Patent Publication Number: US-7913561-B2

Title: Ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus, an ultrasonic treatment device, an ultrasonic cleaning device and an underwater acoustic sensor. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus is known from Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication Nos. 5-95957, 2003-112118, 2003-112120 and 10-429. 
     Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 5-95957 discloses an ultrasonic therapeutic device as an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1 of this publication, an ultrasonic vibrating element 2 is arranged on the backside of a horn 6 in a casing 10 of a hand piece 1 of the ultrasonic therapeutic device. Further, a back plate 8 for resonance balance is arranged on the backside of the ultrasonic vibrating element 2. A bolt 11 is extended through the ultrasonic vibrating element 2 and the back plate 8 from the horn 6, and a nut 12 is screwed on the extending end portion of the bolt 11. By fastening the nut 12, the horn 6, the ultrasonic vibrating element 2 and the back plate 8 are unified with each other. 
     Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-112118 discloses a Langevin type ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4 of this publication, in this ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus, piezoelectric elements 21, 22 are arranged between a horn 3 and a back mass 1, and a bolt 4 is passed through the piezoelectric elements 21, 22 from the back mass 1, and its forward end is screwed in the horn 3. By tightening the bolt 4, the horn 3, the piezoelectric elements 21, 22 and the back mass 1 are unified with each other. 
     Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-112120 discloses a Langevin type ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3 of this publication, in an electric signal-mechanical vibration conversion unit 2 of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus, piezoelectric elements 21, 22 are arranged between a horn 3 and a back mass 1. And, the horn 3 and the back mass 1 are screwed on the both end portions of a bolt 4 passed through the piezoelectric elements 21, 22. By rotating the back mass 1 and the horn 3 relatively to each other on the both end portions of the bolt 4 to approach the back mass 1 and the horn 3 each other, the horn 3, the piezoelectric elements 21, 22 and the back mass 1 are unified with each other. 
     Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-429 discloses a Langevin type ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2 of this publication, in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus, a front mass 3a, piezoelectric ceramics 1a, 1b and a back mass 3b are arranged in this order on the backside of a horn 6. A bolt 4 is passed through the front mass 3a, the piezoelectric ceramics 1a, 1b and the back mass 3b. One end portion of this bolt 4 is screwed in the horn 6, and a nut 8 is screwed on the other end portion of the bolt 4. By tightening the nut 8, the horn 6, the front mass 3a, the piezoelectric ceramics 1a, 1b and the back mass 3b are unified with each other. 
     Each of these conventional ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses must have a high dimensional accuracy to transmit ultrasonic wave efficiently, and often requires a high anticorrosiveness. Therefore, these ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses are manufactured by machining metal materials such as titanium, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy and nickel-aluminum alloy. 
     The machine work to these metal materials with a high dimensional accuracy increases a time and cost for manufacturing the conventional ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses. Also, a plurality of parts formed of metal materials and assembled with each other tends to loose its combination or separate from each other under the ultrasonic vibrations imposed thereon for a long period of time. This trend increases with a higher ambient temperature. 
     Recently, a metallic glass has been focused on as a material superior in anticorrosiveness, strength, modulus of elasticity, formability and shape transferability as compared with the metal materials. For example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-202372, discloses to connect two or more members integrally with each other by using the metallic glass. Also, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-343205 discloses to transform the metallic glass into a cylindrical shape in its supercooled liquid zone. Further, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-323174 discloses to connect two or more members integrally with each other by using the metallic glass. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to one aspect of this invention and having a forward end and a base end, comprises: a passive element which converts electric energy to ultrasonic vibration; electrodes which supplies electric power to the passive element; a horn body which is arranged in a forward end side of the passive element and which amplifies the ultrasonic vibration; a backing portion which is arranged in a base end side of the passive element and which backs the passive element; and a horn connecting portion which has one end part connected to the horn body and the other end part connected to the backing portion and which connects the horn body and the backing portion to each other with the passive element being sandwiched between the horn body and the backing portion, wherein at least one of the horn body, the horn connecting portion and the backing portion is formed of metallic glass. 
     An ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to another aspect of this invention and having a forward end and a base end, comprises: a passive element which converts electric energy to ultrasonic vibration; electrodes which supplies electric power to the passive element; a horn body which is arranged in a forward end side of the passive element and which amplifies the ultrasonic vibration; a backing portion which is arranged in a base end side of the passive element and which backs the passive element; a horn connecting portion which has one end part connected to the horn body and the other end part connected to the backing portion and which connects the horn body and the backing portion to each other with the passive element being sandwiched between the horn body and the backing portion; and a cover which includes one end part connected to the horn body and the other end part having an opening and which surrounds the passive element, wherein the horn body, the horn connecting portion and the cover are formed integrally with each other by metallic glass. 
     An ultrasonic treatment device according to one aspect of this invention, comprises: the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the above described other aspect of this invention; a lid adapted to fit the opening at the other end part of the cover of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus; an electric wire which passes through the lid and which supplies electricity to the electrodes of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus; and a protective tube which accommodates the electric wire and which has a flexibility. 
     An ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to further aspect of this invention and having a forward end and a base end, comprises: a passive element which converts electric energy to ultrasonic vibration; electrodes which supplies electric power to the passive element; a horn body which is arranged in a forward end side of the passive element and which amplifies the ultrasonic vibration; a backing portion which is arranged in a base end side of the passive element and which backs the passive element; and a horn connecting portion which has one end part connected to the horn body and the other end part connected to the backing portion and which surrounds the passive element and which connects the horn body and the backing portion to each other with the passive element being sandwiched between the horn body and the backing portion, wherein the horn body and the horn connecting portion are formed integrally with each other by metallic glass. 
     An ultrasonic cleaning device according to one aspect of this invention, comprises: an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus which has a horn body generating and amplifying ultrasonic vibration, the horn body including metallic glass; and a cleaning bath which includes a bottom wall having an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole to which the horn body of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus is fixed, wherein the metallic glass of the horn body is softened by being heated to a supercooled liquid temperature zone and then is deformed by being applied with a stress so as to be connected to the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole of the cleaning bath corresponding thereto. 
     An underwater acoustic sensor according to one aspect of this invention, comprises: an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus which has a horn body generating and amplifying ultrasonic vibration, the horn body including metallic glass; and a hermetic container which includes a bottom wall having an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole to which the horn body of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus is fixed, wherein the metallic glass of the horn body is softened by being heated to a supercooled liquid temperature zone and then is deformed by being applied with a stress so as to be connected to the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole of the hermetic container corresponding thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which a blank of a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention is formed by metallic glass while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view schematically showing the blank of the horn unit formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the horn unit formed by machining both end parts of the blank of the horn unit shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view schematically showing a state immediately before a plurality of passive elements for generating ultrasonic vibration, electrodes thereof and a backing portion are assembled on the final product of the horn unit shown in  FIG. 1C ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention and manufactured by assembling the horn unit, the plurality of the passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the final product of the horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention is formed by metallic glass without the use of any machine work, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic vertical sectional view of a vertically-two-divided die member, showing a state in which a plurality of blanks of the horn units of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses each according to the first embodiment of the invention are formed by the metallic glass at one time; 
         FIG. 4B  is a plan view schematically showing only the lower half piece of the vertically-two-divided die member, divided along the dividing line taken in a line IV-IV in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which a blank of a horn connecting portion of a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a second embodiment of this invention is formed by metallic glass while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view schematically showing the blank of the horn connecting portion formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the horn connecting portion formed by machining both end portions of the blank of the horn connecting portion shown in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention, manufactured by assembling a horn body, a plurality of passing elements, electrodes thereof and a backing portion by using the horn connecting portion shown in  FIG. 5C ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the final product of the horn connecting portion shown in  FIG. 5C  is formed by metallic glass without the use of any machine work, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which a horn connecting portion and a backing portion in a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a third embodiment of this invention are formed of the metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the third embodiment of this invention and manufactured by assembling a horn body, a plurality of passive elements and electrodes thereof on the horn connecting portion with the backing portion shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the whole horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 9B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the horn unit formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 9A , together with a plurality of passive elements, electrodes thereof and a backing portion which will be assembled on a horn connecting portion of the horn unit; 
         FIG. 9C  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which the plurality of passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion are assembled on the horn connecting portion of the horn unit shown in  FIG. 9B , by using a jig and a deforming member; 
         FIG. 9D  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which a protruded end part of the horn connecting portion is heated and is deformed by a deforming member in order to sandwich the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof assembled on the horn connecting portion of the horn unit in  FIG. 9C  between a horn body of the horn unit and the backing portion; 
         FIG. 9E  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the invention and manufactured by sandwiching the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof between the horn body and the backing portion by the horn connecting portion shown in  FIG. 9B ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which a horn connecting portion of a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 10B  is a side view schematically showing a preparation process in which one end part of the horn connecting portion formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 10A  is prepared to be connected to a base end part of the horn body formed of conventional metal; 
         FIG. 10C  is a side view schematically showing a main process following the preparation process shown in  FIG. 10B , in which the one end part of the horn connecting portion formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 10A  is being connected to the base end part of the horn body formed of the conventional metal; 
         FIG. 10D  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the one end part of the horn connecting portion formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 10A  has been connected to the base end part of the horn body formed of the conventional metal, through the preparation process shown in  FIG. 10B  and the main process shown in  FIG. 10C ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which a plurality of passive elements, electrodes thereof and a backing portion are assembled on the horn connecting portion in  FIG. 10D  by using a jig and a deforming member, and a protruded end part of the horn connecting portion is heated and is deformed by the deforming member in order to sandwich the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof assembled on the horn connecting portion between the horn body and the backing portion; 
         FIG. 11B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of this invention and manufactured by assembling the horn body, the plurality of the passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion on the horn connecting portion shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are vertical sectional views schematically showing two processes for sandwiching the plurality of the passive elements and the electrodes thereof assembled on the horn connecting portion, between the horn body and the backing portion after the plurality of the passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion are assembled on the horn connecting portion by using the jig and the deforming member as shown in  FIG. 10D , the two processes being different from that for the sandwiching shown in  FIG. 11A  in which the protruded end portion of the horn connecting portion is heated and is deformed by the deforming member; 
         FIG. 13A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which a horn connecting portion and a backing portion in a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention are formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 13B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the horn connecting portion and backing portion formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 13A , together with a plurality of passive elements and electrodes thereof which are to be assembled on the horn connecting portion; 
         FIG. 13C  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the invention and manufactured by assembling the horn body, the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof on the horn connecting portion with the backing portion shown in  FIG. 13B ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the whole horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 14B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the horn unit formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 14A , together with a plurality of passive elements, electrodes thereof and a backing portion which are to be assembled on the horn connecting portion of the horn unit, while the horn unit is supported on a jig; 
         FIG. 14C  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which an intermediate expansion of the horn connecting portion is heated and is deformed by a deforming member in order to sandwich the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof assembled on the horn connecting portion between the horn body and the backing portion in the horn unit, while the horn connecting portion of the horn unit is supported on the jig as shown in  FIG. 14B ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of this invention and manufactured by sandwiching the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof between the horn body and the backing portion in the horn unit as shown in  FIG. 14C  by using the horn connecting portion shown in  FIG. 14B ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the whole horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the invention is formed by a process different from the process shown in  FIG. 14A , while only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 17A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the whole horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member and a core member are shown; 
         FIG. 17B  is a plan view schematically showing a combination of the laterally-two-divided die member and the core member, both of which are shown in  FIG. 17A ; 
         FIG. 17C  is an exploded plan view schematically showing the combination of the laterally-two-divided die member and the core member, both of which are shown in  FIG. 17B ; 
         FIG. 18A  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of this invention formed by the combination of the laterally-two-divided die member and the core member shown in  FIGS. 17A to 17C , together with a jig supporting the horn unit, and a plurality of passive elements, electrodes thereof and a backing portion which are to be assembled on a horn connecting portion of the horn unit; 
         FIG. 18B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which the plurality of the passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion are assembled on the horn connecting portion of the horn unit shown in  FIG. 18A , by using the jig and a deforming member; 
         FIG. 18C  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which a protruded end portion of the horn connecting portion is heated and is deformed by the deforming member in order to sandwich the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof assembled on the horn connecting portion of the horn unit in  FIG. 18B  between the horn body and the backing portion in the horn unit; 
         FIG. 18D  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of this invention manufactured by sandwiching the plurality of passive elements and the electrodes thereof mounted on the horn connecting portion as shown in  FIG. 18B , between the horn body of the horn unit and the backing portion, by the deforming process shown in  FIG. 18C ; 
         FIG. 19  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of this invention shown in  FIG. 18D  is combined with a wire protective member so as to provide an ultrasonic treatment device for a flexible endoscope; 
         FIG. 20  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a part of a manufacturing process for a modification of the final product of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of this invention shown in  FIG. 18D ; 
         FIG. 21A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the whole horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member and a core member are shown; 
         FIG. 21B  is a plan view schematically showing a combination of the laterally-two-divided die member and the core member, both of which are shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21C  is an exploded plan view schematically showing the combination of the laterally-two-divided die member and the core member, both of which are shown in  FIG. 21B ; 
         FIG. 22A  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the invention and formed by the combination of the laterally-two-divided die member and the core member, both of which are shown in  FIGS. 21A to 21C , together with a jig for supporting the horn unit, a plurality of passive elements, electrodes thereof, a backing portion, a cover and a deforming member, wherein the passive elements, the electrodes and the backing portion will be accommodated in a cover of the horn unit and the deforming member is used for making the cover fix the horn unit, the passive elements, the electrodes and the backing portion therein; 
         FIG. 22B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which an extended end part of the cover of the horn unit is deformed by the deforming member, so that the plurality of passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion accommodated in the cover of the horn unit as shown in  FIG. 22A  are fixed in the cover; 
         FIG. 23A  is a side view schematically showing a sate in which a part of a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 23B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the horn unit, the part of which is formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 23A ; 
         FIG. 23C  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which a plurality of passive elements, electrodes thereof and a backing portion are assembled on a horn connecting portion included in the part of the horn unit shown in  FIG. 23B  by using a jig and a deforming member; 
         FIG. 24A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the whole horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 24B  is a schematic horizontal sectional view taken along a line XXIVB-XXIVB in  FIG. 24A ; 
         FIG. 24C  is a schematic perspective view showing the horn unit formed of the metallic glass by using the laterally-two-divided die member shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B ; 
         FIG. 25A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which the whole horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 25B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a spray device using an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus including the horn unit formed of the metallic glass by using the laterally-two-divided die member shown in  FIG. 25A ; 
         FIG. 26A  is a side view schematically showing a state in which a part of a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention is formed of metallic glass, while only one lateral half piece of a laterally-two-divided die member is shown; 
         FIG. 26B  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which a plurality of passive elements, electrodes thereof and a backing portion are assembled on a horn connecting portion, included in the part of the horn unit formed of the metallic glass by using the die member shown in  FIG. 26A , by using a jig and a deforming member; 
         FIG. 26C  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state in which a preparing process for attaching the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention configured by the horn unit, the plurality of passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion, those of which are assembled in  FIG. 26B , to a bottom wall of an ultrasonic cleaning bath is shown; 
         FIG. 26D  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a state just before attaching the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment of the invention configured by the horn unit, the plurality of passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion, those of which are assembled in  FIG. 26B , to the bottom wall of the ultrasonic cleaning bath, after the preparation process shown in  FIG. 26C  is performed; 
         FIG. 27  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing an ultrasonic cleaning bath using a plurality of ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses, each of which is according to the thirteenth embodiment of the invention and is configured by the horn unit, the plurality of passive elements, the electrodes thereof and the backing portion, those of which are assembled in  FIG. 26B ; and 
         FIG. 28  is a vertical sectional view schematically showing an underwater acoustic sensor (SONAR) using an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
     At first, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 2B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , a blank  10 ′ of a horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  12   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  12  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  12   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. In  FIG. 1A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  12  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  12   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  12   b . The die cavity  12   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  12 . 
     The mother alloy GK melted at its melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  12   b . The mother alloy GK which is the base of the metallic glass contains three or more elements including at least one of Ti, Zr and Al. Al is low in acoustic impedance (14 GPa·s/m 3 ). Ti is also low but not so low as Al in acoustic impedance (21 GPa·s/m 3 ) and high in mechanical quality factor Q and strength. Zr has an effect of improving an amorphous formability and enlarging a supercooled liquid zone. 
     More specifically, the metallic glass used in this embodiment is Zr 55 Cu 30 Al 10 Ni 5 . However, as long as a desired formation of the blank  10 ′ of the horn unit and a desired performance of a final product from the blank  10 ′ of the horn unit can be obtained, various well known metallic glasses can be used. Examples of these various well known metallic glasses are Zr 60 Cu 30 Al 10 , Ti 53 Cu 30 Ni 15 CO 2 , Al 10 Ni 15 La 65 Y 10 , Ti 53 Cu 15 Ni 18.5 Hf 3 Al 7 Si 3 B 0.5 , Ti 40 Zr 10 Cu 36 Pd 14 , Ti 53 Cu 15 Ni 18.5 Zr 3 Al 7 Si 3 B 0.5 , etc. 
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  12   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  12   b  in a liquid phase, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  12 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  12   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  12   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  12   a  is achieved. 
     The blank  10 ′ of the horn unit formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  12   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  12   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  12  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the blank  10 ′ of the horn unit to which the shape of the die cavity  12   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  12   b . Subsequently, the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work, and the blank  10 ′ of the horn unit as shown in  FIG. 1B  is completed. 
     Next, both end parts of the blank  10 ′ of the horn unit are applied with a machine work so that a final product of the horn unit  10  shown in  FIG. 1C  is completed. In this embodiment, the horn unit  10  includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  10   a  and a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  10   b  extending in an axial direction from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  10   a . An end surface of a small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  10   a , the protruded end part constituting one end part of the horn unit  10 , is formed with a hole  10   c  with an internal thread by a machine work, and an outer peripheral surface of an extended end part of the horn connecting portion  10   b , the extended end part constituting the other end part of the horn unit  10 , is formed with an external thread  10   d  by a machine work. 
     During these machine works, various well-known cooling measures, such as an application of a cooling medium including a cooling liquid, are required to prevent the temperature of the metallic glass of a machined part of the blank  10 ′ from increasing beyond the glass crystallization temperature (i.e. to prevent the metallic glass from crystallizing). 
     A plurality of passive elements  14  and electrodes  16  for the passive elements  14  as shown in  FIG. 2A  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  10   b  of the horn unit  10  formed of the metallic glass as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 1C , and further, a backing portion  18  formed of a conventional metal is mounted thereon. The backing portion  18  is screwed on the external thread  10   b  on the outer peripheral surface of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  10   b . By fastening the backing portion  18  toward the horn body  10   a , the plurality of passive elements  14  with the electrodes  16  are sandwiched between the horn body  10   a  and the backing portion  18  so that the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  20  according to the first embodiment of this invention as shown in  FIG. 2B  is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  14  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  14 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  14 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  14  when the horn connecting portion  10   b  and the backing portion  18  are connected to each other. For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  14  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  14 . 
     The passive elements  14  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  16 . The horn body  10   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  14  and transmits it to the small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. A chip or probe for applying the ultrasonic vibration not shown is screwed in and fixed to the internal thread of the hole  10   c  at the small-diametrical protruded end part, and the chip or probe is pressed on an object to apply the ultrasonic vibration transmitted thereto in an amplified state to the object. Since the chip or probe for applying ultrasonic vibration not shown is pressed on the object, it is liable to be worn or broken. To facilitate the replacement with a new one, the chip or probe for applying ultrasonic vibration is fixed to be easily removable in the internal thread of the hole  10   c  at the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  10   a.    
     Next, a process for forming the final product of the horn unit  10  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  20  according to the first embodiment of this invention, of the metallic glass without any machine work, will be explained with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     In this process, a core  12 ′ b  is arranged at a position in the die cavity  12 ′ a , which corresponds to the one end part of the final product of the horn unit  10 , that is, the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  10   a , and the core  12 ′ b  has outer dimensions corresponding to inner dimensions of the hole  10   c  with the internal thread in the end surface of the protruded end part of the horn body  10   a . Further, an external thread forming shape  12 ′ c  is formed at a position in the die cavity  12 ′ a , which corresponds to the other end part of the final product of the horn unit  10 , that is, the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn connecting portion  10   b , and the external thread forming shape  12 ′ c  has inner dimensions corresponding to outer dimensions of the external thread  10   d  formed on the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn connecting portion  10   b.    
     By pouring the melted mother alloy GK into the die cavity  12 ′ a  of this laterally-two-divided die member  12 ′ through the melted material inflow path (runner)  12   b  and solidifying it in a liquid phase as described above to be changed to the metallic glass. In this way, the metallic glass can exhibit a high shape transferability, so that the final product of the horn unit  10  as shown in  FIG. 1C  can be formed in the die cavity  12 ′ a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  12 ′. 
     The final product of the horn unit  10  formed of the metallic glass which became the glass solid phase in the die cavity  12 ′ a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  12 ′ a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  12 ′ after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the final product of the horn unit  10  to which the shape of the die cavity  12 ′ a  is transferred, has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path (runner)  12   b . After that, only this melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. 
     Further, the core  12 ′ b  is removed from the one end part of the horn body  10   a  of the final product of the horn unit  10 , and a hole  10   c  with an internal thread, to which the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the core  12 ′ b  is precisely transferred, is left at the position from which the core  12 ′ b  has been removed. 
     Next, a process for forming a plurality of blanks  10 ′ of the horn units  10  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses  20 , each of which is according to the first embodiment of the invention, of the metallic glass at one time, will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     In this process, a vertically-two-divided die member  21  in which a plurality of die cavities  12 ″ a  is formed is prepared, each die cavity  12 ″ a  being the same as the die cavity  12   a  for forming the blank  10  of the horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  20  according to the first embodiment of this invention described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 2B  by the metallic glass. 
     Each of the plurality of the die cavities  12 ″ a  is divided into two horizontally divided part along the two dividing surfaces of upper and lower half pieces  21   a ,  21   b  of the vertically-two-divided die member  21 . 
     The plurality of die cavities  12 ″ a  of the die member  21  are radially arranged with each one end part thereof concentrated at one point, and a melted material inflow path (runner)  22  having an inner end located at the above described one point and an outer end (gate) open to a lower surface of the lower half piece  21   b  is formed in the lower half piece  21   b.    
     The outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  22  is connected with an injection port of a well-known melted metal pressurizing/injecting mechanism  24  holding the mother alloy GK melted at the melting point. The melted metal pressurizing/injecting mechanism  24  injects the mother alloy GK melted at the melting point from its injection port under a predetermined pressure into the plurality of the die cavities  12 ″ a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  22 . 
     The melted metal pressurizing/injecting mechanism  24  includes a cylinder  24   a  having an inner hole for holding the mother alloy GK melted to the melting point, a piston  24   b  accommodated slidably in the inner hole of the cylinder  24   a  to push out the mother alloy GK melted to the melting point in the inner hole toward the injection port with the predetermined pressure, and a heater  24   c  for maintaining the melted mother alloy GK held in the inner hole of the cylinder  24   a  at a temperature not lower than the melting point. 
     The melted material inflow path (runner)  22  can be formed in the upper half piece  21   a  of the die member  21 . In this case, if the melted mother alloy GK can be poured into each die cavity  12 ″ a  without any pin holes through the melted material inflow path (runner)  22 , the melted mother alloy GK can be poured into the outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  22  by using only gravity while the melted metal pressurizing/injecting mechanism  24  is removed. 
     Further, as long as the melted mother alloy GK can be poured into each of the plurality of die cavities  12 ″ a  without any pin holes through the melted material inflow path (runner)  22 , the plurality of die cavities  12 ″ a  can be arranged in the die member  21  in various patters other than radially. 
     Furthermore, each of the die cavities  12 ″ a  described above with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  may be the same as the die cavity  12 ′ a  for the final product of the horn unit  10  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  20  according to the first embodiment explained above with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     Further, various well-known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the die member  21  in order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  12 ″ a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  22  while maintaining in a liquid phase. As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the plurality of die cavities  12 ″ a  is cooled at a cooling rate not lower than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the plurality of die cavities  12 ″ a  is rapidly cooled into the metallic glass in this way, a high shape transferability of the metallic glass to the plurality of die cavities  12 ″ a  is achieved. 
     The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  20  according to the first embodiment described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 4B  is used by being mounted on an ultrasonic coagulating/cutting-out device used in, for example, a laparoscopic operation. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a process for forming a blank of a horn connecting portion of a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a second embodiment of this invention, of metallic glass will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the blank  30 ′ of the horn connecting portion of the horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the second embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  32   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  32  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  32   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 5A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  32  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  32   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  32   b . The die cavity  32   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  32 . 
     The mother alloy GK melted at its melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  32   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  32   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  32   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  32 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  32   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  32   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  32   a  is achieved. 
     The blank  30 ′ of the horn connecting portion formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  32   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  32   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  32  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the blank  30 ′ of the horn connecting portion to which the shape of the die cavity  32   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  32   b . Subsequently, the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work, and the blank  30 ′ of the horn connecting portion as shown in  FIG. 5B  is completed. 
     Next, both end parts of the blank  30 ′ of the horn connecting portion are applied with a machine work so that a final product of the horn connecting portion  30  shown in  FIG. 5C  is completed. 
     In this embodiment, the both end parts of the blank  30 ′ of the horn connecting portion are formed with external threads  30   a ,  30   b  by the machine work. During these machine works, various well-known cooling measures, such as an application of a cooling medium including a cooling liquid, are required to prevent the temperature of the metallic glass of the machined parts of the blank  30 ′ from increasing beyond the glass crystallization temperature (i.e. to prevent the metallic glass from crystallizing). 
     In  FIG. 6 , a vertical section of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  32  according to this embodiment is schematically shown. The horn unit  34  of this ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  32  includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  34   a  formed of conventional metal and a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  30  extending in an axial direction from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  34   a  and formed of the metallic glass as described above. An end surface of a small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  34   a , the protruded end part constituting one end part of the horn unit  34 , is formed with a hole  34   b  with an internal thread by a machine work, and the external thread  30   a  on the outer peripheral surface of the one end part of the horn connecting portion  30  is screwed in and fixed to a center of an end surface of a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  34   a.    
     A plurality of passive elements  36  and electrodes  38  for the passive elements  36  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  30  formed of the metallic glass, and further a backing portion  40  formed of a conventional metal is mounted thereon, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The backing portion  40  is screwed on the external thread  30   b  on the outer peripheral surface of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  30 . By fastening the backing portion  40  toward the horn body  34   a , the plurality of passive elements  36  with the electrodes  38  are sandwiched between the horn body  34   a  and the backing portion  40  so that the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  42  according to the second embodiment of this invention as shown in  FIG. 6  is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  36  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  36 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  36 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  36  when the horn body  34   a  and the backing portion  40  are connected to each other by the horn connecting portion  30 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  36  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  36 . 
     The passive elements  36  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  38 . The horn body  34   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  36  and transmits it to the small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. A chip or probe for applying the ultrasonic vibration not shown is screwed in and fixed to the internal thread of the hole  34   b  at the small-diametrical protruded end part, and the chip or probe is pressed on an object to apply the ultrasonic vibration transmitted thereto in an amplified state to the object. Since the chip or probe for applying ultrasonic vibration not shown is pressed on the object, it is liable to be worn or broken. To facilitate the replacement with a new one, the chip or probe for applying ultrasonic vibration is fixed to be easily removable in the internal thread of the hole  34   b  at the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  34   a.    
     Next, a process for forming the final product of the horn connecting portion  30  of the horn unit  34  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  42  according to the second embodiment of this invention, of the metallic glass without any machine work, will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In this process, external thread forming shapes  32 ′ c ,  32 ′ d  are formed at positions in the die cavity  32 ′ a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  32 ′, which correspond to the both end parts of the final product of the horn connecting portion  30 , and each of the external thread forming shapes  32 ′ c ,  32 ′ d  has inner dimensions corresponding to outer dimensions of each of the external threads  30   a ,  30   b  formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the both end parts of the final product of the horn connecting portion  30 . 
     By pouring the melted mother alloy GK into the die cavity  32 ′ a  of this laterally-two-divided die member  32 ′ through the melted material inflow path (runner)  32   b  and solidifying it in a liquid phase as described above to be changed to the metallic glass. In this way, the metallic glass can exhibit a high shape transferability, so that the final product of the horn connecting portion  30  as shown in  FIG. 5C  can be formed in the die cavity  32 ′ a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  32 ′. 
     The final product of the connecting portion  30  formed of the metallic glass which became the glass solid phase in the die cavity  32 ′ a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  32 ′ a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  32 ′ after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the final product of the horn connecting portion  30  to which the shape of the die cavity  32 ′ a  is transferred, has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path (runner)  32   b . After that, only this melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, a process for forming a horn connecting portion of a horn unit and a backing portion in an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a third embodiment of this invention, of metallic glass will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8A , a combination the horn connecting portion  50  of the horn unit and the backing portion  52  in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the third embodiment of this invention, is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  54   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  54  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  54   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 8A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  54  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  54   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  54   b . The die cavity  54   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  54 . 
     The mother alloy GK melted at its melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  54   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  54   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  54   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  54 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  54   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  54   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  54   a  is achieved. 
     The combination of the horn connecting portion  50  and the backing portion  52 , formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  54   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  54   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  54  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the combination of the horn connecting portion  50  and the backing portion  52 , to which the shape of the die cavity  54   a  is transferred, has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  12   b . Subsequently, the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work, and the combination of the horn connecting portion  50  and the backing portion  52  as shown in  FIG. 8B  is completed. 
     In this combination, an external thread  50   a  is formed on an outer peripheral surface of one end part of the horn connecting portion  50  opposite to the backing portion  52 , and the other end part of the horn connecting portion  50  is integrally connected to and fixed to the backing portion  52 . 
     In place of forming an external thread forming shape for forming the external thread  50   a  on the outer peripheral surface of the one end part of the horn connecting portion  50 , at a position in the die cavity  54   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  54  corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the one end part of the horn connecting portion  50  opposite to the backing portion  52 , the external thread  50   a  can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the one end part of the horn connecting portion  50  by a machine work. 
     However, during this machine work, various well-known cooling measures, such as an application of a cooling medium including a cooling liquid, are required to prevent the temperature of the metallic glass of the machined part from increasing beyond the glass crystallization temperature (i.e. to prevent the metallic glass from crystallizing). 
       FIG. 8B  schematically shows a vertical section of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  56  according to this embodiment, a horn unit  58  of this ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  56  includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  58   a  formed of a conventional metal and a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  50  extending in an axial direction from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  58   a  and formed of the metallic glass as described above. The other end part of the horn connecting portion  50  opposite to the horn body  58   a  is integrally connected to the backing portion  52  as described above. 
     A plurality of passive elements  60  and electrodes  62  for the passive elements  60  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  50  integrally formed with the backing portion  52  by the metallic glass from the one end part of the horn connecting portion  50  opposite to the backing portion  52 , as shown in  FIG. 8B . After that, the external thread  50   a  on the outer peripheral surface of the one end part of the horn connecting portion  50  is screwed in and fixed to the a center of an end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  58   a.    
     By using the external thread  50   a  on the outer peripheral surface of the one end part of the horn connecting portion  50  to fasten the backing portion  52  toward the horn body  58   a , the plurality of passive elements  60  with the electrodes  62  are sandwiched between the horn body  58   a  and the backing portion  52  so that the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  56  according to the third embodiment of this invention as shown in  FIG. 8B  is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  60  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  60 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  60 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  60  when the horn connecting portion  50  is connected to the horn body  58   a . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  60  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  60 . 
     The passive elements  60  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  62 . The horn body  58   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  60  and transmits it to the small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. A chip or probe (not shown) which is used to be pressed on an object to apply the ultrasonic vibration transmitted thereto in an amplified state to the object can be removably fixed to the small-diametrical protruded end part. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 9A to 9E . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , a horn unit  70  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  72   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  72  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  72   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 9A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  72  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  72   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  72   b . The die cavity  72   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  72 . 
     The mother alloy GK melted at its melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  72   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  72   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  72   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  72 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  72   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  72   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  72   a  is achieved. 
     The whole horn unit  72  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  72   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  72   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  72  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn unit  70  to which the shape of the die cavity  72   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  72   b . Subsequently, the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work, and the horn unit  70  as shown in  FIG. 9B  is completed. 
     In this embodiment, the horn unit  70  includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  70   a , a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  70   b  extending in an axial direction from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  70   a , and shaft-shaped extended end treatment portion  70   c  extending in the axial direction from a small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  70   a.    
     A plurality of passive elements  74  and electrodes  76  for the passive elements  74  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  70   b  of the horn unit  70 , the whole of which is formed the metallic glass, and further a backing portion  78  formed of the conventional metal is mounted thereon, as shown in  FIG. 9B . Specifically, these mountings are performed while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn unit  70 , the whole of which is formed the metallic glass, is supported by a jig  80 , as shown in  FIG. 9C . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 9C , the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  70   b  of the horn unit  70  is passed through a hole formed in the backing portion  78 . A cylindrical pressing member  84  having a heater  82  on the outer peripheral surface thereof is pressed against an outer end of the backing portion  78 . The pressing member  84  is formed of a material having high heat conductivity, and heats the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  70   b  of the horn unit  70  protruded from the backing portion  78  to the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass and maintains it in that zone. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of the passive elements  74  does not exceed the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  74  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 9D , a deforming member  86  inserted in a center hole of the pressing member  84  presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  70   b  strongly to deform and crush the extended end part, so that the deformed extended end part of the horn connecting portion  70   b  engages with a diametrically enlarged part  78   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  78 . 
     Then, after the heater  82  stops heating and the temperature of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  70   b  drops below the supercooled liquid temperature zone of the metallic glass, i.e. below the glass transition temperature, the pressing member  84 , together with the deforming member  86 , is moved away from the outer end of the backing portion  78 . 
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  74  with the electrodes  76  are sandwiched between the horn body  70   a  and the backing portion  78 . Thus, the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  88  according to the fourth embodiment of this invention shown in  FIG. 9E  is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  74  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  74 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  74 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  74  when the backing portion  78  is connected to the horn connecting portion  70   b . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  74  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  74 . 
     The passive elements  74  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  76 . The horn body  70   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  74  and transmits it to the extended end treatment portion  70   c.    
     The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  88  of this embodiment is mounted on, for example, an ultrasonic treatment device for an endoscope and used to remove an early-stage cancer, etc. Nevertheless, the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  88  of this embodiment may be used in other applications, for example it may be mounted on and used in the ultrasonic coagulating/cutting-open device for a laparoscopic operation, like the above described ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  20  according to the first embodiment. In such a case, an internal thread is formed in the extended end treatment portion  70   c  at the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  70   a , and a chip or probe for applying ultrasonic vibration, not shown, is screwed in the internal thread. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Next, a process for forming a blank of a horn connecting portion of a horn unit of an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of this invention, of metallic glass will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 10A to 11B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , the horn connecting portion  90  of the horn unit of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  92   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  92  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  92   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 10A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  92  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  92   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  92   b . The die cavity  92   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  92 . 
     The mother alloy GK melted at its melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  92   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  92   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  92   b  in a liquid phase, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  92 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  92   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  92   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  92   a  is achieved. 
     The horn connecting portion  90  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  92   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  92   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  92  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn connecting portion  90  to which the shape of the die cavity  92   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  92   b . Subsequently, the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work, and the horn connecting portion  90  as shown in  FIG. 10B  is completed. 
     Next, one end part of the horn connecting portion  90  will be fixed at a center of a large-diametrical base end part of a substantially cone-shaped horn body  94   a  formed of a conventional metal. This fixing is executed while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  94   a  is supported by a jig  96  as shown in  FIG. 10B . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10B , a fixing hole  97  which will be engaged with and fixed to the one end part of the horn connecting portion  90  is formed in the center of the end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  94   a . And, the one end part of the horn connecting portion  90  directing toward the fixing hole  97  is heated to and maintained in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass by a heater  98 . 
     During this time, a center hole of a deforming member  100  is fitted on the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 10C , the deforming member  100  presses the horn connecting portion  90  to deform and crush the one end part of the horn connecting portion  90  in the fixing hole  97  at the end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  94   a . And, the deformed one end part of the horn connecting portion  90  is engaged with and fixed in the fixing hole  97 . 
     This combination of the horn connecting portion  90  and the horn body  94   a  configures a horn unit  102 . 
     Then, after the heater  98  stops heating and the temperature of the deformed one end part of the horn connecting portion  90  is lowered below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature, the deforming member  100 , together with the heater  98 , comes away from the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 10D , a plurality of passive elements  104  and electrodes  106  for the passive elements  104  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  90  fixed to the large-diametrical end part of the horn body  94   a , and further a backing portion  108  formed of a conventional metal is mounted thereon. In this time, the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  is passed through a through hole formed in the backing portion  108 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 11A , a cylindrical pressing member  112  having a heater  110  on an outer peripheral surface thereof presses an outer end of the backing portion  108 . The pressing member  112  is formed of a high heat conductive material, and heats and maintains the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  protruded from the backing portion  108 , to and in the supercooled liquid temperature zone of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of passive elements  104  is not higher than the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  104  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 11A , a deforming member  114  inserted into the center hole of the pressing member  112  is strongly presses the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  to crush and deform the other end part, so that the deformed other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  is engaged with a diametrically enlarged part  108   a  of the through hole in the outer end of the backing portion  108 . 
     Then, after the heater  110  stops heating and the temperature of the deformed other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature, the pressing member  112 , together with the deforming member  114 , is moved away from the outer end of the backing portion  108 . 
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  104  with the electrodes  106  are sandwiched between the horn body  94   a  and the backing portion  108 , so that, as shown in  FIG. 11B , the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  116  according to the fifth embodiment of this invention is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  104  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  104 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  104 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  104  when the backing portion  108  is connected to the horn connecting portion  90 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  104  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  104 . 
     The passive elements  104  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  106 . The horn body  94   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  104  and transmits it to a small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. 
     Connection between the outer end of the backing portion  108  and the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  can be performed as described below. That is, instead of the diametrically enlarged part  108   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  108 , an axial engaging shape  108 ′ a  is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the through hole in the neighborhood of the outer end of the backing portion  108  as shown in  FIG. 12A . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 12A , the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  in the neighborhood of the outer end of the backing portion  108  is heated by the heater  110 , and at the same time the cylindrical pressing member  112  presses the outer end of the backing portion  108  as shown in  FIG. 12B . The pressing member  112  is formed of a high heat conductive material, and maintains the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  in the neighborhood of the outer end of the backing portion  108  in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of passive elements  104  is not higher than the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  104  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 12B , the deforming member  114  inserted into the center hole of the pressing member  112  presses strongly the other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  to deform the other end portion and to increase the diameter of the other end portion, so that the deformed other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  engages with the axial engaging shape  108 ′ a  in the neighborhood of the outer end of the backing portion  108 . 
     Then, after the heater  110  stops heating and the temperature of the deformed other end part of the horn connecting portion  90  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the pressing member  112 , together with the deforming member  114 , is moved away from the outer end of the backing portion  108 . 
     The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  116  according to the fifth embodiment and described above with reference to  FIGS. 10A to 12B  is mounted on and used in, for example, the ultrasonic coagulating/cutting-open device for a laparoscopic operation. In this case, an internal thread is formed in the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  94   a , and a chip or probe for applying ultrasonic vibration, not shown, is screwed in the internal thread. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     Next, a process for forming a horn connecting portion of a horn unit and a backing portion in an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of this invention, of metallic glass will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 13A to 13C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13A , a combination of the horn connecting portion  120  of the horn unit and the backing portion  122  in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  124   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  124  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  124   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 13A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  124  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  124   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  124   b . The die cavity  124   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  124 . 
     The mother alloy GK melted at its melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  124   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  124   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  124   b  in a liquid phase, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  124 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  124   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  124   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  124   a  is achieved. 
     The combination of the horn connecting portion  120  and the backing portion  122  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  124   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  124   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  124  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn connecting portion  120  and backing portion  122  to which the shape of the die cavity  124   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  124   b . Subsequently, the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work, and the combination of the horn connecting portion  120  and the backing portion  122  as shown in  FIG. 13B  is completed. 
     A plurality of passive elements  126  and electrodes  128  for the passive elements  126  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  120  formed integrally with the backing portion  122  by the metallic glass, from one end part thereof opposite to the backing portion  122 , as shown in  FIG. 13B . After that, the one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  is fixed at a center of a large-diametrical base end part of a substantially cone-shaped horn body  130  formed of a conventional metal. This fixing is performed while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  130  is supported on a jig  132  as shown in  FIG. 13B . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 13B , a fixing hole  130   a  which will be engaged with and fixed to the one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  is formed at the center of an end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  130 . The one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  on which the plurality of passive elements  126  and the electrodes  128  are mounted is inserted into the fixing hole  130   a  at the end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  130 . Further, a conventional ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  134  is applied on an outer end surface of the backing portion  122  as shown in  FIG. 13C . The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  134  applies ultrasonic waves to the backing portion  122  while it is pressing the outer end surface of the backing portion  122 . This ultrasonic waves are concentrated at one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  which is far smaller in diameter than the backing portion  122 , so that the one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  is heated to and maintained in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of passive elements  126  is not higher than the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  126  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 13C , the one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  is deformed and crushed in the fixing hole  130   a  at the end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  130 , and the deformed one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  is engaged with and fixed to the fixing hole  130   a.    
     The combination of the horn connecting portion  120  and the horn body  130  connected to each other in this way configures a horn unit  136 . 
     Then, after the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  134  stops the application of the ultrasonic waves and the temperature of the deformed one end part of the horn connecting portion  120  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone of the metallic glass, i.e. glass transition temperature, the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  134  is moved away from the outer end surface of the backing portion  122 . 
     Finally, the plurality of passive elements  126  and the electrodes  128  are sandwiched between the horn body  130  and the backing portion  122 , and, as a result, the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  138  according to the sixth embodiment of the invention is completed as shown in  FIG. 13C . 
     Generally, the passive element  126  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  126 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  126 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  126  when the horn connecting portion  120  is connected to the horn body  130 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  126  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  126 . 
     The passive elements  126  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  128 . The horn body  130  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  126  and transmits it to a small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. A chip or probe (not shown) which is used to be pressed on an object to apply the ultrasonic vibration transmitted thereto in an amplified state to the object can be removably fixed to the small-diametrical protruded end part. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 14A to 15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14A , a horn unit  140  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  142   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  142  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  142   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 14A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  142  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  142   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  142   b . The die cavity  142   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  142 . 
     The horn unit  140  formed of the metallic glass by using the die cavity  142   a  includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  140   a  and a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  140   b  axially extended from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  140   a . Further, the horn connecting portion  140   b  has an annular intermediate expansion  140   c  at a predetermined position in an axial direction thereof. 
     An internal thread-forming structure core  144  is arranged at a position in the die cavity  142   a  corresponding to one end part of a final product of the horn unit  140 , i.e. a small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  140   a , and the internal thread-forming structure core  144  has outer dimensions corresponding to dimensions of a hole  140   d  having an internal thread at an end surface of the protruded end part. The core  144  further includes an elongate rod-like center hole-forming portion  144   a  extended to a position in the die cavity  142   a  which corresponds to the other end part of the final product of the horn unit  140 , i.e. a small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn connecting portion  140   b.    
     The mother alloy GK melted to the melting point thereof is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  142   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  142   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  142   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  142 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  142   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  142   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  142   a  is achieved. 
     The whole of the horn unit  140  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  142   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  142   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  142  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn unit  140  to which the shape of the die cavity  142   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  142   b , but the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. Further, the internal thread-forming structure core  144 , together with the elongate rod-like center hole-forming portion  144   a , is removed from the horn unit  140 , and the horn unit  140  as shown in  FIG. 14B  is completed. 
     In the horn unit  140 , a hole  140   d  having an internal thread is left at the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  140   a  corresponding to the internal thread-forming structure core  144 . And, in the horn unit  140 , an elongate center hole  140   e  extending from the hole  140   b  at the one end part to the other end part, i.e. the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn connecting portion  140   b , is left. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14B , a plurality of passive elements  146  and electrodes  148  for the passive elements  146  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  140   b  of the horn unit  140  the whole of which is formed of the metallic glass. Further, a backing portion  150  formed of a conventional metal is mounted thereon. Specifically, these mounting is performed while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn unit  140  the whole of which is formed of the metallic glass is supported by a jig  152  as shown in  FIG. 14B . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 14B , an extended end part of the horn connecting portion  140   b  is passed through a through hole formed in the backing portion  150 , and the intermediate expansion  140   c  of the horn connecting portion  140   b  is accommodated in an enlarged diameter part  150   a  formed in the center hole at the outer end of the backing portion  150 , with a gap therebetween. Specifically, an inner end surface of the intermediate expansion  140   c  in its axial direction is slightly spaced from a bottom surface of the enlarged diameter part  150   a  at the outer end of the backing portion  150 , while an outer end surface of the intermediate expansion  140   d  in its axial direction is located outside of the outer end of the backing portion  150 . 
     The intermediate expansion  140   c  of the horn connecting portion  140   b  in the enlarged diameter portion  150   a  at the outer end of the backing portion  150  is heated to and maintained in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass by a heater  154 . During this time, as shown in  FIG. 14C , a cylindrical deforming member  156  presses the axial outer end surface of the intermediate expansion  140   c  of the horn connecting portion  140   b  toward the outer end of the backing portion  150 . The deforming member  156  is formed of a high heat conductive material, and heats the intermediate expansion  140   c  of the horn connecting portion  140   b  and maintains it in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of passive elements  146  is not higher than the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  146  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, the deforming member  156  presses the intermediate expansion  140   c  of the horn connecting portion  70   b  to deform and crush it so that the deformed intermediate expansion  140   c  of the horn connecting portion  140   b  is engaged with the enlarged diameter part  150   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  150 . 
     Then, after the heater  154  stops heating and the temperature of the intermediate expansion  140   c  of the horn connecting portion  140   b  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the deforming member  156 , together with the heater  154 , is separated away from the outer end of the backing portion  150 . 
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  146  and the electrodes  148  are sandwiched between the horn body  140   a  and the backing portion  150  and the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  158  according to the seventh embodiment shown in  FIG. 15  is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  146  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  146 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  146 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  146  when the horn connecting portion  140   b  is connected to the backing portion  150 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  146  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  146 . 
     The passive elements  146  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  148 . The horn body  140   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  146  and transmits it to a small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. 
     A chip or probe  160  which is used to be pressed on an object to apply the ultrasonic vibration transmitted thereto in an amplified state to the object can be removably fixed to the hole  140   d  (please refer to  FIG. 14B ) of the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  140   a . If a longitudinally extending center through hole is formed in the ultrasonic vibration application chip or probe  160  and a suction pump is connected to the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  140   b , an object can be sucked from an opening of the longitudinally extending center through hole at a tip end of the ultrasonic vibration application chip or probe  160  through the longitudinally extending center through hole and the center hole  140   e  of the horn unit  140 . 
     The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  158  according to this embodiment can be mounted on an ultrasonic suction device used for sucking a tissue such as, for example, fat in a surgical operation. 
     Next, another process for forming the horn unit  140  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  158  according to the seventh embodiment of the invention than that shown in  FIG. 14A  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 16 . 
     In this case, instead of the elongate rod-like center hole-forming portion  144   a , an elongate tubular member  144   b  is arranged in the die cavity  142   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  142 ′. Further, an internal thread-forming structure core  144 ′ is formed independently of the elongate tubular member  144   b.    
     The melted mother alloy GK is poured into the die cavity  142   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  142 ′ through the melted material inflow path (runner)  142   b  and is solidified in the liquid phase to be changed to the metallic glass as in the aforementioned case. As a result, the metallic glass exhibits a high shape transferability, so that a horn unit  140 ′ having the same appearance as the horn unit  140  shown in  FIG. 14B  can be formed in the die cavity  142   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  142 ′. Also, the hole  140   d  to which a precision internal thread is transferred is formed by the internal thread-forming structural core  144 ′ in the small-diametrical one end part of the horn body  140   a  of the horn unit  140 ′. 
     The horn unit  140 ′ formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  142   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  142   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  142 ′ after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn unit  140  to which the shape of the die cavity  142 ′ a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  142   b . Subsequently, the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. 
     Further, the internal thread-forming structure core  144 ′ is removed from the horn unit  140 ′, while the elongate tubular member  144   b  is left in the horn unit  140 ′. The horn unit  140 ′ is used with the elongate tubular member  144   b.    
     Eighth Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 17A to 18D . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17A , a horn unit  170  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  172   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  172  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  172   b . And, the laterally-two-divided die member  172  is assembled with a core member  171 . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     The laterally-two-divided die member  172  is formed of a metal such as, for example, copper, having high heat conductivity. As shown in  FIGS. 17B and 17C , the two half lateral pieces  172   c ,  172   d  are symmetric in their shapes with each other and fixed separatably to each other by a well-known separable fixing structure such as combinations of bolts and nuts. Each of the die cavity  172   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  172   b  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces  172   c ,  172   d  of the laterally-two-divided die member  172 . 
     A predetermined position of the die cavity  172   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  172  is opened outward. This opening at the predetermined position is closed by the core member  171  separatably fixed to the laterally-two-divided die member  172  by a well-known separable fixing structure such as, for example, combinations of bolts and nuts. From the opening at the predetermined position of the die cavity  172   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  172 , a core  171   a  of the core member  171  is inserted into a predetermined position in the space defined by the die cavity  172   a.    
     The horn unit  170  formed of the metallic glass by using the combination of the die cavity  172   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  172  and the core  171   a  of the core member  171 , includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  170   a , a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  170   b  extending from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  170   a  in an axial direction thereof and a cylindrical cover  170   c  extending in the axial direction from the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  170   a  and surrounding an outer peripheral surface of the horn connecting portion  170   b.    
     In this embodiment, the small-diametrical shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  170   b  and the cylindrical cover  170   c  are arranged on the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  170   a  to be concentric with each other. 
     The mother alloy GK melted to the melting point is poured into the outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  172   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  172   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  172   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  172  and the core member  171 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  172   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  172   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  172   a  and the core  171   a  is achieved. 
     The whole of the horn unit  170  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  172   a  with the core  171   a  being projected thereto and to which the shape of the die cavity  172   a  and that of the core  171   a  are transferred, is taken out from the die member  172  and the core member  171  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn unit  170  to which the shape of the die cavity  172   a  and that of the core  171   a  are transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  172   b , but the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. And, the horn unit  170  as shown in  FIG. 18A  is completed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18A , while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  170   a  of the horn unit  170  is supported by a jig  174 , a plurality of passive elements  176  and electrodes  178  for the passive elements  176  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  170   b  and further a backing portion  180  formed of a conventional metal or the metallic glass is mounted thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18B , the plurality of passive elements  176 , the electrodes  178  and the backing portion  180  mounted on the horn connecting portion  170   b  are covered by the cylindrical cover  170   c  of the horn unit  170 . Further, an extended end part of the horn connecting portion  170   b  is passed through the through hole formed in the backing portion  180 . 
     Next, a deforming member  182  in which a heater is mounted or which heats an object by applying ultrasonic waves thereto presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  170   b  to heat the extended end part and to maintains it at the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of passive elements  176  is not higher than the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  176  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 18C , the deforming member  182  strongly presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  170   b  to deform and crush the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  170   b , so that the deformed extended end part of the horn connecting portion  170   b  engages with an enlarged diameter part  180   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  180 . 
     Then, after the deforming member  182  stops heating and the temperature of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  170   b  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the deforming member  182  is separated away from the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  170   b.    
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  176  and the electrodes  178  are sandwiched between the horn body  170   a  and the backing portion  180 . 
     Finally, a lid  184  is fitted in an opening of the extended end part of the cover  170   c  of the horn unit  170  to cover the opening. The lid  184  either may be attached removably in the opening of the extended end part of the cover  170   c  or may be fixed therein by a well-known fixing element including, for example, an adhesive. If need arises, by using, for example, an O-ring  184   a , a waterproofing function can be provided to the lid  184 . 
     The lid  184  may be formed of any material which can perform a desired function without affecting itself and the cover  170   c , and, in this embodiment, the lid  184  is formed of PEEK (Polyether etherketone). The lid  184  is formed with a through hole  184   b  through which electric wires LL for the electrodes  178  of the passive elements  176  pass. If need a watertight function, the through hole  184   b  can be sealed by a well-known sealant  186  after the wires LL passed through the through hole  184   b.    
     By covering the opening of the extended end part of the cover  170   c  of the horn unit  170  with the lid  184  as described above, the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  188  according to the eighth embodiment of this invention shown in  FIG. 18D  is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  176  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  176 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  176 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  176  when the horn connecting portion  170   b  is connected to the backing portion  180 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  176  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  176 . 
     The passive elements  176  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electric wires LL and the electrodes  178 . The horn body  170   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  176  and transmits it to a small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. 
     Further, in order to protect the wires LL running out of the cover  170   c  of the horn unit  170  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  188  from external forces, an end of a flexible protective tube PT accommodating the wires LL running out of the cover  170   c  can be attached to the outer end surface of the cover  170   c . For example, the protective tube PT can be what is called a coil shaft. 
     The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  188  having the flexible protective tube PT can be used as an ultrasonic treatment device USWTD for a flexible endoscope. Such an ultrasonic treatment device USWTD is mounted detachably in a channel of an insertion part of the flexible endoscope and is used for a treatment such as, for example, a removal of an early-stage cancer. 
     By forming an internal thread in the small-diametrical protruded end of the horn body  170   a  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  188  and by screwing a base end part of a long ultrasonic transmission member in the internal thread, the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus can be used as an ultrasonic coagulation/cutting-open device for a laparoscopic operation. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a lid  184 ′ for covering the opening of the extended end part of the cover  170   c  of the horn unit  170  can be formed of the metallic glass. In this case, the lid  184 ′ is pressed against the opening of the extended end part of the cover  170   c  of the horn unit  170  by a deforming member HPM in which a heater is mounted or which heats an object by applying ultrasonic waves thereto, and a peripheral edge part of the lid  184 ′ and the extended end part of the cover  170   c  are heated to and maintained at the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of the passive elements  176  surrounded by the cover  170   c  as shown in  FIG. 18D  does not exceed the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  176  are lost. 
     The peripheral edge part of the lid  184 ′ and the extended end part of the cover  170   c , both of which are heated to and maintained in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass, are fixed to each other. 
     Then, after the deforming member HPM stops heating and the temperature of the peripheral edge part of the lid  184 ′ and that of the extended end part of the cover  170   c  lower below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. below the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the deforming member HPM is moved away from the lid  184 ′. 
     Ninth Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 21A to 22B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 21A , a horn unit  190  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  192   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  192  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  192   b . And, the laterally-two-divided die member  192  is assembled with a core member  191 . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     The laterally-two-divided die member  192  is formed of a metal such as, for example, copper, having high heat conductivity. As shown in  FIGS. 21B and 21C , the two half lateral pieces  192   c ,  192   d  are symmetric in their shapes with each other and fixed separatably to each other by a well-known separable fixing structure such as combinations of bolts and nuts. Each of the die cavity  192   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  192   b  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces  192   c ,  192   d  of the laterally-two-divided die member  192 . 
     A predetermined position of the die cavity  192   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  192  is opened outward. This opening at the predetermined position is closed by the core member  191  separatably fixed to the laterally-two-divided die member  192  by a well-known separable fixing structure such as, for example, combinations of bolts and nuts. From the opening at the predetermined position of the die cavity  192   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  192 , a core  191   a  of the core member  191  is inserted into a predetermined position in the space defined by the die cavity  192   a.    
     The horn unit  190  formed of the metallic glass by using the combination of the die cavity  192   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  192  and the core  191   a  of the core member  191 , includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  190   a , a positioning element  190   b  formed at an outer end surface of a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  190   a , and a cylindrical horn connecting portion  190   c  extending in an axial direction of the horn body  190   a  from a ring shaped position surrounding the positioning element  190   b  on an outer end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  190   a.    
     In this embodiment, the positioning element  190   b  and the cylindrical horn connecting portion  190   c  are arranged on the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  190   a  to be concentric with each other. The positioning element  190   b  is a protrusion or a depression formed on or in the outer end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  190   a.    
     The mother alloy GK melted to the melting point is poured into the outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  192   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  192   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  192   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  192  and the core member  191 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  192   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  192   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  192   a  and the core  191   a  is achieved. 
     The whole of the horn unit  190  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in a glass solid phase in the die cavity  192   a  with the core  191   a  being projected thereto and to which the shape of the die cavity  192   a  and that of the core  191   a  are transferred, is taken out from the die member  192  and the core member  191  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn unit  190  to which the shape of the die cavity  192   a  and that of the core  191   a  are transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path  192   b , but the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. And, the horn unit  190  as shown in  FIG. 22A  is completed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 22A , while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  190   a  of the horn unit  190  is supported by a jig  194 , a plurality of passive elements  196  and electrodes  198  for the passive elements  196  are stacked from the positioning element  190   b  on the outer end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  190   a  along a longitudinal center line of the horn body  190   a , and further a backing portion  200  formed of a conventional metal or the metallic glass is mounted thereon. Specifically, in this embodiment, electric wires LL for the plurality of electrodes  198  are inserted into a wire-passing through element  202  such as, for example a through groove or a through hole, formed on or in each of various members or a member stacked on each of the electrodes  198 , and the electric wires LL are led out of the backing portion  200 . The wire-passing through element  202  is arranged on each of the aforementioned various members or the member to be concentric with the longitudinal center line of the horn body  190   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 22B , the plurality of passive elements  196 , the electrodes  198  and the backing portion  200  stacked from the positioning element  190   b  on the outer end surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  190   a  are cover by the cylindrical horn connecting portion  190   c  of the horn unit  190 . Further, the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  190   c  is located outside of the backing portion  200  along the longitudinal center line of the horn body  190   a.    
     Next, a deforming member  204  in which a heater is mounted or which heats an object by applying ultrasonic waves thereto presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  190   c  to heat the extended end part and to maintains it at the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of passive elements  196  is not higher than the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  196  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 22B , the deforming member  204  strongly presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  190   c  to deform and crush the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  190   c  on the peripheral edge part of the outer end surface of the backing portion  200 , so that the deformed extended end part of the horn connecting portion  190   c  engages with the peripheral edge part of the outer end surface of the backing portion  200 . 
     Then, after the deforming member  204  stops heating and the temperature of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  190   c  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the deforming member  204  is separated away from the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  190   c.    
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  196  and the electrodes  198  are sandwiched between the horn body  190   a  and the backing portion  200 . 
     Finally, if need arises, a space surrounded by the horn connecting portion  190   c  and in which the plurality of passive elements  196 , the electrodes  198  and the backing portion  200  are accommodated in a stacked manner as described above, can be sealed from an external space by applying a well-known sealing material to the wire-passing through element  202  of the backing portion  200 . 
     The passive elements  196  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  198 . The horn body  190   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  196  and transmits it to a small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. A chip or probe (not shown) which is used to be pressed on an object to apply the ultrasonic vibration transmitted thereto in an amplified state to the object can be removably fixed to the small-diametrical protruded end part. 
     Generally, the passive element  196  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  196 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  196 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  196  when the horn connecting portion  190   c  is connected to the backing portion  200 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  196  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  196 . 
     The passive elements  196  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  198 . The horn body  190   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  196  and transmits it to a small-diametrical protruded end part thereof. A chip or probe (not shown) which is used to be pressed on an object to apply the ultrasonic vibration transmitted thereto in an amplified state to the object can be removably fixed to the small-diametrical protruded end part. 
     Tenth Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 23A to 23D . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23A , a part of a horn unit  210  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  212   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  212  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  212   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 23A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  212  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  212   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  212   b . The die cavity  212   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  212 . 
     Specifically, a substantially cone-shaped horn body  210   a  formed of a conventional metal such as, for example, titanium is arranged at a predetermined position in the die cavity  212   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  212 , and a center through hole CH is formed in the horn body  210   a  along a longitudinal center line thereof. The die cavity  212   a  provides a predetermined space for forming a forward end part  210   b  of the horn body  210   a  and a horn connecting portion  210   c  thereof of metallic glass on both sides of the center through hole CH of the horn body  210   a.    
     The mother alloy GK melted to the melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  212   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  212   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  212   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  212 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  212   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  212   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  212   a  is achieved. 
     The metallic glass which becomes in the glass solid phase in the die cavity  212   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  212   a  is transferred, provides the forward end part  210   b  and the horn connecting portion  210   c  on the both sides of the center through hole CH of the substantially cone-shaped horn body  210   a  formed of the conventional metal such as, for example titanium. 
     The forward end part  210   b  of the horn body  210   a  and the horn connecting portion  210   c  are interconnected with each other by the metallic glass which flows into the center through hole CH of the horn body  210   a  and to which a shape of the center through hole CH is transferred, and are integrated with the horn body  210   a  to configure the horn unit  210 . 
     In this embodiment, the forward end portion  210   b , the horn connecting portion  210   c , and the horn body  210   a  are arranged concentrically with each other, and the horn connecting portion  210   c  has a rod shape extending concentrically outward from the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  210   a.    
     The horn unit  210  configured in this way is taken out from the die member  212  after a heat radiation for a predetermined time is finished. In this time, the horn connecting portion  210   c  to which the shape of the die cavity  212   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path (runner)  212   b , but the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. And, the horn unit  210  as shown in  FIG. 23B  is completed. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 23C , a plurality of passive elements  216  and electrodes  218  for the passive elements  216  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  210   c  formed of the metallic glass, while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  210   a  of the horn unit  210  is supported by a jig  214 , and further a backing portion  220  formed of a conventional metal is mounted thereon. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 23C , an extended end part of the horn connecting portion  210   c  of the horn unit  210  is passed through a through hole formed in the backing portion  220 . A cylindrical pressing member  224  having a heater  222  on an outer peripheral surface thereof presses an outer end of the backing portion  220 . The pressing member  224  is formed of highly heat conductive material, and heats and maintains the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  210   c  protruded from the backing portion  220  to and in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of the passive elements  216  does not exceed the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  216  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 23C , a deforming member  226  inserted in a center hole of the pressing member  224  strongly presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  210   c  to deform and crush it as shown by a two-dots chain line in  FIG. 23C , so that the deformed extended end part of the horn connecting portion  210   c  engages with an enlarged diametrical part  220   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  220 . 
     Then, after the heater  222  stops heating and the temperature of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  210   c  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the pressing member  224 , together with the deforming member  226 , is separated away from the outer end of the backing portion  220 . 
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  216  and the electrodes  218  are sandwiched between the horn body  210   a  and the backing portion  220 , and the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  228  according to the tenth embodiment of this invention is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  216  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  216 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  216 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  216  when the horn connecting portion  210   c  is connected to the backing portion  220 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  216  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  216 . 
     The passive elements  216  are well-known piezoelectric elements which generate ultrasonic vibration when they are supplied with high-frequency current through the electrodes  218 . The horn body  210   a  amplifies the ultrasonic vibration generated from the passive elements  216  and transmits it to the forward end part  210   b  of the small-diametrical protruded end of the horn body  210   a.    
     In this embodiment, since the forward end part  210   b  is formed of the metallic glass as described above, it is very superior to mechanical strength, wear resistance, ultrasonic vibration transmission performance, corrosion resistance, etc., as compared with that it is simply formed of metal or ceramics. 
     As described above, in the case where a desired object of the metallic glass is formed by casting or injection molding, if the mother alloy GK of the metallic glass is not solidified at the cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec while maintaining the liquid phase thereof, the mother alloy GK will not be changed to the metallic glass after cooling. 
     In the case where an outer size of the desired object such as the horn unit increases, the aforementioned cooling condition could not be satisfied so that the desired object of the metallic glass could not be formed by casting. 
     In the case where the outer size of the desired object such as the horn unit increases, as in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B , the horn body  210   a  is formed of a metal and the forward end part  210   b  and the horn connecting portion  210   c  of the metallic glass can be formed integrally with the horn body  210   a  by casting the forward end portion  210   b  and the horn connecting portion  210   c  of the metallic glass under the satisfactory cooling conditions as described above. That is, only the forward end part  210   b  and the horn connecting portion  210   c  in the horn unit  210  have the various technical advantages as described above which can be obtained by forming them of the metallic glass. 
     The ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to this embodiment can be used for, for example, an ultrasonic welding. 
     Eleventh Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 24A to 24C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 24A , a horn unit  230  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  232   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  232  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  232   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 24A , only one lateral half piece  232   c  of the laterally-two-divided die member  232  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  232   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  232   b . The die cavity  232   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  232 . 
     The horn unit  230  formed of the metallic glass by using the die cavity  232   a  includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  230   a  and a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  230   b  extending from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  230   a  in its axial direction. 
     A base part  234   b  of a cutter  234  is arranged at a position in the die cavity  232   a  which corresponds to one end part of a final product of the horn unit  230 , i.e. a small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  230   a , and the base part  234   b  has an engaging hole  234   a . The cutter  234  has a cutting part  234   c  on a side thereof opposite to the base part  234   b.    
     The mother alloy GK melted to the melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  232   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  232   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  232   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  232 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  232   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  232   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  232   a  and the base part  234   b  of the cutter  234  having the engaging hole  234   s  is achieved. 
     The whole horn unit  230  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in the glass solid phase in the die cavity  232   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  232   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  232  after a heat radiation for a predetermined length of time is finished. In this time, the horn unit  230  to which the shape of the die cavity  232   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path (runner)  232   b , but the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. 
     And, the horn unit  230  as shown in  FIG. 24C  is completed. The base end part  234   b  of the cutter  234  is fixed to the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  230   a  of the horn unit  230  by the metallic glass cast in the engaging hole  234   a.    
     Like the horn connecting portion  70   b  of the horn unit  70  the whole of which is formed of the metallic glass as shown in  FIGS. 9B to 9E , the plurality of passive elements  74  and the electrodes  76  for the passive elements  74  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  230   b  of the horn unit  230  shown in  FIG. 24C  while a large-diametrical base end part of the horn unit  230  is supported by the jig  80 , and further the backing portion  78  formed of the conventional metal is mounted thereon. 
     Further, the cylindrical pressing member  84  having the heater  82  presses the outer end of the backing portion  78 , and heats and maintains the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  230   b  of the horn unit  230  protruded from the through hole  78   a  of the backing portion  78  to and in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. During this time, the deforming member  86  inserted in the center hole of the pressing member  84  strongly presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  230   b  to deform and crush the extended end part, so that the deformed extended end part of the horn connecting portion  230   b  engages with the enlarged diametrical part  78   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  78 . 
     Then, after the heater  82  stops heating and the temperature of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  230   b  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the pressing member  84 , together with the deforming member  86 , is separated away from the outer end of the backing portion  78 . 
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  74  and the electrodes  76  are sandwiched between the horn body  230   a  and the backing portion  78 . Thus, like the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  88  according to the fourth embodiment of this invention as shown in  FIG. 9E , the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of this invention and having the cutter  234  as shown in  FIG. 24C  is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  74  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  74 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  74 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  74  when the horn connecting portion  230   b  is connected to the backing portion  78 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  74  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  74 . 
     In this embodiment, while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  230   a  of the horn unit  230  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment is supported by a supporting member not shown and the cutting part  234   c  of the cutter  234  at the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  230   a  is pressed on an object to be cut, not shown, by the cutting part  234   c , high-frequency current is supplied to the plurality of passive elements  74  (see  FIG. 9E ) through the electrodes  76  (see  FIG. 9E ) to generate the ultrasonic wave by the plurality of passive elements  74  (see  FIG. 9E ). This ultrasonic wave is amplified by the horn body  230   a  so that the cutting part  234   c  of the cutter  234  at the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  230   a  cuts the above described object to be cut (not shown). 
     In this embodiment, the cutter  234  is prepared independently of the horn unit  230  in advance. Nevertheless, a cutter can be formed integrally with the horn unit  230  by the metallic glass by further adding a die cavity for the cutter to the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  230   a  in the die cavity  232   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  232 . Since the metallic glass has a superior shape transferability as described above, the sharpness of the cutter cast in the metallic glass is improved by setting the dimensions of the die cavity for the cutter accurately. 
     Twelfth Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 25A and 25B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25A , a horn unit  240  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  242   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  242  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  242   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 25A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  242  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  242   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  242   b . The die cavity  242   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  242 . 
     The horn unit  240  formed of the metallic glass by using the die cavity  242   a  includes a substantially cone-shaped horn body  240   a  and a shaft-shaped horn connecting portion  240   b  extending from a large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  240   a  in its axial direction. 
     A tubular member  244  is arranged in the die cavity  242   a . In the die cavity  242   a , the tubular member  244  extends from a position corresponding to one end part of a final product of the horn unit  240 , i.e. a small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  240   a , to a position corresponding to a predetermined position on an outer peripheral surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  240   a  along a longitudinal center line of the horn body  240   a . Then, the tubular member  244  further extends radially outward of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  240   a  to the position corresponding to the predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  240   a.    
     The tubular member  244  is formed of a material high in corrosion resistance against a liquid to be supplied thereto. In the case where the liquid is water, such a material is as, for example, titanium, titanium alloy, copper or copper alloy. 
     The mother alloy GK melted to the melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  242   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  242   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  242   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  242 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  242   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  242   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  242   a  and the tubular member  244  is achieved. 
     The whole horn unit  240  formed of the metallic glass which becomes in the glass solid phase in the die cavity  242   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  242   a  is transferred, is taken out from the die member  242  after a heat radiation for a predetermined length of time is finished. In this time, the horn unit  240  to which the shape of the die cavity  242   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path (runner)  242   b , but the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work. 
     And, the horn unit  240  in which the tubular member  244  is accommodated and arranged as described above is completed. 
     Like the horn connecting portion  70   b  of the horn unit  70  the whole of which is formed of the metallic glass as shown in  FIGS. 9B to 9E , the plurality of passive elements  74  and the electrodes  76  for the passive elements  74  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  240   b  of the horn unit  240  while the large-diametrical base end part of the horn unit  240  is supported by the jig  80 , and further the backing portion  78  formed of the conventional metal is mounted thereon. 
     Further, the cylindrical pressing member  84  having the heater  82  presses the outer end of the backing portion  78 , and heats and maintains the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  240   b  of the horn unit  240  protruded from the through hole  78   a  of the backing portion  78  to and in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. During this time, the deforming member  86  inserted in the center hole of the pressing member  84  strongly presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  240   b  to deform and crush the extended end part, so that the deformed extended end part of the horn connecting portion  240   b  engages with the enlarged diametrical part  78   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  78 . 
     Then, after the heater  82  stops heating and the temperature of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  240   b  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the pressing member  84 , together with the deforming member  86 , is separated away from the outer end of the backing portion  78 . 
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  74  and the electrodes  76  are sandwiched between the horn body  240   a  and the backing portion  78 . Thus, like the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  88  according to the fourth embodiment of this invention as shown in  FIG. 9E , the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  246  which is shown in  FIG. 25B  and which is according to the twelfth embodiment of this invention and which has the horn unit  240  accommodating the tubular member  244 , is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  74  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  74 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  74 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  74  when the horn connecting portion  240   b  is connected to the backing portion  78 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  74  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  74 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 25B , a main housing  248   a  for covering the plurality of passive elements  74 , the electrodes  76  and the backing portion  78  is attached to the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  240   a  of the horn unit  240  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  246 . Further, a hood  248   b  is attached to cover the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  240   a . Furthermore, a liquid supply source is attached to a radially protruded portion of the tubular member  244  of the horn unit  240  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  246  through the main housing  248   a , while at the same time a high-frequency power source is connected to the electrodes  76  for the plurality of the passive elements  74  through the main housing  248   a . As a result of this, a sprayer which uses the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  246  according to the twelfth embodiment of this invention as a drive source is provided. 
     When a high-frequency current is supplied to the plurality of passive elements  74  from the high-frequency power source through the electrodes  76  to make the passive elements  74  generate ultrasonic wave, this ultrasonic wave is amplified by the horn body  240   a  and atomizes a liquid supplied from the liquid supply source through the tubular member  244  to the small-diametrical protruded end part of the horn body  240   a . As a result, a mist  249  of the liquid is ejected toward an opening of the hood  248   b  from the protruded end part. 
     In this embodiment, it is preferable that the aforementioned predetermined position, at which the radially protruded part of the tubular member  244  is extended radially outward from the horn body  240   a  of the horn unit  240 , is coincident with a node of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the horn unit  240   a  from the plurality of passive elements  74 . As a result, a possibility that the radially protruded part of the tubular member  244  is broken by a fatigue due to the ultrasonic wave is greatly reduced. 
     In this sprayer, since the horn body  240   a  with a part thereof exposed to the mist generated in the sprayer is formed of the metallic glass, the above described part of the horn body  40   a  is not adversely affected, for example corroded, by the mist. This means that the above described part of the horn body  40   a  does not affect to components of the mist. 
     Thirteenth Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 26A to 27 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 26A , a part of a horn unit  250  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention is formed by entering an alloy (hereinafter referred as a mother alloy) GK in a melted state, which is a base of metallic glass, into a die cavity  252   a  of a laterally-two-divided die member  252  through a melted material inflow path (runner)  252   b . The mother alloy GK has the same composition as that of the metallic glass but is different from that of the metallic glass in that components of the former composition are crystallized. The mother alloy GK is melted by, for example, an arc. 
     In  FIG. 26A , only one lateral half piece of the laterally-two-divided die member  252  is shown along a dividing surface thereof to show the die cavity  252   a  and the melted material inflow path (runner)  252   b . The die cavity  252   a  is divided into two vertically divided parts along the two dividing surfaces of the two lateral half pieces of the laterally-two-divided die member  252 . 
     Specifically, a substantially short cylindrical horn body  250   a  formed of a conventional metal such as, for example titanium, is arranged at a predetermined position in the die cavity  252   a  of the laterally-two-divided die member  252 , and a center through hole PH is formed in the horn body  250   a  along a longitudinal center line thereof. The die cavity  252   a  provides a predetermined space for forming a forward end part  250   b  and horn connecting portion  250   c  of the horn body  250   a  from the metallic glass on both sides of the center through hole PH of the horn body  250   a.    
     The mother alloy GK melted to the melting point is poured into an outer end (gate) of the melted material inflow path (runner)  252   b.    
     In order to solidify the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  252   a  through the melted material inflow path (runner)  252   b  in a liquid phase so that the melted mother alloy GK is changed to the metallic glass, various well known heat radiating and/or cooling structures (not shown) are applied to the laterally-two-divided die member  252 . As a result, the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  252   a  is cooled at a cooling rate of not less than 10 K/sec. Since the melted mother alloy GK poured into the die cavity  252   a  is rapidly cooled and changed to the metallic glass in this way, a superior shape transferability of the metallic glass to the die cavity  252   a  is achieved. 
     The metallic glass which became to the glass solid phase in the die cavity  252   a  and to which the shape of the die cavity  252   a  is transferred, provides the forward end part  250   b  and the horn connecting portion  250   c  on both sides of the center through hole PH of the substantially short cylindrical horn body  250   a  formed of the conventional metal such as, for example, titanium. 
     The forward end part  250   b  and the horn connecting portion  250   c  are connected to each other by the metallic glass which flows into the center through hole PH of the horn body  250   a  and to which the shape of the center through hole PH is transferred, and at the same time they are integrated with the horn body  250   a  to configure the horn unit  250 . 
     In this embodiment, the forward end part  250   b , the horn connecting portion  250   c , and the horn body  250   a  are arranged concentrically with each other, and the horn connecting portion  250   c  has a rod-shape and extends concentrically outward from the large-diametrical base end part of the horn body  250   a.    
     The horn unit  250  formed as described above is taken out from the die member  252  after a heat radiation for a predetermined length of time is finished. In this time, the horn connecting portion  250   c  to which the shape of the die cavity  252   a  is transferred has a melted material inflow path corresponding portion having a shape corresponding to the melted material inflow path (runner)  252   b . But the melted material inflow path corresponding portion is removed by a machine work, and the horn unit  250  is completed. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 26B , a plurality of passive elements  256  and electrodes  258  for the passive elements  256  are mounted on the horn connecting portion  250   c  formed of the metallic glass while the forward end part  250   b  of the horn unit  250  is supported on a jig  254 , and further a backing portion  260  formed of a conventional metal is mounted thereon. 
     As shown in  FIG. 26B , the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  250   c  of the horn unit  250  is passed through a through hole formed through the backing portion  260 . A cylindrical pressing member  264  having a heater  262  on an outer peripheral surface thereof presses the outer end of the backing portion  260 . The pressing member  264  is formed of highly heat conductive material, and heats and maintains the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  250   c  protruded from the backing portion  260  to and in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass. 
     During this time, it is important that the temperature of the plurality of passive elements  256  does not exceed the Curie point at which the characteristics of the passive elements  256  are lost. 
     Further, during this time, as shown in  FIG. 26B , a deforming member  266  inserted in a center hole of the pressing member  264  strongly presses the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  250   c  to deform and crush the extended end part, so that the deformed extended end part of the horn connecting portion  250   c  engages with an enlarged diametrical part  260   a  of the through hole at the outer end of the backing portion  260 . 
     Then, after the heater  262  stops heating and the temperature of the extended end part of the horn connecting portion  250   c  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the pressing member  264 , together with the deforming member  266 , is separated away from the outer end of the backing portion  260 . 
     As a result, the plurality of passive elements  256  and the electrodes  258  are sandwiched between the horn body  250   a  and the backing portion  260 , and the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention is completed. 
     Generally, the passive element  256  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, and the piezoelectric ceramics is comparatively weak against tensile stress. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that a compressive stress equal to [(the compressive strength of the passive element  256 )−(the tensile strength of the passive element  256 )]/2 is applied on the passive element  256  when the horn connecting portion  250   c  is connected to the backing portion  260 . For example, the compressive strength of the piezoelectric ceramics is 800 MPa and the tensile strength thereof is 80 MPa. Therefore, in a case that the passive element  256  is formed of piezoelectric ceramics, it is preferable that a compressive stress of 360 MPa is applied to the passive element  256 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 26C , an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a  is formed at each of plural predetermined positions on an outer surface of a bottom wall of an ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  using the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses  268  each of which is according to the thirteenth embodiment of the invention. A diameter of an interior is larger than that of an opening in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a.    
     In order to fix the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention to each of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing holes  270   a  of the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270 , an inner surface of the bottom wall of the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  is placed on a supporting base  272  as shown in  FIG. 26C  and a part around the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a  is heated to and maintained in the supercooled liquid temperature zone (glass transition temperature) of the metallic glass by heaters  274 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 26D , the forward end part  250   b  of the horn unit  260  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention is inserted into the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a  heated as described above, and further a deforming member  276  strongly presses the outer end of the backing portion  260 . As a result, as shown in  FIG. 26D , the forward end part  250   b  of the metallic glass is deformed and crushed in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a  in the bottom wall of the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  so that the deformed forward end part  250 B is engaged with the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a.    
     Then, after the heater  274  stops heating and the temperature of the deformed forward end part  250   b  of the horn unit  250  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  lowers below the supercooled liquid temperature zone, i.e. the glass transition temperature of the metallic glass, the deforming member  276  is separated away from the outer end of the backing portion  260 . 
       FIG. 27  schematically shows the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  in which the plurality of ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses  268 , each according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention, are fixed to the plurality of positions on the outer surface of the bottom wall thereof. 
     The ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  is filled with a liquid  271  for an ultrasonic cleaning, such as a well-known auxiliary cleaning liquid, and further an object  272  to be cleaned by the ultrasonic wave, such as eyeglasses, is entered in the liquid  271 . 
     When a high-frequency current is supplied to the plurality of the passive elements  256  of the plurality of ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses  268  through the electrodes  258 , the ultrasonic waves generated from the plurality of passive elements  256  are transmitted to the plurality of aforementioned positions on the bottom wall of the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  through the horn bodies  250   a  and the forward end parts  250   b  (see  FIG. 26D ), and further to the object  272  to be cleaned. 
     In this embodiment, the forward end part  250   b  (see  FIG. 26D ) of the metallic glass of each of the plurality of ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses  268  is deformed and crushed in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a  in the outer surface of the bottom wall of the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  so that the deformed forward end part  250   b  is engaged with and fixed to the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a . As a result, the ultrasonic wave can be transmitted efficiently from each of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatuses  268  to the bottom wall of the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270  with substantially no any loss. 
     Fourteenth Embodiment 
     Next, an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to  FIG. 28 . 
       FIG. 28  schematically shows a vertical sectional view of an underwater acoustic sensor (SONAR)  282  using the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  according to the fourteenth embodiment of this invention. 
     The structure of this ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  is similar to that of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention and described above with reference to  FIGS. 26A to 26D . The structure of this ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  is different from that of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  according to the thirteenth embodiment of the invention in the following points. 
     That is, in the horn unit  250  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  according to the thirteenth embodiment of this invention, the horn body  250   a  is formed of the conventional metal and the forward end part  250   b  is formed of the metallic glass. But, in a horn unit  250 ′ of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  according to the fourteenth embodiment, a horn body  250 ′ a  is integrally formed with a horn connecting portion not shown in  FIG. 28  by the metallic glass, and the forward end part  250   b  is omitted. 
     The horn body  250 ′ a  of the metallic glass in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  according to the fourteenth embodiment is fixed to an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  282   b  formed in an inner surface of a bottom plate  282   a  of a hermetic container of the underwater acoustic sensor (SONAR)  282  in the same manner that the forward end part  250   b  of the metallic glass in the horn unit  250  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  268  according to the thirteenth embodiment of the invention is fixed to the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  270   a  in the outer surface of the bottom wall of the ultrasonic cleaning bath  270 . 
     After the horn body  250 ′ a  of the metallic glass in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  is fixed to the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  282   b  in the inner surface of the bottom plate  282   a , a pressure-resistant hermetic container  282   c  is put on the bottom plate  282   a . The pressure-resistant container  282   c  is fixed hermetically on the bottom plate  282   a  by well-known hermetically fixing elements such as combinations of bolts and nuts with an O-ring. The pressure-resistant container  282   c  is formed with a through hole  282   d  through which an electric wire  284  is pulled out from the electrodes  285  of the plurality of passive elements  256  of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280 . The through hole  282   d  is hermetically sealed by a well-known hermetic element  282   e  such as, for example, synthetic resin. 
     In this embodiment, the horn body  250 ′ a  of the metallic glass in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  is deformed and crushed in the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  282   b  formed in the inner surface of the bottom plate  282   a  of the hermetic container of the underwater acoustic sensor (SONAR)  282 , so that the deformed horn body  250 ′ a  fills the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus fixing hole  282   b  in the bottom wall and is engaged with and fixed to the fixing hole  282   b . As a result, the ultrasonic wave can be transmitted efficiently to the bottom plate  282   a  of the hermetic container of the underwater acoustic sensor (SONAR)  282  from the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  with substantially no any loss. 
     Since the metallic glass is so high in rigidity, the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus  280  having the horn body  250 ′ a  of the metallic glass can transmit the ultrasonic wave in high linearity and without substantially no distortion, with respect to the power input to the passive elements  256 , thereby making it possible to obtain an image having little distortion. 
     Finally, technical advantages obtained by forming the various component members of the ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus, of metallic glass will be described below. 
     As compared with conventional metal materials such as, for example, titanium, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy and nickel-aluminum alloy, etc. used conventionally to form the various component members described above, the metallic glass is superior in formability and shape transferability. Therefore, even if the various component members are complicated in their shapes, substantially all of the various component members can be formed only by casting of the metallic glass with a high dimensional accuracy, so that the production cost of the horn unit is reduced. 
     Since metallic glass is amorphous and has no crystal boundary, it is superior in acoustic characteristics. Normal metal has crystal boundary. Therefore, when ultrasonic wave is applied to the normal metal, reflection of the ultrasonic wave is caused and ultrasonic vibration energy is lost. 
     Since a tensile strength of metallic glass is very superior to that of normal metal, i.e., for example about three times higher than Ti alloy, various component members formed of the metallic glass are not easily destroyed by vibratory stress generated in the various component members when ultrasonic wave is applied thereto. 
     Since metallic glass is amorphous and has no crystal boundary, the metallic glass is high in corrosion resistance. 
     The horn connecting portion and the backing portion or the horn body can be fixed integrally with each other by using deformability of the metallic glass in the supercooled liquid zone (glass transition zone). Therefore, since appropriate compressive stress can be stably applied on the passive elements sandwiched between the backing portion and the horn body, it possible to provide an ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus having a high quality and high performance stably. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.