Patent ID: 6827787
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
A film formation apparatus for a flexible substrate, said film formation apparatus comprising:at least two rollers for continuously conveying the flexible substrate from one end to the other end; a conveyance supporting portion including a plurality of cylindrical rollers provided between the one end and the other end along an arc with a radius R, the conveyance supporting portion serving as a ground electrode; an opposing electrode opposing the conveyance supporting portion; a vacuum chamber; an introducing means for introducing a gas into the vacuum chamber; a gas evacuation means; and an energy supplying means for supplying an energy to make a plasma from the gas; wherein the flexible substrate is located between the plurality of cylindrical rollers and the opposing electrode, wherein center axes of the plurality of cylindrical rollers run parallel to each other, wherein the substrate is in contact with each of the plurality of cylindrical rollers with a wrap angle kept positive to create a force in a direction pressing the flexible substrate against the plurality of cylindrical rollers, with the substrate being curved so that said substrate has a concave surface in contact with consecutive ones of said plurality of cylindrical rollers and a convex surface opposite to said concave surface, and wherein the plurality of cylindrical rollers are provided with a heater.