Abstract: Boron powders are sintered and densified utilizing a microwave environment for so doing.

Abstract: Boron powders are sintered and densified utilizing a microwave environment for so doing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a ceramic film on a substrate by vacuum arc deposition, includes a vacuum chamber, a cathode comprised of an electrically conductive ceramic material to be deposited on a substrate, an electrically insulating member about the cathode, a heater for preheating the cathode to a predetermined temperature, an anode positioned downstream of the cathode and including an opening to allow ions of the ceramic material from the cathode to flow therethrough, a substrate support positioned downstream of the anode, and a plurality of magnetic members disposed around the vacuum chamber for guiding the ions from the cathode in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Boron powders are sintered and densified utilizing a microwave environment for so doing.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and apparatus includes a pressure gauge member having an enclosed housing, an anode plate, a pair of cathode plates sandwiching the anode plate, an anode connector at an external surface of the gauge, and a lead connecting the anode plate to the anode connector. Each of the anode plate, pair of cathode plates, and lead are confined within the gauge housing. A power supply is provided for supplying power to the anode connector, the power supply including a positive terminal and a negative terminal. A resistor is connected to each of the positive terminal of the power supply and the anode connector of the gauge member. A pair of electromagnets are positioned adjacent the gauge member, each electromagnet having a pole piece formed therein for completing a magnetic circuit outside of the gauge.

Abstract: Removing some of the insulating material between commutator bars of flat or cylindrical commutators, hereinafter referred to as "undercutting, " by exposing the commutator surface to one or more energy beams of a frequency and an energy level and for a time which are sufficient for removing the dielectric material to the desired degree without or substantially without removal of commutator bar material. The energy beam or beams may be arranged under an angle with respect to the perpendicular direction so that a certain amount of dielectric material is also removed from a zone underneath the edges of the commutator bars. A preferred high energy source is the CO.sub.2 laser. Preferably, the high energy beam is guided over the commutator surface to sequentially illuminate, e.g., by a scanning motion, at least all exposed dielectric surfaces.