Abstract: A method for producing silicon fine particles of the present invention comprises: a step A of heating a precursor obtained by drying a mixture containing a silicon source and a carbon source by using a heating means in an inert atmosphere in a part formed by non-carbon substances 20, a step B of rapidly cooling a gas generated by heating the precursor in the inert atmosphere in the part formed by non-carbon substances 20, wherein at least one of the silicon source and the carbon source is liquid form.

Abstract: A process for producing high purity silicon carbide uses a high purity tetraethoxysilane or the like as the silicon source and a novolak-type phenol resin or the like as the carbon source. The process comprises a step of forming silicon carbide in which silicon carbide powder is prepared by calcining a mixture of these sources in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, and a step of post-treating silicon carbide in which the silicon carbide powder thus obtained is treated by heating at a temperature of 2000.degree. to 2100.degree. C. for 5 to 20 minutes at least once while the silicon carbide powder is kept at a temperature of 1700.degree. or higher to lower than 2000.degree. C., to obtain silicon carbide powder having an average particle diameter of 10 to 500 .mu.m and a content of impurity elements of 0.5 ppm or less. The high purity silicon carbide powder is advantageously used as a material for producing an excellent silicon carbide single crystal having a decreased number of crystal defects.

Abstract: An alloy target used for manufacturing a magneto-optical recording medium, wherein the component and composition comprises 10-50 atom % of at least one of rare earth elements selected from the group consisting of Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm, from 0.

Abstract: An alloy target for magneto-optical recording having component and composition comprising 10 to 50 atom % of at least one rare earth element from Sm, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm and Er, the balance being substantially at least one transition metal from Co, Fe and Ni, and having a mixed structure comprising a phase of intermetallic compound of the rare earth element and the transition metal and a fine mixed phase of the rare earth element and intermetallic compound of the rare earth element and the transition metal or having a mixed structure comprising the structure above and a phase of the rare earth element alone. The target has uniform composition and high strength free from cracking, etc., shows less composition difference between film and target and less change of the film composition with elapse of sputtering time.

Abstract: An alloy target for making a magneto-optical recording medium by sputtering comprises an alloy containing 10 to 50 atom % of at least one rare earth element selected from among Sm, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm and Er, with a balance consisting substantially of at least one transition metal selected from among Co, Fe and Ni. The alloy has a mixed structure composed of at least three phases of intermetallic compounds formed by the rare earth element and the transition metal.