Method and apparatus for recovery from low impedance condition during cathodic arc processes
First Claim
1. A method of recovering from a low impedance condition during the cathodic arc processing of an item, comprising the steps of:
- a. generating an ion-containing cloud by driving an arc across a source potential;
b. attracting the ions in said cloud to the item to be processed through a bias potential;
c. detecting the presence of a low impedance condition across said bias potential; and
d. automatically clearing said cloud upon the detection of said low impedance condition across said bias potential.
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Abstract
Techniques for recovery from a low impedance conditions during cathodic arc or electric vapor thin film processes are disclosed. Sensing of a low impedance condition is achieved followed automatically by active clearing of the cloud to return it to the proper impedance or resistance state. Active clearing is accomplished by a progressive increase in the output of bias voltage supply. Regulation of the bias voltage supply switches between voltage or power modes and a current mode of regulation. Circuitry disclosed is designed to readily modify existing power supplies to achieve the methods discussed and to linearly increase the current output by it.
80 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method of recovering from a low impedance condition during the cathodic arc processing of an item, comprising the steps of:
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a. generating an ion-containing cloud by driving an arc across a source potential; b. attracting the ions in said cloud to the item to be processed through a bias potential; c. detecting the presence of a low impedance condition across said bias potential; and d. automatically clearing said cloud upon the detection of said low impedance condition across said bias potential. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus for recovering from a low impedance condition in a cathodic arc processing system having a bias voltage supply, which affects a cloud, comprising:
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a. a sensor for detecting the presence of a low impedance condition across said bias voltage supply; and b. a means for clearing said cloud upon the detection of said low impedance condition across said bias voltage supply. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification