Abstract: A process for forming an adherent diamond-like carbon coating on a workpiece of suitable material such as an aluminum alloy is disclosed. The workpiece is successively immersed in different plasma atmospheres and subjected to short duration, high voltage, negative electrical potential pulses or constant negative electrical potentials or the like so as to clean the surface of oxygen atoms, implant carbon atoms into the surface of the alloy to form carbide compounds while codepositing a carbonaceous layer on the surface, bombard and remove the carbonaceous layer, and to thereafter deposit a generally amorphous hydrogen-containing carbon layer on the surface of the article.

Abstract: Hyper-eutectic aluminum-silicon alloys are surface treated with nitrogen and carbon by ion implantation means so as to form hard, wear resistant particles of silicon nitride and silicon carbide which are surrounded by a hard matrix of aluminum nitride and aluminum carbide, depending on the species implanted. During applications where wear resistance is required, the hard silicon-based particles provide the wear resistant phase, thereby shielding the surrounding aluminum-based matrix. Yet the modified aluminum-based matrix is also sufficiently hard so as to provide strength and support for the silicon-based particles. Substantial improvements in wear resistance are obtained for these hyper-eutectic aluminum-silicon alloys, as compared to conventional alloys which have not been treated in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: A superconducting Yb.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.4 O.sub.z thin film is formed by a metalorganic deposition method which comprises depositing a solution comprising neodecanoates of Yb, Ba and Cu and a solvent having at least approximately 10 volume percent pyridine in xylene onto a substrate selected from the group consisting of strontium titanate, barium titante, and sapphire; pyrolyzing the coated substrate to thermally decompose the neodecanoates at a temperature of about 500.degree. C. followed by a rapid thermal annealing.

Abstract: A superconducting Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.4 O.sub.2 thin film is formed by a metalorganic deposition method which comprises depositing a solution comprising neodecanoates of Y, Ba and Cu and a solvent having at least approximately 5 volume percent pyridine in xylene onto a substrate selected from the group consisting of strontium titanate, barium titanate, and sapphire; pyrolyzing the coated substrate to thermally decompose the neodecanoates at a temperature of about 500.degree. C. followed by a rapid thermal annealing.

Abstract: Patterned films of superconducting materials are formed using focused beam techniques, such as electron beam, ion beam, and laser beam techniques. A solution comprising the neodecanoates of yttrium, barium, and copper is formed which is soluble in an organic solvent. The solution is spun onto an appropriate substrate. The solution is dried and subsequently selectively exposed using focused beam techniques, so that the exposed regions are no longer soluble in the organic solvent. The solution is immersed in the organic solvent, so that the only the exposed, insoluble regions remain on the substrate. The solution is then heated at a temperature sufficient to decompose the neodecanoates, about 500.degree. C., and then heated again, preferably using rapid thermal annealing techniques, to promote recrystallization and grain growth of the remaining metal oxides. The resulting patterned film exhibits superconductive characteristics.

Abstract: Superconducting thin films of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.4 O.sub.7, having a superconducting transition temperature of 90.degree. K., are produced in a non-vacuum environment using Mettalo-Organic Deposition techniques. An ink comprising the neodecanoates of yttrium, barium, and copper is formed and spun on a single crystal substrate of strontium titanate. The ink is dried in an air environment, heated in an air environment at a temperature sufficient to decompose the neodecanoates, about 500.degree. C., and then heated again to promote recrystallization and grain growth of the remaining metal oxides. The resulting thin film exhibits superconductive characteristics at about 90.degree. K.