Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Roy G Schlemmer

George H Crawford, Jr

Edward J Downing

Douglas Eugene Weiss

Bruce A Sventek

Harvey Kalweit

James Patrick DiZio

An apparatus for irradiating an article, particularly a multi-layer article, with electron beam radiation is provided. The apparatus contains a window having a short unit path length and allows for controlled irradiation of an article such that upper portions of the article receive significantly higher electron beam dosages than lower portions of the article. Such differential dosage allows for modification of an article comprising a coating composition that can be modified by electron beam irradiation on a substrate that is vulnerable to degradation from electron beam radiation. A method of irradiating an article with electron beams, and products manufactured using the apparatus and method of the invention, are also disclosed.

Electron beam apparatus having a low loss beam path

Most processes for the generation of metal oxide or metal sulfide films involved oxidation of existing metal layers or direct vapor deposition of the oxide or sulfide layer. These processes do not provide efficient control of film integrity, optical properties, and bonding. The use of a metal vapor deposition process in which a controlled amount of oxygen or sulfur containing gas or vapor is introduced into the metal vapor stream or portions enables formation of metal oxide or metal sulfide films with excellent control over the film properties.

Metal/metal oxide coating

Metal/metal oxide coatings

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Oakdale, MN, United States of America

Roy G Schlemmer