Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods of producing flat and curved optical elements with laterally and depth graded multilayer thin films, in particular multilayers of extremely high precision, for use with soft and hard x-rays and neutrons and the optical elements achieved by these methods. In order to improve the performance of an optical element, errors in d spacing and curvature are isolated and subsequently compensated.

Abstract: A composite, multilayer thin film solid lubricant structure having multiple thin film layers of solid lubricant interleaved by thin film interlayers which interrupt propagation of growth defects in the deposition process.

Abstract: An oxide type superconducting material comprising a plurality of metal species and oxygen in combined form, said superconducting material improved by the addition of a parametric modifier.

Abstract: An improved neutron reflecting supermirror structure comprising a plurality of stacked sets of bilayers of neutron reflecting materials. The improved neutron reflecting supermirror structure is adapted to provide extremely good performance at high incidence angles, i.e. up to four time the critical angle of standard neutron mirror structures. The reflection of neutrons striking the supermirror structure at a high critical angle provides enhanced neutron throughput, and hence more efficient and economical use of neutron sources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a high magnetic parameter ferromagnetic material. The material has a distribution of magnetic parameters as solidified, and is separated into a first fraction having relatively high magnetic parameters and a second fraction having relatively low magnetic parameters. The method comprises applying a magnetic field to the materials, the magnetic field being high enough to magnetize the low magnetic parameter fraction, but low enough to avoid substantially magnetization of the high parameter fraction. Thereafter the fractions of material are magnetically separated.

Abstract: A method of controllably introducing a parametric modifier into a perovskite ceramic defect oxide type superconducting material, said method including the substitution of labile atoms of a parametric modifier (such as fluorine) for atoms already present in the ceramic defect oxide material.

Abstract: An improved neutron reflecting supermirror structure comprising a plurality of stacked sets of bilayers of neutron reflecting materials. The improved neutron reflecting supermirror structure is adapted to provide extremely good performance at high incidence angles, i.e. up to four time the critical angle of standard neutron mirror structures. The reflection of neutrons striking the supermirror structure at a high critical angle provides enhanced neutron throughput, and hence more efficient and economical use of neutron sources. One layer of each set of bilayers consist of titanium, and the second layer of each set of bilayers consist of an alloy of nickel with carbon interstitially present in the nickel alloy.

Abstract: An oxide type superconducting material comprising a plurality of metal species and oxygen in combined form, said superconducting material improved by the addition of a parametric modifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a controlled pressure melt spinning method of rapidly solidifying alloys to obtain a solid alloy of controlled mean crystallite size, narrow crystallite distribution, and a fine grain microstructure.

Abstract: X-ray dispersive and reflective structures and materials are constructed which exhibit improved characteristics in specific ranges of interest. The structures are formed of metallic and non-metallic layer pairs. The structures are formed of alternating layers of Cr:C, Ni:C or V:C for carbon analysis and Mo:B.sub.4 C for beryllium an boron analysis. The layered structures can be formed from Ni:C for analysis of both carbon and boron.

Abstract: Coated lenses are provided that are suitable for optical and ophthalmic applications that include a coating for providing wear resistance and filtering of electromagnetic radiation in the range of from ultraviolet to about 500 nanometers or higher.The coating comprises carbon and hydrogen and is preferably formed by a glow discharge deposition process.

Abstract: Multilayer protective coatings that are applied over a substrate that comprise a plurality of superimposed multilayer units and methods of making the coatings are disclosed. Each multilayer unit contains two or more superimposed thin layers in which at least two layers are compositionally different. The properties of the resulting coating are a combination of the properties of the individual layers. One layer of a multilayer unit may provide hardness or wear resistance and another layer may provide lubricity, for example. The thickness of the individual layers can be related to the microscopic surface relief of the substrate to which the protective coating is applied. One disclosed multilayer unit comprises three layers: an oxidation resistant layer; a nitride layer; and a layer of disordered boron and carbon material.A method of making the multilayer coatings is provided that includes depositing over a substrate a plurality of superimposed multilayer units.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic material. The magnetic material is a solid mass of grains, and has magnetic parameters characterized by: (1) a maximum magnetic energy product, (BH).sub.max, greater than 15 megagaussoersteds; and (2) a remanence greater than 9 kilogauss. The magnetic material is prepared by a two step solidification, heat treatment process. The solidification process is carried out by: (a) providing a molten precursor alloy; (b) atomizing the molten alloy through nozzle means to form individual droplets of the molten alloy; and (c) quenching the droplets of the molten alloy to form solid particles of the alloy. The solid particles have a morphology characterized as being one or more of (i) amorphous; (ii) microcrystalline; or (iii) polycrystalline. The grains within the solid have, at this stage of the process, an average grain characteristic dimension less than that of the heat treated magnetic material.

Abstract: Adherence coatings and methods for forming same are provided. Generally, the adherence coatings are utilized in combination with exterior wear-resistant coatings of, for example, at least one non-metallic element and a transition metal.The composition of the adherence coating is selected on the basis of the substrate and exterior coating compositions and generally contain one or more metallic elements. The adherence coating can be applied by sputtering, desirably in a manner to produce a columnar microstructure.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic material. The magnetic material is a solid mass of grains, and has magnetic parameters characterized by: (1) a maximum magnetic energy product, (BH).sub.max, greater than 15 megagaussoersteds; and (2) a remanence greater than 8 kilogauss. The magnetic material is prepared by a two step solidification, heat treatment process. The solidification process is carried out by: (a) forming a solution of reducible precursor compounds of the magnetic material; and (b) thereafter reducing the reducible, precursor compounds and forming a precipitate thereof. The precipitate has a morphology characterized as being one or more of (i) amorphous, (ii) microcrystalline, or (iii) polycrystalline. The grains within the precipitate have, at this stage of the process, an average grain characteristic dimension less than that of the heat treated magnetic material.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic material. The magnetic material is a solid mass of grains, and has magnetic parameters characterized by : (1) a maximum magnetic energy product, (BH).sub.max, greater than 15 megagaussoersteds; and (2) a remanence greater than 9 kilogauss. The magnetic material is prepared by a two step solidification, heat treatment process. The solidification process is carried out by controlled vaporization of precursor elements of the alloy into an inert atmosphere, with subsequent controlled vapor phase condensation. This may be accomplished by vaporizing a precursor type alloy in a plasma torch, such as an argon torch, a hydrogen torch, or other electro-arc torch to form a particulate fine grain alloy. The resulting product of this alternative method is a particulate fine grain alloy. The solid particles have a morphology characterized as being one or more of (i) amorphous; (ii) microcrystalline; or (iii) polycrystalline.

Abstract: A coated article, for example an architectural transparency, including a vehicular transparency, or a reflecting article, as a decorative article. The article has a substrate, e.g., a substantially transparent or substantially opaque substrate. The substrate has an optical coating on it, that is a coating having a thin film of an oxide of a transition metal, the thin film having a thickness corresponding to a constructively interfering function of a wavelength of interest. The optical coating, having a thin film of a transition metal, enhances the reflectivity of some wavelengths of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and the reflectivity of other wavelengths of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: X-ray dispersive and reflective structures and materials are provided which exhibit improved resolution and reflectivity in specific ranges of interest without substantial fluorescence or absorption edges. The structures are formed of metallic and non-metallic layer pairs and can include a buffer layer between each layer to prevent interdiffusion to stabilize the structures. The materials can be thermally activated to control the desired properties, during or post deposition. The structures can be deposited by ion beam absorption techniques to form the structures in a precise manner. The index of the refraction of the structures can be continuously varying throughout the structures.

Abstract: Multiple wavelength X-ray dispersive devices and method of forming them are provided which reflect at least two wavelengths of interest at the same or different angles. The devices include a plurality of layer sets formed on one another, each set having at least two units. At least one unit includes at least two layers having a first d spacing and the second unit has at least one layer with a second d spacing. A plurality of one or both of the units can also be provided in each layer set.

Abstract: Multilayer protective coatings that are applied over a substrate are disclosed that comprise a plurality of superimposed multilayer units. Each multilayer unit contains two or more superimposed thin layers in which at least two layers are compositionally different. The properties of the resulting coating are a combination of the properties of the individual layers. One layer of a multilayer unit may provide hardness or wear resistance and another layer may provide lubricity, for example. The thickness of the individual layers can be related to the microscopic surface relief of the substrate to which the protective coating is applied.