Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier and lubricity coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of applying a nanocrystalline metal coating to a titanium or titanium alloy blade of a gas turbine engine is described. The method includes selecting an intermediate bond coat from the group consisting of nickel, nickel alloy, P, B, Tl and combinations thereof, and applying the intermediate bond coat to at least a portion of the blade. A nanocrystalline metal coating having an average grain size of between 10 nm and 500 nm is then applied to the portion of the blade overtop of the intermediate bond coat.

Abstract: A surface-coated cutting tool of the invention is a surface-coated cutting tool in which a surface of a tool body is coated with a lower layer and an upper layer, in which at least one layer of the lower layer is made of a TiCN layer, the upper layer has an average layer thickness of 2 to 15 ?m and is made of an Al2O3 layer having an ?-type crystal structure in a chemically deposited state, and in a coincidence grain boundary distribution graph, a highest peak is present in ?3 in the range of ?3 to ?29, a distribution ratio of ?3 occupies 35 to 70% of the whole coincidence grain boundary length of ?3 or more, and a coincidence grain boundary of ?31 or more occupies 25 to 60% of the whole coincidence grain boundary length of ?3 or more.

Abstract: A dielectric composition contains barium titanate, an oxide of yttrium, and an oxide of magnesium. 0.70??/??1.10 is satisfied, where a content of the oxide of yttrium is ? mol part in terms of Y2O3, and a content of the oxide of magnesium is ? mol part in terms of MgO.

Abstract: Disclosed herein a dental mill blank and a method of forming the dental mill blank. The dental mill blank includes a first layer of a first hard restorative material having a first translucency and a first shade, a second layer of a second hard restorative material having a second translucency and a second shade, where at least one of the following is true (1) the first translucency is different from the second translucency, (2) the first shade is different from the second shade. The first layer and the second layer form a first interface having a first curve across a first plane of symmetry of the dental mill blank, where the first curve has a different from zero curvature; and a first straight line along the entire length of a second plane of the dental mill blank, the second plane being orthogonal to the first plane of symmetry.

Abstract: A coated tool includes a base body and a coating layer located on a surface of the base body. The coating layer includes at least a titanium carbonitride layer and an aluminum oxide layer having an ?-type crystal structure. In an X-ray diffraction analysis of the aluminum oxide layer, peaks related to Al2O3 appear in a wavenumber range of 416-425 cm?1(around 420 cm?1) of a Raman spectrum obtainable by irradiating an Ar laser beam having a wavelength of 514.53 nm from a cross section of the aluminum oxide layer. When a base body-side peak to be detected by measurement at the base body side portion of the aluminum oxide layer is compared with a surface-side peak to be detected by measurement at the surface side-portion of the aluminum oxide layer, the peak is located at a wavenumber on a lower angle side than the peak.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provides an oxide TFT, an array substrate and a display device, an oxide channel layer of the oxide TFT comprises a front channel oxide layer and a back channel oxide layer, a conduction band bottom of the back channel oxide layer being higher than a conduction band bottom of the front channel oxide layer, and a band gap of the back channel oxide layer being larger than a band gap of the front channel oxide layer. In the oxide TFT, the array substrate and the display device provided in the present invention, it is possible to accumulate a large number of electrons through the potential difference formed between oxide channel layers of a multilayer structure so as to increase the carrier concentration in the oxide channel layers to achieve the purpose of improving TFT mobility without damaging TFT stability.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a vehicle window glass, the method being adapted to prevent peeling-off of a functional thin film from a ceramic shielding layer without masking the ceramic shielding layer with a masking tape. This production method includes: an application step of feeding a coating liquid for forming the functional thin film onto a principal surface of a glass sheet on which the ceramic shielding layer has been formed beforehand, so as to allow the coating liquid to flow in a predetermined direction on the principal surface; and a drying step of drying the fed coating liquid. In the application step, the glass sheet is set in such a position that the predetermined direction coincides with a first direction in which the maximum length of the principal surface is 30 cm or less (rather than with a second direction in which the maximum length is more than 50 cm) and thus that the distance the coating liquid flows on the principal surface is limited to 30 cm or less.

Abstract: A dielectric glass composition suitable for use in an electronic device which comprises a sufficient amount of silicon dioxide to impart durability to the glass composition when subject to a humid environment, and one or more alkali metal oxides, wherein (i) the total content of the alkali metal oxides is at least about 10 wt % and no more than about 35 wt %, based upon 100% total weight of the glass composition, (ii) the median particle size (d50) of the glass composition is no more than about 5 ?m, and (iii) the glass composition has a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least about 10 ppm/K and no more than about 25 ppm/K, is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston ring which is produced from a carrier material, especially steel or a cast material. The piston ring has a wear-resistant coating from a periodic multilayer system, every periodicity consisting of at least two individual metal nitride layers. The multilayer system has superlattice structures, the thickness of an individual layer being ?2 nm to <15 nm and the thickness of the multilayer system being >4.5 ?m and adjacent individual layers within the periodicity having different metallic elements.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic matrix composite article includes forming a ceramic matrix composite substrate comprising a ceramic fiber reinforcement material in a ceramic matrix material having a first free silicon proportion by melt infiltration; forming a ceramic matrix composite outer layer comprising a ceramic fiber reinforcement material in a ceramic matrix material having a second free silicon proportion by melt infiltration or polymer impregnation pyrolysis disposed on at least a portion of the substrate. The second free silicon proportion being less than the first free silicon proportion.

Abstract: A coated cutting tool includes a substrate and a coating having at least one ?-type aluminum oxide layer. In a cross-section of the ?-type aluminum oxide layer, when an angle formed by a normal to the cross-sectional surface and a normal to a (222) plane of a particle of the ?-type aluminum oxide layer is regarded as a misorientation, and when areas of particles, each of which has a misorientation ranging from 0-90 degrees, of the ?-type aluminum oxide layer are defined as constituting 100 area %, and the areas of particles, each of which has a misorientation ranging from 0-90 degrees, of the ?-type aluminum oxide layer are divided into respective 10-degree pitches, a total Sa of the areas of particles having a misorientation ranging from 20-30 degrees, of the ?-type aluminum oxide layer is at a maximum from among totals of areas for nine divisions in respective 10-degree pitches.

Abstract: A coated cutting tool having a substrate and a surface coating, wherein the coating includes a Ti(C,N) layer of at least one columnar fine-grained MTCVD Ti(C,N) layer with an average grain width of 0.05-0.2 ?m and an atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) contained in the MTCVD Ti(C,N) layer is in average 0.50-0.65.

Abstract: MEMS devices and methods of fabrication thereof are described. In one embodiment, the MEMS device includes a bottom alloy layer disposed over a substrate. An inner material layer is disposed on the bottom alloy layer, and a top alloy layer is disposed on the inner material layer, the top and bottom alloy layers including an alloy of at least two metals, wherein the inner material layer includes the alloy and nitrogen. The top alloy layer, the inner material layer, and the bottom alloy layer form a MEMS feature.

Abstract: Provided is a surface-coated cutting tool having both high wear resistance and high fracture resistance and having an indicator function that significantly facilitates the determination of the usage of a cutting edge. A surface-coated cutting tool according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate and a coating formed on the substrate. The coating includes a plurality of layers. A surface layer of the plurality of layers is a titanium boride layer made of TixBy (where x and y are expressed as atomic percentages and satisfy 1.5<y/x<2.5) and has a compressive residual stress of 0.1 GPa or more in absolute value.

Abstract: A thermal poling method in which a poling treatment can be performed easily by a dry process. The poling treatment is performed on a PZT film by performing a heat treatment on the PZT film under a pressurized oxygen atmosphere at a temperature of 400° C. or more and 900° C. or less. The PZT film before the heat treatment has a single-domain crystal structure, and the PZT film after the heat treatment has a multi-domain crystal structure.

Abstract: A surface-coated cutting tool includes a base material and a coating formed on the base material. The coating includes an ?-Al2O3 layer containing a plurality of ?-Al2O3 crystal grains. The ?-Al2O3 layer includes a lower layer portion disposed at a side of the base material, an intermediate portion disposed on the lower layer portion, and an upper layer portion disposed on the intermediate portion. In a crystal orientation mapping performed on a polished cross-sectional surface of the ?-Al2O3 layer using an EBSD, an area ratio of ?-Al2O3 crystal grains with (001) orientation in the lower layer portion is less than 35%, an area ratio of ?-Al2O3 crystal grains with (001) orientation in the intermediate portion is 35% or more, and an area ratio of ?-Al2O3 crystal grains with (001) orientation in the upper layer portion is less than 35%.

Abstract: A method for configuring a non-lithium-intercalation electrode includes intercalating an insertion species between multiple layers of a stacked or layered electrode material. The method forms an electrode architecture with increased interlayer spacing for non-lithium metal ion migration. A laminate electrode material is constructed such that pillaring agents are intercalated between multiple layers of the stacked electrode material and installed in a battery.

Abstract: In one aspect, articles are described comprising refractory coatings employing nanocomposite architectures. Articles having such refractory coatings, in some embodiments, are suitable for high wear and/or abrasion applications such as metal cutting operations. A coated article described herein comprises a substrate and a coating deposited by CVD adhered to the substrate, the coating including a refractory layer having a matrix phase comprising alumina and a nanoparticle phase contained within the matrix phase, the nanoparticles phase comprising crystalline nanoparticles formed of at least one of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of a Group IVB metal.

Abstract: A ceramic capacitor having dielectric ceramic layers that include Ba, Re (Re is at least one of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm), Ti, Zr, M (M is at least one of Mg, Al, Mn, and V), Si, and optionally Sr, where at least some of the Ba, Re, Ti, and Zr and optionally Sr are in the form of a perovskite compound. Respective amounts, expressed as parts by mol, of the elements of the dielectric ceramic layers satisfy, with respect to a total of 100 of the Ti amount and the Zr amount, 0?a?20.0 where a is the Sr amount; 0.5?b?10.0 where b is the Re amount; 46?c?90 where c is the Zr amount; 0.5?d?10.0 where d is the M amount; 0.5?e?5.0 where e is the Si amount; and 0.990?m?1.050 where m is a ratio of a total of the Ba amount, the Sr amount, and the Re amount, to the total of the Ti amount and the Zr amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston ring which is produced from a carrier material, especially steel or a cast material. The piston ring has a wear-resistant coating from a periodic multilayer system, every periodicity consisting of at least two individual metal nitride layers. Adjacent individual layers within the periodicity have different metallic elements. The thickness of an individual layer is ?15 nm.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of hybrid transparent conducting materials and applications thereof are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a hybrid transparent conducting material may include a polycrystalline film and a plurality of conductive nanostructures randomly dispersed in the polycrystalline film. In another illustrative embodiment, a photovoltaic cell may include a transparent electrode comprising polycrystalline graphene that is percolation doped with metallic nanowires, where the metallic nanowires do not form a percolation network for charge carriers across the transparent electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to focusing luminescent concentrators wherein directional emission, obtained by placing an absorber/emitter within a microcavity or photonic crystal, may be oriented by a macroscopic concentrator and focused to a point or line for 3D or 2D concentration, respectively. The focusing luminescent concentrators disclosed herein may provide high concentration ratios without the need for tracking, and may reduce re-absorption losses associated with conventional concentrators. The present disclosure further relates to photovoltaic cells and/or optical detector devices comprising a focusing luminescent concentrator. The devices and methods presently disclosed are also useful, for example, in solar, thermal and thermophotovolatic applications.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for applying heat resistant protection components onto the surface of a heat exposed component. The method including providing at least two separate heat protection components, and joining the at least two separate heat protection components onto their top surface and/or bottom surface and/or at least one side surface by flexible means for obtaining an integrally handable entity. The method further includes fixing the integrally handable entity by applying and brazing the surface of each heat protection component on the surface of the heat exposed component. The materials of the flexible means and for joining the flexible means on the separate heat protection components are selected such that the materials withstand brazing being performed under protective atmosphere, i.e. an atmosphere without or with reduced amount of oxygen, at process temperatures between 700° C. and 1200° C., and that the materials are burned out after brazing during a following oxidizing thermal step.

Abstract: A polycarbonate composition includes a terminal hydroxy-containing polycarbonate and a halogen-containing alkali metal tungsten oxide of formula (I) in an amount ranging from 0.007 wt % to 0.09 wt % based on a total weight of the polycarbonate composition. The Formula (I) is represented as follows: MxWO3-yLy??(I) where M represents an alkali metal, W represents tungsten, L represents halogen, 0.001?x?1, and 0<y?0.5.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a plate which is composed of a material containing silicon, a titanium oxide layer which is disposed above the plate, a bismuth-containing layer which is disposed above the titanium oxide layer and contains bismuth, a first electrode which is disposed above the bismuth-containing layer and composed of platinum, a piezoelectric layer which is disposed above the first electrode and composed of a piezoelectric material containing at least bismuth, and a second electrode which is disposed above the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: An AlTiC-based substrate suitable for a thin-film magnetic head is provided. The Al2O3—TiC based substrate for a thin-film magnetic head including an Al2O3 phase and a TiC phase, wherein a c-axis lattice constant of the Al2O3 phase is 12.992 ? or more and 12.998 ? or less, and a lattice constant of the TiC phase is 4.297 ? or more and 4.315 ? or less.

Abstract: An AlTiC-based substrate suitable for a thin-film magnetic head is provided. The Al2O3—TiC based substrate for a thin-film magnetic head including an Al2O3 phase and a TiC phase, wherein a c-axis lattice constant of the Al2O3 phase is 12.985 ? or more and 12.992 ? or less, and a lattice constant of the TiC phase is 4.297 ? or more and 4.325 ? or less.

Abstract: An AlTiC-based substrate suitable for a thin-film magnetic head is provided. The Al2O3—TiC based substrate for a thin-film magnetic head including an Al2O3 phase and a TiC phase, wherein a c-axis lattice constant of the Al2O3 phase is 12.992 ? or more and 12.998 ? or less, and a lattice constant of the TiC phase is 4.317 ? or more and 4.325 ? or less.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods of forming patterned thin films on a substrate. In some embodiments a first patterned layer may be deposited on a substrate by a imprint lithography technique, such as microcontact printing. A second layer of a desired composition is selectively deposited over the first patterned layer by a vapor phase deposition process, such as ALD or CVD.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for crystallizing thin films with a laser system. The method includes obtaining a thin film comprising a substrate and a target layer that contains nano-scale particles and is deposited on the substrate. The heat conduction between the target layer and the substrate of the thin film is determined based on thermal input from the laser system to identify operating parameters for the laser system that cause crystallization of the nano-scale particles of the target layer in an environment at near room temperature with the substrate remaining at a temperature below the temperature of the target layer. The laser system is then operated with the determined operating parameters to generate a laser beam that is transmitted along an optical path to impinge the target layer. The laser beam is pulsed to create a localized rapid heating and cooling of the target layer.

Abstract: A light-emitting element that includes a first wavelength conversion unit and a second wavelength conversion unit. The first wavelength conversion unit includes a ceramic containing, as a primary component, a pyrochlore-type compound represented by A1B1Ow1. The second wavelength conversion unit includes a ceramic containing, as a primary component, a pyrochlore-type compound represented by A2B2Ow2. A1 and A2 each include at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Y, Gd, Yb and Lu, and 0.001 mol % to 5 mol % of Bi. B1 and B2 each include at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sn, Zr and Hf. The content of La in A1 is higher than the content of La in A2. The contents of Y, Gd, and Lu in A2 are higher than the contents of Y, Gd and Lu in A1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mold. The present invention is also directed to a device for processing the same, and a replica made therefrom. A device for processing the mold comprises a cutting unit carving a surface of the mold; a housing accommodating the cutting unit and having an aperture through which a portion of the cutting unit protrudes; at least one piezo-electric element disposed between the cutting unit and the housing; and a signal generator applying an electrical signal to the piezoelectric element. The mold comprises a plurality of linear peaks and grooves that are formed on a surface of the mold, wherein both or one of the peaks and grooves have random or periodic meandering-shape. A replica manufactured by the mold comprises a plurality of linear crests and valleys that are formed on a surface of the replica, wherein both or one of the crests and valleys have random or periodic meandering-shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a part comprising a substrate made of an electron-conducting material and a coating over at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, the coating comprising a ceramic coating layer. In characteristic manner, said coating layer is based on cerium oxides and said coating layer presents oxygen vacancies at a concentration greater than or equal to 1×1017/cm3. The invention is applicable to parts for high temperature applications, in particular in the field of aviation.

Abstract: A dopant host containing, in terms of mole %, 20 to 50% SiO2, 30 to 60% (exclusive of 30%) Al2O3, 10 to 40% B2O3, and 2 to 10% RO, wherein R represents alkaline earth metal, or being a laminate including a boron component volatilization layer containing, in terms of mole %, 30 to 60% SiO2, 10 to 30% Al2O3, 15 to 50% B2O3, and 2 to 10% RO, wherein R represents alkaline earth metal, and a heat resistant layer containing, in terms of mole %, 8 to 30% SiO2, 50 to 85% Al2O3, 5 to 20% B2O3, and 0.5 to 7% RO, wherein R represents alkaline earth metal. A process for producing a boron dopant for a semiconductor including the steps of slurrying a starting material powder containing a boron-containing crystalline glass powder, forming the slurry to prepare a green sheet, and sintering the green sheet.

Abstract: A tempered glass substrate has a compression stress layer on a surface thereof, and has a glass composition comprising, in terms of mass %, 40 to 70% of SiO2, 12 to 21% of Al2O3, 0 to 3.5% of Li2O, 10 to 20% of Na2O, 0 to 15% of K2O, and 0 to 4.5% of TiO2, wherein the tempered glass substrate has a plate thickness of 1.5 mm or less, and an internal tensile stress in the tempered glass substrate is 15 to 150 MPa.

Abstract: A hypersonic refractory material, including a refractory leading edge portion for a hypersonic vehicle and a high emissivity oxide coating adhered to the refractory leading edge portion. The high emissivity oxide coating is selected from the group including Sm2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, Gd2O3, and mixtures thereof, and the refractory leading edge portion includes up to about 15 mole percent of a cation dopant selected from the group including Sm2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, Gd2O3, and mixtures thereof, with the remainder being selected from the group including ZrB2, HfB2, and mixtures thereof. The high emissivity coating is formed by oxidation of cation dopant at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information recording medium that has good enough recording characteristics even without containing Pd. The information recording medium has a recording layer including an oxide of Mn in which Mn atoms are partially or fully present as Mn with a valence of +4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting tool comprising a main part and a multilayer coating applied thereon. A first layer A made of a hard material is applied on the main part, said hard material being selected from titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), titanium aluminum silicon nitride (TiAlSiN), chromium nitride (CrN), aluminum chromium nitride (AlCrN), aluminum chromium silicon nitride (AlCrSiN), and zirconium nitride (ZrN), and a second layer B made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) is applied directly over the first layer A.

Abstract: CVD coated cutting tools are provided. A coated cutting tool described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a PcBN substrate and a polished coating adhered to the substrate including one or more layers of Al2O3 deposited by chemical vapor deposition, wherein the coating has a surface roughness (Ra) less than about 600 nm in an area of the cutting tool for contacting a workpiece.

Abstract: A multiple glazing comprising at least two substrates, one substrate being coated on an inner face in contact with a gas-filled cavity with a thin-film multilayer coating having reflection properties in the infrared and/or in solar radiation, said coating comprising a single metallic functional layer and two dielectric films, said films each comprising at least one dielectric layer, said functional layer being placed between the two dielectric films, characterized in that at least one dielectric film, or both dielectric films, includes an absorbent layer which is placed in the dielectric film between two dielectric layers, the absorbent material of the absorbent layer(s) being predominantly in the dielectric film subjacent to the metallic functional layer or predominantly in the dielectric film superjacent to the metallic functional layer.

Abstract: A coated article includes a coating, such as a low emissivity (low-E) coating, supported by a substrate (e.g., glass substrate). The coating includes at least one dielectric layer including tin oxide that is doped with another metal(s). The coating may also include one or more infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of or including material such as silver or the like, for reflecting at least some IR radiation. In certain example embodiments, the coated article may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered, heat bent and/or heat strengthened). Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of windows, including monolithic windows for buildings, IG windows for buildings, etc.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an oxide superconductor includes an oriented superconductor layer and an oxide layer. The oriented superconductor layer contains fluorine at 2.0×1016-5.0×1019 atoms/cc and carbon at 1.0×1018-5.0×1020 atoms/cc. The superconductor layer contains in 90% or more a portion oriented along c-axis with an in-plane orientation degree (??) of 10 degrees or less, and contains a LnBa2Cu3O7-x superconductor material (Ln being yttrium or a lanthanoid except cerium, praseodymium, promethium, and lutetium). The oxide layer is provided in contact with a lower surface of the superconductor layer and oriented with an in-plane orientation degree (??) of 10 degrees or less with respect to one crystal axis of the superconductor layer. Area of a portion of the lower surface of the superconductor layer in contact with the oxide layer is 0.3 or less of area of a region directly below the superconductor layer.

Abstract: A glass substrate for chemical strengthening is formed by a float process. The glass substrate includes at least one layer of a film formed of an inorganic material that contains H atoms in a concentration of 1.0×1015 to 1.0×1019 atom/mm3. The at least one layer is formed on at least one surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: Coating systems and processes by which the coating systems can be deposited to be resistant to contaminants, and particularly resistant to infiltration and damage caused by CMAS. The coating systems include inner and outer ceramic layers, each having a microstructure characterized by splats and horizontal porosity. The inner ceramic layer consists essentially of zirconia stabilized by about 6 to about 9 weight percent yttria. The outer ceramic layer overlies and contacts the inner ceramic layer to define the outermost surface of the coating system. The outer ceramic layer consists essentially of zirconia stabilized by about 25 to about 75 weight percent yttria, has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the inner ceramic layer, and has a porosity level that is lower than that of the inner ceramic layer.

Abstract: A cutting tool insert for machining by chip removal comprising a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics or cubic boron nitride based material onto which a hard and wear resistant coating is deposited by CVD, and the methods of making and using the same. The coating includes at least one ?-Al2O3 layer with a thickness between 0.5 ?m and 40 ?m having a {01-15} and/or {10-15} texture exhibiting excellent wear and metal cutting performance.

Abstract: A coated article is provided so as to include a low-E (low emissivity) coating having an infrared (IR) reflecting layer(s) of or including a material such as silver (Ag), which is provided between a pair of contact layers. The low-E coating includes an overcoat having at least one layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or a substantially metallic layer. The overcoat has been found to improve the durability of the coating without significantly sacrificing desired optical characteristics. Such coated articles may be used in the context of windows.

Abstract: In one aspect, cutting tools are described having coatings adhered thereto. A coated cutting tool, in some embodiments, comprises a substrate and a coating adhered to the substrate, the coating comprising at least one composite layer deposited by chemical vapor deposition comprising an aluminum oxynitride phase and a metal oxide phase, the metal oxide phase including at least one oxide of a metallic element selected from Group IVB of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glazing comprising a transparent glass substrate containing ions of at least one alkali metal and a transparent layer made of silicon oxycarbide (SiOxCy) having a total thickness E with (a) a carbon-rich deep zone, extending from a depth P3 to a depth P4, where the C/Si atomic ratio is greater than or equal to 0.5, and (b) a carbon-poor surface zone, extending from a depth P1 to a depth P2, where the C/Si atomic ratio is less than or equal to 0.4, with P1<P2<P3<P4 and (P2?P1)+(P4?P3)<E the distance between P1 and P2 representing from 10% to 70% of the total thickness E of the silicon oxycarbide layer and the distance between P3 and P4 representing from 10% to 70% of the total thickness E of the silicon oxycarbide layer.

Abstract: A process of forming optically clear conductive metal or metal alloy thin films is provided that includes depositing the metal or metal alloy film on a polycrystalline seed layer that has been deposited directly on a nucleation layer of metal oxide comprising zinc oxide. Also conductive films made by this process are provided. In some embodiments, the metal alloy thin films include silver/gold alloys.