Patent ID: 6245280
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: C23C,H01J,H05B

Abstract:
A method for fabricating polycrystalline particles by gas phase condensation, comprising the steps of:providing a vacuum chamber;providing a non-consumable electrode within the vacuum chamber;spatially disposing a consumable electrode adjacent the non-consumable electrode, the consumable electrode comprising evaporative material;evacuating the vacuum chamber to between about 10 Torr and 100 mtorr;creating a potential between the non-consumable electrode and consumable electrode;initiating an arc discharge between the non-consumable electrode and the consumable electrode to form ionized vapors of the evaporative material of the consumable electrode, whereby an arc path is provided; andevaporating material from the consumable electrode by supplying a current to sustain an arc discharge, whereby vapors from the consumable electrode condense to form polycrystalline particles;wherein said consumable electrode is a cathode.