Abstract: A method of growing a superconducting ribbon from a molten region of a Bi-based superconducting source material using two parallel platinum support wires is described. A method of annealing the ribbon in air to reduce the quantity of nonsuperconducting phases is also described.

Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide is constructed from a lithium niobate (LiNbO.sub.3) crystal substrate. In preferred embodiments, a diffused layer is formed proximate to one surface of the substrate by sputtering a thin layer of a zinc-related oxide (e.g., ZnO, ZnLiNbO.sub.4, or the like) onto the surface and then annealing the substrate. The resulting concentration of zinc in the diffused layer forms a waveguide having desirable optical propagation characteristics. The substrate is preferably congruent lithium niobate. In particularly preferred embodiments, the substrate is magnesium oxide (MgO) doped lithium niobate.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a flexible superconductive composite wire by drawing a wire of noble metal through a melt formed from solid superconducting material. The preferred superconducting material comprises the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O class of materials.

Abstract: An endless wire saw in which a workpiece is placed in pressure engagement with the wire and a cutting material carried by the wire slices through the workpiece. The cutting material may be a slurry such as a glycerin fluid carrying silicon carbide particles.

Abstract: The crystalline structure of cadmium telluride grown in a Bridgman process is enhanced by applying vibrations at a frequency less than 1000 hertz at a low amplitude whereby the cadmium telluride has vibrations with a displacement of less than one-tenth millimeter.

Abstract: Silicon dioxide is dissolved in a molten electrolytic bath, preferably comprising barium oxide and barium fluoride. A direct current is passed between an anode and a cathode in the bath to reduce the dissolved silicon dioxide to non-alloyed silicon in molten form, which is removed from the bath.