Abstract: The present invention relates to a float-glass manufacturing apparatus including a float bath and a heat treatment furnace, in which the heat treatment furnace includes: a dross box including a plurality of lift-out rolls; an annealing furnace including a plurality of lehr rolls; a first partitioning part; a second partitioning part; a gas ejection nozzle; and a guide member.

Abstract: Described are molds that include a ceramic material at a surface, as well as methods of forming the molds, and methods of using the molds; the ceramic material is constituted substantially, mostly, or entirely of three elemental components designated M, A, and X; the “M” component is at least one transition metal; the “A” component is one or a combination of Si, Al, Ge, Pb, Sn, Ga, P, S, In, As, Tl, and Cd; and the “X” component is carbon, nitrogen, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical fiber is provided that includes the steps of flowing a first gas into an optical fiber draw furnace. The first gas is passed through a heated section configured to contain and heat a glass source from which the optical fiber is drawn, passing the first gas through a muffle which defines a capture chamber. A portion of the first gas is removed through at least one reclaim port operatively coupled to the capture chamber. A second gas flows into a gas screen at a rate configured to substantially recover a pressure drop associated with removing the portion of the first gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a porous glass soot body to be formed into an optical fiber preform includes: a reaction chamber; a burner to form the porous glass soot body by depositing glass particles onto a seed rod hung inside the reaction chamber; and a heat-blocking element filling a gap between the burner and an opening for inserting the burner into the reaction chamber. A purpose is to prevent damage to the burner in the apparatus for manufacturing a porous glass soot body. In the manufacturing apparatus, the heat-blocking element may include a fibriform material. Also, in the manufacturing apparatus, the heat-blocking element may include a quartz wool material. Further, in the manufacturing apparatus, the content of iron in the quartz wool material may be 1 ppm or less.

Abstract: A system for carrying out gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) on gasses trapped in glass solidified from molten glass includes a glass sample vacuum chamber having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and an introduction port for receiving the glass sample; a crushing tool for crushing the glass sample; a gas sample vacuum chamber disposed in downstream fluid communication with the glass sample vacuum chamber; a supply of carrier gas in fluid communication with the glass sample vacuum chamber; a GC/MS analyzer in downstream fluid communication with the gas sample vacuum chamber; an injector in fluid communication between the GC/MS analyzer and the gas sample vacuum chamber and for injecting the gas sample into the GC/MS analyzer; a gather valve in fluid communication between the glass and gas sample vacuum chambers; and a booster in fluid communication with the gas sample vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method for regulating the temperature at an outlet channel of a compressor or a vacuum element, including providing a pressure regulating valve on a influence channel, the influence channel being in direct fluid communication with the compressor or vacuum element, the valve regulating the pressure within the compressor or vacuum element by adjusting the volume of fluid flowing between a process channel and the compressor or vacuum element relative to the difference between the pressure value within the compressor or vacuum element and a set pressure value, and includes starting the compressor or vacuum element and starting a pre-purge cycle by connecting the inlet channel to a supply of a purge gas for a preselected time interval; connecting the influence channel to a process channel; and disconnecting the inlet channel from the process channel, for maintaining a set temperature within the vacuum element for a selected time interval.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for processing of platinum metallized high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) components with minimum deleterious reaction between platinum and the glass constituents of the ceramic-glass body. The process comprises co-firing a multilayer laminate green ceramic-glass body with via structures filled with a platinum powder-based material in a reducing atmosphere with a specified level of oxygen partial pressure. The oxygen partial pressure should be maintained above a minimum threshold value for a given temperature level.

Abstract: A low expansion glass filler which minimizes reflection of laser light during hermetic sealing, a method of manufacturing the same and a glass frit including the same. The low expansion glass filler includes SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3 and CaCO3, the transmittance of the low expansion glass filler being 80% or greater at a wavelength ranging from 630 to 920 nm.

Abstract: A rare earth ions doped luminescent silicate glass is provided having the general formula of: 45SiO2-aLi2O-bMO-5Al2O3-3K2O-2P2O5:cEu2O3, wherein a is molar ratio of Li2O, b is molar ratio of MO and c is molar ratio of Eu2O3, wherein a+b=45, 25?a?35 and 0.025?c?0.50, and wherein MO is one or more of alkaline earth metal oxides. The luminescent glass can be prepared by simple progress, without pollution and at low cost. The resulting glass can be excited by UV LED chip and blue LED chip. Bright green light can be obtained by the sample under excitation of UV LED chip, while bright white light can be obtained under excitation of blue LED chip. The luminescent glass can be coupled with LED to obtain novel LED devices and provides potential applications in the field of semiconductor lighting.

Abstract: Ion transport membranes are integrated with a glass melting furnace and a float glass bath. Only feeds of air, steam and hydrocarbon are necessary for producing hot oxygen for the melting furnace and a mixture of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen for the float glass bath.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for producing a sheet glass, including: a forming device that forms a glass ribbon by allowing molten glass continuously supplied onto molten metal in a bath to flow on the molten metal; a rotary roll disposed in an outer vicinity of the bath and configured to draw the glass ribbon obliquely upward from the molten metal; and a supporting device supporting the rotary roll from below.

Abstract: Ion transport membranes are integrated with a glass melting furnace and a float glass bath. Only feeds of air, steam and hydrocarbon are necessary for producing hot oxygen for the melting furnace and a mixture of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen for the float glass bath.

Abstract: A single-crystal silicon pulling silica container including: a transparent silica glass layer in the inner side of the silica container; and an opaque silica glass layer containing gaseous bubbles in the outer side of the silica container, wherein the transparent layer constitutes of a high-OH group layer placed on an inner surface side of the silica container containing the OH group at a concentration of 200 to 2000 ppm by mass and a low-OH group layer having the OH group concentration lower than the high-OH group layer containing Ba at a concentration of 50 to 2000 ppm by mass. Resulting in the silica container used for pulling single-crystal silicon, providing the silica container improves etching corrosion resistance of the container inner surface to silicon melt when the entire inner surface of transparent silica glass of the container is crystallized short after using the container and method for such silica container.

Abstract: Apparatus including a flow channel defined by a floor, roof, and sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. One or more combustion burners is positioned in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and transfer heat to a molten mass of glass containing bubbles having a bubble atmosphere flowing through the flow channel. The burners contribute to formation of a channel atmosphere above the molten glass. Apparatus includes a device, at least a portion of which is positionable under a level of the molten glass in the flow channel, configured to emit a composition into the molten glass under the level to intimately contact the composition with the molten glass and bubbles therein. The composition diffuses into the bubbles to form modified atmosphere bubbles sufficiently different from the channel atmosphere to increase diffusion of a species in the channel atmosphere into the modified atmosphere bubbles.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to glass compositions that incorporate copper into an otherwise homogeneous glass and to a method for making such glass. This incorporation of the copper into the glass composition imparts significant antimicrobial activity to the glass. A method of making a copper-containing glass article comprises: batching a glass batch comprising: 40-85 SiO2; 10-40 B2O3; 1-19 Al2O3; 0.1-20 CuO or a selected salt of Cu that is convertible into CuO during melting; 0-20 M2O, wherein M is Li, Na, K, or combinations thereof; 0-25 RO, wherein R is Ca, Sr, Mg, or combinations thereof; and 0-20 ZnO. melting the batch to form a melted glass; and forming the melted glass to form the copper-containing glass article having antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cathodic sputtering target composition comprising at least a solid lithium-based electrolyte and an inorganic carbon free polymer, and to a method for the manufacturing of cathodic solid sputtering targets using such a composition. The invention also relates to solid sputtering targets obtained by such a method and to their use for the preparation of solid thin films by a sputtering physical vapor deposition process, in particular for the preparation of solid electrolyte thin films inside thin film batteries.

Abstract: A forming mold made from a polyporous refractory material is provided for forming a glass piece. The forming mold includes an outer surface and a plurality of forming structures provided on the outer surface. Each of the forming structures includes a forming surface matching with a shape of the glass piece. The forming mold is structured and arranged to be pumped down from the outer surface to generated an absorption force on molten glass material provided at the at least one forming surface for sucking the molten glass material on the forming structure to form the glass piece.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a glass composition and articles made from the composition that are both polarizing and photorefractive. The glass has, for example, a composition consisting essentially of, in weight percent (“wt. %”) of 70-73 SiO2, 13-17% B2O3, 8-10% Na2O, 2-4% Al2O3, 0.005-0.1% CuO, <0.4% Cl, 0.1-0.5% Ag, 0.1-0.3% Br. In another embodiment the composition consists essentially of 70-77% SiO2, 13-18% B2O3, 8-10% Na2O, 2-4% Al2O3, 0.005-0.1% CuO, <0.4% Cl, 0.1-0.5% Ag, 0.1-0.3% Br. The glass can be used make articles or elements that can exhibits both the photorefractive effect and the polarizing effect within a single element or article, and can be used to make a variety of optical elements including Bragg gratings, filtering elements, and beam shaping elements and light collection elements for use in display, security, defense, metrology, imaging and communications applications.

Abstract: A sheet wafer furnace has a chamber having an opening, and a crucible, within the chamber, and spaced from the opening. The furnace also has a puller configured to pull a sheet wafer from molten material in the crucible and through the opening in the chamber, and a seal across the opening of the chamber.

Abstract: To provide a near infrared cut filter glass which can suppress the near infrared transmittance to be low while maintaining a high ultraviolet transmittance, at a low cost. Ultraviolet transmitting near infrared cut filter glass comprising, as represented by mass %, from 50 to 85% of P2O5, from 1 to 20% of Al2O3, from 1 to 5% of B2O3, from 0 to 2% of Li2O, from 0 to 15% of Na2O, from 0 to 20% of K2O, from 7 to 20% of Li2O+Na2O+K2O, from 0 to 2% of MgO, from 0 to 1% of CaO, from 0 to 4% of SrO, from 1 to 22% of BaO, from 1 to 22% of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, from 0.1 to 2% of CuO, from 0 to 1% of Co3O4 and from 0 to 5% of Sb2O3.

Abstract: The invention relates to red-dyed glass, comprising the components of a base glass, coloring additives, reductants, and stabilizers, wherein the coloring additives comprise copper oxides and neodymium oxides and wherein the reductants comprise tin oxides and wherein the stabilizers comprise antimony oxides, wherein the fraction of the copper oxides in the red-dyed glass is between 0.02 and 0.08 weight percent.

Abstract: New and improved compositions of doped fluorophosphate glasses for lasers have a high refractive index (nD) of approximately 1.6 to 1.7, high transmission in the near infrared part of the spectrum and a wide glass forming domain. These glass systems, Ba(PO3)2—Al(PO3)3—BaF2-Dopants, utilize dopants from the group of oxides or fluorides of the rare earth elements Sm, Eu, Nd, Er, Yb, Tm, Tb, Ho and Pr as well as MnO; and mixtures thereof. The composition of glass includes chemical durability, efficiency of laser use in the infrared spectrum and improved duration of luminescence.

Abstract: Provided are a process for the production of a precision press-molded article having a high transmittance a method of treating a glass to color or decolor the glass, the process comprising heat-treating a press-molded article containing at least one selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce a glass molded article, and the method comprising heat-treating a colored glass containing at least one oxide of WO3 and Nb2O5 in an oxidizing atmosphere to decolor the glass, or heat-treating a glass containing at least one oxide selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to color the glass.

Abstract: New and improved compositions of doped fluorophosphate glasses for lasers have a high refractive index (nD) of approximately 1.6 to 1.7, high transmission in the near infrared part of the spectrum and a wide glass forming domain. These glass systems, Ba(PO3)2—Al(PO3)3—BaF2-Dopants, utilize dopants from the group of oxides or fluorides of the rare earth elements Sm, Eu, Nd, Er, Yb, Tm, Tb, Ho and Pr as well as MnO; and mixtures thereof. The composition of glass includes chemical durability, efficiency of laser use in the infrared spectrum and improved duration of luminescence.

Abstract: A process for producing a glass substrate, which includes forming molten glass obtained by melting raw materials into a glass ribbon in a float bath, annealing the glass ribbon by a cooling apparatus, and cutting the glass ribbon to form the glass substrate, where the hydrogen concentration in the atmosphere of a float bath exceeds 3%, and the glass retention time in the float bath is from 4 to 15 minutes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a glass composition and articles made from the composition that are both polarizing and photorefractive. The glass has, for example, a composition consisting essentially of, in weight percent (“wt. %”) of 70-73 SiO2, 13-17% B2O3, 8-10% Na2O, 2-4% Al2O3, 0.005-0.1% CuO, <0.4% Cl, 0.1-0.5% Ag, 0.1-0.3% Br. In another embodiment the composition consists essentially of 70-77% SiO2, 13-18% B2O3, 8-10% Na2O, 2-4% Al2O3, 0.005-0.1% CuO, <0.4% Cl, 0.1-0.5% Ag, 0.1-0.3% Br. The glass can be used make articles or elements that can exhibits both the photorefractive effect and the polarizing effect within a single element or article, and can be used to make a variety of optical elements including Bragg gratings, filtering elements, and beam shaping elements and light collection elements for use in display, security, defense, metrology, imaging and communications applications.

Abstract: Provided are a process for the production of a precision press-molded article having a high transmittance and a method of treating a glass to color or decolor the glass, the process comprising heat-treating a press-molded article containing at least one selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce a glass molded article, and the method comprising heat-treating a colored glass containing at least one oxide of WO3 and Nb2O5 in an oxidizing atmosphere to decolor the glass, or heat-treating a glass containing at least one oxide selected from WO3, Nb2O5 or TiO2 in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to color the glass.

Abstract: A green luminescent glass for ultraviolet LED and a preparation method for glass are disclosed. The preparation method includes: weighing raw materials of CaCO3, Al2O3, SiO2, CeO2 and Tb4O7 respectively and mixing the raw materials evenly; melting the raw materials at 1500˜1700 for 0.5˜3 hours and then molding to form a glass; annealing the formed glass in reducing atmosphere with temperature of 650˜1050 for 3˜20 hours; and cooling the glass to room temperature to obtain the green luminescent glass for ultraviolet LED. The green luminescent glass for ultraviolet LED prepared according to the preparation method of the disclosure has advantages of high luminous intensity, uniformity and stability.

Abstract: A luminescent borate glass and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The preparation method includes: weighing raw materials according to a composition of the formula: aM2O.bY2O3.cAl2O3.d B2O3.eSiO2.xCeO2.y Tb2O3, wherein M represents at least one selected element from the group consisting of Na, K, and Li; a, b, c, d, e, x, and y are, by mole parts, 0˜20, 7˜15, 20˜40, 40˜60, 0˜15, 0.1˜1.5, 0.1˜3, respectively; melting the raw materials and then cooling and molding; and heat treating the molded glass to obtain the luminescent borate glass. The luminescent borate glass prepared according to the method has some advantages such as high luminous intensity, uniformity and stability.

Abstract: Blue light emitting glass and the preparation method thereof are provided. The blue light emitting glass has the following composition: aCaO.bAl2O3.cSiO2.xCeO2, wherein a, b, c and x are, by mol part, 15-55, 15-35, 20-60 and 0.01-5 respectively. The preparation method comprises: weighing the raw materials according to the composition of the blue light emitting glass; mixing the raw materials uniformly and melting the raw materials to obtain glass melt; moulding the glass melt to obtain transparent glass; thermally treating the transparent glass under reducing atmosphere, and thereafter obtaining the finished product. The blue light emitting glass obtained has intense broadband excitation spectrum in ultraviolet region and emits intense blue light under the excitation of ultraviolet light. It is suitable for using as luminescent medium material.

Abstract: A method of making a fused silica article having a combined concentration of protium and deuterium in a range from about 1×1016 molecules/cm3 up to about 6×1019 molecules/cm3. In some embodiments, deuterium is present in an amount greater than its natural isotopic abundance. The method includes the steps of providing a fused silica boule, diffusing at least one of protium and deuterium into the boule, and annealing the boule to form the fused silica article. A method of diffusing hydrogen into fused silica and a fused silica article loaded with hydrogen formed by the method are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a float glass includes a float bath in which a molten glass moves on a surface of a floatable molten metal to form a glass ribbon, a casing deformation preventing member for allowing an inert gas to flow around an end casing at an outlet of the float bath to prevent the end casing from deforming, a dross box disposed adjacent to a downstream end of the float bath and having lift-out rollers for drawing the glass ribbon, an introduction member for introducing an inert gas into the dross box, and a recycling path for supplying an inert gas, which discharges from the casing deformation preventing member, to the introducing member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass substrate for flat panel display in which yellowing occurring in a case of forming silver electrodes on glass substrate surface is inhibited. A glass substrate for flat panel display, which is formed by a float method, which has a composition consisting essentially of, in terms of oxide amount in mass %: SiO2 50 to 72%, Al2O3 0.15 to 15%, MgO + CaO + SrO + BaO 4 to 30%, Na2O more than 0% and at most 10%, K2O 1 to 21%, Li2O 0 to 1%, Na2O + K2O + Li2O 6 to 25%, ZrO2 0 to 10%, and Fe2O3 0.0725 to 0.15%; and wherein the average Fe2+ content in a surface layer of the glass substrate within a depth of 10 ?m from the a top surface is at most 0.0725% in terms of Fe2O3 amount.

Abstract: There are disclosed an improved method for production of a polarizing glass having a high extinction ratio by facilitating control of the diameter of silver halide particles in a mother glass with high Ag concentration, and a polarizing glass produced by the method. The glass is a polarizing glass having dispersed and oriented geometrically anisotropic metallic silver particles at least in its surface layer, which is characterized by not containing TiO2 exceeding 1.7 wt % but containing not less than 0.4 wt % Ag, and in that Ag and halogens contained therein satisfy the following relations: the molar ratio of Ag/(Cl+Br) is 0.2 to 1.0; the molar ratio of Cl/(Cl+Br+F) 0.5 to 0.95; and the molar ratio of Br/(Cl+Br+F) 0.05 to 0.4. The method for production comprises the steps of drawing a glass containing dispersed AgClxBr1-x crystals, and then reducing it under a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mold for molded glass and its protection method; the protection method permits reducing gas to be generated within the mold for molded glass, thus preventing oxidation of core assembly during temperature rise of glass and protecting the core assembly; the reducing gas is formed by the reaction between oxygen and carbon-containing element in the mold; the mold comprises a core assembly, a core sleeve sleeved onto exterior of the core assembly and a reaction member, of which the reaction member made of graphite material is arranged onto exterior of the core sleeve or into the chamber of core assembly, and used to generate reducing gas from reaction with oxygen within the mold; moreover, the mold also comprises a core assembly, a core sleeve and a fixed molding ring; a carbon film is coated onto the inner side of the fixed molding ring, and the reducing gas is formed from reaction with oxygen within the mold space.

Abstract: A silica crucible is made in a mold cavity of the type in which ambient atmosphere can be drawn through silica grain in the cavity. In one embodiment, a silica grain layer is formed in the mold cavity and gas, which may comprise helium, nitrogen, hydrogen, or a mixture thereof, is introduced into the mold cavity. The silica grain layer is heated while substantially no ambient atmosphere is drawn through the silica grain. Thereafter, at least a portion of the silica grain layer is fused while drawing ambient atmosphere through the silica grain. The gas displaces air in the mold cavity thereby reducing nitrogen oxides and ozone.

Abstract: Proposed is a zirconium crucible used for melting an analytical sample in the pretreatment of the analytical sample, wherein the purity of the zirconium crucible is 99.99 wt % or higher. In light of the recent analytical technology demanded of fast and accurate measurement of high purity materials, the present invention provides a zirconium crucible for melting an analytical sample, a method of preparing such analytical sample, and a method of analysis that enables the analysis of high purity materials by inhibiting the inclusion of impurities from the crucible regardless of difference in the analysts and their skill.

Abstract: A mold-press forming apparatus for applying a molding pressure to a mold containing a forming material to perform press forming includes a loading chamber (that is, an airtight chamber) P1 kept airtight. The loading chamber P1 is connected to a pressure reducing member which includes evacuating members 14 and 13 arranged in an evacuating path 7 connected to the loading chamber P1 for evacuating a gas in the loading chamber P1, and a plurality of valves 11 and 12 arranged in the evacuating path 7 in parallel to each other. When the loading chamber P1 is evacuated, the pressure reducing member changes a pressure reducing rate in the course of pressure reduction.

Abstract: What is disclosed includes OD-doped synthetic silica glass capable of being used in optical elements for use in lithography below about 300 nm. OD-doped synthetic silica glass was found to have significantly lower polarization-induced birefringence value than non-OD-doped silica glass with comparable concentration of OH. Also disclosed are processes for making OD-doped synthetic silica glasses, optical member comprising such glasses, and lithographic systems comprising such optical member. The glass is particularly suitable for immersion lithographic systems due to the exceptionally low polarization-induced birefringence values at about 193 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorophosphate glass containing phosphorus, oxygen and fluorine as glass ingredients, in which, provided that a refractive index nd of the glass is nd(1) and a refractive index nd after re-melting the glass at 900° C. for 1 hour in a nitrogen atmosphere, cooling the glass to a glass transition temperature and then cooling the glass down to 25° C. at a temperature decrease rate of 30° C. per hour is nd(2), an absolute value of a difference between nd(1) and nd(2) (nd(2)-nd(1)) is equal to or less than 0.00300, and a molar ratio (O2?/P5+) of a content of O2? to a content of P5+ is equal to or more than 3.5. The glass of the invention is reduced in volatility and erosiveness.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein that control the environment (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, humidity, temperature, gas flow rate, pressure) around one or more vessels in a glass manufacturing system. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a closed-loop control system and a capsule that are used to control the level of hydrogen around the exterior (non glass contact surface) of the vessel(s) so as to suppress the formation of gaseous inclusions and surface blisters in glass sheets. In addition, the closed-loop control system and capsule can be used to help cool molten glass while the molten glass travels from one vessel to another vessel in the glass manufacturing system. Moreover, the closed-loop control system and capsule can be used to maintain an atmosphere with minimal oxygen around the vessel(s) so as to reduce the oxidation of precious metals on the vessel(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for transporting, homogenizing or conditioning of glass melts or glass ceramic melts and is distinguished in that the new formation of bubbles after refining is at least reduced. The new formation of bubbles on the surfaces of components that are in contact with the melt is at least reduced by means of a layer having iridium as a material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating glass and crystalline inorganic materials whereby metal contamination during such process is inhibited. Such process includes treating the material in the presence of a purifying atmosphere comprising a cleansing gas. The process is especially advantageous for treating high purity fused silica glass for use in advanced lithographic devices.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein that control the environment (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, humidity, temperature, gas flow rate, pressure) around one or more vessels in a glass manufacturing system. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a closed-loop control system and a capsule that are used to control the level of hydrogen around the exterior (non glass contact surface) of the vessel(s) so as to suppress the formation of gaseous inclusions and surface blisters in glass sheets. In addition, the closed-loop control system and capsule can be used to help cool molten glass while the molten glass travels from one vessel to another vessel in the glass manufacturing system. Moreover, the closed-loop control system and capsule can be used to maintain an atmosphere with minimal oxygen around the vessel(s) so as to reduce the oxidation of precious metals on the vessel(s).

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a substantially bubble-free article of synthetic vitreous silica free from localised variations in refractive index (striae) and suitable for optical applications, wherein an ingot of synthetic vitreous silica containing unacceptable bubbles is submitted to a first heat treatment process consisting of hot isostatic pressing at a temperature in the range 1,250° C. to 1,500° C. at a pressure in the range 10 MPa to 250 MPa, followed by a second heat treatment process at a pressure in the range 0.01 to 1 MPa and at a temperature in the range 1,550° C. to 1,850° C.

Abstract: In a known method for drawing a tubular quartz glass strand, a crucible is fed with SiO2-containing start material, the start material is softened in the crucible and, as a softened quartz glass mass, is drawn vertically downwards as a tubular quartz glass strand along a drawing axis through an annular gap between an outer member and an inner member, which is arranged in a through hole of the outer member, of a drawing nozzle provided in the bottom area of the crucible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a glass substrate for an image display device having high picture quality. The reducing force in a float furnace is controlled to be decreased so that Sn++ content on a surface of the glass substrate forming an Ag electrode is a predetermined value or less. When the resultant Sn++ content on the surface of the glass substrate forming the Ag electrode exceeds the predetermined value, the surface is partially removed to decrease the Sn++ content to the predetermined value or less to suppress the occurrence of yellowing of the glass substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing flat glass rich in lead oxide, comprising the continuous floating, in a float plant with a neutral gaseous atmosphere, of a glass comprising at least 30% lead oxide by weight on a bath of molten metal having a higher density than that of the glass. The invention allows flat glass rich in lead, useful for protection against X-rays, to be produced.

Abstract: A silica deposition tube is fused in a deuterium (D2) gas atmosphere and optionally baked in a deuterium (D2) gas atmosphere to substantially reduce the hydrogen content in the tube for decreased fiber attenuation. Alternatively, raw silica material is pre-treated in D2 gas followed by fusing of the raw silica tube in a D2 gas environment.

Abstract: The apparatus for producing glass beads of the present invention comprises a melting pot 2 for heating and melting glass, a nozzle 2A for dripping molten glass 4 in the melting pot 2, which is disposed at the bottom of the melting pot 2, and a liquid glass droplet receiver 11 filled with cooling solution 150 for cooling the liquid glass droplet 10 dripped from the nozzle 2A, which is disposed under the nozzle 2A, wherein the cooling solution 150 is made from a material that forms a bubble layer around the liquid glass droplet 10 as the cooling solution 150 is vaporized due to the heat of the liquid glass droplet 10 during a period when the liquid glass droplet 10 is cooled down to a temperature lower than the glass transfer temperature in the cooling solution 150.