Abstract: A superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) device includes a substrate, a distributed Bragg reflector on the substrate, a seed layer of a metal nitride on the distributed Bragg reflector, and a superconductive wire on the seed layer. The distributed Bragg reflector includes a plurality of bi-layers, each bi-layer including lower layer of a first material and an upper layer of a second material having a higher index of refraction than the first material. The wire is a metal nitride different from the metal nitride of the seed material.

Abstract: A superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) device includes a substrate having a top surface, an optical waveguide on the top surface of the substrate to receive light propagating substantially parallel to the top surface of the substrate, a seed layer of metal nitride on the optical waveguide, and a superconductive wire on the seed layer. The superconductive wire is a metal nitride different from the metal nitride of the seed layer and is optically coupled to the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a plurality of valleys on an inner circumferential surface of a cylinder liner for uniform oil film thickness are disclosed. In one aspect, an internal combustion engine includes a piston; and a cylinder liner surrounding the piston, wherein the cylinder liner has a plurality of valleys on an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder liner, and wherein the plurality of valleys are formed to a frequency of 7 to 14 valleys per millimeter (mm) having a depth of at least 1 micrometer (?m).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an instrument, in particular a dental instrument or a medical instrument, in which method a blank is produced and is subsequently coated at least partially with abrasive particles, wherein the abrasive particles, in a mixture with carrier particles, are fed onto the surface to be coated and are melted onto the surface by means of a laser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser processing method comprising the steps of attaching a protective tape 25 to a front face 3 of a wafer 1a, irradiating a substrate 15 with laser light L while employing a rear face of the wafer 1a as a laser light entrance surface and locating a light-converging point P within the substrate 15 so as to form a molten processed region 13 due to multiphoton absorption, causing the molten processed region 13 to form a cutting start region 8 inside by a predetermined distance from the laser light entrance surface along a line 5 along which the object is intended to be cut in the wafer 1a, attaching an expandable tape 23 to the rear face 21 of the wafer 1a, and expanding the expandable tape 23 so as to separate a plurality of chip parts 24 produced upon cutting the wafer 1a from the cutting start region 8 acting as a start point from each other.

Abstract: A method for forming pattern on substrate comprises steps of: providing a metal substrate; amorphousizing the metal substrate to from an amorphous pattern layer in the metal substrate; etching the metal substrate and forming an etching portion in the surface of the metal substrate which is not covered with the amorphous pattern layer. The article manufactured by the method is also provided.

Abstract: In order to sharpen and harden a corner portion of a score line edge portion of an iron golf club having a plurality of score lines on a face surface within a prescribed range, heat input is implemented on an edge portion of a groove through laser irradiation after the groove is machined and, as a result, the edge portion is hardened and melted to form a rounded corner R. The hardness is set at a Vickers hardness value (HV) of at least 350. The corner R forms a part of a contour line of the edge portion and this contour line is formed to exist between a first circle that contacts the face surface and a side surface of the groove and has a radius of 0.010 inches (0.254 millimeters) and a second circle that is concentric with the first circle and has a radius of 0.011 inches (0.2794 millimeters).

Abstract: A bearing component formed from a bearing steel, wherein the component has an outer surface and comprises through-hardened bainite and/or martensite and has a substantially homogeneous chemical composition, at least a part of the bearing component having a compressive residual stress profile comprising ?25 to ?1000 MPa at the near surface, wherein the near surface is defined as a region 500 microns or less below the outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a swash plate type piston pump motor in which: a plurality of pistons are arranged in a circumferential direction on a cylinder block configured to rotate with a rotating shaft; the pistons are guided along a swash plate to reciprocate by rotation of the rotating shaft; a convex portion of the swash plate is slidably supported by a recess of a swash plate support; and a wall formed integrally with the swash plate support is arranged on a normal to at least a part of a supporting surface of the recess, wherein: the supporting surface of the recess is quenched by irradiating the supporting surface with laser light while causing the laser light to scan the supporting surface; and outputs of the laser light are changed in accordance with incidence angles of the laser light with respect to the supporting surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a cutter ring adapted to be used in tunnel boring operations; forming an initial cutter ring and heat treating the cutter ring prior to a laser client process; applying an alloy to the surface of the cutter ring adjacent to cutting elements by a laser cladding process whereby the cutting elements have insufficient heat transfer from the laser cutting process to reduce their hardness properties.

Abstract: A process for forming a high-strength, wear-resistant composite layer on the surface of an aluminum alloy substrate from an applied additive material. The additive material consists of an alloy or powder mixture which contains aluminum, silicon and at least 15% by weight of iron. Irradiating the alloy powder or powder mixture which has been positioned on the surface of the aluminum alloy substrate using a laser melts together with the alloy or powder mixture and a superficial part of the aluminum alloy substrate.

Abstract: Differential hardening apparatus for softening a portion only of a metal workpiece such as a die block consisting of apparatus for presenting a workpiece to a heat source which impinges heat directly on the workpiece and control means for causing the heat to be directed only long enough to soften only the portion which receives the heat so as to create a softened portion, such as the shank portion of a die block, and an unaffected hardened portion, such as the body portion of the die block.

Abstract: A laser shock processing treatment is employed to condition the mating surfaces of various fastener elements, such as screws, bolts, splines, keys, and keyways. In a screw, for example, the threaded surface is laser shock processed to form laser shock processed surfaces at the thread root portion of the screw. Regions of compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock processing are thereby formed and extend into the screw body from the laser shock processed surfaces. In a keyway, for example, the keyway surface is laser shock processed to form laser shock processed surfaces within the keyway. Regions of compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock processing are thereby formed and extend into the keyway body from the laser shock processed surfaces. The compressive residual stress regions enhance the rigidity and torsional stiffness of the fastener elements and improve their fatigue properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for hardening a metal article, comprising a holding device, an energy beam generator pointed at the holding device for directing energy beams at the holding device, and a movement system supporting the holding device, wherein the movement system varies the orientation of the metal article relative to the energy beam generator. The apparatus includes an energy beam delivery instrument system positioned between the energy beam generator and the holding device so that the energy an energy beam delivery instrument directs the energy beam to the holding device. Also, the apparatus includes an auxiliary heating device engaging the holding device, wherein the auxiliary heating device heats the metal article independently from the energy beam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a photoresist-free method for depositing films composed of metals, such as copper, or its oxides from metal complexes. More specifically, the method involves applying an amorphous film of a metal complex to a substrate. The metal complexes have the formula MfLgXh, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Au, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Si, Sn, Li, Na, K, Ba, Sr, Mo, Ru, Pd, Pt, Re, Ir, and Os; L is a ligand of the formula (R2NCR′2CR″2O), wherein R, R′ and R″ are independently selected from H, CnHm, and CnHmAxBy, wherein A and B are independently selected from main group elements and f, g, h, n, m, x and y represent integers; and X is an anion independently selected from N3, NCO, NO3, NO2, Cl, Br, I, CN, OH, H and CH3. These films, upon, for example, thermal, photochemical or electron beam irradiation may be converted to the metal or its oxides.

Abstract: Using inserts which are welded in place allows the use of hardfacing in the immediate vicinity of the inserts. Areas of high wear, such as cutting structures and gage areas, can use a combination of ultra-hard inserts with hardfacing for protection against wear. The inserts slows wear, while the hardfacing prevents erosion around the inserts.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a coated laser shock peening surface of the part which has been covered with an explosive coating containing at least one explosive ingredient. Two or more explosive ingredients having different shock sensitivities may be used and the laser beam is fired with sufficient power to explode at least some amount of each of the explosive ingredients.

Abstract: A continuous steel strip consisting especially of austenitic or martensitic steel, with at least one weld seam running crosswise to the longitudinal extension of the steel strip, for twin presses. The steel strip includes at least one first surface layer which extends essentially across the entire steel strip and which has a different composition to an intermediate layer located between said first surface and a second surface facing the first. The intermediate layer extends essentially across the entire steel strip. The first surface layer consists of the steel of the steel strip and has regularly positioned heat-influenced areas, e.g., zones, situated next to or overlapping each other and/or fusion penetration areas, e.g., zones.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a photoresist-free method for depositing films composed of metals, such as copper, or its oxides from metal complexes. More specifically, the method involves applying an amorphous film of a metal complex to a substrate. The metal complexes have the formula MfLgXh, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Au, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Si, Sn, Li, Na, K, Ba, Sr, Mo, Ru, Pd, Pt, Re, Ir, and Os, L is a ligand of the formula (R2NCR2′CO) wherein R and R′ are independently selected from H, CnHm and CnHmAxBy wherein A and B are independently selected from main group elements and f, g, h, n, m, x and y represent integers and wherein X is an anion independently selected from N3, NCO, NO3, NO2, Cl, Br, I, CN, OH, H and CH3. These films, upon, for example, thermal, photochemical or electron beam irradiation may be converted to the metal or its oxides.

Abstract: A process for altering surface properties of a mass of metal alloy solder comprising a first metal and a second metal. The process comprises exposing the mass to energized ions to preferentially sputter atoms of the first metal to form a surface layer ratio of first metal to second metal atoms that is less than the bulk ratio. The solder may be located on the surface of a substrate, wherein the process may further comprise masking the substrate to shield all but a selected area from the ion beam. The sputtering gas may comprises a reactive gas such as oxygen and the substrate may be an organic substrate. The process may further comprise simultaneously exposing the organic substrate to energized ions of the reactive gas to roughen the organic substrate surface.

Abstract: A test coupon is formed from a metallic strip having opposite first and second sides that generally define a plane of the strip and the strip includes a laser shock peened patch of the strip that has first and second laser shock peened surfaces on the first and second sides, respectively, first and second laser shocked regions having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening extending into the strip from the first and second laser shock peened surfaces, respectively, and a deflection of a portion of the strip from a position of the portion before the laser shock peening. The deflection is formed by the laser shock peening such that at least a part and preferably substantially all of the deflection lies in the plane and the test coupon preferably includes an indicating means to indicate the deflection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic article with at least one laser shock peened surface on at least a portion of the article and a plurality of volumetrically spaced apart laser shock peened protrusions extending into the article from said laser shock peened surface wherein the protrusions have deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP). The invention may be further characterized by spaced apart circular laser beam spots on the surface from which the laser shock peened protrusions extend into the article such that the spots do not overlap.

Abstract: A method for quality assurance of a laser process and, more particularly, a laser shock peening process that uses a ballistic momentum apparatus for maintaining quality control of a laser shock peening process that uses a laser includes a movable target mass having a laser target face and confined to freely move in one direction. An indicating means indicates a maximum distance traversed by the target mass during a recoil from firing of the laser on the target face. An ablative coating is preferably applied on at least a portion of the face and preferably a transparent confinement medium, such as a flow of water, is applied over the ablative coating.

Abstract: An archival medium, such as a compact disc, is made of a metal such as aluminum which is mechanically gained with particulate material under conditions that embed particulate material into the surface of the medium and visibly imageable by selective exposure to infrared laser radiation. A mechanically grained aluminum medium can also be anodically oxidized under conditions that do not impair the ability of the substrate to be laser imaged. The archival medium can be coated with opaque and transparent polymer coatings before or after imaging for security and/or protection. The coating can be a laser ablatable coating to provide a tamper-proof medium.

Abstract: A method for quality assurance of a laser shock peening process uses interferometry to form a fringe image from first and second interferograms of unstressed and stressed laser shock peened patches respectively of a workpiece. The fringe image may then be compared to a predetermined correlation of fringe images for indicating quality assurance. Stressing the laser shock peened patch may include loading the production and test workpieces during the production of the first and second images by interferometry while the production and test workpieces are fixtured. The loading may be done by heating, twisting, or bending of at least a portion of the production and test workpieces. The comparing of the production images of fringes may include comparing fringe characteristics of the laser shock peened patches on the production workpieces laser against fringe characteristics of the predetermined correlation.

Abstract: A hollow workpiece includes an outside surface through which a port opens to the hollow interior, and a laser peened area on the surface of the workpiece. The laser peened area is created on the surface while the hollow interior is at least partially filled with a substance other than air. A method of laser peening a hollow core gas turbine engine blade includes the steps of providing a hollow core gas turbine engine blade, filling the hollow core with a substance other than air, and then, laser peening the hollow core gas turbine engine blade.

Abstract: In a reinforcing component made from austenitic iron which is bonded intermetallically with an engine component made from an aluminium-base alloy, in particular a piston, the aim is to improve the strength of the bond irrespective of the graphite configuration in the base material. For that purpose, the structure at least on areas of the reinforcing component surface in the vicinity of the intermetallic bond is austenitic-ledeburitic.

Abstract: A method for quality assurance of a laser process and more particularly a laser shock peening process that uses a test coupon having a deflection formed by a laser firing. The test coupon is from a metallic strip having opposite first and second sides that generally define a plane of the strip and the strip includes a laser shock peened patch of the strip that has first and second laser shock peened surfaces on the first and second sides, respectively, first and second laser shocked regions having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening extending into the strip from the first and second laser shock peened surfaces, respectively, and a deflection of a portion of the strip from a position of the portion before the laser shock peening. The deflection is formed by the laser shock peening such that at least a part and preferably substantially all of the deflection lies in the plane of the strip and the test coupon preferably includes an indicating means to indicate the deflection.

Abstract: A machine component which is formed from a high alloy steel has, along a surface where the component is subjected to cyclic loading, a glaze in which the steel has a refined microstructure that resists spalling. Whereas the microstructure of the core underlying the glaze contains carbides of relatively large particle size, the microstructure of the glaze contains carbides of a much smaller particle size. For the most part the microstructure of the glaze comprises martensite and retained austenite in a fine dendritic network. The glaze is acquired by directing a laser beam at the surface, with the beam having sufficient energy and intensity to melt the component where it illuminates the surface, thus creating a puddle. Relative motion between the beam and the component advances the puddle over the surface. The molten metal in the previously illuminated region loses its heat to the underlying core of the component and solidifies, in effect undergoing a self-quench.

Abstract: Method for machining steel edges for skis or the like, the steel edge being at least partly rapidly heated, then rapidly cooled again and consequently hardened with the aid of a plasma jet. In order to provide a method, which in economic manner can ensure the uniform and precisely defined hardening of steel edges of skis and the like in a randomly long longitudinal portion and in which simultaneously the energy can be applied in a more gentle and planned manner and a less complicated guidance of the plasma jet is rendered possible, an electric arc is produced between the cathode and the anode of the plasma head and a gas flow is passed through said arc and the anode of the plasma head, accompanied by the production of a plasma jet and the steel edge to be hardened is electrically connected as an anode in synchronized manner with the plasma head anode, i.e.

Abstract: A method for surface treating a metallic substrate to enhance its corrosion resistance. The method comprises the step of applying to the surface of the substrate a pulse treatment with a beam of dense high-temperature radiation generated by a coaxial plasma accelerator of the erosion type. The method provides for rapid heating of the surface region of the substrate to modify its metallurgical structure, without substantial heating of the underlying bulk thereof, followed by rapid cooling, whereby crystal nucleation and growth are suppressed and phase segregation and separation of substrate additives or compounds is avoided.

Abstract: A laser shock peening apparatus includes a cavity dumping laser oscillator including in optical serial alignment a first mirror, a Pockels cell, a polarizer, a laser rod, and a second mirror defining a cavity having an optical length between the mirrors. The laser rod is optically pumped to generate a laser beam in the cavity, and the Pockels cell has selective wave retardation to allow the beam to oscillate between the mirrors and increase energy therein, followed in turn by dumping the beam into a laser amplifier. The laser amplifier directs the amplified pulse at a target for laser shock peening thereof. The cavity length is selected to develop a substantially square-wave laser pulse for temporally shaping the resulting pressure pulse at the target.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a laser shock peening surface of the part which has been adhesively covered by tape having an ablative medium, preferably, a self adhering tape with an adhesive layer on one side of an ablative layer and a confinement medium without flowing a confinement curtain of fluid over the surface upon which the laser beam is firing. Continuous movement is provided between the part and the laser beam while continuously firing the laser beam, which repeatably pulses between relatively constant periods, on a laser shock peening surface of the part. Using a laser beam with sufficient power to vaporize the ablative medium so that the pulses form laser beam spots on the surface and a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening process extending into the part from the surface.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a laser shock peening surface of the part which has been adhesively covered by tape having an ablative medium, preferably a self adhering tape with an adhesive layer on one side of an ablative layer, while flowing a curtain of water over the surface upon which the laser beam is firing. Continuous movement is provided between the part and the laser beam while continuously firing the laser beam, which repeatably pulses between relatively constant periods, on a laser shock peening surface of the part. Using a laser beam with sufficient power to vaporize the ablative medium so that the pulses form laser beam spots on the surface and a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening process extending into the part from the surface.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine blade with a metallic airfoil having a radially outer tip extending chordwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge and at least one laser shock peened surface extending radially along at least a portion of the tip and a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP) extending into the airfoil from the laser shock peened surface.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine fan blade with a metallic airfoil having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a radially outer tip, and at least one laser shock peened surface located along the leading edge with a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP) extending into the airfoil from the laser shock peened surface.

Abstract: A wide gap braze repair, particularly for a gas turbine engine vane or a component in the hot section of the engine. The repair is characterized by a braze filled void in a damaged area of the component, a laser shock peened surface over the repaired area of the braze filled void, and a region of deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP) extending from the laser shock peened surface into the repair.

Abstract: (Object) IF-based, continuously cast slab essentially freed from defects such as surface defects, difficult production and poor strength, etc. of the product that the IF-based sheet steels have; sheet steels and a process for producing the same are provided.(Structure) A continuously cast slab of extremely low carbon steel comprising not more than 1.5% by mass of Si, not more than 2.0% by mass of Mn, not ore than 0.15% by mass of P, 0.01-0.15% by mass of Al, and not more than 0.0050% by mass of N, where the surface layer further contains 0.01-0.08% by mass of C existing as a cementite and the inner layer further contains not more than 0.0050% by mass of C, and at least one of 0.02-0.10% by mass of Ti, 0.01-0.10% by mass of Nb, 0.02-0.10% by mass of V and 0.03-0.10% by mass of Zr, the carbon existing substantially as carbides of these elements, preferably both the surface layer and the inner layer further contain 0.0001-0.

Abstract: The corrosion resistance inherent in stainless steel is further improved by a cladding layer provided on the surface thereof. The cladding layer is formed of a coating material which is applied onto the surface of the stainless steel and, then, burnt to be fused by laser beams. The coating material contains a larger amount of Cr than that of the stainless steel. The thus fused material and a fused portion of the stainless steel are mixed with each other to form the cladding layer of remarkable corrosion resistance due to a larger amount of Cr contained therein. The formation of the cladding layer on the inner surface of a small diameter pipe is enabled by a coating film shaping device which has a jig for shaping the applied material into a film of a uniform thickness and by a laser irradiation torch which has an arrangement for emitting the laser means radially outward from the inside of the pipe.

Abstract: A method of nitriding a piece made of titanium alloy, in which a laser beam is directed onto the piece to obtain a small amount of surface melting in the impact zone of the laser, nitrogen under high pressure is blown immediately behind the impact zone of the laser beam so that the nitrogen penetrates into the impact zone once it has become semi-solid, and an inert gas is blown around the nitrogen so as to cover and overlap the laser impact zone. The apparatus of the invention includes a central tube for conveying the nitrogen and a circularly symmetrical duct around the axis of the central tube having inside and outside walls that are conical and that serve to convey the inert gas. The invention serves to obtain a hard surface layer having a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for hardening cutting edges having various widths. The apparatus includes a plasma torch for projecting a plasma beam through an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a length parallel to the cutting edge and a width perpendicular to the cutting edge. The nozzle width is greater than the nozzle length. A variable electromagnet is located adjacent the nozzle for adjustably deflecting the plasma beam from a circular cross section beam to a widened beam. The electromagnet deflects the plasma beam at its width so that it is slightly wider than the width of the cutting edge to be hardened. The plasma beams with a smaller cross section have a lower power consumption and a constant gas flow rate than larger cross sectional beams.

Abstract: A magnetically graduated steel bar is provided with a magnetic scale that has a steel composition consisting, on a weight basis, of 0.02-0.10% C, 0.50-1.0% Mn, 0.50-1.0% Si, 17-20% Cr, 5-8% Ni, 0.05-0.20% C plus N, and a balance of Fe and incidental impurities. The steel contains 30-60 vol % of a cold working induced martensite and is given a nonmagnetic austenitic structure by local melting. The steel bar has a tensile strength of at least 130 kgf/mm.sup.2 and a fatigue strength of at least 60 kgf/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A process for making a large number of magneto-mechanically resonant markers having distinct resonant characteristics is disclosed. The process comprises modifying at least one surface of a glassy metal alloy strip so as to cause the effective length of the alloy strip to be different from the physical length thereof. Resonant markers comprising alloy strips treated by the process of the present invention display unique and distinguishable resonant characteristics which gives the marker a unique identity. The resonant markers can be used for article surveillance, inventory control and personnel identification.

Abstract: A method for induction heating and quench hardening of helical gears provides a hardness pattern uniformly distributed to a controlled depth across and between the teeth surfaces by means of axial scanning of the workpiece and uniform quenching. Uniform quenching is achieved by directing jets of quench fluid at the workpiece toothed surface at angles horizontally offset from the radial direction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heat treating the flutes of a corrugating roll. A laser having a beam with a Gaussian power density distribution is provided for heating the flutes. The beam from the laser is reconfigured by an integrator lens to form a beam having a homogeneous power density distribution, which is focused upon the upper portion of a flute to be heat treated as the flute is traversed lengthwise past the beam.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a net form product, including directing a stream of liquid from a nozzle onto a collector of the shape of the desired product, applying a disturbance to the stream, preferably an amplitude modulated disturbance, to produce a droplet stream, and with the nozzle and collector in a chamber, controlling the chamber environment. An apparatus for manufacturing a net form product having a source of molten material under pressure, a support for positioning a product collector in a chamber with the collector defining a desired product, a droplet stream generator positioned within the chamber and including a nozzle, a conduit for conducting molten material from the material source to the generator nozzle, a mechanism, typically a modulator, for disturbing the droplet stream, and a drive mechanism for relative movement of the nozzle and support.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heat treating the flutes of a corrugating roll. A laser having a beam with a Gaussian power density distribution is provided for heating the flutes. The beam from the laser is reconfigured by an integrator mirror to form a beam having a homogeneous power density distribution, which is subsequently interrupted by a copper rod to form a substantially U-shaped beam. The beam is positioned over an end of the roll with the open end opposing the center of the corrugating roll, and the roll is traversed relative to the beam, whereby the flute is heat treated.

Abstract: A multimetallic article of manufacture comprising a body (40) of a first metallic material with discrete regions (65) therein of a second metallic material is manufactured by the in situ alloying of a third material with the first material. The alloying is performed by depositing the third material at locations on the body where the first material is melted by an energy beam (45) such as a carbon dioxide laser or electron beam.

Abstract: A laminate material or workpiece with a backing layer and a functional layer, in particular a friction bearing layer, with the structure of a solid but fusible dispersion with a matrix and at least one component which is dispersed in the matrix and which at least in the solid condition is insoluble in the material of the matrix or is soluble only in an amount which is smaller than the amount present, or with the structure of a substantially fusible mixture which is fixedly combined in itself and which can be used for tribological purposes, of components which are not soluble in each other or which are soluble only in an amount which is smaller than the amount present, possibly partially in crystal-like form, is transformed at the exposed surface of the functional layer into another structure in respect of the dispersion alloy or the mixture by melting and extremely rapid cooling from the molten condition, so that fine globular distribution of the undissolved components occurs and the material of the surface r

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material in a target (11) by providing shock waves therein. There are directed to the surface of the material (11) pulses of coherent radiation (12) having average energy fluence of at least about 10 Joules per square centimeter and rise time of not longer than about 5 nanoseconds within a fluorescence envelope lasting about 0.5 to 5 milliseconds, at a rate of about 1 radiation pulse per 100 to 200 microseconds.The leading edge of each pulse (12) is sharpened by providing in its path an aluminum film (18) about 150 to 5000 angstroms thick that is vaporized by the pulse and then is moved across the path so that a later pulse (12) strikes an area of the film (18) not already vaporized by an earlier pulse (12).The radiation (12) is amplified by an amplifier (23) comprising a rod of phosphate laser glass that was strengthened by an ion exchange process.