Viratec Thin Films, Inc.

Sputtering Components, Inc.

Other

Tru Vue, Inc.

William A Meredith, Jr

Erik J Bjornard

Daniel Theodore Crowley

Patrick Lawrence Morse

John Robert German

Kim D Powers

Charles C Gammans

Kelly R Clayton

Bradway F Phillips

Michelle Lynn Neal

Jeffrey L Kokoschke

In one embodiment, a magnetron assembly comprises a plurality of magnets and a yoke configured to hold the plurality of magnets in at least four independent linear arrays. The plurality of magnets is arranged in the yoke so as to form a pattern comprising an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion substantially surrounds the perimeter of the inner portion. The magnets used to form the outer portion have a first polarity and the magnets used to form the inner portion having a second polarity. The outer portion of the pattern comprises a pair of elongated sections that are substantially parallel to one another. The outer portion of the pattern comprises a pair of turnaround sections, wherein each turnaround section substantially spans respective ends of the pair of elongated sections and wherein each turnaround section comprises a plurality of magnets having the first polarity. Other embodiments are described.

Sputtering apparatus

One embodiment is directed to a plasma source comprising a body in which a cavity is formed and at least two self-contained magnetron assemblies disposed within the cavity. The magnetron assemblies are mutually electrically isolated from each other and from the body. In one implementation of such an embodiment, the self-contained magnetron assemblies comprise closed-drift magnetron assemblies. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) source

A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises an elongated support structure, a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure, and a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure. The drive modules each include a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure. A controller and battery module is coupled to the support structure and is in operative communication with the drive modules. The controller and battery module includes an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller. One or more power generation modules is coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the battery, such that electrical energy output from the power generation modules recharges the battery.

A multilayer antireflection coating for a temperature sensitive substrate such as plastic. One layer is a DC reactively sputtered metal oxide which may be deposited quickly and without imparting a large amount of heat to the substrate. Another layer has a refractive index lower than the substrate.

Antireflection coating for a temperature sensitive substrate

A system for evaluating the reflectance of an object (e.g., a CRT) that is coated with an anti-reflective coating material is disclosed. The quality and/or uniformity of the coating is evaluated by a reflectometer. The reflectometer is positioned relative to the object by non-contact sensors. Reflectance data gathered by the reflectometer is analyzed to determine to what extent the actual coating differs from the optimal (i.e., ideal) coating. A feedback system modifies the coating process for subsequent objects in an attempt to fine-tune the coating process and achieve optimal anti-reflective coatings.

System for evaluating thin film coatings

An article comprising a transparent or translucent polymer substrate and a transparent or translucent coating applied thereto in which the refractive index of the coating material substantially matches the refractive index of the polymer substrate. The invention also relates to a method for making an article comprising a polymer substrate and a coating in which the refractive index of the coating substantially matches the refractive index of the polymer substrate.

Coated polymer substrate with matching refractive index and method of

A method and system for designing and manufacturing a high-performance, optimized optical interference coatings that have a minimal number of layers. Index of refraction, absorption coefficient, and thickness values are selected for each of the layers in the design so as to cause the reflectance of a coated object to be zero for a given wavelength. Materials that with the selected properties are manufactured by mixing two or more preexisting available materials.

Three variable optimization system for thin film coating design

A system for evaluating the reflectance of an object (e.g., a CRT) that is coated with an anti-reflective coating material is disclosed. The quality and/or uniformity of the coating is evaluated by a reflectometer. The reflectometer is positioned relative to the object by non-contact sensors. Reflectance data gathered by the reflectometer is analyzed to determine to what extent the actual coating differs from the optimal (i.e., ideal) coating. A feedback system modifies the coating process for subsequent objects in an attempt to fine-tune the coating process and achieve optimal anti-reflective coatings for later objects passing through the system.

An optical analyzer measuring the reflectivity of a moving article in an in-line sputtering deposition system. The optical analyzer includes a light source which provides a light beam. Light is reflected from an optical coating of a moving article into a concentrator, which captures and directs the reflected light to a detector. The analyzer may be mounted in an evacuable chamber in which the end walls have openings to allow passage of the article.

Growing community of inventors

Faribault, MN, United States of America

William A Meredith, Jr