The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 15, 1989
Filed:
Feb. 20, 1987
Wolfgang Knauer, Malibu, CA (US);
Hughes Aircraft Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A cluster source includes at least two separate zones, each of whose temperatures can be independently controlled. A crucible contains the species to be evaporated, and is heated to a sufficiently high temperature that efficient evaporation is achieved. A cluster formation surface is adjacent to the crucible and receives evaporated atoms from the crucible. Clusters are produced at the cluster formation surface from the evaporated atoms, and the cluster formation surface is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the crucible to encourage good formation efficiency. Optionally, a third zone can be provided for ejection of the clusters, which is maintained at a higher temperature than the cluster formation surface to prevent formation of droplets of the evaporant.