Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A process for the production of a glass or ceramic article comprising a vapour phase oxidation wherein vaporized compounds are oxidized to form particulate oxide soot which is captured and consolidated to a unitary article by sintering, characterised in that at least one of the compounds is a β-diketonate complex of a metal selected from Groups IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB and the rare earth series of the Periodic Table.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for the production of a glass or ceramic article comprising a vapour phase oxidation wherein vaporized compounds are oxidized to form particulate oxide soot which is captured and consolidated to a unitary article by sintering, characterised in that at least one of the compounds is a β-diketonate complex of a metal selected from Groups IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB and the rare earth series of the Periodic Table.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A process for the production of a glass optical waveguide comprising a vapour phase oxidation wherein compounds of selected metals are vaporized, the vapours are transported to an oxidation site, the vapours are oxidized at the site to form particulate metal oxide soot, the soot is captured and consolidated into clear glass and the glass is drawn into optical waveguide fibre, characterised in that at least one of the compounds is a β-diketonate complex of a metal selected from Groups IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB and the rare earth series of the Periodic Table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A process for the production of a glass optical waveguide comprising a vapour phase oxidation wherein compounds of selected metals are vaporized, the vapours are transported to an oxidation site, the vapours are oxidized at the site to form particulate metal oxide soot, the soot is captured and consolidated into clear glass and the glass is drawn into optical waveguide fibre, characterised in that at least one of the compounds is a β-diketonate complex of a metal selected from Groups IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB and the rare earth series of the Periodic Table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the metal is selected from Li, Na, Be, Mg, Sc, Y, Cu, Hf, Zr, Ti, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, Tl and Ce and wherein the β-diketonate complex has a vapour pressure of at least 10 mm Hg (13.34 millibars) at a temperature not exceeding 250°C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the β-diketonate complex comprises a β-diketonate ligand having a formula weight of at least 153.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
5-. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the β-diketonate ligand is derived from a fluorinated β-diketone..
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the β-diketonate ligand is selected from (tfa), (hfa), (thd), (dfhd), (tod) and (fod) ligands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the β-diketonate complex is adducted with at least one Lewis base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the Lewis base is tetrahydrofuran.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the particulate metal oxide soot is captured on a rotating mandrel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the captured soot is treated prior to or during consolidation to remove water, carbon and/or fluorine impurities therefrom.