Pigment dispersions

An apparatus for providing dispersions of ultrafine pigment particles having an average size of less than 0.1 micrometers comprising:

• a) a furnace connected to a collection vessel, said furnace being adapted to contain at least a first and optionally a second gas inlet tube, said second tube being located downstream from said first tube, a means for evacuating said furnace and said collection vessel, said vessel containing a dispersing medium;
• b) means for introducing an organic or inorganic pigment or pigment precursor into said furnace and evacuation thereof;
• c) means for introducing through said first inlet tube a first, nonreactive gas stream into said furnace;
• d) means for evaporating said pigment or pigment precursor particles into said first gas stream;
• e) means for allowing condensation of the vaporized pigment or pigment precursor particles in said first gas stream to produce a dispersion of ultrafine pigment or pigment precursor particles in said first gas stream;
• f) optionally, means for introducing into said furnace through said second inlet tube a second, reactive, gas stream, to allow reaction with said pigment precursor particles, to provide ultrafine pigment particles;
• g) means for collecting said particles in said collection vessel.