Method and apparatus for controlling stoichiometry in multicomponent materials
US8632745B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of controlling stoichiometry in a multicomponent material includes providing a solid sample comprising N elements and having a first composition in a main chamber, which is connected to at most N−1 reservoirs. Each of the reservoirs is configured to contain a vapor comprising one of the N elements, where N≧2. The solid sample is heated to a first temperature in the main chamber, and each of the reservoirs is heated to a first reservoir temperature (T1, T2 . . . TN-1) sufficient to achieve a predetermined vapor pressure of the vapor contained therein. The reservoirs are placed in gaseous communication with the main chamber, and thermodynamic equilibrium is achieved between the vapor from each of the reservoirs and the solid sample in the main chamber. Consequently, a stoichiometry of the solid sample is changed to arrive at a second composition thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.