The United States of America, acting under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States, brings this action to prevent the proposed acquisition of American Radio Systems Corporation ("ARS") by CBS Corporation ("CBS").
1. CBS is a large nationwide operator of radio broadcast stations that owns 76 radio stations across the United States, including 5 located in the Baltimore metropolitan area, 4 located in the Boston metropolitan area, and 1 located in the St. Louis metropolitan area. ARS is a large nationwide operator of radio broadcast stations that owns 85 radio stations across the United States, including 5 located in the Baltimore metropolitan area, 6 located in the Boston metropolitan area, and 4 located in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
2. CBS and ARS each own radio stations authorized and operating as Class B FM radio broadcast facilities in the Baltimore area and compete for the business of local and national companies seeking to advertise in the Baltimore area through radio. The acquisition, if consummated, would eliminate price and service competition between these two companies and the benefits resulting from this competition, and would result in many advertisers having to pay higher prices and receiving fewer services. Following the acquisition, CBS would own 10 radio stations in the Baltimore metropolitan area, including 6 of the 13 Class B stations in Baltimore.
3. In addition, CBS's share of radio advertising dollars in the Baltimore metropolitan area would rise from 17 percent to 46 percent. After this acquisition, radio advertisers seeking to reach radio listeners in Baltimore would have inferior alternatives to CBS, resulting in CBS having the ability to raise prices to these advertisers. Thus, as a result, the transaction would give CBS substantial market power in the Baltimore radio market. Neither the remaining Baltimore radio stations nor any new entry is likely to check effectively CBS's ability to exercise the market power it would obtain through this acquisition. Accordingly, the proposed acquisition is likely to lessen competition substantially, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18.
4. CBS and ARS each own radio stations authorized and operating as Class B FM radio broadcast facilities in the Boston area and compete for the business of local and national companies seeking to advertise in the Boston area through radio. The acquisition, if consummated, would eliminate price and service competition between these two companies and the benefits resulting from this competition, and would result in many advertisers having to pay higher prices and receiving fewer services. Following the acquisition, CBS would own 10 radio stations in the Boston metropolitan area, including 6 of the 17 Class B stations in Boston.
5. In addition, CBS's share of radio advertising dollars in the Boston metropolitan area would rise from 33 percent to 59 percent. After this acquisition, radio advertisers seeking to reach radio listeners in Boston would have inferior alternatives to CBS, resulting in CBS having the ability to raise prices to these advertisers. Thus, as a result, the transaction would give CBS substantial market power in the Boston radio market. Neither the remaining Boston radio stations nor any new entry is likely to check effectively CBS's ability to exercise the market power it would obtain through this acquisition. Accordingly, the proposed acquisition is likely to lessen competition substantially, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18.
6. CBS and ARS each own radio stations authorized and operating with an effective radiated power of at least 50,000 watts in the St. Louis area and compete for the business of local and national companies seeking to advertise in the St. Louis area through radio. The acquisition, if consummated, would eliminate price and service competition between these two companies and the benefits resulting from this competition, and would result in many advertisers having to pay higher prices and receiving fewer services. Following the acquisition, CBS would own 5 radio stations in the St. Louis metropolitan area, including the only clear channel AM, 1 of the 4 Class C FM stations, and 3 of the 7 Class C1 FM stations in St. Louis.
7. In addition, CBS's share of radio advertising dollars in the St. Louis metropolitan area would rise from 22 percent to 49 percent. After this acquisition, radio advertisers seeking to reach radio listeners in St. Louis would have inferior alternatives to CBS, resulting in CBS having the ability to raise prices to these advertisers. Thus, as a result, the transaction would give CBS substantial market power in the St. Louis radio market. Neither the remaining St. Louis radio stations nor any new entry is likely to check effectively CBS's ability to exercise the market power it would obtain through this acquisition. Accordingly, the proposed acquisition is likely to lessen competition substantially, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18.
8. This action is filed pursuant to Section 15 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 25, to obtain equitable relief to prevent a violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18.
9. CBS and ARS sell radio advertising, a commercial activity that substantially affects, and is in the flow of, interstate commerce. The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action and over the parties pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 22 and 25, and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1337.
10. Defendants have consented to plaintiff's assertion that venue in this District is proper under 15 U.S.C. § 22 and 28 U.S.C. § 1391(c).
11. CBS is a Pennsylvania corporation headquartered in New York, New York. It owns 76 radio stations located in 17 metropolitan areas in the United States. It owns five radio stations in the Baltimore area (WCAO-AM, WHFS-FM, WJFK-AM, WLIF-FM and WXYV-FM), four radio stations in the Boston area (WBCN-FM, WBZ-AM, WODS-FM and WZLX-FM), and one station in the St. Louis area (KMOX-AM). In 1996, its revenues from its Baltimore stations were approximately $15,900,000, its revenues from its Boston stations were approximately $69,600,000, and its revenues from its St. Louis station were approximately $21,900,000.
12. ARS is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. ARS owns 85 radio stations located in 19 metropolitan areas in the United States. It owns five radio stations in the Baltimore area (WBGR-AM, WBMD-AM, WOCT-FM, WQSR-FM and WWMX-FM), six radio stations in the Boston area (WAAF-FM, WBMX-FM, WEEI-AM, WEGQ-FM, WNFT-AM and WRKO-AM), and four stations in the St. Louis area (KEZK-FM, KLOU-FM, KSD-FM and KYKY-FM). In 1996, its revenues from its Baltimore stations were approximately $26,850,000, its revenues from its Boston stations were approximately $55,700,000, and its revenues from its St. Louis stations were approximately $26,950,000.
13. Radio Advertising Time in Baltimore is a Relevant Market. The relevant geographic market for local and national advertisers that buy time on the CBS and ARS radio stations in Baltimore is the Baltimore, Maryland Metro Survey Area ("MSA"). This is the geographical unit for which Arbitron, a company that surveys radio listeners, furnishes radio stations, advertisers and advertising agencies in Baltimore with data to aid in evaluating radio audience size and composition. The Baltimore MSA includes 7 counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Queen Anne's. Local and national advertising that is placed on radio stations in the Baltimore MSA is aimed at reaching listening audiences in the Baltimore MSA, and other radio stations do not provide effective access to these audiences. Thus, if there were a small but significant non-transitory increase in radio advertising prices within the Baltimore MSA, advertisers would not switch enough advertising time purchases to other radio stations to defeat the price increase.
14. Radio Advertising Time in Boston is a Relevant Market. The relevant geographic market for local and national advertisers that buy time on the CBS and ARS radio stations in Boston is the Boston, Massachusetts MSA. The Boston MSA includes 5 counties: Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk. Local and national advertising that is placed on radio stations in the Boston MSA is aimed at reaching listening audiences in the Boston MSA, and other radio stations do not provide effective access to these audiences. Thus, if there were a small but significant non-transitory increase in radio advertising prices within the Boston MSA, advertisers would not switch enough advertising time purchases to other radio stations to defeat the price increase.
15. Radio Advertising Time in St. Louis is a Relevant Market. The relevant geographic market for local and national advertisers that buy time on the CBS and ARS radio stations in St. Louis is the St. Louis, Missouri MSA. The St. Louis MSA includes 12 counties: Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson, Jersey, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Louis, St. Louis City, and Warren. Local and national advertising that is placed on radio stations in the St. Louis MSA is aimed at reaching listening audiences in the St. Louis MSA, and other radio stations do not provide effective access to these audiences. Thus, if there were a small but significant non-transitory increase in radio advertising prices within the St. Louis MSA, advertisers would not switch enough advertising time purchases to other radio stations to defeat the price increase.
16. Radio advertising time is sold by radio stations directly or through their national representatives. Radio stations in the Baltimore, Boston and St. Louis metropolitan areas generate almost all of their revenues from the sale of advertising time to local and national advertisers.
17. Many local and national advertisers purchase radio advertising time in Baltimore, Boston or St. Louis because they find such advertising preferable to advertising in other media to meet their specific needs. Reasons for this include the fact that radio advertising time may be less expensive and, on a per-dollar basis, more cost-efficient than other media at reaching the advertiser's target audience (individuals most likely to purchase the advertiser's products or services). Radio may also reach certain target audiences that cannot be reached as effectively through other media. Additionally, radio stations render certain services or promotional opportunities to advertisers that they cannot exploit as effectively using other media. For these reasons, many local and national advertisers who purchase radio advertising time view radio either as a necessary advertising medium for them, or as a necessary advertising complement to other media.
18. Although some local and national advertisers may switch some of their advertising to other media rather than absorb a price increase in radio advertising time, the existence of such advertisers would not prevent all radio stations in the Baltimore, Boston or St. Louis markets from profitably raising their prices a small but significant amount. At a minimum, stations could profitably raise prices to those advertisers who view radio as a necessary advertising medium for them, or as a necessary advertising complement to other media. Radio stations negotiate prices individually with advertisers; consequently, radio stations can charge different advertisers different prices. Radio stations generally can identify advertisers with strong radio preferences. Because of this ability to price discriminate among customers, radio stations may charge higher prices to advertisers that view radio as particularly effective for their needs, while maintaining lower prices for other advertisers.
19. The provision of advertising time on radio stations in the Baltimore MSA is a relevant market (i.e., a line of commerce and a section of the country) within the meaning of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.
20. The provision of advertising time on radio stations in the Boston MSA is a relevant market within the meaning of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.
21. The provision of advertising time on radio stations in the St. Louis MSA is a relevant market within the meaning of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.
22. The Transaction. On September 19, 1997, CBS (formerly known as Westinghouse Electric Corporation) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with ARS. This Agreement was amended and restated on December 18, 1997, and further amended on December 19, 1997. Pursuant to the Agreement, ARS's radio operations will be acquired by CBS. ARS's tower operations will be separately spun off and will not be acquired by CBS. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.6 billion.
23. Market Structure Post-Acquisition. Using a measure of market concentration called the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index ("HHI"), explained in Appendix A annexed hereto, a combination of CBS and ARS would substantially increase concentration in the Baltimore, Boston and St. Louis radio advertising markets. CBS's share of the Baltimore radio advertising market, based on advertising revenues, would increase to about 46 percent. The approximate post-merger HHI would be 3077, representing an increase of about 985. CBS's share of the Boston radio advertising market, based on advertising revenues, would increase to 59 percent. The approximate post-merger HHI would be 4059, representing an increase of about 1746. CBS's share of the St. Louis radio advertising market, based on advertising revenues, would increase to 49 percent. The approximate post-merger HHI would be 3075, representing an increase of about 1200.
24. Harm to Competition. Advertisers who use radio to reach their target audience select radio stations upon which to advertise based upon a number of factors including, inter alia, the size of the station's audience and the characteristics of its audience.
25. Many advertisers seek to reach a large percentage of their target audience by selecting those stations whose audience has a high correlation with their target audience. If a number of stations efficiently reach that target audience, advertisers benefit from the competition among such stations to offer better prices or services. Today, several CBS and ARS stations in Baltimore compete head-to-head to reach the same audiences and, for many local and national advertisers buying time in Baltimore, they are close substitutes for each other based on their specific audience characteristics. The merger would eliminate this competition. Similarly, several CBS and ARS stations in Boston compete head-to-head to reach the same audiences and, for many local and national advertisers buying time in Boston, they are close substitutes for each other based on their specific audience characteristics. The merger would also eliminate this competition. Similarly, CBS and ARS stations in St. Louis compete head-to-head to reach the same audiences and, for many local and national advertisers buying time in St. Louis, they are close substitutes for each other based on their specific audience characteristics. The merger would also eliminate this competition.
26. During individual price negotiations between advertisers and radio stations, advertisers provide the stations with information about their advertising needs, including their target audience and the desired frequency and timing of ads. Radio stations thus have the ability to charge advertisers differing rates based in part on the number and attractiveness of competitive radio stations that can meet a particular advertiser's specific target needs.
27. During individualized rate negotiations, advertisers that desire to reach certain listeners can help ensure competitive rates by "playing off" ARS stations against CBS stations. CBS's acquisition of ARS will end this competition. After the acquisition, such advertisers will be unable to reach their desired audiences with equivalent efficiency without using CBS stations. Because advertisers seeking to reach these audiences would have inferior alternatives to the merged entity as a result of the acquisition, the acquisition would give CBS the ability to raise prices and reduce the quality of its service to some of its advertisers on its stations in Baltimore, Boston, and St. Louis.
the prices for advertising on radio stations in the Baltimore, Boston and St. Louis MSA would likely increase, and services would likely decline.
29. Lack of Any Likely Entry To Deter CBS's Ability To Harm Competition. If CBS raised prices or lowered services to those advertisers who buy advertising time on CBS and ARS stations in Baltimore, Boston and St. Louis because of their strength in delivering access to certain audiences, non-CBS radio stations in Baltimore, Boston and St. Louis would not be induced to change their formats to attract those audiences in sufficiently large numbers to defeat a price increase. Successful radio stations are unlikely to undertake a format change solely in response to small but significant increases in price being charged to advertisers by a multi-station firm such as CBS because they would likely lose their existing audiences. Even if less successful stations did change format, they would still be unlikely to attract enough listeners to provide suitable alternatives to the merged entity.
30. New entry into the Baltimore, Boston or St. Louis radio advertising market is highly unlikely in response to a price increase by the merged parties in any of these markets. No unallocated radio broadcast frequencies exist in Baltimore, Boston or St. Louis. Also, it is unlikely that stations located in adjacent communities could boost their power so as to enter the Baltimore, Boston or St. Louis markets without interfering with other stations on the same or similar frequencies, a violation of Federal Communications Commission regulations.
31. The effect of the proposed acquisition of ARS by CBS would be to lessen competition substantially in interstate trade and commerce, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.
32. The plaintiff requests: (a) adjudication that CBS's proposed acquisition of ARS would violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act; (b) preliminary and permanent injunctive relief preventing the consummation of the proposed acquisition; (c) an award to the United States of the costs of this action; and (d) such other relief as is proper.
Markets in which the HHI is between 1000 and 1800 points are considered to be moderately concentrated, and those in which the HHI is in excess of 1800 points are considered to be concentrated. Transactions that increase the HHI by more than 100 points in concentrated markets presumptively raise antitrust concerns under the Horizontal Merger Guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. See Merger Guidelines § 1.51.


text:
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text:
\section{Introduction}

     Following successful demonstration of nanopore sequencing via engineered protein pores\cite{clarke2009continuous}, the next research frontier in nanopore physics is the development of solid-state nanopore devices with sequencing or diagnostic capability \cite{lindsay2016promises}. Solid-state pores are mechanically more robust, admit of cheaper, more scalable fabrication, have greater compatibility with CMOS semiconductor technology, possess enhanced micro/nanofluidic integration potential \cite{miles2013single} and could potentially increase sensing resolution \cite{lindsay2016promises}. Yet, despite the great interest in solid-state pore devices, approaches for fabricating solid-state pores, especially with diameters below 10\,nm, are limited, with the main challenge being a lack of scalable processes permitting integration of single solid-state pores with other nanoscale elements required for solid-sate sequencing schemes, such as transverse nanoelectrodes \cite{gierhart2008nanopore, ivanov2010dna}, surface plasmonic structures \cite{jonsson2013plasmonic, nicoli2014dna, pud2015self, belkin2015plasmonic, shi2018integrating} and micro/nanochannels \cite{zhang2015fabrication, zhang2018single, liu2018controlling, tahvildari2015integrating}. The main pore production approaches, such as milling via electron beams in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) \cite{storm2003fabrication} and focused-ion beam (FIB) \cite{lo2006fabrication, yang2011rapid, xia2018rapid}, use high energy beam etching of substrate material.  While these techniques can produce sub 10\,nm pores with nm positioning precision, they require expensive tools and lack scalability.

In 2014 Kwok \emph{et al}\cite{kwok2014nanopore, briggs2014automated} showed that by directly applying a voltage across an insulating membrane in electrolyte solution, they could form single nanopores down to 2\,nm in size.  The applied voltage induces a high electric field across the thin membrane, so strong that it can induce dielectric breakdown, leading to pore formation. The dielectric breakdown method is fast, inexpensive and potentially highly scalable, yet it has a critical disadvantage:  the pore position is random.  When a high trans-membrane voltage is applied electric breakdown occurs at a ``weak'' location on the insulating membrane, a position determined randomly by the intrinsic inhomogeneity of the nitride film. As the pore can form anywhere on the membrane upon voltage application, the breakdown technique cannot form pores at precisely determined positions; creating multiple pores with well-defined spacing is likewise unfeasible.  This is a very problematic limitation, particularly given that many solid-state sensing and sequencing schemes requiring precise pore positioning (e.g. between transverse electrodes \cite{gierhart2008nanopore, ivanov2010dna}, carbon nanotubes \cite{jiang2010fabrication}, graphene nanoribbon \cite{saha2011dna}, or within a micro/nanofluidic channel \cite{zhang2015fabrication, zhang2018single, liu2018controlling}).   Multiple closely spaced pores show promise for translocation control \cite{pud2016mechanical, zhang2018single, liu2018controlling}.  Critically, the breakdown approach may also inadvertently produce more than one nanopore over the membrane area  \cite{carlsen2017solid, zrehen2017real, wang2018fabrication, ying2018formation}, leading to a drastic loss of signal-to-noise and inability to resolve single-molecule translocation events.  A recent variation of the breakdown approach uses a pipette tip to control voltage application \cite{arcadia2017situ}, increasing pore positioning precision to the micron scale (the pipette tip opening diameter is 2\,$\mu$m), but nanometer positioning precision is in fact required for many solid-state sequencing schemes, due to the small size of sensing elements required to interface with the pores. In addition, the pipette-tip approach does not prevent the potential formation of multiple pores over the still large (micron scale) region of voltage application.

     We have developed a new approach for forming solid-state pores that combines the positioning advantages of particle beam milling and the simplicity/low-cost of the electric breakdown approach with the powerful imaging capabilities of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).  In our approach, which we call Tip-Controlled Local Breakdown (TCLB), a conductive AFM tip is brought into contact with a nitride membrane and used to apply a local voltage to the membrane (figure~\ref{fig:1}). The local voltage induces electric breakdown at a position on the membrane determined by the AFM tip, forming a nanopore at that location, which we demonstrate via I-V measurement, TEM characterization and single-molecule translocation.   Firstly, in TCLB, the nanoscale curvature of the AFM tip (r\,$\sim$\,10\,nm) localizes the electric field to a truly nanoscale region, eliminating the possibility of forming undesirable additional nanopores on the membrane as well as preventing the pore-free region of the membrane from being damaged by high electric fields.  Secondly, TCLB can form pores with a spatial precision determined by the nanoscale positioning capability of the AFM instrument (an improvement in spatial precision from micro to nanoscale).  Thirdly, TCLB drastically shortens the fabrication time of a single nanopore from on order of seconds to on order of 10\,ms (at improvement of at least 2 orders of magnitude). Fast pore fabrication implies that arrays can be written with extremely high throughput (over $\sim$100 pores in a half an hour, compared to $\sim100$ in a day \cite{arcadia2017situ}).  Fourthly, as TCLB is AFM based, it can harness the topographic, chemical and electrostatic scanning modalities of an AFM to image the membrane before and after pore formation, enabling precise alignment of pores to existing features.  The scanning capabilities of the AFM tool can be used to automate fabrication of arrays of precisely positioned pores, with the successful fabrication of each pore automatically verified by current measurement at the tip following voltage application.  The precise control of the contact force, made possible by AFM, is essential for establishing the reliable contact between the tip and the membrane. As AFM are benchtop tools that operate in ambient conditions (e.g. at atmospheric pressure and normal indoor humidity) they are inherently low-cost and can be readily scaled.  The ability to work in ambient conditions implies that the approach is compatible with materials possessing sensitive which require chemical functionalization (e.g. that might be damaged by vacuum conditions used in FIB and TEM).  Finally, while classic dielectric breakdown requires that both sides of the membrane be in contact with aqueous electrolyte reservoirs, our approach requires that only one side of the membrane be in contact with a liquid reservoir, considerably easing the scaling of our method and the speed of nanopore formation, as the AFM scanning takes place in a dry environment.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.7\linewidth]{Figure1.pdf}
\caption{Nanopore fabrication via tip controlled local electric breakdown (TCLB).  A 3D schematic of the experimental setup depicting an AFM cantilever with a conductive tip positioned over a silicon nitride membrane.  Application of a voltage pulse leads to formation of a nanopore at the tip position.  Nanopore arrays can be readily formed via control of the AFM tip location, with \emph{in situ} current measurement at each pore verifying successful pore fabrication at that location.  Note that our setup requires only one side of the membrane to be in contact with electrolyte, while the other side of the membrane is exposed to air.}
\label{fig:1}
\end{figure}

\section{Results}

\subsection{Nanopore Fabrication}
 The schematic of the experimental setup is illustrated in figure~\ref{fig:1}.  Using a bench-top AFM setup operated in ambient laboratory conditions, a conductive AFM tip is brought into contact with a thin nitride membrane sitting on top of an electrolyte reservoir.  The conductive AFM tip is positioned a distance of $\sim$\,100\,$\mu$m from the membrane (figure \ref{fig:2} a). To initiate pore fabrication, the tip approaches the membrane at a speed of $\sim$5\,$\mu$m/s until it engages with the surface (figure~\ref{fig:2} b).   A small loading force (typically in the order of 1\,nN) is applied to the tip in order to minimize contact resistance between the tip and the membrane. This force is set sufficiently small to avoid tip-induced mechanical damage to the membrane.   To initiate the breakdown process, the tip is positioned at the desired location in the scanning region and a single rectangular pulse is applied (figure~\ref{fig:2} d). The pulse has an amplitude of $V_\text{pulse}$, and a duration of $t_\text{pulse}$.  The applied voltage pulse initiates the breakdown process and creates a nanoscale pore on the membrane, located at the tip location.  After nanopore formation, the tip is retracted from the membrane (figure~\ref{fig:2} d).   A representative breakdown event is shown in figure~\ref{fig:2} e-g.  A voltage pulse of $V_\text{pulse}$=24\,V, $t_\text{pulse}$=100\,ms is applied (figure~\ref{fig:2} e). After voltage application, the current increases to $\sim$\,50\,pA and remains roughly constant (figure~\ref{fig:2} f inset). After a time delay of $t_\text{BD}$=36.2\,ms (figure~\ref{fig:2} f), the current increases sharply to a few nA, indicating successful breakdown and nanopore formation. If the pores are large, successful nanopore fabrication at the tip location can additionally be confirmed by a subsequent topographic AFM scan (figure~\ref{fig:2} h,i). When the nanopore diameter is smaller or comparable (d$\le$10\,nm) to the tip radius of curvature, the nanopore may not be observed in the AFM scan.

  We have developed a custom script enabling automatic control of the pore fabrication process.  Using this script we can readily create pore arrays, iterating the single-pore formation process over a $5\times5$ grid with the pores spaced evenly by 500\,nm. Using the same tip, we have successfully fabricated over 300 nanopores on the same membrane, demonstrating the scalability of our TCLB technique (see supplementary S2 for more information).

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.7\linewidth]{Figure2.pdf}
\caption{Fabrication process of a single nanopore by conductive tip induced local electric breakdown. (a) Schematic showing the conductive AFM tip located above a thin nitride membrane. The bottom side of the membrane is in contact with electrolyte. (b) To minimize contact resistance between the tip and membrane, the tip is pressed against the membrane in contact mode. (c) A voltage pulse is applied across the membrane through the tip, initiating the breakdown process, resulting in the formation of a single nanopore. (d) Tip is retracted from the membrane once a nanopore is formed. The \textbf{voltage pulse} (e) and the \textbf{current} across the membrane (f) during a typical nanopore fabrication event.  The membrane thickness is 20\,nm, the pulse height $V_\text{pulse}=24$\,V, the pulse width $t_\text{pulse}=100$\,ms and the tip radius is $10 \pm 5$\,nm. (g)  TEM image of a 9.2\,nm pore corresponding to the current and voltage trace shown in e-f.  (h) AFM scan of a larger sized single nanopore fabricated on nitride membrane using TCLB with accompanying topographic scans of bare membrane (i-red, surface roughness $Ra=0.66$\,nm) and across the pore (i-blue). Note that small nanopores (d$\le$10 nm) may not show up on an AFM scan due to the tip radius.}
\label{fig:2}
\end{figure}

\subsection{Probing the breakdown threshold}

    Our automated pore fabrication protocol enables efficient varying of process parameters to optimize pore fabrication.  In particular, we vary the pulse amplitude across the nanopore array to probe the threshold at which membrane breakdown occurs.  A pulse train of five subsets, with each set containing five rectangular pulses of fixed duration (100\,ms) but increasing amplitude (11\,V to 15\,V, with an increment of 1\,V), are applied across the membrane (figure~\ref{fig:3} a, blue trace).  Each pulse is applied to a different location on the membrane.  The detected current is shown in Figure~\ref{fig:3} b (trace in red).  The locations are arrayed spatially in a $5\times5$ square grid, with the pulse location in the array given by figure~\ref{fig:3} g.  The fabrication process starts from location A1 and ends at location E5, rastering in the $y$ direction (figure~\ref{fig:3} g, A1$\rightarrow$A5, B1$\rightarrow$B5, C1$\rightarrow$C5, D1$\rightarrow$D5, E1$\rightarrow$E5).  The spacing between each fabrication site is 500\,nm. Spikes in the detected current, which occur for pulse amplitudes greater than $13$\,V, indicate successful electric breakdown.    At $V_\text{pulse}$=14\,V, 2 out of 5 attempts induce breakdown.   A further increase of the voltage to 15\,V leads to a 100\% breakdown probability (5 out of 5).  Magnified view of no-breakdown and successful breakdown events are shown in figure~\ref{fig:3} (c-f) corresponding to location A1 ($V_\text{pulse}$=11\,V) and D4 ($V_\text{pulse}$=14\,V).

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{Figure3.pdf}
\caption{Automatic probing of pore fabrication conditions. (a) The voltage pulse train applied to different membrane locations and (b) the resulting current.  (c-d) Magnified view of voltage pulse (c) and resulting current (d) that does not correspond to pore fabrication.  (e-f) Magnified view of voltage pulse (e) and resulting current (f) that does correspond to pore fabrication.  (g) Pore formation conditions across the 5$\times$5 array.  Location A1 corresponds to (c-d); Location D4 corresponds to (e-f).}
\label{fig:3}
\end{figure}

\subsection{TEM characterization}

TEM microscopy allowed for a detailed characterization of the nanopores made by TCLB.  Figure~\ref{fig:4} shows three TEM micrographs of nanopore arrays. In agreement with our AFM settings (figure~\ref{fig:2} j and figure~\ref{fig:3} g), nanopores are spaced evenly by 500\,nm in an array format. Figure~\ref{fig:4} a and b show a 3$\times$3 nanopore array fabricated using $V_\text{pulse}$= 15\,V, $t_\text{pulse}$= 100\,ms.  Figure~\ref{fig:4} c and d show two nanopore arrays made on a new membrane with a new tip under exactly the same fabrication conditions ($V_\text{pulse}$= 15\,V, $t_\text{pulse}$= 100\,ms). Despite using different tips and membranes (12-14\,nm thick) from different chips, nanopores fabricated with the same parameters as our TCLB method have similar diameters (below or close to 5\,nm).

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{Figure4.pdf}
\caption{TEM characterization of nanopore arrays. (a) TEM micrograph of a nanopore array containing 9 nanopores. Nanopores are located at the center of the dashed circles. The pore-to-pore spacing is $\sim$500\,nm.  (b) Zoomed-in TEM micrograph of a nanopore with an opening diameter of 4.1\,nm. (c)-(d) TEM micrograph of nanopore arrays fabricated on a different membrane from (a). Insets showing magnified micrographs of different nanopores with diameter close to or under 5\,nm. Fabrication condition: $V_\text{pulse}=15$\,V, $t_\text{pulse}=100$\,ms, membrane thickness $l=$12-14\,nm, tip radius $r=10\pm5$\,nm. Additional examples of nanopore arrays are shown in supplementary figure~S3.}
\label{fig:4}
\end{figure}

\subsection{Pore Formation Mechanism}
\subsubsection{Weibull versus Log-normal}
Nanopore fabrication time (time-to-breakdown, $t_\text{BD}$) can provide insight into the pore formation mechanism. Nanopores fabricated via classic dielectric breakdown have a time-to-breakdown following a Weibull probability distribution \cite{briggs2015kinetics, arcadia2017situ, yanagi2018two}. The Weibull distribution is used extensively to model the time-to-failure of semiconductor devices \cite{dissado1984weibull, degraeve1995consistent}. The Weibull distribution arises from the ``weakest-link'' nature of typical dielectric breakdown process, where breakdown happens at the weakest position over a large membrane area.  The nanopore fabrication time is dominated by the time to make a pore at this weakest position.

In contrast, we find that our time-to-breakdown distribution, obtained from forming over 300 nanopores using our automatic process, yields better agreement with a \emph{log-normal} probability distribution.  Figure \ref{fig:5} shows the cumulative distribution of time-to-breakdown plotted with a log-normal scaling.  In this form,  data distributed according to a log-normal distribution follows a straight line.  Our time-to-breakdown results, linearized by this rescaling, are thus clearly consistent with a log-normal distribution.   In figure \ref{fig:S4}, we plot the same results rescaled appropriately for a Weibull, and it is apparent that the Weibull is not as good a description.  See supplementary materials section 4 for more detail on log-normal, Weibull distribution and appropriate rescalings (probability plot forms).

The better agreement with a log-normal suggests that the physical mechanism of pore-formation is different using TCLB than classic breakdown.  Under tip control, the membrane location where dielectric breakdown occurs is controlled by the tip position, and is thus highly defined rather than random.  In this case the statistics of membrane breakdown is no longer a weakest link problem (i.e. determined by the time to breakdown of some randomly located ``weak-point''), but instead is determined by the degradation of a ``typical'' location on the membrane reflecting average film properties. Theoretical and experimental work demonstrate that the overall time-scale of a degradation process that arises from the multiplicative action of many small degradation steps (regardless of physical mechanism) can be modelled via a log-normal distribution \cite{peck1974reliability, berman1981time, lloyd2005simple, mcpherson2010reliability}. Possible degradation mechanisms for our pore-formation process include electromigration, diffusion and corrosion \cite{strong2009reliability}.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{Figure5.pdf}
\caption{Log-normal probability plot of time-to-breakdown ($t_\text{BD}$) for a total of 308 nanopores under different pulse voltages. (a) Cumulative distribution of $t_\text{BD}$ presented with a log-normal rescaling under following conditions: $V_\text{pulse}=$15\,V, $t_\text{pulse}=$100\,ms, membrane thickness $l = $12--14\,nm. The average nanopore fabrication time is <$t_\text{BD}$>$=20.9\pm 1.4$\,ms. (b)--(d) Cumulative distributions of $t_\text{BD}$ with $V_\text{pulse}=$16, 17, 18\,V  respectively. The dashed lines give the best fit to a log-normal distribution.  All experiments are performed with the same tip on one membrane. Tip radius of curvature: $\sim$10\,nm. Membrane thickness: 12--14\,nm. Window size: 50$\times$50\,$\mu$m$^{2}$. (See supplementary section S4 for more details regarding log-normal distribution, Weibull distribution and probability plots.)}
\label{fig:5}
\end{figure}

\subsubsection{Voltage dependence of time-to-breakdown}

In figure \ref{fig:6} a we show the mean time-to-breakdown ($\langle t_\text{BD} \rangle$) versus voltage on a semi-log scale.  The mean time-to-breakdown decreases exponentially with voltage.  This behaviour is predicted by the \emph{E}-model of time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) \cite{mcpherson1998underlying}, which predicts that the mean time-to-breakdown should depend exponentially on the local electric field (proportional to applied voltage at the tip).  The \emph{E}-model arises fundamentally from a thermochemical \cite{mcpherson1998underlying, mcpherson2003thermochemical} rather than a direct tunnelling mechanism (Fowler-Nordheim tunnelling) \cite{mcpherson1998comparison}.  In thermochemical breakdown, high voltage across the dielectric material induces strong dipolar coupling of local electric field with intrinsic defects in the dielectric. Weak bonding states can be thermally broken due to this strong dipole-field coupling, which in turn serves to lower the activation energy required for thermal bond-breakage and accelerates the degradation process, resulting in a final dielectric breakdown \cite{mcpherson1998underlying, mcpherson2003thermochemical}.

We have also investigated whether we can use tip-controlled breakdown to produce pores in thicker (20\,nm) nitride membranes.   We are able to form pores with a high probability but with a corresponding increase in the required voltage, as demonstrated by figure 6b.  The mean time-to-breakdown as a function of voltage in the thicker membranes also follow the \emph{E}-model (figure \ref{fig:6} c).

In figure 6d we compare the average time-to-breakdown for our tip controlled approach versus classical dielectric breakdown.  We find that our approach gives pore formation times two orders of magnitude lower than classical breakdown, by comparison with a wide-range of experimental studies \cite{kwok2014nanopore, briggs2015kinetics, yanagi2014fabricating, pud2015self, arcadia2017situ, ying2018formation, yanagi2018two, yamazaki2018photothermally, bandara2019push} exploring classical breakdown for different film thickness (10-30\,nm, 75\,nm), pH (2-13.5) and voltage (1-24\,V).

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{Figure6.pdf}
\caption{(a) Semilog plot of the mean breakdown time ($\langle t_\text{BD} \rangle$) versus voltage for 12-14\,nm thick nitride membrane with an exponential fit.  (b)  Breakdown probability versus voltage for 12-14\,nm and 20\,nm thick nitride.  (c)  Semilog plot of the mean breakdown time versus voltage for a 20\,nm thick nitride membrane.  (d)  Comparison of average nanopore fabrication time of this work versus range of studies exploring classical breakdown \cite{kwok2014nanopore, briggs2015kinetics, yanagi2014fabricating, pud2015self, arcadia2017situ, ying2018formation, yanagi2018two, yamazaki2018photothermally}. Note that if the average fabrication time is not given or can not be estimated from the reference, a range is then plotted for comparison (see more details in supplementary section S5).}
\label{fig:6}
\end{figure}

\subsection{Single Molecule DNA Detection}
Lastly, we show nanopores produced using our tip-controlled approach can be used for single molecule detection.  Figure \ref{fig:7} shows results for 100\,bp ladder DNA (100-2000\,bp) translocating through a 9.9\,nm pore ($V_\text{pulse}$=20\,V, $t_\text{pulse}$=150\,ms, membrane thickness 10\,nm, tip radius $r$=10$\pm$5\,nm). To perform single molecule detection, the chip is transferred to a fluidic cell with DNA containing 1\,M KCl buffer added to the $cis$ chamber and DNA-free buffer added to the $trans$ chamber.  A potential drop of 200\,mV is applied across the nanopore, so that DNA molecule are pulled from $cis$ to $trans$ through the pore.
Figure \ref{fig:7} a-b shows typical signatures of ionic blockades induced by translocating DNA, composed of a mixture of single and multi-level events. A histogram of current blockades, including 587 translocation events measured by the same nanopore, is shown in Figure \ref{fig:7} d. Prior to performing this DNA translocation experiment, an I-V trace was obtained to characterize pore size (figure \ref{fig:7} e), which yielded a nanopore resistance of 23.0\,M$\Omega$. This strong linearity between current and applied voltage demonstrates that our TCLB fabricated nanopore has an outstanding Ohmic performance. Using a membrane thickness $l$=10\,nm and an electrolyte conductivity $\sigma$=10\,S/m, according to the pore conductance model\cite{kowalczyk2011modeling} the estimated effective pore diameter is 9.9\,nm.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{Figure7.pdf}
\caption{DNA translocation through a nanopore fabricated using TCLB ($V_\text{pulse}$=20\,V, $t_\text{pulse}$=150\,ms, membrane thickness 10\,nm, tip radius $r$=10$\pm$5\,nm). (a) Typical ionic current traces of DNA translocating through a 9.9\,nm pore in a 10\,nm thick nitride membrane. Experiment was performed with 0.5\,$\mu$g/mL 100\,bp ladder DNA (100-2000\,bp) in 1\,M KCl buffered with 10\,mM Tris, 1\,mM EDTA, at pH=8.0.  Observed events are labelled as 1-3, corresponding to different DNA configurations/folding states while translocating through the pore. (b) Zoomed-in current trace of event 1, 2 and 3, corresponding to the cartoon translocation types shown in (c).  (d) Current blockade histogram including over 500 events. (e) I-V characterization of the nanopore. The nanopore displays an Ohmic I-V curve with a resistance of 23.0\,M$\Omega$, leading to an effective pore diameter of 9.9\,nm. Power spectral density (PSD) of the nanopore is shown in supplementary figure \ref{fig:S5}. }
\label{fig:7}
\end{figure}

\section{Discussion and Conclusion}

     In summary, we show that tip-controlled local breakdown can be used to produce pores with nm positioning precision (determined by AFM tip), high scalability (100's of pores over a single membrane) and fast formation (100$\times$ faster than classic breakdown) using a bench-top tool.  These capabilities will greatly accelerate the field of solid-state nanopore research.  In particular, the nm positioning is crucial for wide-range sensing and sequencing applications where there is a need to interface nanopores with additional nanoscale elements.   Sequencing approaches based on tunneling require positioning a pore between two electrodes \cite{gierhart2008nanopore, ivanov2010dna}.  Plasmonic devices with interfaced pores require positioning pores at the optimal distance ($10-20$\,nm) from nano antennas in order to maximize plasmonic coupling \cite{jonsson2013plasmonic, nicoli2014dna, pud2015self, belkin2015plasmonic, shi2018integrating}.  In devices utilizing nanofluidic confinement (e.g. nanochannels, nanocavities) pores need to be aligned with etched sub 100\,nm features \cite{zhang2015fabrication, zhang2018single, liu2018controlling, larkin2017length}.  In addition to producing pores, our AFM based approach can exploit multiple scanning modalities (topographic, chemical, electrostatic) to map the device prior to pore production and so align pores precisely to existing features.

    TCLB can be integrated into an automated wafer-scale AFM system, ensuring nm alignment of each pore with simultaneous mass pore production.  Thus, not only can TCLB drive novel nanopore sensing applications, TCLB can simultaneously drive the industrial scaling of these applications.  As an example, consider combining TCLB with photo-thermally assisted thinning\cite{yamazaki2018photothermally, gilboa2018optically, ying2018formation}.   In a photo-thermally assisted thinning process, a laser beam is focused on a silicon nitride membrane, leading to formation of a locally thinned out region, with thinning achieved down to a few nm \cite{yamazaki2018photothermally}.  If there is only one thinned well formed, classic dielectric breakdown will tend to form a pore at this `thinned out'  weakest position.  Classic dielectric breakdown, however, is limited to forming only \emph{one} pore in \emph{one} well across an entire membrane.  In contrast, TCLB can position pores in each member of a large-scale array of photo-thermally thinned wells, with the wells packed as close as the photo-thermal thinning technique allows.  Specifically, AFM topographic scans will determine the center-point of each well and TCLB will then form pores at these positions.

   TCLB may also have applications beyond nanopore fabrication, providing an AFM-based approach to locally characterize the dielectric strength of thin membranes and 2D materials.  This application, which could be useful for the MEMS and the semiconductor industry, could enable mapping of dielectric strength across large membranes and semiconductor devices, leading to enhanced material performance (e.g. for high-$\kappa$ gate dielectrics \cite{okada2007dielectric}).

\section{Methods}
\indent \textbf{Materials.}
The nitride membranes we use are commercially available from Norcada (part \# NBPT005YZ-HR and NT002Y). The membrane is supported by a circular silicon frame (2.7\,$\mu$m diameter, 200\,$\mu$m thickness) with a window size of 10$\times$10, 20$\times$20 or 50$\times$50\,$\mu$m$^{2}$.  The membrane thickness is 10\,nm, 12-14\,nm or 20\,nm.
The AFM probes used are obtained from Adama Innovations (part \# AD-2.8-AS) and have a tip radii of curvature of 10$\pm$5\,nm.
Nanopore fabrication experiments are performed in 1\,M sodium percholorate dissolved in propylene carbonate (PC), with a conductivity of 2.82\,S/m \cite{daprano1996conductance}. DNA translocation experiments are performed in a 3D printed fluidic cell with 100\,bp ladder DNA (Sigma-Aldrich, 100-2000\,bp) diluted to a final concentration of 0.5\,$\mu$g/mL in 1\,M KCl buffered with 10\,mM Tris and 1\,mM EDTA at pH=8.0.

\noindent \textbf{Instrumentation.} The atomic force microscope used in our experiments is a MultiMode Nanoscope III from Digital Instruments (now Bruker). Nanoscript is used for automated fabrication of nanopores. The TEM images are acquired using the JEM-2100F TEM from JEOL.

\noindent \textbf{Current Data Acquisition and Analysis.} The current signal during nanopore fabrication is recorded using a custom current amplifier with 5\,kHz detection bandwidth.  Analysis of dielectric breakdown events in the current signal was performed using a custom Python code.  The ionic trans-pore current during DNA translocations was recorded using an Axopatch 200B with a 250\,kHz sampling rate, low-pass filtered at 100\,kHz. DNA translocation data analysis was carried out using Transalyzer\cite{plesa2015data}.

\begin{acknowledgement}
This work is financially supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grants Program (Grant No. RGPIN 386212 and RGPIN 05033), Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grant (I2IPJ 520635-18) and joint CIHR funded Canadian Health Research Projects grant (CIHRR CPG-140199).  The authors acknowledge useful discussions with Prof. Robert Sladek and Hooman Hosseinkhannazer. The authors acknowledge Norcada for material supplies (nitride membranes). The authors acknowledge Facility for Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR) at McGill and Centre de Caract\'erisation Microscopique des Mat\'eriaux (CM)$^{2}$ at \,Ecole Polytechnique de Montr\'eal for access to electron microscopes.
\end{acknowledgement}

\newpage
\begin{suppinfo}

\renewcommand{\thefigure}{S\arabic{figure}}
\setcounter{figure}{0}
\renewcommand{\thetable}{S\arabic{table}}
\setcounter{table}{0}
\renewcommand{\theequation}{S\arabic{equation}}
\setcounter{equation}{0}

\subsection{S1-Experimental Setup}
Here we discuss the detailed experimental setup for TCLB nanopore fabrication. The fluidic cell assembly and accompanying schematic are shown in figure \ref{fig:S1} a and b. Prior to pore fabrication, the circular nitride TEM window is mounted in the fluidic cell with the cell body filled by electrolyte. The cell is then placed inside the AFM headstage (figure \ref{fig:S1} c).  Alignment of the conductive AFM tip to the nitride membrane is monitored via two optical microscopes with an external light source.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{FigureS1.pdf}
\caption{Experimental setup for nanopore fabrication. (a) Assembled fluidic cell with nitride window mounted. (b) Fluidic cell assembly with nitride windows  sandwiched between the top cover and O-ring. (c) AFM setup.  The whole setup is mounted on a vibration isolation table.}
\label{fig:S1}
\end{figure}

\newpage
\subsection{S2-Reliability and scalability of TCLB}
To demonstrate the reliability and scalability of the TCLB technique, we fabricated over 300 nanopores using the same AFM tip on one membrane. All data presented in figure \ref{fig:5} are collected from a total of 308 nanopores, fabricated using a single tip on the same membrane window (12-14\,nm thick, window size 50$\times$50\,$\mu$m$^{2}$) with a total time of around 30\,min.   The location of the arrays (17 in total) in relation to the window position are mapped out in figure \ref{fig:S2} a. Each array contains a maximum possible of 25 nanopores (5$\times$5 array). Figure \ref{fig:S2} b shows another example of 11 arrays (in total 68 nanopores) located on a 20\,nm thick membrane, window size 20$\times$20\,$\mu$m$^{2}$.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=1\linewidth]{FigureS2.pdf}
\caption{Mapping the location of nanopore arrays across the membrane. (a) Schematic showing the position of 17 nanopore arrays on a 50$\times$50\,$\mu$m membrane window (12-14\,nm thick). Each array contains a maximum possible 25 nanopores (5$\times$5 array).  A total of 353 nanopores were successfully fabricated under various fabrication conditions. (a) The position of 11 nanopore arrays on a 20$\times$20\,$\mu$m membrane window (20\,nm thick).  A total of 68 nanopores were successfully fabricated. }
\label{fig:S2}
\end{figure}

\newpage
\subsection{S3-TEM characterization}
Two additional TEM micrographs of nanopore arrays are presented in figure \ref{fig:S3}.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.7\linewidth]{FigureS3.pdf}
\caption{TEM micrograph of nanopore arrays.  (a) TEM micrograph showing a 3$\times$5 nanopore array fabricated on a 20\,nm nitride membrane. All nanopore are fabricated using the same conditions: $V_\text{pulse}$=25\,V, $t_\text{pulse}$=100\,ms. (b)  TEM micrograph showing a 2$\times$5 nanopore array fabricated on a 20\,nm nitride membrane. The pores in the top row are fabricated using $V_\text{pulse}$=24\,V and $t_\text{pulse}$=100\,ms. The yield is 100\% (5 out of 5). The pores in the bottom row are fabricated using the same pulse width ($t_\text{pulse}$=100\,ms) but lower voltage ($V_\text{pulse}$=23\,V). The yield is only 60\% (red circles indicate failed breakdown attempts). The scale bar is 500\,nm. Note that TEM images are taken slightly under focused in order to better visualize the nanopore.}
\label{fig:S3}
\end{figure}

\newpage
\subsection{S4-Log-normal distribution and Weibull distribution}
The probability density function (\textit{pdf}) and cumulative distribution function (\textit{cdf}) of \emph{log-normal} distribution and 2-parameter \emph{Weibull} distribution are given by:\\
\text{Log-normal \textit{pdf}:}
\begin{equation}
f(t; \mu, \sigma)=\frac{1}{t \sigma \sqrt{2 \pi}} e^{-\frac{(\ln t- \mu)^2}{2 {\sigma}^2}}
\label{Lognormal:pdf}
\end{equation}
\text{Log-normal \textit{cdf}:}
\begin{equation}
F(t; \mu, \sigma)= \frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2} \text{erf}[\frac{\ln t-\mu}{\sqrt{2}\sigma}]
\label{Lognormal:cdf}
\end{equation}
\text{Weibull \textit{pdf}:}
\begin{equation}
f(t; \lambda, \beta)=\frac{\beta}{\lambda} (\frac{t}{\lambda})^{\beta-1} e^{-{(\frac{t}{\lambda})}^{\beta}}
\label{Weibull:pdf}
\end{equation}
\text{Weibull \textit{cdf}:}
\begin{equation}
F(t; \lambda, \beta)=1- e^{-(\frac{t}{\lambda})^{\beta}}
\label{Weibull:cdf}
\end{equation}
where $\mu$, $\sigma$ are log-normal distribution's shape and scale parameters; $\beta$ and $\lambda$ are Weibull distribution's shape and scale parameters. The symbol erf designates the error function, $\text{erf}(x)=\frac{2}{\sqrt{\pi}} \int_{0}^{x} e^{-t^{2}}dt$. \emph{F}(\emph{t}) is the cumulative failure rate at time \emph{t} (t$\ge$0).
\subsubsection*{Probability plots of log-normal and Weibull}
The probability plots of distributions are constructed by rescaling the axes to linearize the cumulative distribution function (\emph{cdf}) of the distribution. For example after rescaling both X axis and Y axis, a log-normal distribution will show up as a straight line in the log-normal probability plot, likewise a Weibull distribution will show up as a straight line in the Weibull probability plot.
The X scale type and Y scale type for log-normal probability plot and Weibull probability plot are given by:

\begin{table}[]
\begin{tabular}{lll}
Distribution & X scale type & Y scale type          \\ \hline
Log-normal   & Ln           & Probability           \\ \hline
Weibull      & Log10        & Double Log Reciprocal
\end{tabular}

\label{probabilityplots}
\end{table}

\noindent where \emph{Probability} scaling is given by the inverse of a cumulative Gaussian distribution: $X^{-1}=\Phi^{-1}(X/100)$. The quantity $\Phi$ is the cumulative Gaussian distribution function, $\Phi=\frac{1}{2} [1+\text{erf}(\frac{x-\mu}{\sigma \sqrt{2}})]$. \emph{Double log reciprocal} scaling is given by $X^{-1}=\ln(-\ln(1-X))$.

An example of the log-normal probability plot of time-to-breakdown ($t_\text{BD}$) is shown in figure \ref{fig:5}. An example of the Weibull probability plot for the same data set is shown in figure \ref{fig:S4}. One can compare probability plots for log-normal and Weilbull and conclude that the time-to-breakdown ($t_\text{BD}$) fits better to a log-normal distribution.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{FigureS4.pdf}
\caption{Weibull probability plot of time-to-breakdown ($t_\text{BD}$) for the same data set presented in figure~\ref{fig:5}. (a) Cumulative distribution of $t_\text{BD}$ presented with a Weibull rescaling under following conditions: $V_\text{pulse}=$15\,V, $t_\text{pulse}=$100\,ms, membrane thickness $l = $12--14\,nm. The average nanopore fabrication time is $\langle t_\text{BD} \rangle$=20.9$\pm$1.4\,ms. (b)--(d) Cumulative distributions of $t_\text{BD}$ with $V_\text{pulse}=$16, 17, 18\,V  respectively. The dashed lines give the best fit to a Weibull distribution. All experiments are performed with the same tip on one membrane. Tip radius of curvature: $\sim$10\,nm.}
\label{fig:S4}
\end{figure}

\newpage
\subsection{S5-Nanopore fabrication time comparison}
The following table compares dielectric breakdown based nanopore fabrication approaches in greater detail, including average pore fabrication time, membrane thickness, breakdown voltage, min/max fabrication time and number of nanopores analyzed.

\begin{table}[]
\small\addtolength{\tabcolsep}{-4.5pt}
\begin{tabular}{ccccccc}
\hline
Methods                                                                         & \begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Average pore\\ fabrication time\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Membrane\\ thickness\end{tabular}                             & \begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Breakdown\\ voltage\end{tabular} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{\begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Min/Max\\ fabrication time\end{tabular}} & \begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Number of \\ nanopores analyzed\end{tabular} \\ \hline
{\color[HTML]{000000} This work}                                                & {\color[HTML]{000000} 20\,ms}                                            & {\color[HTML]{000000} \begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}10\,nm, 12-14\,nm, \\ 20\,nm\end{tabular}} & {\color[HTML]{000000} 13-25\,V}                              & {\color[HTML]{000000} 1\,ms}               & {\color[HTML]{000000} 85\,ms}               & {\color[HTML]{000000} $\sim$400}                                        \\ \hline
CBD \cite{kwok2014nanopore, briggs2015kinetics}                                                                    & NA                                                                      & 10\,nm, 30\,nm                                                                             & 5-17\,V                                                      & 4\,s                                       & 10$^{5}$\,s                    & $\sim$50                                                                \\ \hline
Micro pipette \cite{arcadia2017situ}                                                           & 8.9\,s                                                                   & 10\,nm                                                                                & up to 24\,V                                                  & 1\,s                                       & 17\,s                                       & 169                                                                     \\ \hline
Two-step BD \cite{yanagi2018two}                                                           & 265.5\,s                                                                 & 20\,nm                                                                                & 10, 20\,V                                                    & 150\,s                                     & 350\,s                                      & 50                                                                      \\ \hline
\begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Multilevel pulse\\ injection \cite{yanagi2014fabricating} \end{tabular}    & $\sim$1\,s                                                               & 10\,nm                                                                                & 2.5, 7\,V                                                     & 0.1\,s                                     & 20\,s                                       & 40                                                                      \\ \hline
\begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Optically \\ controlled BD \cite{pud2015self} \end{tabular}      & NA                                                                      & 20\,nm                                                                                & 6\,V                                                         & 30\,s                                      & 300\,s                                      & NA                                                                      \\ \hline
\begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Laser-assisted \\ controlled BD \cite{ying2018formation} \end{tabular} & $\sim$35\,s                                                              & 30\,nm                                                                                & 18\,V                                                        & 10\,s                                      & 80\,s                                       & 33 \\ \hline
\begin{tabular}[c]{@{}c@{}}Photothermally\\ assisted BD \cite{yamazaki2018photothermally} \end{tabular}    & 165\,s                                                                   & 75\,nm                                                                                & 1\,V                                                         & NA                                        & NA                                         & 29                                                                     \\ \hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{Comparing nanopore fabrication of TCLB with classical dielectric breakdown.}
\label{table:S1}
\end{table}

\newpage
\subsection{S6-Nanopore PSD}
Figure below shows the current power spectral density (PSD) plot of the nanopore presented in figure \ref{fig:7}.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth]{FigureS5.pdf}
\caption{Current power spectral density (PSD) of the nanopore presented in figure \ref{fig:7}. PSD was obtained by measuring a 10\,s of ionic trace, low-pass filtered at 100\,kHz and sampled at 250\,kHz with 200\,mV applied voltage.}
\label{fig:S5}
\end{figure}

\end{suppinfo}

\newpage

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


Last week, on the evening of Thurday 8th of November 2018 the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom celebrated its IX Annual Gala Dinner at Banking Hall in the City of London.
Almost 250 guests attended the dinner that was presided by H. E. Ambassador of Spain Carlos Bastarreche who welcomed Mr. Francisco Riberas, chairman of Gestamp, as the Guest of Honour for the evening.
The black tie event started with a drinks reception in the chic Counting Room, which was kindly supported by Chamber patrons Codorníu Raventós and Ibérica Restaurants and our member Hispania. Our guests were offered a glass of wine or Anna Blanc de Blancs cava and had the opportunity to meet and catch up with each other over a selection of delicious freshly cut Ibérico ham and Spanish cheeses.
Following the drinks reception, our toast master gave the call and guests were ushered down the main staircase to their tables in the stunning Banking Hall. Once everyone had taken their seats, the Ambassador led a toast to the King of Spain and the Queen of England each in turn, during which each national anthem was played.
Following the toasts, everyone proceeded to enjoy a delicious three course feast which fused traditional British cuisine with subtle Spanish touches. To begin, guests enjoyed salmon & cucumber with Almeria capers followed by lamb and mint with pimientos del piquillo, before rounding off the meal with tempranillo poached pears with ginger. The banquet was perfectly complemented by the Raimat Saira Albariño and Viño Pomal Reserva Centenario wines provided by Codorníu Raventós.
Following the dessert, once the teas and coffees had all been served the speeches were able to begin which were introduced by the toast master. The President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce Mr. Eduardo Barrachina was first to speak, during which he showed his gratitude to all the Chamber members in attendance with corporate tables for the institutional support and commitment they continue to provide to forming a stronger Chamber. He also emphasised that the links between Spain and the United Kingdom are "so strong that we are confident that in spite of the obvious obstacles in the upcoming months, the bilateral relationship will remain firm".
The Spanish Ambassador was next to speak, highlighting the continued prosperity of Spain's economy. Finally, the Guest of Honour Francisco Riberas, chairman of Gestamp, took to the stage to describe both the disruptions and many opportunities that the automotive sector will face around CASE and the UK, and how Spain should be in a position to take advantage of it and lead the change.
The dinner drew to a close late in the evening, with a pleasant and memorable evening appeared to have been had by all. We would like to warmly thank our members and their guests for joining us on this special occasion which has marked the end of another year full of diverse and successful Chamber activities. Once again, we would moreover like to express our gratitude to our generous sponsors Codorníu Raventós, Ibérica and Hispania for their contribution with the wines, cheese and ham which were served throughout the event.
Please click here to access the complete gallery of pictures of the IX Gala Dinner. You can also access a short video summary of the event by clicking here.
For further information about the Chamber's events, do not hesitate to visit the Upcoming Events section of our website www.spanishchamber.co.uk or subscribe to our biweekly newsletter.


An immersive three-day experience filled with music, spoken word, poetry, dance, healing arts, and informative workshops to help you find your power within.
Open and wild hearts with fierce love!
As the founder of Inspiration Weekend, I have decided to take a sabbatical from my life to reset and celebrate my 60th turn on the planet. I am so happy to announce that Inspiration Weekend will happen in spite of my absence. This is the best turn of events I could ask for because it means the event has life beyond my efforts. It was a dream come true to create a weekend where folks could open their hearts, rest in gorgeous music, meditations and words. A weekend where we could access that part of us that is fierce and loving no matter what is going on in the world and a weekend where we could find the wildness in our essential nature that defies our circumstances. I have been privileged to curate and produce this event for five years. Watch this space for your new producers for this year.
Reflection: what has been a dream of yours that you nurtured, grew and then shared? What have you done solo and then found collaborators? This life is full of opportunities to let things be made new.
Wild hearts are free in the world!


1. The Commission announces that it has made the amendments to the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987, the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990 and the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations set out in Appendix 1 to this policy. These amendments, which were announced in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2011-803, implement the Commission's determination in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2011-584 that it will require the broadcasting industry to adopt measures to ensure that commercial messages and regular programming are broadcast at an even volume by 1 September 2012.1 The amendments were registered on 27 March 2012 and published in the Canada Gazette, Part 2, Vol. 146, No.8, on 11 April 2012. They come into force on 1 September 2012.
2. The Commission further announces that it has similarly amended the exemption order for terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) serving fewer than 20,000subscribers set out in Broadcasting Order 2011-753 by replacing it with the revised exemption order set out in Appendix 2 to this policy. In addition, in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2011-59-1, also issued today, the Commission revised the standard requirements for video-on-demand services to include a provision relating to measures to control the loudness of commercial messages.
4. CCSA, EastLink, MTS Allstream and Rogers raised concerns regarding the requirement that they be responsible for ensuring the compliance of non-Canadian signals with the measures to control the loudness of commercial messages. CCSA and Rogers submitted that the wording of the proposed changes to the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations should be changed to clarify that this obligation applies only to cases where the BDU alters the signal of non-Canadian services. BDUs also indicated that they either had no ability to ensure that non-Canadian programming adheres to the recommended practice or that the technical solutions would be too costly.
5. The Commission notes that existing technical solutions enable BDUs to control the loudness of commercial messages broadcast by non-Canadian programming services. It further considers that BDUs may employ other measures to ensure compliance of these services, such as contractual measures. Finally, the Commission notes that distribution of programming by satellite relay distribution undertakings, which in many cases employ the same technical platform as licensed direct-to-home BDUs, may facilitate compliance.
6. Given that in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2011-584 the Commission agreed with Canadians that the loudness of commercial messages is an ongoing irritant and considering that BDUs benefit from their carriage of non-Canadian programming services, the Commission finds it appropriate to require that BDUs be responsible for the compliance of non-Canadian programming services with the measures to control the loudness of commercial messages, regardless of whether or not BDUs alter the signals of such services.
7. CCSA and EastLink stated that exempt systems with 2,000 or fewer subscribers should not be required to comply with the recommended measures due to the costs associated with compliance. For its part, the CCSA provided an example of a small, rural BDU system with 100 subscribers which, under the proposed amendments, would incur approximate costs of $187,500 in order to comply with the Commission's requirement. Further, EastLink stated that roughly 20% of its systems have fewer than 50 subscribers and that these systems did not have a sufficient subscriber base to support the costs associated with this requirement.
8. The Commission notes that, as mentioned by the CCSA, the current exemption order for BDUs serving fewer than 20,000 subscribers already contains fewer requirements for systems with 2,000 or fewer subscribers. Given the costs associated with compliance, the small subscriber base of systems with 2,000 or fewer subscribers and their technical inability in many cases to alter signals, the Commission finds that only those exempt BDUs with more than 2,000 subscribers should have the same requirement to control the loudness of commercial messages as licensed BDUs. Accordingly, in Appendix 2 to this policy, the Commission has revised the proposed requirement to this effect.
9. In light of the above, the Commission has adopted the proposed amendments set out in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2011-803, with the change noted at paragraph8 of this policy. These amendments require broadcasters and distributors to ensure that television commercial messages comply with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., by 1 September 2012.
11. Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence, a licensee shall ensure that every commercial message that it broadcasts complies with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
13. Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence, a licensee shall ensure that every commercial message that it broadcasts complies with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
7.1 (1) Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence, a licensee that alters the audio content or audio format of a programming service under paragraph 7(a) or (g) shall ensure that every commercial message complies with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
(2) Except as otherwise provided under a condition of its licence, a licensee that distributes an authorized non-Canadian programming service shall ensure that every commercial message complies with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
(6) A licensee that distributes commercial messages or acknowledgments on the community channel under paragraph (1)(g), (h) or (i) shall ensure that those messages and acknowledgements comply with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
5. These Regulations come into force on September 1, 2012.
1. For the purpose of this order, the terms "affiliate," "anglophone market," "authorized non-Canadian programming service," "broadcast year," "Canadian production fund," "Canadian programming service," "community access television," "community channel," "commercial message," "comparable," "contribution to local expression," "Corporation," "educational television programming service," "francophone market," "independent production fund," "licensed," "licensed area," "local television station," "pay television service," "programming service," "regional television station," "radiocommunication distribution undertaking," "relay distribution undertaking," "specialty service," "station" and "subscriber" have the same meaning as that set out in the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations; "basic service" means the package of programming services provided to all subscribers for a single fee; "gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities" has the same meaning as that set out in Guidelines respecting financial contributions by the licensees of broadcasting distribution undertakings to the creation and presentation of Canadian programming, Circular No.426, 22December 1997; "local head end" means (a)in respect of an undertaking other than a radiocommunication distribution undertaking, the specific location at which the undertaking receives the majority of the programming services that are transmitted by local television stations or, if there are no such stations, by regional television stations, and that are distributed by the exempt undertaking in the service area, and (b)in respect of a radiocommunication distribution undertaking, the undertaking's transmitter site; "service area" means the area in which an exempt undertaking carries on a broadcasting distribution undertaking; and an undertaking that "serves more than 2,000 subscribers" means an undertaking whose subscriber base at the time it becomes exempt exceeds 2,000, or an undertaking whose subscriber base at the time it becomes exempt did not exceed 2,000 but has subsequently exceeded 2,200 for at least two consecutive broadcasting years as reported pursuant to paragraph23, below.
2. The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
3. The undertaking meets all the technical requirements of the Department of Industry (the Department) and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
4. In total, the number of subscribers served by the individual undertaking is fewer than 20,000, and the undertaking either (a) does not serve all or part of the licensed area of a licensed terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertaking (BDU) that serves 20,000 or more subscribers within that licensed area, or (b) serves all or part of the licensed area of a licensed terrestrial BDU that serves 20,000 or more subscribers only by virtue of the fact that the licensed BDU expanded to operate within the service area of the undertaking at some time following the time at which the undertaking came into being. Once exempt, the undertaking does not have more than 21,000subscribers in any two consecutive broadcasting years as reported pursuant to paragraph 23, below.
5. The undertaking does not provide a subscriber with any programming services, other than licensed pay-per-view services, licensed video-on-demand services or the programming services of exempt programming undertakings, without also providing the basic service.
a) The undertaking distributes as part of its basic service all services of local television stations, with no degradation of the signal received.
b) If the undertaking serves more than 2,000 subscribers, it distributes as part of its basic service all services of regional television stations, other than affiliates or members of the same network of which a local television station distributed pursuant to paragraph 6(a), above, is also an affiliate or member. These stations are distributed with no degradation of the signal received. If the programming services of the two or more regional television stations that are affiliates or members of the same network are received at the local head end or equivalent, the undertaking is required to distribute only one of them.
c) If not otherwise distributed as a local or regional television station, the undertaking distributes at least one television station owned and operated by the Corporation, in each of the official languages, where the Corporation makes its signals available and pays the costs associated with the transport and reception of its signals to the undertaking's local head end or equivalent.
d) If the undertaking receives television stations that are identical, the undertaking is required to distribute only one of them under this section.
e) If the undertaking serves more than 2,000 subscribers, it distributes as part of its basic service, and with no degradation of the signal received, educational television programming services the operation of which is the responsibility of an educational authority designated by the province in which the service area of the undertaking is located.
7. A majority of each of the video and audio channels received by each subscriber, other than the programming distributed on program repeat channels, are devoted to the distribution of Canadian programming services. For the purposes of this paragraph, each pay television service, television pay-per-view service, and video-on-demand service is counted as a single video channel.
b) at least one English-language Canadian pay or specialty service, excluding the services that the undertaking may be required to distribute under paragraphs14 and 15, below, for every ten French-language programming services distributed by the undertaking, if the undertaking is operating in a francophone market.
9. The undertaking does not package an adult programming service in such a way that subscribers are obliged to purchase the service in order to purchase any other programming service. The undertaking takes measures to fully block the reception of both the audio and video portions of any adult programming service to subscribers who request that it not be receivable in their home (in either unscrambled or scrambled mode).
10. The undertaking distributes a single or limited point-of-view religious pay or specialty service only on a "stand-alone basis" or in a package with other single or limited point-of-view religious services, and all such services are distributed only on a discretionary basis.
g) for the purpose of inserting a commercial message in a Canadian programming service, excluding a video-on-demand service, if the insertion is in accordance with an agreement between the undertaking and the operator of the service or the network responsible for the service and that pertains to commercial messages that are directed to a target market of consumers.
11.1 (1) An undertaking that serves more than 2,000 subscribers and that alters the audio content or audio format of a programming service under paragraph 11(g) shall ensure that every commercial message complies with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
(2) An undertaking that serves more than 2,000 subscribers and that distributes an authorized non-Canadian programming service shall ensure that every commercial message complies with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
d) any false or misleading news.
13. a)No service received over-the-air or by any other means is distributed over the undertaking, other than a service that the Commission, by regulation or otherwise, has authorized. If the Commission has authorized a service for distribution subject to terms and conditions intended to address the concerns addressed in paragraph12, above, the undertaking distributes the service subject to those terms and conditions.
b) The undertaking distributes no more than two sets of U.S. 4+1 signals, with the exception of signals receivable by the undertaking over the air, to its subscribers.
c) The undertaking is authorized to undertake any activity authorized in the regulatory policy entitled General authorizations for broadcasting distribution undertakings, as amended from time to time, under the terms and conditions set out in that regulatory policy.
i) the undertaking does not distribute the Corporation's CBC News Network programming service on an analog basis, the programming service of the National Broadcast Reading Service (VoicePrint) on an audio channel.
d) if it operates in the province of Quebec, Avis de Recherche.
16. An exempt undertaking is not required to distribute any of the programming services noted in paragraphs14 and15, above, with the exception of VoicePrint and LaMagnétothèque, unless the licensee or operator of the programming service or a third party pays for the satellite uplink and transponder costs associated with the delivery of its programming service to the exempt undertaking.
a) If a dispute concerning the terms and conditions under which programming services are distributed arises between the exempt undertaking and a programming undertaking, whether operating by licence or by exemption order, the undertaking submits to such mediation and/or dispute resolution process or processes as may be required by the Commission and to any decision that may ultimately result therefrom.
b) If a dispute concerning the terms and conditions under which programming services are provided to the undertaking arises between the undertaking and a relay distribution undertaking, whether operating by licence or by exemption order, the undertaking submits to such mediation and/or dispute resolution process or processes as may be required by the Commission and to any decision that may ultimately result therefrom.
d) if a substitution is requested by more than one broadcaster, the undertaking gives priority, in the following order, to (i)if the studios of the stations are located in the same province as the service area of the undertaking or in the National Capital Region, as described in the schedule to the National Capital Act, the programming service of the station whose main studio is closest to the local head end, or equivalent, of the service area; (ii)in any other case, the programming service of the station that has a studio located in the same province as the service area.
b) to one or more independent production funds, the remainder of its total required contribution.
20. For the 2011-2012 broadcast year, the contribution to Canadian programming referred to in paragraph 19 above shall amount to not less than 5% of that undertaking's gross revenues derived from broadcasting during the period between 1 April 2012 and 31 August 2012, less any contribution to local expression made by the undertaking during that same period.
d) access to the same local/regional media.
ii. the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Violence Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
(f) commercial messages or promotional messages on the community channel comply with the technical requirements set out in ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, published by the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc., as amended from time to time.
e) whether any programming services are provided on a digital basis.
24. If the exempt undertaking serves more than 2,000 subscribers, the undertaking submits the simplified annual return for exempt broadcasting distribution undertakings by 30November of each year.
25. The undertaking submits any information requested by the Commission in order to ascertain the undertaking's compliance with the terms of this order.
 The technical requirements for controlling the loudness of commercial messages are set out in Annex J and Annex K of ATSC Recommended Practice A/85: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television, which can be found on the Advanced Television Systems Committee Inc.'s (ATSC) website: http://www.atsc.org. A French translation is also provided as a convenience. However, the translation has not been approved by the ATSC.


text:
Carl Frampton and Michael Conlan both registered stoppage wins on Saturday to keep them on course for world title bouts later this year, or in early 2021.
Frampton, a former world champion at junior featherweight and featherweight, stopped Darren Traynor with a body shot in the seventh round of his first bout since November at a fan-less event due to coronavirus restrictions at the York Hall in London's East End. The victory keeps Northern Irishman Frampton on track to challenge American Jamel Herring, the WBO junior lightweight champion, later this year.
On the same bill, Frampton's fellow Belfast, Northern Ireland-based boxer Conlan (14-0, 8 KOs), 28, produced a clinical 10th-round stoppage of Frenchman Sofiane Takoucht after being deducted two points earlier in the fight for low blows. It was a fluent display from Conlan that edges him closer to a crack at the WBO junior featherweight title.
For Frampton, (28-2, 16 KOs), 33, it was just his third fight in as many years and he was grateful for the rounds.
"It was far from my best, but it's not going to harm me to do the rounds," Frampton said. "If I had the chance to take him out in the first round I would, but his rounds were good. I had to make sure complacency didn't creep in and it was a potential banana skin."
Frampton was content to patiently work behind his jab in the first three rounds. It was generally neat stuff from Frampton, who connected with a chopping right hand in the fourth round.
There were not too many right hands in the first half, though, from Frampton, who was restricted to single blows a lot of the time as Traynor (16-4, 7 KOs), 33, from Aberdeen, boxed at range.
Frampton improved as the fight went on, as if things were coming back to him after the layoff, and the two-weight world champion showed his quality with two successive body shots from either hand in the sixth round to drop Traynor for a count. The Scot was left facedown on the canvas and almost did not beat the count.
Frampton targeted the body again in the seventh round when he slipped to the side and dug a left into Traynor's side, which left the Scot turning away in submission.
"It was a better opponent for Herring than the original opponent [Vahram Vardanyan], the dimensions are similar, but I know I have to be better for Herring," said Frampton, who expects a fight with Herring to happen later this year.
Southpaw Herring (21-2, 10 KOs), 34, from Cincinnati, makes a second defense against Puerto Rican Jonathan Oquendo at Las Vegas' MGM Grand on Sept. 5. Frampton hopes to face the winner as he chases a dream to become the first Irish boxer to win world titles in three weight divisions.
Herring was watching the fight from home and tweeted a video afterward in which he said to Frampton, "I'ma see you soon, Carl!"
In his first fight since December, Conlan looked razor sharp before taking out Takoucht in the 10th and final round of a featherweight bout.
"I broke him down and took him out," Conlan said.
Conlan, like Frampton, wants to one day be known as a three-weight world champion, but is a little bit behind his friend in achieving that feat. Conlan, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist who turned professional after controversy ended his 2016 Olympics, switched targets during lockdown and is now aiming for a first world title shot at junior featherweight rather than featherweight.
With this win, Conlan stayed on course for a shot at the winner of recently crowned WBO junior featherweight champion Angelo Leo (20-0, 9 KOs), from Las Vegas, and Stephen Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs), from Philadelphia, who are expected to meet later this year.
"If it's on St. Paddy's Day [2021] so be it, all I know is when I fight for the world title at 122 pounds I will win it," Conlan said.
This was a good statement from Conlan, who dominated through his technical skills and fast hands before a vicious finish.
Former European champion Takoucht, 34, from Ardennes, lasted just two rounds when he crossed the English Channel last October to challenge Warrington for the IBF world featherweight title. He lasted longer in his return to the U.K., but Conlan dominated throughout, except for two hiccups with points deductions for low blows.
Conlan opened up with a variety of combinations, targeting the body in particular, but his shots strayed too low on occasions and he received a third warning for low shots in the third round.
It did not deter Conlan from persistently attacking the body in the fourth, and Takoucht's hands were beginning to drop from effects of the blows.
But later in the fourth, Conlan was penalized for a low right hand and deducted a point. It was low, which Conlan can have little to complain about, and the Northern Irishman threw another punch to the body well below the belt in the fifth round that earned him a second point deduction.
"I love to hit them on the sweet spot and it's a fine line," Conlan said. "It's hard to adjust mid-fight. I'm experienced enough to know I can just go ahead."
It left Conlan in a risky position and in danger of disqualification if he continued to misjudge his body shots. Conlan dug a left hook to the ribs in the seventh round that almost dropped Takoucht before an impressive finish in the last round. After a series of punches, Conlan landed a left to the head, followed by a right to the body and another left to the head that prompted a sensible stoppage.
On the undercard, Troy Williamson (15-0-1, 11 KOs) won a close junior middleweight fight by unanimous scores of 97-94, 96-94, 96-95 over Harry Scarff.
At lightweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) just held on to his unbeaten record by a 96-95 scoreline over fellow Londoner Jeff Ofori, and afterward admitted he needs to improve to be good enough to test the world elite.
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Hey hey! How's it going #coolmumclub? What a difference a week makes; we've switched jumpsuits for jumpers and flip flops for thick socks…yet the temperature here with you lot remains consistently cool.
Last week the buzz was back in the room and we had loads of new linkers, so welcome! It's fab to have you with us.
Meet The Members is limping along with the last couple of stockpiled entries…If you fancy being featured, please drop me an email to info@mummuddlingthrough.com. This week expect a whole lotta love for One Messy Mama, a #coolmumclub favourite who deserves every second of her airtime!
My second linked post is a bit different this week…It's representin' the darker side of your lovely selves. Come on, underneath all those positive vibes there's a little sneaky bit of you who will have a giggle at this. It's all about not getting mad, getting even. Killing them with kindness and a bit of revenge gifting: 'Toys to buy kids of parents you hate'.
My gorge co-host Talya, aka Motherhood: The real deal picked out The Kitschy Mumma – Just The One Please, A brilliant post about being Parent to one, and being done.
Talya's linked posts this week are I'm going to link up with – 10 thoughts every blogger has probably had at one stage and 5 family breakfasts idea in a hurry.