Patent ID: 9640369
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: C23C,H01J

Claim:
1. An apparatus for applying at least one coating onto at least one substrate, said apparatus comprising: a deposition chamber, at least one evaporant source, at least one energetic beam for impinging said evaporant source forming a vapor plume, at least two hollow cathodes aligned at least substantially coaxially with said at least one evaporant source for delivering a discharge current, and wherein said apparatus is configured wherein said at least one evaporant source is disposed outside said at least two hollow cathodes, at least one plasma-forming gas emitted from each of said at least two hollow cathodes, at least one anode for electrostatically attracting said discharge current from at least one of said two hollow cathodes, and wherein a) said plasma jet at least partially shapes said vapor plume b) said plasma jet at least partially entrains said vapor plume and at least partially assists in transporting said vapor plume to said substrate to provide said at least one coating onto said substrate.