Abstract: To provide a faraday rotator using a TGG ceramic sintered compact and a light isolator using the faraday rotator such that the influence of scattered light can be relatively reduced and overall characteristics degradation for the entire light isolator is minimized so that a high extinction ratio of at least 38 dB or greater is achieved. [Solution] The faraday rotator according to the present invention uses a TGG ceramic sintered compact having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 5.0 ?m, and has a transmission beam diameter of 0.3 mm or more, the TGG ceramic sintered compact being preferably annealed.

Abstract: A method for preparing spherical aluminum oxynitride powder, comprising the steps of (A) providing an alumina powder and a resin, both of which are then dispersed and dissolved in a solvent to form a mixed slurry; (B) subjecting the mixed slurry to spray drying to form a spherical powder; (C) subjecting the spherical powder to a carbonization treatment under an inert atmosphere to form a carbonized spherical powder; (D) subjecting the carbonized spherical powder to carbothermic reduction in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of 1450° C. to 1550° C.; (E) keeping the spherical powder that has been subjected to carbothermic reduction in the nitrogen-containing atmosphere to carry out a nitridation reaction at a temperature of 1700° C. to 1730° C., forming a nitrided spherical aluminum oxynitride powder; (F) subjecting the nitrided spherical aluminum oxynitride powder to decarbonization in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to form the spherical aluminum oxynitride powder.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for fabricating solar-grade high purity polycrystalline silicon compacts. Silicon compacts are fabricating by loading polycrystalline silicon powders into a mold without addition of binders in a vacuum atmosphere, and pressurizing and heating the polycrystalline silicon powders. Heating method includes a high-frequency induction heating type, an Ohmic heating type, and a high current supply type.

Abstract: A freeze-forging method for producing sintered three-dimensional ceramic bodies, particularly magnesium aluminate spinel domes. The method comprises forming a ceramic mix of a ready-to-sinter ceramic powder and a nonaqueous liquefied sublimable vehicle having a solidification temperature from room temperature to below 200° C.; reducing the temperature of the ceramic mix to below the vehicle's solidification temperature to freeze the mix; crushing the frozen mix into powdered form; molding the frozen powder into net shape by cold forging in a mold to form a net-shaped green body preform of the desired three-dimensional shape; and densifying the green body into a sintered three-dimensional ceramic body.

Abstract: A molded discrete low stress gasket is constructed of restructured filled PTFE for use in corrosive or severe chemical environments under relatively low bolt loads. The gasket has a gasket surface and includes a raised outer sealing ring and a raised inner sealing ring. The gasket may constructed from a restructured filled PTFE material, with the sealing rings deforming at lower pressures than the remaining portions of the gasket.

Abstract: [Problem] This invention aims to provide a production method of a fine grain polycrystalline diamond compact which is suitable for finishing cutting tool materials and/or ultra-precision machining tool materials. In the method, a freeze-drying process for preventing the growth of secondary particle formation is unnecessary, and an aid does not need to be mixed in advance. [Means for Resolution] Disclosed is a following production method of a fine grain polycrystalline diamond compact. Each of carbonate and a C—H based organic compound which is a solid at room temperature, is sandwiched between diamond powder layers to stack them up in layers in a Ta capsule. Particle size of the diamond powder is 4 ?m or less in average; and the organic compound is preferably one or more selected from among polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. The layers in the capsule are sintered under the conditions of a pressure of 7.7 GPa or higher and a temperature of 2000° C. or higher.

Abstract: A method of deforming a component includes the step of forming the component from thermosetting, elastomeric microcellular polyurethane. The method further includes the step of heating at least a first portion of the component to a first temperature. The method further includes the step of compressing the first portion of the component while maintaining the first portion at the first temperature and while maintaining the second portion of the component at an undeformable state. The method of deforming the component shapes the first portion of the component. Preferably the method shapes the first portion of the component into a thin and/or complexly shape. The method of deforming the component also increases the first portion of the component relative to the second portion of the component, i.e. to densifying the component such that the component has varying density.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic binder product [12, 10] which includes a mixture of a hydraulic binder [38, 202], a polyvinyl alcohol [14, 204] and a gelling agent [54] which reacts with the polyvinyl alcohol and a method [8] of producing same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinel article. The article includes a spinel material, wherein the spinel material has a monomodal grain size distribution with average grain sizes of less than or equal to about 15 micrometers, and a biaxial flexural strength of greater than or equal to about 300 megapascals when measured by a ring-on-ring flexural test as per ASTM Standard C1499-08. Disclosed herein too is a method for manufacturing a spinel article, including calcining a spinel powder; milling the powder in a milling medium; granulating the powder; screening the powder to a mesh size of about 40 to about 200 mesh; pressing the powder to form an article; burning out organics from the article; sintering the article; and hot isostatically pressing the article.

Abstract: A riser for an archery bow is formed from a fibrous composite material, the matrix of which may be a high heat distortion thermoplastic polymer, a very high heat distortion thermoplastic polymer, or a combination thereof. The riser may incorporate a spine formed from a different polymer or composite than the rest of the riser, or from metal. A method for producing a riser for an archery bow includes the steps of introducing a polymeric composite into a mold from a first end of said mold to facilitate a particular orientation of components of said polymeric composite, molding the polymeric composite to produce a billet that approximates a net shape of the riser, and then machining the billet to the final shape of the riser.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotary press, comprising a rotor rotatably driven about a vertical axis that has a die-plate and upper and lower rams which, while being guided vertically in guides of the rotor, interact with holes of dies in the die-plate wherein at least one compression station is provided and has an upper and a lower pressing roller past which the presser rams run along and by which they are moved towards the die-bore for the purpose of compacting the material in the die-hole, wherein the upper and lower rams are lifted subsequent to the compression procedure, causing the lower ram to eject a compact from the die and the compact to be stripped by a stripper in the direction of a discharge chute, characterized in that while an compact ejection procedure is under way the upper ram stands upright on top of the compact and is lifted therewith and the stripper seizes the compact laterally while the upper ram is still standing upright on top of the compact.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a molding unit having a punch and a mold cavity movable along a path between an open position in which said punch and said mold cavity are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said mold cavity interact to form an item by pressing said dose, said punch being kept not above said cavity along said path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to produce a semi-crystalline fluoro-polymer film. A semi-crystalline fluoro-polymer material is used. The material is compressed to produce the film. During compression, the material is maintained at a temperature below the melting point of the material. The compression step can be cycled to allow cooling of the material between compression stages. Alternative methods are provided for compressing the material with a co-extrusion substrate, extruding the material and utilizing mandrel expansion for the material.

Abstract: A method of making aluminum oxynitride includes introducing a mixture having aluminum oxide and carbon into a chamber, agitating the mixture within the chamber, and heating the mixture to make aluminum oxynitride.

Abstract: In methods of manufacturing optical components for infrared-light or ultraviolet-light applications, by lessening the expense consumed during finishing processes, a technique for manufacturing ceramic optical components inexpensively is realized. Raw material powders whose main constituent is ZnS, ZnSe or Ge, for ceramics for infrared-light optical components, and whose main constituent is CaF2 or MaF2, for ceramics for ultraviolet-light optical components, are molded into molded masses; the molded masses are sintered into sinters; and by pressing the sinters through a heating and compressing process, net-shape ceramic sinters can be produced. Alternatively, a finishing process is carried out after they are pressed into near-net shape. By shaping into net shape or near-net shape, the finishing process can be omitted, or the finishing process time and processing expense taken up can be decreased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of producing an aluminum nitride sintered body which satisfies both high thermal conductivity and reduction in the shrinkage factor at the time of sintering. The aluminum nitride sintered body is a sintered body of a powder mixture containing an aluminum nitride powder and a sintering aid, characterized by having a thermal conductivity of at least 190 W/m·K and a shrinkage factor represented by the percentage of {(dimensions of the molded body before sintering)?(dimensions of the sintered body after sintering)}/(dimensions of the molded body before sintering) of at most 15%.

Abstract: Lasing systems utilizing YAG and methods for producing a YAG suitable for lasing are provided. The lasing system comprises a laser activator and a laser host material is provided. The laser host material comprises a transparent polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet material defined by a low porosity of less than about 3 ppm.

Abstract: A method of producing a rare earth oxysulfide scintillating ceramic body includes heat treatment to form a consolidated body, followed by gas hot isostatic pressing (GHIPing). A powder is first provided having the general formula (M1-xLnx)2O2S, wherein M is a rare earth element, and Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Ce, Pr, Tb, Yb, Dy, Sm, and Ho, and 1×10?6<X<2×10?1. The powder is heat treated to form a consolidated body having closed porosity, wherein heat treating is carried out at a temperature Tht. The consolidated body is GHIPed to a density not less than 99% of theoretical density, in a GHIPing environment having a temperature Thip, where 1100° C.<Thip<1500° C., to thereby form a densified body.

Abstract: Method for making a filter cartridge that is suitable for attachment to a respiratory mask. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a mass of filter material; (b) providing a filter cartridge housing that has an inlet and outlet and a sidewall that includes sheet material; and (c) thermoforming the sheet material of the housing sidewall around at least part of the mass of filter material to place the housing sidewall in direct contact with the mass of filter material to encapsulate the filter material so that fluid is prevented from passing through the filter cartridge from the inlet to the outlet without being filtered by the mass of filter material.

Abstract: Composite ceramics having a high strength, a high toughness and an excellent abrasion resistance, and a method of producing the same. The composite ceramics comprises 10 to 30 mass % of a zirconia crystal phase including Ce-stabilized zirconia crystal particles which contain CeO2 in an amount of 9 to 12 mol % and Y-stabilized zirconia crystal particles which contain Y2O3 in an amount of 2.8 to 4.5 mol %; and 70 to 90 mass % of an alumina crystal phase, the zirconia crystal phase having an average crystal particle size of not larger than 1 ?m.

Abstract: A process for making a ceramic body that includes the following steps: providing a starting powder mixture, the starting powder mixture comprises between about 15 volume percent and about 35 volume percent boron carbide powder and at least about 50 volume percent alumina powder and no more than about 5 volume percent of a sintering aid; and consolidating the powder mixture at a temperature equal to between about 1400 degrees Centigrade and 1850 degrees Centigrade to achieve a ceramic with a density equal to greater than 99 percent of theoretical density.

Abstract: A rare earth garnet sintered compact which is produced by subjecting a rare earth garnet powder such as YAG to a pre-sintering, sintering the pre-sintered product by HIP, and annealing the sintered product at 1100° C. to 1600° C. in a whole oxygen atmosphere under a whole pressure of 4.5 MPa or more, and has an average crystallite diameter of 0.9 to 9 ?m, an optical loss coefficient of 0.002 cm?1 or less and a strain of a transmitted wave of 0.05 ? cm?1 or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dense ceramics having ESD dissipative characteristics, tunable volume and surface resistivities in semi-insulative range (103-1011 Ohm-cm), substantially pore free, high flexural strength, light colors, for desired ESD dissipation characteristics, structural reliability, high vision recognition, low wear and particulate contamination to be used as ESD dissipating tools, fixtures, load bearing elements, work surfaces, containers in manufacturing and assembling electrostatically sensitive microelectronic, electromagnetic, electro-optic components, devices and systems.

Abstract: The present invention involves a quantum computing apparatus that includes a substrate attached to which is a flux shield upon which is at least one element of circuitry. The flux shield has an aperture. Inside the aperture is a superconducting structure. The superconducting structure and the circuitry interact so that a change in a state of the superconducting structure can be detected by the circuitry. The present invention provides a method for initializing and measuring the state of a superconducting structure by adjusting and measuring the current in an element of circuitry coupled to the structure by a flux shield. The present invention provides a mechanism for coupling qubits. In embodiments of the present invention, qubits are selectively coupled by a coupling circuit that can be on a second substrate. The coupling of the qubit to the coupling circuit is enhanced by the presence of a flux shield.

Abstract: Methods of producing doped and undoped yttrium aluminum garnet and yttrium aluminum perovskite containing powders and the powders produced thereby are provided. Additionally, methods of forming doped and undoped polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet having a mean grain size of between about 1 ?m to about 3 ?m and the yttrium aluminum garnet produced thereby are provided. The doped and undoped polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet may be formed by sintering a compact and subsequently hot isostatically pressing the compact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an optical blank. The method includes providing a green body that has a non-porous exterior portion and a porous interior portion. The interior portion is evacuated to create a vacuum in the interior portion. The green body is then pressed using a hot isostatic pressing technique to densify the green body into a solid glass optical blank. This method produces homogeneous optical blanks having substantially no striae. The method also produces dense, inclusion free glass. As a result, scattering is substantially reduced when EUV light is reflected from a component produced from optical blank employing the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A ceramic material suitable for use in production of paving tiles, construction tiles, flooring in offices, flooring in machinery plants and so forth is obtained by a method comprising steps of mixing defatted bran derived from rice bran with a thermosetting resin before kneading, subjecting a kneaded mixture thus obtained to a primary firing in an inert gas at a temperature in a range of 700 to 1000° C., pulverizing the kneaded mixture after the primary firing into carbonized powders, kneading the carbonized powders with which ceramic powders, a solvent, and a binder as desired are mixed into a plastic workpiece (kneaded mass), pressure-forming the plastic workpiece at pressure in a range of 10 to 100 MPa, and subjecting a formed plastic workpiece thus obtained again to firing in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature in a range of 100 to 1400° C.

Abstract: The compression molded article includes an outer plastic film layer, a first plastic layer adhered to the outer plastic film layer and a second plastic layer adhered to the first plastic layer. Long fibers having a length of from 8 to 100 mm are admixed with the second plastic layer. The article is formed by compression molding.

Abstract: A sintered alumina ceramic obtained by preparing a raw material powder mixture containing alumina and a Group 3A metal oxide or a Group 3A metal compound which provides a Group 3A metal oxide on heating, and firing said raw material powder mixture. The sintered ceramic contains alumina particles having an average particle diameter of 4.0 &mgr;m or smaller. In the sintered ceramic, the total content of alkali metal elements, alkaline earth metal elements, Si, and Ti as converted to oxides accounts for 0.1 mol or less with respect to 100 mols of alumina, the total peak intensity for the principal peaks for ReAlO3 and Re3Al5O12 (Re: Group 3A metal) amounts to from 1 to 75% of the intensity of the principal peak of alumina as measured by X-ray diffraction, and the relative density is 99.0% or higher with respect to the theoretical density.

Abstract: A process for making a heat treated ground ceramic cutting tool and the resultant cutting tool. The process includes the steps of: providing an uncoated ground ceramic cutting tool having at least a portion thereof ground; and heat treating the uncoated ground ceramic cutting tool so as to form the heat treated ground ceramic cutting tool.

Abstract: The volume resistivity of a body consisting essentially of aluminum nitride is reduced by exposing the body to a soak temperature of at least about 1000° C. in an atmosphere deficient in nitrogen, such as an atmosphere consisting essentially of argon. The body can be, for example, a green body of aluminum nitride powder of a densified, or sintered body, such as a polycrystalline body. An electrostatic chuck has an electrode within a chuck body. A first portion of the chuck body, at a first side of the electrode, has a volume resistivity less than about 1×1013 ohm·cm at about 23° C. A second portion of the body, at a second side of the electrode, has a volume resistivity within one order of magnitude that of the first portion.

Abstract: A process for making a heat treated ground ceramic cutting tool and the resultant cutting tool. The process comprising the steps of: providing an uncoated ground ceramic cutting tool having at least a portion thereof ground; and heat treating the uncoated ground ceramic cutting tool so as to form the heat treated ground ceramic cutting tool.

Abstract: In a known control method, a large deviation between the temperature of a heating plate and a temperature-setting pattern occurs, and an overshoot or undershoot occurs. Therefore, a workpiece is unstably formed, the number of defective parts is increased and the productivity is decreased. Any two temperatures from among the temperature of the heating medium in the inlet manifold 5 that distributes and supplies the heating medium to each heating plate, the temperature of the heating medium in the outlet manifold 8 that collects the heating medium discharged from the heating plates 4 and the temperature of the heating plates 4, are detected. Then, a temperature value is obtained by selecting any one of the two temperatures based on a temperature-setting pattern 16, or is obtained by obtaining a weighted average of at least two temperatures from among the three temperatures based on preset weights.

Abstract: A process for making a heat treated ground ceramic cutting tool and the resultant cutting tool. The process comprising the steps of: providing an uncoated ground ceramic cutting tool having at least a portion thereof ground; and heat treating the uncoated ground ceramic cutting tool so as to form the heat treated ground ceramic cutting tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sintering of a silicon nitride based material using gas pressure sintering technique. It has been found that using a sintering atmosphere containing nitrogen and 0.1-10 vol-% carbon monoxide a cutting tool material is obtained with improved properties, particularly increased edge toughness, when machining heat resistant alloys.

Abstract: An indium oxide/tin oxide powder with 5-15 wt. % tin oxide is subjected to an annealing treatment at T≧1, 000° C. and is then partially reduced and subjected to hot isostatic pressing to produce a sputtering target with a density of at least 95% of the theoretical density and a thermal conductivity of at least 14 Wm−1K−1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon nitride sintered body having characteristics such as excellent wear resistance, a method for manufacturing the sintered body, and a cutting insert formed thereof. The silicon nitride sintered body is formed of a polycrystalline sintered body of predominantly .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, wherein the oxygen content is 1.2-1.5 wt. %. The method for manufacturing the silicon nitride sintered body includes the following steps: adding an organic binder to a composition containing silicon nitride as an essential component and exhibiting a theoretical oxygen content of 2.0-3.0 wt. %; heating to remove the binder; introducing an oxygen-containing gas so as to control the carbon content to 0.10-0.60 wt. %; and sintering a resultant compact in an nitrogen atmosphere to control the oxygen content to 1.2-1.5 wt. %. The cutting insert of the present invention has excellent wear resistance.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing piezoelectric ceramics by molding pre-fired or calcined powders of ingredients of a piezoelectric ceramic material and sintering the powder mold at a high pressure, the powder mold is pre-sintered at an atmospheric pressure before sintering at high pressure (HIP). Preferably, after the sintering HIP step, a thermal treatment is performed at a temperature of from 500 to 1000.degree. C. under an oxidizing atmosphere. For a Pb(Zn.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 --PbTiO.sub.3 based piezoelectric ceramic, the composition is preferably set to (Pb.sub.1-x Ba.sub.x)[(Zn.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3).sub.1-y Ti.sub.y ]O.sub.3, where 0.001<x<0.055 and 0.05<y<0.20.

Abstract: A solar-cell watch dial to be disposed on or above a solar cell housed in a watch, the solar-cell watch dial including an alumina of the formula Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 whose purity is at least 99.90% and exhibiting a light transmission ranging from 40 to 60%. The invention also includes a process for producing a solar-cell watch dial, which includes the steps of: mixing together an alumina of the formula Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 whose purity is at least 99.90%, an organic binder and water to thereby obtain an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 mixture (A); drying and granulating the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 mixture to thereby obtain a granular material (B); molding the granular material into a plate dial precursor (C); firing the dial precursor at 700 to 1500.degree. C. in atmospheric environment to thereby obtain a preliminary firing product (D); and firing the preliminary firing product at 1500 to 1800.degree. C. under a pressure of 1.times.10.sup.-2 to 1.times.10.sup.-5 torr for 1 to 10 hr to thereby obtain a solar-cell watch dial (E).

Abstract: A controlled dielectric loss, sintered aluminum nitride body having a density of greater than about 95% theoretical, a thermal conductivity of greater than about 100 W/m-K, and a dissipation factor measured at room temperature at about 1 KHz selected from:(a) less than or equal to about 0.001; and(b) greater than or equal to about 0.01.A process for producing a controlled dielectric loss, sintered aluminum nitride body, comprising heat treating an aluminum nitride body at sintering temperatures, including providing a heat treatment atmosphere which effects a selected nitrogen vacancy population in the aluminum nitride body at the sintering temperatures, and cooling the aluminum nitride body from sintering temperatures at a controlled rate and in a cooling atmosphere effective to control the selected nitrogen vacancy population.

Abstract: A ZrO.sub.2 based ceramic material having excellent mechanical strength and fracture toughness comprises a first phase of ZrO.sub.2 grains containing CeO.sub.2 as a stabilizer and having an average grain size of 5 .mu.m or less, a second phase of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 grains having an average grain size of 2 .mu.m or less, and a third phase of elongated crystals of a complex oxide of Al, Ce, and one of Mg and Ca. At least 90 vol % of the first phase is composed of tetragonal ZrO.sub.2. An aluminum (Al) content in the ceramic material is determined such that when Al of the complex oxide is converted to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, a total amount of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the ceramic material is within a range of 0.5 to 50 vol %. A content of the third phase in the ceramic material is determined within a range of 0.5 to 5 by area %. It is preferred that fine Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 grains having an average grain size of 1 .mu.m or less of the second phase are dispersed within the ZrO.sub.2 grains at a dispersion ratio of at least 2%.

Abstract: Preparing an electrically conductive ceramic composite by the steps of:1) mixing and milling tetragonal zirconia alloy or a composite of zirconia-alumina with zirconium diboride, and2) pressing in a die and sintering in an argon atmosphere between 1300.degree. and 1700.degree. C.

Abstract: A sintered silicon nitride-based body comprising 20% or less by weight of a grain boundary phase and the balance being a major phase of grains of silicon nitride and/or sialon, wherein the major phase contains a grain phase of a .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 phase and/or a .beta.'-sialon phase, and a quantitative ratio of the grain phase of the .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 phase and/or the .beta.'-sialon phase is in a range of 0.5 to 1.0 relative to the major phase; the grain boundary phase contains Re.sub.2 Si.sub.2 O.sub.7 (wherein Re represents a rare-earth element other than Er and Yb) as a first crystal component and at least one of ReSiNO.sub.2, Re.sub.3 Al.sub.5 O.sub.12, ReAlO.sub.3, and Si.sub.3 N.sub.4.Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 as a second crystal component; and a quantitative ratio of the first and second crystal components in the grain boundary phase to the grain phase of .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 phase and/or the .beta.'-sialon phase ranges from 0.03 to 1.6.

Abstract: In order to produce a ceramic heater for an oxygen sensor, a method is used, which comprises the steps of: (a) molding a green cylindrical object from a ceramic material which contains a binder; (b) provisionally baking the green cylindrical object at a relatively lower temperature thereby to produce an insufficiently baked cylindrical object, the lower temperature being sufficient for removing the binder from the cylindrical object; (c) printing a heater pattern on a cylindrical surface of the insufficiently baked cylindrical object, the heater pattern being constructed of an electrically conductive material; (d) coating the printed cylindrical surface of the insufficiently baked cylindrical object with a green protection layer thereby to produce a layer-coated cylindrical object; and (e) baking said layer-coated cylindrical object at a relatively higher temperature sufficient for baking the insufficiently baked cylindrical object, the heater pattern and the green protection layer.

Abstract: Non-magnetic ceramics for recording/reproducing heads comprising an alumina and any one of a compound selected from silicon carbide, boron carbide, zirconium carbide, titanium oxide, aluminum boride or zirconium boride, said ceramics having a Young's modulus of not smaller than 370 Gpa and a surface coarseness Ra after milling of not larger than 100 nm, and a method of producing the same.

Abstract: A ceramic heater and a method for producing the ceramic heater. The ceramic heater includes a ceramic heater core formed in a rod shape having a bore extending axially through the heater core. The heater core has a pair of flattened portion near the rear end of the heater core. A conductive heater pattern is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the heater core. The heater pattern includes end portions formed on the respective flattened portions. The ceramic heater also includes a protective layer formed to cover the heater pattern except for the end portions, and flattened conductive terminals formed on the respective end patterns.