Patent ID: 8137464

Claim:
A system for depositing a thin film on a flexible substrate, comprising: a first precursor zone into which a first precursor gas is introduced when the system is in use; a second precursor zone into which a second precursor gas different from the first precursor gas is introduced when the system is in use; an isolation zone interposed between the first and second precursor zones and into which an inert gas is introduced when the system is in use, the isolation zone including a series of flow-restricting passageways opening into the first and second precursor zones and arranged to provide a series of pathways along which a flexible substrate is threaded along a path that traverses back and forth between the first precursor zone and the second precursor zone multiple times and each time through the isolation zone; and a substrate transport mechanism, including: a plurality of first turning guides spaced apart along the first precursor zone, at least some of the first turning guides adapted to support the substrate during a change in a direction of travel of the substrate toward the second precursor zone, and a plurality of second turning guides spaced apart along the second precursor zone, at least some of the second turning guides adapted to support the substrate during a change in a direction of travel of the substrate toward the first precursor zone.