Method and apparatus for coating workpieces
First Claim
1. A method for coating workpieces by arc evaporation, comprising the steps of:
- evaporating ions from a cathode surface having an axis intersecting said surface;
arranging workpieces to be coated around said axis at locations radially outward and axially distant from said cathode surface;
providing visual shield means between said cathode surface and said workpieces at least partially surrounding said axis to prevent said workpieces from line of sight communication with said cathode surface; and
deflecting said ions radially outwardly around said visual shield means towards said workpieces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and arrangement for the vacuum coating of workpieces by arc evaporation, comprises at least one evaporating cathode with a surface to be evaporated, an axis of the cathode intersecting the cathode surface. Workpieces to be coated are arranged around the axis at locations which are spaced radially outwardly and at an axial distance from the cathode surface. In order to prevent direct line of sight communication between the cathode surface and the workpieces, a visual shield is positioned between the cathode surface and the workpieces, which at least partly surrounds the axis. In this way, the ions which are evaporated from the cathode surface are deflected outwardly around the visual shield and toward the workpieces.
32 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for coating workpieces by arc evaporation, comprising the steps of:
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evaporating ions from a cathode surface having an axis intersecting said surface; arranging workpieces to be coated around said axis at locations radially outward and axially distant from said cathode surface; providing visual shield means between said cathode surface and said workpieces at least partially surrounding said axis to prevent said workpieces from line of sight communication with said cathode surface; and deflecting said ions radially outwardly around said visual shield means towards said workpieces.
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2. Vacuum coating arrangement for coating workpieces, comprising an evaporation chamber containing therein:
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at least one evaporation cathode with a surface to be evaporated; at least one anode; with respect to an axis intersecting said cathode surface, axially and radially distant from said surface, an annular area surrounding said axis for accommodating workpieces; between said cathode surface and said annular area a visual shield substantially surrounding said axis and preventing workpieces within said area from line of sight contact with said surface; and deflection means to deflect ions evaporated from said surface, radially outwardly around said visual shield into said annular area. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification