The Boc Group, Inc.

James J Hofmann

John Thomas Felts

Abraham I Belkind

Jesse D Wolfe

Carolynn Boehmler

Steven J Nadel

Robert R Hoffman

Erik Bjornard

Donald V Jacobson

A method of depositing thin films of silicon based compounds, particularly silicon dioxide, by cathode reactive sputtering utilizes a rotating cylindrical magnetron driven by a d.c. potential. The result is a technique of forming a uniform film on large substrates with high deposition rates. Arcing normally associated with sputtering troublesome dielectric coatings such as silicon oxides is substantially eliminated.

Method for coating substrates with silicon based compounds

A vaporizing apparatus delivers precisely controlled, substantially continuous and monitored vapor flows for uses such as in plasma enhanced vapor deposition. The vaporizing apparatus includes a fluid passageway along which are a pumping device, a vaporizing device, and a flowing device, all in fluid communication with the passageway. The vaporizing device vaporizes liquid pumped from the pumping device and includes a heat sink layer, a heated layer, and a portion of the passageway sandwiched therebetween. The vaporizing apparatus can sustain a flow of organosilicon vapor at a flow rate of about 1 to about 100 SCCM for as long as desired.

Controlled flow vaporizer

A method for depositing a protective coating by cathode sputtering of an alloy of aluminum and silicon in a reactive gas is disclosed. The sputtering target contains sufficient silicon to produce an amorphous coating; 6 to 18 percent silicon is preferred. Targets of approximately 88% aluminum and 12% silicon are especially preferred. Oxygen, nitrogen, compounds of oxygen and compounds of nitrogen are preferred reactive gases. A range of combinations of oxygen and nitrogen are particularly preferred. The method provides durable transparent coatings which may be used as an overcoating for a metal or dielectric coating to provide increased resistance to abrasion and corrosion. In particular, the protected coating may be a metal, dielectric or dielectric-metal-dielectric coating as used in double-glazed window units for buildings or vehicles.

Transparent coatings by reactive sputtering

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Northfield, MN, United States of America

James J Hofmann