish rates tend to decrease as the polish pad ages, and propose an explanation based on slurry transport. We review a simple theory which provides an understanding in terms of basic mechanical principles of how CMP produces its planarizing effect. Finally, we demonstrate a method capable of providing a quantitative measure of planarity.
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