Abstract: When a potassium-containing substance is formed in to a film using an organic potassium complex as a potassium source by the CVD method, it is prevented that the film formation rate is changed with the lapse of time, and the potassium content in the film thus formed is changed.As a potassium source for vaporization used for depositing the potassium-containing substance on a substrate by the CVD method, a .beta.-diketone complex of potassium that has been melted by heating to a temperature higher than its melting point and then cooled to be solidified is used.

Abstract: A leadframe of a single frame structure for supporting leads on IC chips. The leadframe is made of a high-strength, high-electroconductivity copper alloy. The copper alloy is produced by preparing an ingot of a copper alloy of 0.05-0.40 wt. % Fe, 0.05-0.40 wt. % Ni, 0.01-0.30 wt. % P, and optionally a total of 0.03-0.50 wt. % of either Sn or Zn or both and a total of 0.05-0.50 wt. % of at least one element of Ag, Co, B, Mn, Cr, Si, Ti and Zr, with the balance being Cu and incidental impurities, heating the ingot to 800 to 950.degree. C. and hot working the ingot to a reduction ratio of 50% or more, quenching the hot worked material from 600.degree. C. or above down to 300.degree. C. or below at a cooling rate of at least 1.degree. C./seconds, heat treating the quenched material at 380 to 520.degree. C. for 60-600 minutes without cold working, and subsequently carrying out cold working and heat treating at 450.degree. C.

Abstract: Sintered ITO having a relative density of at least 88% and an oxygen content of 15.5-17.0 wt %, as well as an ITO sputtering target made of this sintered ITO. Using the target, an optimal range for the proportion of oxygen in a mixture of argon and oxygen gases used as a sputtering atmosphere is sufficiently expanded to permit the consistent formation of ITO films.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for controlling an atmosphere in a heat treatment furnace according to the present invention, a carburizing is carried out while supplying a hydrocarbon series gas and an oxidization gas into the furnace. The quantity of a residual CH.sub.4, a partial pressure of the oxidization gas and a partial pressure of CO are measured. The quantity of each gas to be supplied into the furnace is controlled according to either one of the values of the partial pressures.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor which has high mechanical strength and exhibits favorable magnetic properties and high resistance to environment. Further, a method of manufacturing this oxide superconductor, namely, a method of manufacturing a RE--Ba--Cu--O oxide superconductor (RE is one or more kinds of rare earth elements including Y) by performing a treatment, which includes at least a burning process to be performed in a range of temperatures that are higher than the melting point of a raw material mixture containing a RE-compound raw material, a Ba-compound raw material and a Cu-compound raw material, on the aforesaid raw material mixture. This method further comprises the addition step of adding 1 to 30 in percent by weight (wt %) of Ag to the raw material mixture, and the crystallization step of melting the raw material mixture, to which Ag is added, at a temperature that is not lower than a temperature at which the raw material mixture is decomposed and fused into the RE.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.

Abstract: The starting salts for ITO production, precipitant and the conditions for reaction, calcination, etc. are specified such as to synthesize a starting oxide adapted to be free from volatile components such as halides and lower oxides; the starting oxide is dispersed to particles having a specified flowability; the powder is pressed into a compact, which is sintered in either air atmosphere or an oxygen-rich atmosphere to produce a large and high-density sinter for use as an ITO sputtering target.

Abstract: An aqueous sodium carbonate solution is added in an equivalent amount to an aqueous silver nitrate solution (Ag=100 g/L) under stirring and, with nitric acid and sodium hydroxide being added to adjust the pH to 5.5-6.5, a silver carbonate precipitate is formed and subsequently washed thoroughly and dried at 250.degree. C. or below to produce a silver oxide powder, which satisfactory characteristics for use in cells, as exemplified by high water absorption, good shape of granules, high strength, non-stickiness to the molding punch, high fluidity and low residual carbon content. The pellet of the powder has high cell capacity.

Abstract: A process for sulfurizing treatment of ferrous articles comprises positioning an electrolysis crucible containing a molten-salt bath of potassium thiocyanate and sodium thiocyanate and a pretreatment crucible containing a molten-salt bath of substantially the same composition adjacent to each other, assembling a unitary body by setting a plurality of the articles on a conductive support member in electrical contact therewith and attaching a cathode material to the support member to be out of contact with the articles and electrically insulated from the support member, immersing the unitary body in the bath contained in the pretreatment crucible, maintaining this bath temperature at substantially a prescribe bath temperature during ensuing electrolysis to bring the temperature of the unitary body near the prescribed temperature, transferring the unitary body from the pretreatment crucible to the bath in the electrolysis crucible while maintaining its temperature, and treating the articles by electrolysis.

Abstract: The mixed powders of a lithium compound and a transition metal based compound are formed into shaped parts, which are packed to form a bed 6 on a porous plate 5 in the bottom of a reaction vessel 7 placed on a support 10 in a firing furnace 8 equipped with an electric heater; the packed parts are fired with an oxidizing gas such as air being forced through the bed 6 at a superficial velocity higher than a specified value via a gas feed pipe 3 connecting an air pump 1, a flow regulator 2 and a preheater 4 and the gas emerging from the bed 6 is discharged into the air atmosphere through a ventilation port 9. Even if increased amounts of the mixed powders have to be fired, the invention process enables the production of a lithium complex oxide as an active material that is homogeneous and which features excellent cell characteristics.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic composite circuit substrate having a ceramic substrate and a metal plate joined to at least one main surface of the ceramic substrate, the rate of voids formed on at least a joint surface at a semiconductor mounting portion of the metal plate per unit surface area being not more than 1.49%. The diameter of void formed on at least the joint surface at a semiconductor mounting portion of the metal plate is not larger than 0.7 mm. The surface undulation of the ceramic substrate is not more than 15 .mu.m/20 mm measured by a surface roughness tester in case that the ceramic substrate is joined directly to the metal plate. The metal plate is joined to the ceramic substrate through a brazing material containing at least one active metal selected from a group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf and Nb. The ceramic substrate is at least one kind of ceramic substrate selected from a group consisting of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, AlN, BeO, SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 and ZrO.sub.2.

Abstract: The reduction of halogenated organic compounds with an iron powder can be markedly accelerated to realize an enhanced reaction rate by the combined use of a reducing substance that is water-soluble and which exhibits weak acidity in water. The reducing substance such as sodium hydrogensulfite may be injected into the ground simultaneously with the iron powder or it may be preliminarily added to the contamination source via a different route than the iron powder which is subsequently injected. An amount of water containing 100 ppm of trichloroethylene (TCE) as a halogenated organic compound was provide; 500 ppm of sodium hydrogensulfite was added and 6,000 ppm of an iron powder was subsequently added; the time profile of the TCE concentration in the mixture was measured; as shown in FIG. 1, the TCE concentration decreased rapidly with the lapse of time and more than 90% of TCE was reduced in 8 days.

Abstract: A component device for optical communication comprising a reflector and a lens. The reflector is in the form of a deep dish with a height B of 0.2-0.4 mm, a bottom diameter A of 0.7-1.1 mm and the side wall having an angle C of 40-85 degrees. The lens is a hemisphere formed on the reflector, with the apex distant from the bottom surface of the reflector by a height D of 4.5-5.0 mm. The hemisphere has a radius R of 2.4-2.8 mm. A thin miniature lamp is provided that is improved in leadframe design such that the advantages of the conventional 5 mm.sup..phi. are retained, while its height is reduced to less than 5.5 mm. In addition, it is capable of achieving an effective luminous intensity distribution pattern of a light beam, which is one of the major characteristics required in data communication.

Abstract: A paste of active metallic brazing material is applied to the entire surface of each side of aluminum nitride or alumina ceramic substrate 1; circuit forming copper plate 3 having a thickness of 0.3 mm is placed in contact with one surface of the substrate and a heat dissipating copper plate 4 having a thickness of 0.25 mm placed in contact with the other surface; the individual members are compressed together and heated at 850.degree. C.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for controlling an atmosphere in a heat treatment furnace according to the present invention, a carburizing is carried out while supplying a hydrocarbon series gas and an oxidization gas into the furnace, and the supply of the hydrocarbon series gas is stopped either when the quantity of a residual CH.sub.4 in the furnace is changed to increasing from decreasing, or when a partial pressure of oxygen in the furnace reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention provides a coated Cu alloy and a process for producing the coated Cu alloy having a surface which has a low coefficient of friction and a high resistance to abrasion and is suitable for fabricating connectors, charging-sockets of electric automobiles etc. The coated Cu alloy is produced by coating the surface of a copper alloy with Sn and heat treating the coated Cu alloy at a temperature in the range of 100-450.degree. C. for 0.5-24 hours. The Cu alloy which is coated with Sn consists of 1-41 wt % Zn with the balance being Cu and incidental impurities. By using the coated Cu alloy, the force of insertion, resistance to abrasion and resistance to corrosion of connectors can be significantly improved.

Abstract: Iron oxyhydroxide particles that are composed of acicular particles having an average major axis of 0.01 to 0.5 .mu.m and containing not less than 0.1 wt. % and not more than 30 wt. % of Al in the iron oxyhydroxide and that release not less than 0.1 wt. % and not more than 2 wt. % of H.sub.2 O at 100.degree. C. are used as particles of a lower layer of a coating type magnetic recording medium having a multi-layer structure. The acicular particles include ones having two or more branches whose branching direction is skewed toward a two-dimensional orientation.

Abstract: A CVD precursor that is a precursor in film preparation by the CVD method, comprising a metalorganic compound containing a metal element constituting the film (called "main compound") having blended therewith another organic compound, the other organic compound having a lower vapor pressure than the main compound at a precursor vaporization temperature and when blended with the main compound forming a fusible blend having a lower melting point than the melting point of the main compound. In particular, when the main compound has the structural formula Ma(DPM).sub.2 (Ma being representing an alkaline earth metal), Ma(TMOD).sub.2 or Ma(TMND).sub.2 is blended therewith.

Abstract: An aqueous sodium carbonate solution is added in an equivalent amount to an aqueous silver nitrate solution (Ag=100 g/L) under stirring and, with nitric acid and sodium hydroxide being added to adjust the pH to 5.5-6.5, a silver carbonate precipitate is formed and subsequently washed thoroughly and dried at 250.degree. C. or below to produce a silver oxide powder, which satisfactory characteristics for use in cells, as exemplified by high water absorption, good shape of granules, high strength, non-stickiness to the molding punch, high fluidity and low residual carbon content. The pellet of the powder has high cell capacity.

Abstract: Fluorocarbons including perfluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons are highly efficiently decomposed by contacting a gaseous fluorocarbon with a reagent comprising carbon and an alkaline earth metal or carbon, an alkaline earth metal and an alkali metal at an elevated temperature, the decomposed halogen being fixed to the reagent.

Abstract: Optical filter which is adapted to prevent the reflection of external light and improve a signal level of a signal sent from a display device by preventing attenuation thereof, and which is further adapted to prevent a change in hue of an image and to improve the hue, contrast and brightness of an image, thereby enhancing visibility. First, a liquid crystal display device (1) outputs light which is linearly polarized light. First linearly polarizing plate (2) is mounted in the filter in such a manner as to be adjusted to an axis of polarization of the linearly polarized light. Namely, the light outputted from the liquid crystal display device (1) passes through the first linearly polarizing plate (2) without being changed. The light passing through the first linearly polarizing plate (2) is then changed by a first quarter-wave phase difference plate (11) into circularly polarized light so that the phase difference between extraordinary light and ordinary light is (1/4) of the wavelength.