Abstract: The present invention provides nanoporous ?-alumina powders comprising powder comprising interconnected ?-alumina primary particles having an average particle size of less than about 100 nm and an interpenetrated array of pores or voids. The invention also provides nanosized ?-alumina powders comprising ?-alumina particles having an average particle size of less than about 100 nm and slurries, particularly aqueous slurries, which comprise nanosized ?-alumina powders of the invention. The invention further provides methods of manufacturing nanoporous ?-alumina powders and nanosized ?-alumina powders of the invention and methods of polishing using slurries of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoporous &agr;-alumina powders comprising powder comprising interconnected &agr;-alumina primary particles having an average particle size of less than about 100 nm and an interpenetrated array of pores or voids. The invention also provides nanosized &agr;-alumina powders comprising &agr;-alumina particles having an average particle size of less than about 100 nm and slurries, particularly aqueous slurries, which comprise nanosized &agr;-alumina powders of the invention. The invention further provides methods of manufacturing nanoporous &agr;-alumina powders and nanosized &agr;-alumina powders of the invention and methods of polishing using slurries of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides &agr;-alumina powders comprising &agr;-alumina particles of which at least 80% of the &agr;-alumina particles have a particle size of less than 100 nm. The invention also provides slurries, particularly aqueous slurries, which comprise &agr;-alumina powders of the invention. The invention further provides methods of manufacturing &agr;-alumina powders and &agr;-alumina slurries of the invention and methods of polishing using same.

Abstract: Powders of particles comprising a ceramic core and a coating of ceria deposited thereon provide an economical and effective abrasive for glass polishing formulations.

Abstract: Powders of particles comprising a ceramic core and a coating of ceria deposited thereon provide an economical and effective abrasive for glass polishing formulations.

Abstract: A high efficiency wavelength up-conversion transparent glass ceramics composition is provided containing a rare earth ion, which can be applied to short wavelength solid lasers, full color displays, infrared light detecting sensors, etc. The ceramic composition has the following chemical composition, in which fluoride fine crystals containing rare earth ions are preferentially precipitated:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 10-60 mol % AlO.sub.1.5 0-40 mol % GaO.sub.1.5 0-40 mol % PbF.sub.2 5-60 mol % CdF.sub.2 0-60 mol % GeO.sub.2 0-30 mol % TiO.sub.2 0-10 mol % ZrO.sub.2 0-10 mol % ReF.sub.3 or ReO.sub.1.5 0.05-30 mol % (Re = Er, Tm, Ho, Yb, Pr, etc.

Abstract: A new infrared-to-visible up-conversion material is provided which can be applied to an infrared light identification element having a useful conversion efficiency and sensitivity for infrared light in the wavelength of 1.5 .mu.m band, 0.98 .mu.m band and 0.8 .mu.m band without the necessity of previous excitation of the material. This infrared-to-visible up-conversion material consists of an inorganic material comprising at least two elements of erbium (Er) and a halogen or compounds thereof.

Abstract: An infrared light-excited light-emitting substance given by the general formula:R1.sub.x R2(.sub.1-x)Ba.sub.z Cl.sub.3+2z where R1 is a rare-earth element, x satisfies the relation 0.01<x.ltoreq.1, R2 is another rare-earth element, and z satisfies the relation 1<z<4. Preferably, the substance is a transparent crystal having a transparency exceeding 70% in a wavelength range from 400 to 1500 nm, excluding wavelengths absorbed by rare-earth ions. The light-emitting substance can convert infrared light into visible light in a wavelength range from blue light to green light at a high conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A high efficiency wavelength up-conversion transparent glass ceramics composition is provided containing a rare earth ion, which can be applied to short wavelength solid lasers, full color displays, infrared light detecting sensors, etc. The ceramic composition has the following chemical composition, in which fluoride fine crystals containing rare earth ions are preferentially precipitated:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 10-60 mol % AlO.sub.1.5 0-40 mol % GaO.sub.1.5 0-40 mol % PbF.sub.2 5-60 mol % CdF.sub.2 0-60 mol % GeO.sub.2 0-30 mol % TiO.sub.2 0-10 mol % ZrO.sub.2 0-10 mol % ReF.sub.3 or ReO.sub.1.5 0.05-30 mol % (Re = Er, Tm, Ho, Yb, Pr, etc.).