Abstract: A method of doping diamond with relatively large atoms such as aluminium, phosphorus, arsenic and antimony is provided. The method involves implanting the dopant atoms at a low temperature to create a damaged region of point defects in the form of vacancies and interstitial dopant atoms within the crystal lattice of the diamond, and annealing the diamond to reduce the lattice damage and cause dopant interstitial atoms to diffuse into lattice positions. The implantation dose will be low and such as to create density of implanted dopant atoms of no greater than 2.5.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method of producing corrosion resistant electrodes and other surfaces in corrosive batteries using ion implantation is described. Solid electrically conductive material is used as the ion implantation source. Battery electrode grids, especially anode grids, can be produced with greatly increased corrosion resistance for use in lead acid, molten salt, end sodium sulfur.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ultrafine particles of a compound composed of at least two elements on the surface of a substrate made of at least one material selected from the group including an organic material and an inorganic material, the method including: depositing a first element onto a surface of the substrate to provide a layer of particles of the first element; depositing successively at least one additional element onto the layer of the first element on the surface of the substrate to provide respective layers of particles of the at least one additional element, the successive depositions taking place at respective deposition rate ranges which are effective for forming a compound by spontaneously alloying the first element and the at least one additional element over a time period effective to provide a preselected area density; and reacting the layers of particles on the substrate at a reaction temperature ranging from below 32.degree. C. to -173.degree. C., and under a vacuum ranging from 10.sup.

Abstract: A process resulting in enhanced pole performance, relative to permalloy poles, in narrow track magnetic devices. A preferred process includes increasing the anisotropy field of the pole material while maintaining an acceptable coercivity level and near zero magnetostriction. One embodiment utilizes a NiCoFe alloy containing 22% cobalt by weight, heat treated in an easy axis magnetic field in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. This process achieves favorable domain structures at narrow pole tip widths.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a diffusion barrier at one or more surfaces of a protective coating. In a preferred embodiment, the protective coating is an MCrAlY coating, and the diffusion barrier is a submicron layer of rhenium atoms. The rhenium diffusion barrier is formed by condensing vaporized rhenium onto the surface of the component and substantially simultaneously bombarding the surface with an energetic beam of inert ions. The high, localized concentration of rhenium atoms at the surface(s) of the protective coating dramatically slows the diffusion of constituent elements from the coating.

Abstract: A method for applying a chromium surface treatment to nickel-based air data sensors to improve the corrosion resistance properties of the components while retaining thermal conductivity in order to efficiently transfer internally generated heat to the exterior of the component during anti-icing or deicing procedures is provided. The method for applying a chromium surface treatment to nickel-based air data sensors includes the steps of: (a) ion plating a nickel-based substrate with chromium atoms using a physical vapor deposition process; (b) interdiffusing the chromium and the nickel atoms at the surface region by means of a first thermal treatment carried out in an inert environment; and (c) oxidizing the chromium atoms at the surface region to create a chromium oxide layer during a second thermal treatment performed in an oxygen-containing environment.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit package including at least one electrically conductive plane, a first organic polymeric dielectric material having a first optical absorbency to an ablating wavelength of laser light, and a second organic polymeric dielectric material having a second optical absorbency to the ablating wavelength of laser light. The first material dielectric material absorbs wavelengths of light that are not the same as wavelengths of light that are absorbed by the second dielectric material. A first layer of the first or the second organic polymeric materials overlays at least one surface of the at least one electrically conductive plane and a second layer of the other of the first and second organic polymeric materials overlays the first layer.

Abstract: Process of imparting conductivity to a three-dimensional net-shaped porous sheet can be performed efficiently before carrying out electroplating process. Fine metallic powders are applied to the porous sheet made of a foamed sheet, a nonwoven sheet, a mesh sheet or a plurality of sheets layered one on the other, so that a conductive metallic layer is formed on the porous sheet. Then, an electroplated layer is formed on the surface of the conductive metallic layer. The conductive metallic layer remains when the porous sheet burned out. Consequently, a metallic layer of the conductive metallic layer and the electroplated layer forms the metallic framework of the metallic porous sheet.

Abstract: A process for increasing the corrosion resistance of honeycomb core panel construction by using an ion beam enhanced deposition. In one aspect of the invention, molybdenum ions are embedded a predetermined depth into the front and back surfaces of a honeycomb-shaped core. The ions interact with the core metal to form an aluminum-molybdenum alloy which is impervious to corrosion. A thin film coating of metal simultaneously is produced on the surface of the metal-ion embedded core metal. The process also may be used to embed ions into the outer skin layers to achieve enhanced corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition method of providing a layer of material atop a semiconductor wafer using an organometallic precursor includes, a) positioning a wafer within a chemical vapor deposition reactor; b) injecting an organometallic precursor and a carrier gas to within the reactor having the wafer positioned therein; c) maintaining the reactor at a temperature and a pressure which in combination are effective to deposit a layer of material onto the wafer which incorporates metal and carbon from the organometallic precursor; d) after depositing the layer of material, ion implanting a late transition metal into the layer to a selected dose; and e) after ion implanting, annealing the layer in the presence of a hydrogen source gas which effectively diffuses into the layer, hydrogen atoms of the hydrogen source gas being catalyzed by the late transition metal within the layer into hydrogen radicals, the hydrogen radicals reacting with carbon in the layer to produce gaseous products which diffuse outwardly of

Abstract: Surface modification of magnetic recording heads using plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition is disclosed. This method may be carried out using a vacuum arc deposition system with a metallic or carbon cathode. By operating a plasma gun in a long-pulse mode and biasing the substrate holder with short pulses of a high negative voltage, direct ion implantation, recoil implantation, and surface deposition are combined to modify the near-surface regions of the head or substrate in processing times which may be less than 5 min. The modified regions are atomically mixed into the substrate. This surface modification improves the surface smoothness and hardness and enhances the tribological characteristics under conditions of contact-start-stop and continuous sliding. These results are obtained while maintaining original tolerances.

Abstract: Polymeric implants provided with coatings of bactericidal compounds in the form of ionized atoms by a vapor process. The polymeric implants include products designed to penetrate or enter the body, such as catheters, shunts connectors and the like. Coatings of bactericidal compounds on the polymeric implants are intended to make their use safe. The coatings are formed thereon in the form of ionized atoms of the compounds by ion-beam-assisted deposition in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is provided, inter alia, with an evaporator and an ion source mounted in operative association therein, including means for rotatably mounting a plurality of polymeric implants for exposure to the evaporator and the ion source.

Abstract: The disclosed method of forming a high-function material film such as a ZrN thin film on a substrate in a vacuum chamber allows the color tone and uniformity of the film to be controlled. Gaseous nitrogen and gaseous oxygen, or nitrogen ions and oxygen ions, are supplied to the substrate while hard material atoms such as Zr atoms are emitted from an evaporation source toward the substrate. A supply partial pressure of the gaseous oxygen is set at a value within a range from about 10.sup.-5 Torr to about 10.sup.-4 Torr.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is composed of a non-wettable substrate upon which a transient liquid metal layer is deposited and maintained as a distribution of discontinuous liquid features. An intermediate metal layer is subsequently deposited in-situ in an atmosphere comprising oxygen and at least one inert gas. A magnetic layer is then deposited on the intermediate metal layer. The surface topology and magnetic characteristics of the medium are controlled by adjusting the thickness of the TLM layer and the conditions under which the TLM layer, intermediate metal layer, and magnetic layer are deposited.

Abstract: An improved method for inhibiting tin whisker growth involving the implantation in a tin coating of an ion or ions selected from the group Pb, Bi, Sb, Tl, Cu, Ag, Au, Cd, Mo, Cr, W, Ar, He, Ne and Kr.

Abstract: Process for forming diamond-like carbon coatings on metal surfaces to produce increased resistance to penetration, abrasion, and corrosion. A Ni/P coating is formed on an uncoated metal workpiece by-electroless deposition. While the workpiece is heated to harden the Ni/P coating, a vaporized stream of silicon is directed onto the Ni/P coating and the stream of silicon over the Ni/P coating is bombarded with an ion beam such that a NiSi.sub.2 layer is formed at the interface of the Ni/P coating and silicon and a silicon overlayer is formed over the NiSi.sub.2 layer. A vaporized stream of carbon-containing precursor molecules is directed onto the silicon overlayer such that a film of the precursor molecules condenses on the silicon overlayer. The film of precursor molecules is bombarded with an ion beam sufficiently to form a layer of diamond-like carbon on the silicon overlayer. A Ni/B solution or Ni/SiC solution can be used instead of the Ni/P solution, and germanium can be used instead of silicon.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for ion beam coating orthopaedic parts by ion implanting the parts with zirconium ions while the parts are immersed in an oxygen-containing background gas. A highly adherent surface layer of zirconium oxide is formed which provides a low friction, low wear graded interface for the articulating surface. The graded interface is characterized by a blackish color and a transition between pure zirconia and pure substrate material that extends over a thickness of hundreds of Angstroms. In an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the zirconia coating may be increased by also adding a simultaneous evaporation of zirconium metal on the parts.

Abstract: A high dose rate, high impedance plasma ion implantation method and apparatus to apply high voltage pulses to a target cathode within an ionization chamber to both sustain a plasma in the gas surrounding the target, and to implant ions from the plasma into the target during at least a portion of each pulse. Operating at voltages in excess of 50 kV that are too high for the reliable formation of a conventional glow discharge, the plasma is instead sustained through a beam-plasma instability interaction between secondary electrons emitted from the target and a background pulsed plasma. The voltage pulses are at least about 50 kV, and preferably 100 kV or more. Pulse durations are preferably less than 8 microseconds, with a frequency in the 50-1,000 Hz range. The preferred gas pressure range is 1.times.10.sup.-4 -1.times.10.sup.

Abstract: A slidable ceramic member includes a base of a sintered ceramic material which is a compound including silicon (Si) as a constituent element, the base having a sliding surface, and a coated layer covering the sliding surface of the base, the coated layer comprising a compound of elements, such as barium (Ba) and calcium (Ca), belonging to group IIa of the periodic table, silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). The slidable ceramic member is used as a slidable component of a heat engine such as a cylinder liner or a piston ring which is subjected to repeated thermal stresses. Such a slidable ceramic member is manufactured by placing powder of a fluoride including elements belonging to group IIa of the periodic table on a surface of a base, and heating the base while rubbing the powder against the surface of the base, whereby the silicon (Si) contained in the base and the group-IIa elements contained in the powder can react with each other, thereby forming a slidable layer on the surface of the base.

Abstract: Herein described is a process for forming ohmic electrodes to a diamond film, comprising the steps of implanting the ions of at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Li, Na, Ar, C, Ti, W, Ta, Mo, Fe, Ni and Co on the diamond film at the surface areas to be formed with electrodes by an ion implantation method so as to form interface levels in the vicinity of the surface areas to be formed with electrodes, forming electrodes to the ion implanted areas, and heating the diamond film formed with the electrodes at a temperature of 400.degree. C. or more. With this process charge carriers can be moved between electrodes and the diamond film through the interface levels to thereby obtain ohmic electrode diamond film contacts, and also the surface recombination speed of the charge carriers is increased for reducing the contact resistances between the electrodes and the diamond film to thereby obtain ohmic electrode-diamond film contacts each having the small contact resistance.

Abstract: Fabrication of crystalline or molecular nanostructures with dimensions less than or equal to 1000.ANG. on a substrate surface is achieved by the indirect and/or direct action of a highly-localized field-emission current, which causes atoms of molecular gases introduced into a vacuum chamber to deposit or etch at surface atomic sites that are fixed by the emission-tip location. The tip is shaped to maintain control of the emitting region and is typically about 10.ANG. above the structure. The tip position is stepped in a programmed sequence, with each step taken on detecting the current increase induced by an atomic deposition below the tip. Gas sequences or mixtures can also be programmed, and microstructures of typically 10.sup.2 -10.sup.8 atoms are thereby formed with exact control of the positions and types of atomic constituents.The multi-tipped tool consists of a large array of field-emitting nanostructure probe tip extensions on the end of a metal probe.

Abstract: The first invention provides a substrate for a magnetic recording medium, which is prepared by forming a macro-concavo-convex pattern for improving CSS properties and a micro-concavo-convex pattern for improving magnetic properties on the surface, thereby preventing the degradation of the CSS properties brought by the enhancement in friction coefficient and the increase in the area of a protective layer of the medium in contact with a magnetic head, caused by the wearing of the protective layer of the medium.The second invention provides a process of producing a substrate for a magnetic recording medium, which forms the above macro-concavo-convex pattern and micro-concavo-convex pattern in a uniform distribution at the same time.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing and lubricating elastomeric material includes depositing a first material film layer of carbide forming material by high energy level vacuum plating onto the elastomeric material to thereby stabilize free carbon atoms present in the elastomeric material. A second material film layer is deposited by high energy vacuum plating onto the first material film layer to thereby lubricate the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A composite substrate comprises a metal substrate, an electrically insulating ceramic layer formed on the metal substrate, a metal layer formed on the ceramic layer, a first mixed layer formed in an area near the interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic layer, and a second mixed layer formed in an area near the interface between the ceramic layer and the metal layer, each of the mixed layers being composed of the materials of the layers situated on both sides thereof. The composite substrate may comprise a plurality of electrically insulating dissimilar ceramic layers between the metal substrate and the metal layer, and a mixed layer formed in an area near the interface between any two of the adjacent ceramic layers.

Abstract: A process for preparing thermally durable anti-reflective glass comprises injecting element ions into the surface region of a glass sheet by ion implantation and thereafter treating the surface of the glass sheet with an acid or acid salt to remove excess alkali from the surface thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engraving a metal plate in two or more colors. Selected areas of an oxidized aluminum plate are colored by a first dye to which the plate has an affinity. The selected areas may then be sealed by hydration. Portions of the selected areas of the colored oxidized aluminum plate can then be further engraved by the application of a focussed laser beam, which removes any of the first dye and the sealant, thereby restoring the affinity of the selected portions of the plate. The areas of the plate having an affinity for dyes can be colored by secondary and additional colors and shades thereof.

Abstract: There is provided a process for improving the resistance to corrosion of stainless steel by ion plating process, the process comprising coating a component-adjusted stainless steel having an Mn/S ratio of less than 100 as substrate with a Ti-layer for surface preparation, coating directly the resulting Ti-layer or indirectly a TiC-layer, which has been coated onto the Ti-layer in advance as intermediate, with a TiN-layer in a total thickness of 1 to 3 .mu.m.The TiN-coated stainless steel according to the present invention may be widely used as corrosion-resistant metallic materials for preparing articles which can be employed under wet conditions such as tableware.

Abstract: A method for ion implantation of relatively high concentrations of alloying elements into a metal target without sputtering the target, in which the target is precoated with a layer of preselected thickness of a light, low sputtering yield element such as carbon, which is ablated during the ion implantation process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing a mirror for electromagnetic radiations of short wavelengths, the method including forming a film on a substrate having a surface roughness smaller than 5 .ANG. by bombardment with a metal, which is at least partly in the form of cluster ions, in a vacuum chamber under the conditions that the accelerating voltage applied to the accelerating electrode is of 3-7 kV, the temperature of the substrate is kept at 0.degree.-60.degree. C., the pressure in the vacuum chamber is kept below 1.times.10.sup.-7 Torr, and the film is formed at a rate of 0.5-5 .ANG./s until it becomes 50-1000 .ANG. thick. A mirror form in accordance with this method has a high reflectivity which has never been achieved by conventional methods.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical channel waveguide by gettering includes forming on a substrate a porous waveguide layer containing an index of refraction raising dopant in a compound; sealing a portion of the waveguide layer along a path; and reacting the component, including the index of refraction raising dopant, with a reactant in the unsealed portion of the waveguide layer to form a volatile product from the reactant and dopant to deplete the dopant in the unsealed portion of the waveguide layer and reduce its index of refraction relative to that in the path to produce a channel waveguide along the path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an object by stereolithography from layers of a medium solidifiable upon exposure to synergistic stimulation by selecting an area element of a first layer of medium. The depth of the medium within the object underlying the area element is determined and compared to the depth to the minimum solidification depth of the medium. The area element is exposed to solidifying synergistic stimulation only if the depth of the medium equals or exceeds the minimum solidification depth. A next layer is created over the first layer without exposing the first layer to solidifying synergistic stimulation, if the depth is less than the minimum solidification depth. The layers may have a thickness selected such that the minimum solidification depth is a integer multiple of the layer thickness.

Abstract: In a thin film deposition apparatus, a vapor generation source including a crucible containing a desposition material is disposed inside an ionization means, the crucible being disposed below a cathode filament. Since the upper section of the crucible is heated by the heat of the filament, the creeping up of a molten metal deposition material having a good wettability can be suppressed. Also, the temperature of a surrounding anode is maintained higher than the melting point of the deposition material because the crucible disposed in the ionization means is heated. Therefore, the deposition of the material onto the anode can be prevented.

Abstract: An optical electronic component, in which strip waveguides of limited depth and lateral width are formed in undoped dielectric substrate, e.g. an undoped crystal, by implantation of rare-earch ions or ions of transition metals, preferably laser-active ions with energies of 50 keV to 10 MeV.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing thin films, which comprises dispersing or dissolving inorganic substance or hydrophobic organic substance in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant having HLB value of 10 to 20, to obtain micelle solution or dispersion, dipping a semiconductive or photoconductive substrate into said micelle solution or dispersion, applying an electric potential on said substrate if necessary, and irradiating lights on the contact interface of said mecelle solution or dispersion and said substrate, and thus forming thin films of said inorganic substance or hydrophobic inorganic substance on said substrate.Also disclosed is a process for producing color filters having excellent properties, which comprises forming color separation filter on the substrate according to the above-mentioned process, by the use of pigments or dyes in three primary colors of red, green, and blue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a solid preform body of an amalgam from a thin layer of the amalgam comprises a base plate on which the amalgam in liquid form is spread into a thin layer. The amalgam comprises a mixture of a liquid metal and a powdered metal. A first temperature is applied to the amalgam layer through the base plate. The first temperature may be lower than the melting temperature of the liquid metal in the amalgam to form a frozen solid layer of the amalgam, or may be above the melting temperature of the liquid metal to maintain the amalgam layer in liquid form. A second temperature is applied to a portion of the amalgam layer which is to form the preform body. If the first temperature is below the melting temperature of the liquid metal, the second temperature is above the melting temperature of the liquid metal to form a molten zone in the amalgam layer along the edge of the preform body so as to permit the body to be separated from the remaining portion of the amalgam layer.

Abstract: A method of accurately applying maskant to a workpiece using one or more scanned laser beams and a maskant delivery device. The method includes the interaction of the laser beams with the maskant material while the material is in transit to, and after it has reached the surface of, the workpiece. Other features of the method include: laser roughening of application surfaces and laser melting of maskant to enhance adhesion of the maskant, laser measurement of maskant edges and correction of detected edge errors, and suppression of maskant ignition by forced ventilation and inert gas environments.

Abstract: This invention relates to aryloxy polyvinyl ethers having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a radical having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and is selected from the group of alkylene, alkyleneoxy alkylene, polyalkyleneoxy alkylene, arylene, alkarylene, alkarylalkylene and aralkylene; X is oxygen or sulfur; A is branched or linear alkylene having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; B is halo or lower alkyl; n has a value of from 1 to 6 and p has a value of from 0 to 4. The invention also relates to the preparation and use of said aryloxy divinyl ethers.

Abstract: A composition for absorbing electromagnetic radiation (such as microwave, infrared, visible light radiation ultraviolet radiation), wherein said electromagnetic radiation possesses a wavelength generally in the range of from about 1000 Angstroms to about 50 meters, wherein said composition comprises a polyaniline composition of the formula ##STR1## where y can be equal to or greater than zero and R' and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of --H, --OCH.sub.3, --CH.sub.3, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --NR.sup.3.sub.2, --NHCOR.sub.3, --OH, --O, --SR.sup.3, --OR.sup.3, --OCOR.sup.3, --NO.sub.2, --COOH, --COOR.sup.3, --COR.sup.3, --CHO, and --CN, where R.sup.3 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.a alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment room temperature electrically conductive or semiconductive ceramic paths or areas are produced on carbide and nitride ceramic substrates by a process of controlled oxidation using localized thermal heating (e.g., laser heating) by tracing desired paths onto the substrates, where air is the source of oxygen. In another embodiment, nitride and carbide ceramic substrates are converted to electroconductive or semiconductive ceramics where the substrate is characterized as whiskers, fibers, flakes or platelets whose dimensions are in the micron range, by controlled oxidation as prescribed by laser beam processing.

Abstract: A method of growing KTa.sub.x Nb.sub.1-x O.sub.3 by pulsed laser evaporation. In order to compensate for the volatile K, two targets are prepared, one of sintered oxide powder having K, Ta, and Nb in amounts stoichiometric to KTa.sub.x Nb.sub.1-x O.sub.3 and the other of melt-grown KNO.sub.3. The method can also be used to form other complex materials having volatile components using a variety of sputtering growth techniques. The two targets are mounted on a rotating target holder and are alternately ablated by the laser beam. The KNO.sub.3 provides excess K, thus allowing the growth of a stoichiometric film. The method can be applied to many complex materials for which some of the components are volatile.

Abstract: A thermally activated method of depositing a metal on a localized microscopic portion of a substrate, that can be carried out at relatively low process temperatures, and that is particularly useful for depositing metals in an amount and purity sufficient for electrical conductivity on substrates containing microelectronic circuits and devices or their respective precursors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing thin films by sintering which comprises:a. coating a substrate with a thin film of an inorganic glass forming parulate material possessing the capability of being sintered, andb. irridiating said thin film of said particulate material with a laser beam of sufficient power to cause sintering of said material below the temperature of liquidus thereof.Also disclosed is the article produced by the method claimed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a patterned oxide superconducting film wherein a selected region of a ternary metal oxide superconducting film is irradiated in a controlled atmosphere with photons so as to become non-superconductive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating integral three-dimensional objects from successive layers of photoformable compositions by exposing the layers of the composition through a detachable flexible transparent film, one side of the film being in contact with the composition and the other side of the film with a rigid transparent plate, which guides and supports the film.

Abstract: Apparatus for and related methods of forming three-dimensional objects out of a building material, which is normally solid but which is flowable when heated. In one embodiment a support material is used to fill in portions of layers which are not to be solidified as part of the object to provide support to otherwise unsupported portions of other layers. Advantageously, the support material is also normally solid and flowable when heated, and has a lower melting point than the building material enabling the support material to later be removed without damaging the object. In an alternative embodiment this support material can be used to build a support such as a web support or the like for supporting an object surface from a second surface.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for correcting the dynamic balance of a rotating body, whereby the correction of the dynamic balance of a rotating body is achieved by fixing a correcting agent on the rotating body after the position of the dynamic unbalance and the amount of the dynamic unbalance in the rotating body are measured, are so constructed as to detect whether or not the correcting agent fixed on the rotating body is protruding from a prescribed configuration of the rotating body. Therefore, the method and the apparatus are capable of not only correcting a dynamic unbalance of a rotating body, but also detecting the protrusion of the correcting agent fixed on the rotating body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a large-area, pass-through projection mask for excimer ablation. In a preferred embodiment, a laser-transparent window is spaced apart from the projection mask to provide a thermal escape path. The thermal escape path receives a liquid flow which is in direct contact with patterned masking material of the projection mask. The liquid, preferably deionized water, is caused to flow in a laminar fashion. The liquid intersects the laser energy of the excimer laser. In a second embodiment, the liquid flow is along the periphery of the patterned masking material.

Abstract: A release sheet for adhesive products is provided wherein an acidic material such as an acidic polymer is disposed between a substrate layer and an acid catalyzed silicone release layer. The acid catalyzed silicone release layer is preferably a photocationic curable cycloaliphatic epoxy functional poly-dimethyl-siloxane. Provision of the acidic material between the silicone release layer and the substrate prevents neutralization of acids formed during cure of the silicone layer. Thus, faster cure times can be achieved.

Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor wafer comprises the following sequential steps:selectively fabricating a semiconductor wafer in multilevels to produce desired electronic devices and integrated circuits on the wafer, the selective fabrication resulting in an irregular upper surface topography;applying a coating of insulating dielectric material having a melting point of less than or equal to about 850.degree. C. atop the fabricated wafer; andselectively impinging laser energy upon the dielectric coating for a selected period of time to at least partially melt the dielectric coating and cause its upper surface to become planarized.

Abstract: A process and device for fabricating a three-dimensional object from a light curable liquid resin by irradiating a light to a surface of the liquid resin to form successive cross-sectional layers of the cured resin superimposed on each other. An open top enclosure surrounds the entire circumference of the preceding cured layer and a top upper end face of the enclosure is kept at the same horizontal level as that of the preceding cured layer. The liquid resin is supplied over the preceding layer, over the enclosure and into a space defined therebetween in such a manner as to positively overflow a portion of the liquid resin outwardly over the top end of the enclosure, thereby leaving a continuous coat of the liquid resin extending horizontally over from the preceding cured layer and to the enclosure.