Abstract: A method of planarizing or smoothing the surface of a ceramic substrate by deposition of a silicon nitride layer. The silicon nitride in addition to planarizing the surface forms an alpha particle barrier. The substrates suitable for planarization with silicon nitride in accordance with the method of the present invention are sintered oxide particles which are bonded with a silicon bonding phase. The silicon content of the silicon bonding phase is greater than the silicon content of the aggregate of the oxide particles. The silicon nitride is preferably deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and the silicon bonding phase is preferably a glass.

Abstract: An applique of a prepatterned film of alpha particle resistant material, such as polyimide, is applied to a semiconductor wafer. The prepatterned film covers only the critical areas e.g. those affected by alpha particle impingement. Bond pads and scribe streets are not covered by the applique.

Abstract: Passivation, alpha protection and other relatively thick, patterned layers are applied to semiconductor wafers by a screen printing method. Patterned emulsions carried on fine mesh stainless steel screens are tempered at elevated temperatures to harden the emulsion. The screens so prepared withstand many cycles of printing and cleaning with harsh solvents present in screenable polymers such as polyimide and rigid silicone.

Abstract: A luminescent compound, comprising a phosphor group or groups and an alkylalkoxysilane, and a luminescent composition comprising such luminescent compound and a radioactive substance to provide a source of exciting radiation for the luminescent compound in the composition. The present invention further comprises a method for rendering siliceous surfaces luminescent comprising applying the compound or composition to the surface and reacting the compound or composition with water after the compound or composition has migrated into the surface to hydrolyze the compound or composition. The present invention further comprises a luminescent structure having a siliceous surface incorporating the products of the reaction between the surface, water and the compound or composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniformly cladding a metal wire with a coating of a second metal is provided. The metal wire to be coated is preheated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature slightly less than the melting point of the metal coating. The metal coating is present as a molten metal in an atomization chamber. A source of preheated, pressurized, non-oxidizing gas is utilized to inject such gas into spray nozzles. Each spray nozzle also receives molten metal that is drawn into and atomized in the nozzle. The molten metal is thusly sprayed onto the metal wire moving through the atomization chamber.

Abstract: Coated ceramic substrates or structures having a barrier layer against alpha-particle radiation and integrated circuits prepared therefrom. Ceramic surfaces having reduced or modified surface roughness are also provided.

Abstract: A controlled quantity of a liquid polyimide precursor compound is deposited on the active surface of an integrated circuit die which has been prepared for packaging, and thereafter cured using a two step curing process to develop a polyimide coating of sufficient thickness to provide alpha particle protection for the die once packaged.

Abstract: In processes utilizing a source of laser energy for achieving a thermonuclear fusion reaction, it is necessary to have fusion fuel prepared in a configuration with minute dimensions and the present invention contemplates preparing this fuel by introducing into hollow microspheres (typically comprised of glass) of predetermined size, in the range of 250 to 2,000 micrometers, a gaseous thermonuclear fuel. One way of accomplishing this is to cause diffusion of gaseous thermonuclear fuel through the walls of the microsphere under conditions of suitable temperature and pressure so that it may be achieved in a reasonable time, after which the fuel can be frozen out on the walls of the microsphere to provide a fusion fuel in a hollow spherical shape. Suitable coatings of additional materials may be applied to the fueled microsphere by appropriate coating methods to complete complex thermonuclear fuel pellet configurations.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for stabilizing glass which contains nuclear waste by coating the glass with synthetic monazite. The synthetic monazite has a composition of about 30 to about 35% Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3, about 31 to about 36% La.sub.2 O.sub.3, about 27 to about 35% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and about 2 to about 5% Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3, where the percentage of La.sub.2 O.sub.3 is about 0.5 to about 1.5 percentage points greater than the percentage of Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3. The coating can be applied by detonation gun or by chemical vapor deposition. Chemical vapor deposition can be accomplished by heating halides of La, Ce, Nd, and P or PO and bringing the vapors by carrier gas to the glass where they are contacted by an oxidizing gas such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, steam, or air.

Abstract: A method for producing a cesium-retentive waste form, characterized by a high degree of compositional stability and mechanical integrity, is provided by subjecting a cesium-loaded zeolite to heat under conditions suitable for stabilizing the zeolite and immobilizing the cesium, and coating said zeolite for sufficient duration within a suitable environment with at least one dense layer of pyrolytic carbon to seal therein said cesium to produce a final, cesium-bearing waste form. Typically, the zeolite is stabilized and the cesium immobilized in less than four hours by confinement within an air environment maintained at about 600.degree. C. Coatings are thereafter applied by confining the calcined zeolite within a coating environment comprising inert fluidizing and carbon donor gases maintained at 1,000.degree. C. for a suitable duration.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a pharmaceutical radioactive capsule formed essentially of a non-toxic, water soluble material adapted to being ingested and rapidly disintegrating on contact with fluids of the gastro-intestinal tract, and having a filler material supporting a pharmaceutically useful radioactive compound absorbable from the gastro-intestinal tract said filler material being supported by said capsule. And a method of filling a pharmaceutical radioactive capsule comprising providing filler material supporting a pharmaceutically useful radioactive compound and transporting said filler material carrying a pharmaceutically useful radioactive compound into the chamber of said capsule.

Abstract: Radioactive waste material, such as that resulting from radioactive weapons plant operation or from nuclear fuel reprocessing, in suitable form, such as radionuclide-containing oxide and/or oxyhydroxide and/or hydroxide particles, is held by a metal or metal "alloy" to an electrically conductive cathodic material upon which the metal or alloy is electrodeposited. In this way the radionuclide species including strontium and/or cesium, which are biologically extremely hazardous, are incorporated into a metal matrix held to a base and may be disposed of, as by underground storage, in such form, which is considered to be more resistant to dissolution by ground water and to damage by mechanical stresses arising from tectonic activity than are glasses or ceramics incorporating radionuclides.

Abstract: A hermetic cap member of a casing for a semiconductor memory element is provided with a protection layer on a recessed surface facing the memory element. The protection layer is of at least one material which does not emit alpha particles and has a thickness sufficient to prevent alpha particles from being emitted from the cap member onto the memory element. Specifically, the protection layer may be a plate of a pertinent one of the following silicon of high purity, 42 alloy, or Kovar and is attached to the cap member by the use of an adhesive of glass frit. Alternatively, the protection layer may be made from a metallic paste of silver, silver-palladium, or gold-palladium by firing the same onto the cap member. The protection layer may also be magnesium oxide formed by the use of a plasma spray process. As a further alternative, the protection layer may consist of a plurality of materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing radioactive materials, in which a metal halide or a metal carbonyl compound is introduced from a cylinder to the vicinity of a solid material while a gaseous radioactive material provided from a reservoir, ionized and accelerated is being implanted into the solid material, so as to allow the elemental metal to be deposited on the surface of the solid material, thereby detaining the radioactive material in the solid material and newly providing the surface of the solid material with a metal layer for multi-layer implantation.

Abstract: An inert carrier process for drying radioactive waste material and for incorporating the dry material into a binder from which the dried material will not be leached is disclosed. In this process, a hot inert liquid carrier is provided into which the solution to be dried is introduced under extremely turbulent conditions. The solvent flashes off leaving the dried particles dispersed in the inert carrier which carries these particles to a mixing station where a binder for the particles is injected under turbulent conditions. The binder preferentially wets the particles and the coated particles are carried to a separator section where the binder coated particles coalesce and separate from the carrier as a second phase. Thereafter a curing agent can be added to the binder.

Abstract: Method for cryoinduced uniform deposition of cryogenic materials, such as deuterium-tritium (DT) mixtures, on the inner surface of hollow spherical members, such as inertially imploded targets. By vaporizing and quickly refreezing cryogenic materials contained within a hollow spherical member, a uniform layer of the materials is formed on the inner surface of the spherical member. Heating of the cryogenic material, located within a non-isothermal compact freezing cell, is accomplished by an electrical heat pulse, whereafter the material is quickly frozen forming a uniform layer on the inner surface of the spherical member. The method is not restricted to producing a frozen layer on only the inner surface of the innermost hollow member, but where multiple concentric hollow spheres are involved, such as in multiple shell targets for lasers, electron beams, etc.

Abstract: The growth of organisms on the surface of a substrate in contact with water is prevented, while simultaneously preventing corrosion of such substrates. This is accomplished by a method wherein technetium metal is imbedded in, or cast, electroplated or sputtered onto the substrate, or is otherwise included in the surface layer of the substrate being used on or under water.

Abstract: An inert carrier process for drying radioactive waste material and for incorporating the dry material into a binder from which the dried material will not be leached is disclosed. In this process, a hot inert liquid carrier is provided into which the solution to be dried is introduced under extremely turbulent conditions. The solvent flashes off leaving the dried particles dispersed in the inert carrier which carries these particles to a mixing station where a binder for the particles is injected under turbulent conditions. The binder preferentially wets the particles and the coated particles are carried to a separator section where the binder coated particles coalesce and separate from the carrier as a second phase. Thereafter a curing agent can be added to the binder.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel synthetic capsules which are colloid soluble in water or suspendible or colloid soluble in hydrophobic media and consist of compatible polymeric material, more especially of acrylamide and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide gel or of acrylic acid and acrylic acid methyl ester gel, which are submicroscopic and mainly micellar in size, and which contain biologically or pharmacodynamically active material, more especially proteins, antigens, pharmacologically or therapeutically active substances or pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, color forming agents, adhesives and catalysts or other technically active substances in an incorporated and/or adsorbed form, together with the method for their production and their application.

Abstract: A method for the prevention of fouling by marine growth as well as corrosion on underwater and water-floated objects is disclosed. Technetium metal imbedded in, or cast, electroplated or sputtered onto a metallic substrate, or included in the surface layer of the material is used on or under water in varying concentration levels. The growth of marine organisms on the surface of the material so treated is prevented, while simultaneously preventing corrosion of such substrates.

Abstract: A radioactive layer in a radioactive source is sealed by the application of a sealing layer on the radioactive layer. The sealing layer can consist of a film of oxide of titanium, tin, zirconium, aluminum, or chromium. Preferably, the sealing layer is pure titanium dioxide. The radioactive layer is embedded in a finish enamel which, in turn, is on a priming enamel which surrounds a substrate.