Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus for plasma processing applications is based on a permanent magnet line-cusp plasma confinement chamber coupled to a compact single-coil microwave waveguide launcher. The device creates an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma in the launcher and a second ECR plasma is created in the line cusps due to a 0.0875 tesla magnetic field in that region. Additional special magnetic field configuring reduces the magnetic field at the substrate to below 0.001 tesla. The resulting plasma source is capable of producing large-area (20-cm diam), highly uniform (.+-.5%) ion beams with current densities above 5 mA/cm.sup.2. The source has been used to etch photoresist on 5-inch diam silicon wafers with good uniformity.

Abstract: A method for molding ceramic powders comprises forming a slurry mixture including ceramic powder, a dispersant, and a monomer solution. The monomer solution includes at least one monofunctional monomer and at least one difunctional monomer, a free-radical initiator, and a aqueous solvent. The slurry mixture is transferred to a mold, and the mold containing the slurry mixture is heated to polymerize and crosslink the monomer and form a firm polymer-solvent gel matrix. The solid product any be removed from the mold and heated to first remove the solvent and subsequently remove the polymer, whereafter the product may be sintered.

Abstract: A ceramic composition is described. The ceramic composition consists essentially of from about 84 to 96 w/o titanium diboride, from about 1 to 9 w/o chromium diboride, and from about 3 to about 15 w/o yttrium-titanium-oxide. A method of making the ceramic composition is also described.The method of making the ceramic composition comprises the following steps: Step 1--A consolidated body containing stoichiometric quantities of titanium diboride and chromium diboride is provided. Step 2--The consolidated body is enclosed in and in contact with a thermally insulated package of yttria granules having a thickness of at least 0.5 inches.

Abstract: A system for monitoring moving objects, such as the flight of honeybees and other insects, using a pulsed laser light source. This system has a self-powered micro-miniaturized transmitting unit powered, in the preferred embodiment, with an array solar cells. This transmitting unit is attached to the object to be monitored. These solar cells provide current to a storage energy capacitor to produce, for example, five volts for the operation of the transmitter. In the simplest embodiment, the voltage on the capacitor operates a pulse generator to provide a pulsed energizing signal to one or more very small laser diodes. The pulsed light is then received at a receiving base station using substantially standard means which converts the light to an electrical signal for processing in a microprocessor to create the information as to the movement of the object. In the case of a unit for monitoring honeybees and other insects, the transmitting unit weighs less than 50 mg, and has a size no larger than 1.times.3.times.

Abstract: A soil sampling device and a sample containment device for containing a soil sample is disclosed. In addition, a method for taking a soil sample using the soil sampling device and soil sample containment device to minimize the loss of any volatile organic compounds contained in the soil sample prior to analysis is disclosed. The soil sampling device comprises two close fitting, longitudinal tubular members of suitable length, the inner tube having the outward end closed. With the inner closed tube withdrawn a selected distance, the outer tube can be inserted into the ground or other similar soft material to withdraw a sample of material for examination. The inner closed end tube controls the volume of the sample taken and also serves to eject the sample. The soil sample containment device has a sealing member which is adapted to attach to an analytical apparatus which analyzes the volatile organic compounds contained in the sample.

Abstract: The lumen maintenance of fluorescent lamps containing yttrium vanadate phosphors is markedly improved by the presence of a protective oxide layer for the phosphor. The protective oxide layer is produced by evaporating aluminum isopropoxide, in a vacuum, over phorphor particles forming a continuous aluminum isopropoxide over the phosphor particles. The isopropoxide coating is subsequently oxidized by lehring the phosphor at a temperature from about 500.degree. C. to 625.degree. C. forming an alumina coating on the phosphor particles.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing a Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 coating on a layer of yttrium vanadate phosphor and a method of coating the layer of the yttrium vanadate phosphor with a continuous protective coating of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is described. The method comprises applying a coating of a metal, such as yttrium or aluminum, on the yttrium vanadate phosphor then lehring the metallic coating at about 500.degree. C. to about 625.degree. C. to form a continuous protective coating of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 overlaying the layer of phosphor.

Abstract: A method of making a translucent alumina article is described. The method comprises the following steps:Step 1 - An alumina powder and a sintering aid are mixed in a liquid for a period sufficient to form a homogeneous slurry.Step 2 - The homogeneous slurry from Step 1 is dried remove the liquid to form a dried powder.Step 3 - The dried powder is shaped to form a compacted green body.Step 4 - The compacted green body from Step 3 is heated at a temperature equal to or less than 500.degree. C. and for a period sufficient to form a compacted green body having a density of at least 30% of theoretical density.Step 5 - The compacted green body having a density of at least 30% of theoretical density from Step 4 is heated at a temperature from about 800.degree. C. to about 1300.degree. C. in an oxygen containing atmosphere for a period sufficient to impart green strength to said compacted green body to form a prefired compacted green body.

Abstract: A new and improved fused silica radome is discussed. The radome has a density equal to or greater than 95 percent of theoretical density, an average bend strength equal to or greater than 10 Kpsi, a thermal expansion of about 0.3.times.10.sup.-6 .degree. C., a dielectric constant of about 3.8 at X-Band frequencies, a loss tangent of about 0.002 at X-Band frequencies, an average modulus of rupture greater than 10 Kpsi from room temperature to 1000.degree. C., and no crystalline phase present. The radome is made by an arc fusion process in which a quartz powder is placed within a graphite mold, then shaped by centrifugal force as the mold is rotated. An arc is then struck between electrodes within the mold cavity. The quartz powder fuses to form a dense silica radome which is removed from the mold after the fusion occurs.

Abstract: A method of making high purity, dense silica of large particles size is described. Tetraethylorthosilicate is mixed with ethanol and is added to a dilute acid solution having a pH of about 2.25. The resulting solution is digested for about 5 hours, then 2N ammonium hydroxide is added to form a gel at a pH of 8.5. The gel is screened through an 18-20 mesh screen, vacuum baked, calcined in an oxygen atmosphere and finally heated to about 1200.degree. C. in air to form a large particle size, high purity, dense silica.

Abstract: A method of making large particle size, high purity, dense silica is described. Tetraethylorthosilicate ethanol solution is added to a 2N ammonium hydroxide solution containing silicic acid having an average particle size of about 15 micrometers to form a precipitate followed by a digestion of the precipitate in the solution. The precipitate is filtered through a screen having 45 micrometer openings and dried to form a dried powder. The dried powder is then calcined in an oxygen atmosphere followed by densifying it by heating at a temperature of about 1200.degree. C. in air to form a large particle size, high purity, dense silica.

Abstract: A composition for injection molding a ceramic powder to make ceramic shapes is described. The composition comprises a ceramic powder and a binder system. The binder system comprises a distilled thermosetting polycarbosilane containing from about 0.4 to about 0.7 weight percent of a cross-linking inhibitor, a surfactant, and with or without a lubricant. The cross-linking inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of p-benzoquinone, benzophenone, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for recovering the scandium present as a trace constituent in a mixture of iron, manganese and other oxides comprise bringing the scandium into solution along with much of the other base metals, reducing the dissolved iron to the ferrous state, adjusting the pH of the resulting solution to a value of about 2.0 and selectively extracting the scandium with an organic extractant consisting of thenoyltrifluoroacetone dissolved in an aromatic solvent. The scandium values are recovered quantitatively from the organic extractant by treating it with a dilute acid. The process effects a complete separation of the scandium from the base metals resulting in a scandium product of high purity.

Abstract: A new and improved method of bonding a bonded ceramic-metal article is described. The ceramic-metal article comprises a ceramic article, such as a lanthana-strengthened yttria article, bonded to a metal article, such as niobium, by a layer of a brazing material, such as a brazing alloy consisting essentially of 63% by weight silver, 35.25% by weight copper, and 1.75% by weight titanium to form a bonded ceramic-metal article. The method of bonding the ceramic article to the metal article comprises placing the brazing alloy between the lanthana-strengthened yttria article and the niobium article and heating the layered structure in vacuum at about 50 degrees centigrade above the liquids temperature of the brazing alloy for a period of about 5 minutes.

Abstract: A new and improved method of brazing a ceramic-metal article is described. The ceramic-metal article comprises a ceramic article, such as a lanthana-strengthened yttria article, bonded to a metal article, such as niobium, by a layer of a brazing material, such as brazing alloy consisting essentially of 72% by weight silver, 28% by weight copper to form a joined ceramic-metal article. The method of brazing the ceramic article comprises coating a surface of the lanthana-strengthened yttria article with a group IVB metal, such as titanium, hafnium, and zirconium then placing a brazing alloy, such as a brazing alloy consisting essentially of 72% by weight silver and 28% by weight copper or a brazing alloy consisting essentially of 82% by weight gold and 18% by weight nickel, between the coated lanthana-strengthened yttria article and the niobium article and heating the layered structure in vacuum at about 50 degrees centrigrade above the liquidus temperature of the brazing alloy for a period of about 5 minutes.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp based on a phosphor excited by a molecular discharge is described. The fluorescent lamp comprises a fluorescent lamp coated with a manganese doped magnesium aluminate phosphor on the inside surface of the lamp envelope. The fluorescent lamp contains corrosion resistant filamentary electron emitting electrodes. The fluorescent lamp produces a plasma which emits 206 nm radiation from the molecular discharge of the iodine containing molecular vapors and inert gas fill which in turn excites the phosphor to emit visible light.

Abstract: A compact electronic housing for a satellite earth station is described. The compact electronic housing comprises a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a panel common to both compartments. The first compartment contains electronic components and is atmospherically isolated from outside air and the second compartment. The electronic components comprise a plurality of groupings. The second compartment provides for movement of outside air into the second compartment through a bottom opening and out a top opening by a chimney effect cooling a plurality of heat exchangers. The panel dividing the two compartments comprises a plurality of conductive heat transferring elements for transferring heat from the electronic components to the plurality of heat exchanger element.

Abstract: A process for making a homogeneous yttria-alumina doped silicon nitride article is described. A uniform coating of yttria and alumina is applied to the surface of silicon nitride particles by a chemical application of the nitrates of yttrium and aluminum followed by drying and a subsequent conversion of the nitrates to the corresponding oxides. The resulting powder is formed into an article and pressureless sintered to a density greater than 98% of theoretical at temperatures less than 1700.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for controlling the water present in hydrogen fluoride is described which effectively removes all the water contained in the hydrogen fluoride solution to form other compounds that either have extremely low vapor pressure or are acceptable in a process such as chemical vapor purification. The method involves as one of the steps the contacting of a reactive metal halide with a hydrogen fluoride containing water. The metal halide reacts with the water contained in the hydrogen fluoride solution yielding a metal oxide, hydrogen halide, and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The metal oxide is a solid, with low vapor pressure, thereby effectively removing oxygen-bearing species from the hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: A method of preparing ceramic monolithic structures with an internal cavity and passageways is described. A thin sheet of a ceramic material is formed by spreading the material on a glass plate with a doctor blade. Individual sheets of the material are cut or punched to form predetermined holes, channels or various shapes therein. These individual sheets are then stacked to form a layered structure. A supporting media such as paraffin wax is injected into the holes and channels to completely fill them with the media. The layered structure is then pressed by unipressing and/or isostatic pressing followed by a prefiring step to remove the supporting media. Once the supporting media had been completely removed, the layered structure is then sintered to form a monolithic structure containing precise predetermined internal cavity and passageways.