Abstract: The optical microscope apparatus comprises an illuminating element for emitting as illumination light a convergent beam converging at a point in space; a sample mounting table for mounting a sample in front of the converging point of illumination light; and an objective lens disposed such that the illumination light is incident thereon after light transmitted through or reflected by the sample is once converged at the converging point. The texture and state of orientation of the sample can easily be analyzed by use of the optical microscope apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The optical microscope apparatus comprises illuminating means for emitting as illumination light a convergent beam converging at a point in a space; a sample mounting table for mounting a sample in front of the converging point of illumination light; and an objective lens disposed such that the illumination light is incident thereon after light transmitted through or reflected by the sample is once converged at the converging point. The texture and state of orientation of the sample can easily be analyzed by use of the optical microscope apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: In order to carry out thermal analysis under various kinds of atmospheres, there is provided an apparatus for thermal analysis containing a sample chamber having a portion for a sample and a signal detection chamber provided with a signal detection member, the signal detection chamber having an inlet port for a purging gas, the sample chamber and the signal detection chamber being connected through a purging gas passage, and the sample chamber being provided with an inlet port for an atmosphere gas and also with an outlet port for the atmosphere gas and the purging gas.

Abstract: Finely dispersed metal-carrying compound whose metal has 50 .ANG. or less in size, which is useful as, for instance, catalysts and electrically conducting agents, is prepared by heating ion-exchange resin on which metal ion such as Pt ion is adsorbed, at 300.degree.-1500.degree. C. under an inert gas atmosphere, and, if desired, reducing.

Abstract: A solid base with improved properties, such as excellent catalytic performance, is obtainable by reacting alumina with an alkali metal hydroxide in a reaction system at a temperature of 200.degree. to 500.degree. C. to form a reaction product; adding an alkali metal to the reaction system; and reacting the reaction product with the added alkali metal at a temperature of 180.degree. to 350.degree. C., or reacting water-containing alumina with an alkali metal in an amount of 1.01 to 2 times the molar equivalents of water contained in the water-containing alumina wherein a portion of the alkali metal of an amount not more than a molar equivalent of water contained in a reaction system at a temperature in a range between a melting point of the alkali metal and 500.degree. C. to form a reaction product and the reaction product is reacted with the rest of the alkali metal at a temperature of 180.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A solid base with improved properties, particularly excellent catalytic performance is prepared by reacting alumina and an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of from 200.degree. to 500.degree. C. and followed by reacting the resultant product with an alkali metal at a temperature of from 180.degree. to 350.degree. C. or reacting water-containing alumina and an alkali metal in such an amount that corresponds to a molar equivalent of water contained in alumina at a temperature in a range between a melting point of the alkali metal and 500.degree. C. and then reacting the reaction product with an alkali metal at a temperature of from 180.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the production of carbon fiber, which comprises sulfonating polyethylene fiber with chlorosulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, fuming sulfuric acid or a mixture of two or more kinds thereof and carbonizing the resulting precursor fiber by heating at a temperature of 600.degree. to 3,000.degree. C, optionally while giving a tension to the fiber.

Abstract: A process for the production of carbon micro-balloons and carbon micro-spheres which comprises reacting polymeric microparticles with sulfuric anhydride or chlorosulfonic acid so as to make the surface layer or the whole of the micro-particles infusible and then carbonizing the obtained micro-particles by heating them at a temperature above the decomposition point of the starting polymer.