Abstract: A method is provided for the production of a oxide or nitride in a nanostructure with a high electric conductivity, for example indium-tin-oxide or aluminum nitride. The method produces an oxide or nitride powder useful to form a solid, which can be used as a sputter target. The oxide or nitride is produced by a synthesis reaction while the liquid alloy is sputtered in a very hot plasma. The synthesis reaction is initiated at a very high temperature, followed by a thermal state that is controlled such that it yields a crystalline structure, which is free from any defects and permits a high mobility of electric charges.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises several layers of various materials which are to be united by welding and simultaneously consolidated. The method resides in that the densities and moduli of elasticity of the various layers are adapted by composition, shape, state and temperature in such a way that the velocity of sound is considerably modified upon penetration of the composite structure. A shock wave is applied to one or both sides. This shock wave breaks down into harmonic vibrations that can sum up, concentration of energy resulting on the respective interfaces, ensuring the union within and between the layers.

Abstract: A process for making a crystalline solid-solution powder which involves reacting at least two reactants in a plasma arc of a plasma chamber and blast-cooling the resultant product in a high velocity gas stream to form the powder. The first reactant is a molten metal alloy and the second reactant is a gas. The reaction is carried out in a plasma arc and the products rapidly cooled by a gas stream acting at the outlet opening of the plasma chamber. The crystalline solid-solution powder formed by the process has a low electrical resistivity. If an indium-tin alloy is used as the first reactant and oxygen as the second reactant, there is obtained an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) crystalline solid-solution powder which, when compacted to 40% of its theoretical density, has an electrical resistivity in the range of about 2 .OMEGA.cm. This ITO crystalline solid-solution powder is particularly suitable for preparing an ITO target, with high electrical conductivity and thus high achievable sputtering rates.

Abstract: The targets for cathodic sputtering according to this invention are formed of hot-pressed or hot isostatic-pressed indium oxide/tin oxide powder with a minimum density of 95% of the theoretical density and with a sub-stoichiometric oxygen content are known. In order to provide the improvement of high stability and, simultaneously, high sputtering rate, it is proposed according to the invention that the target have a crystalline phase which is formed as a solid solution of indium oxide and tin oxide with a minimum of 90% by weight, preferably a minimum of 97%, of the solid solution, and which has an average grain size ranging from 2 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method for the continuous preparation of a powder by reacting at least two reagents in a plasma arc, in which a first and a second reagent are fed to the plasma arc, which is maintained by a voltage applied between a first and a second electrode. At least the first reagent is electrically conductive and comprises the first electrode. The first reagent is fed to the plasma arc in a fluid form. A device for carrying out the method is provided. The device includes a parabolic shaped plasma chamber, a means for feeding at least the first reagent to the plasma chamber, and at least two electrodes for generating a plasma arc in the plasma chamber.

Abstract: In order to achieve, proceeding from the known methods of producing a ceramic component by sintering, in which an oxygenous ceramic powder is introduced into a sintering chamber, heated in there, and dense sintered under application of a halogen-containing sintering auxiliary agent, a simple and inexpensive method in which the oxygen stoichiometry of the sintered component can easily be adjusted to a given value, it is proposed to have the sintering auxiliary agent released from a reservoir separated from the green body at a given sintering temperature, the halogen superficially reacting with the ceramic powder separating oxygen, and the separated oxygen or a defined part of the separated oxygen being caught by way of an oxygen getter.