The Institute of Metal Physics has developed a technology for synthesis of gold-aluminum and gold-gallium intermetallic compounds from nanoscale powders of pure metals. By this technology, it is possible to make bulk products and films sputtered on a substrate. Abroad, the AuAl2 compound is referred to as «purple glory» and is used for making jewelry of the standard of fineness 750. The composition of theAuGa2 compound is close to the national standard of fineness 585, and the compound is dark violet in color. The technology is a know-how of the Institute of Metal Physics.

These compounds are very difficult to produce by metallurgical methods, because the initial components differ greatly in the melting temperatures, vapor pressure, and oxidation resistance. In addition to jewelry applications, these intermetallic compounds can be used in chemical industry as catalysts with nanoscale pores and as optical thin-film spectrum-sensitive solar radiation absorbents.