Abstract: A method and an apparatus (6, 7) are disclosed for manufacturing a cutting tool (1′) provided with at least one cutting body (3′). The base body (2) of the tool is moved in a certain direction (10), and during this time a substance (4) that contains particles of cutting material (12) is applied on a bearing surface (5′) of the base body (2) of the tool by supply means (6). A heating device (7) melts the substance (4) on the bearing surface (5′), binding the substance (4) to the bearing surface (5′). The bearing surface (5′) is moved section by section in the direction of displacement (10) of the base body (2) of the tool in the opposite direction to the force of gravity (G) at least during the setting time of the substance (4) applied on each section (17′) of the bearing surface (5′).

Abstract: A half bearing has a backing member and at least one metallic overlay, which is applied by electron beam vapour deposition and which comprises at least one finely dispersed component in a matrix material, the atomic weight of which component is greater than that of the matrix material, wherein the concentration of the finely dispersed component (7) decreases continuously from the apex area (8) of the half bearing (1) towards the area (9) of the partial surfaces. The method is characterised in that, during the coating process, an inert gas pressure of 0.1 to 5 Pa is set in the apex area of the bearing shell.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a method for enhancing the wear resistance of an aluminum cylinder bore comprising laser alloying of the cylinder bore with selected precursors. The present invention is particularly well suited for enhancing the wear resistance caused by corrosion in an aluminum block engine comprising aluminum cylinder bores.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving the corrosion and wear resistance of a transport trailer surface. More specifically the present invention relates to a method of laser alloying the surface of a transport trailer to enhance the corrosion and wear resistant properties of the surface.

Abstract: A method of forming an oriented film. A target is provided and material from the target is ablated onto a substrate to form a film. The film is heated in a synthesis gel of the target material to orient the film.

Abstract: A method for protecting a synthesis gas generator burner heat shield includes coating the burner heat shield with an overlay alloy coating composition of the formula MCrAlY wherein M is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, and cobalt. In a preferred embodiment, the coating includes from about 20-40 weight % Co, 5-35 weight % Cr, 5-10 weight % Ta, 0.8-10 weight % Al, 0.5-0.8 Y, 1-5 weight % Si and 5-15 weight % Al2O3.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using a laser to produce alloyed bands or strips on the surface of a piston for an internal combustion engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a laser alloying method to produce superior wear resistant properties for an aluminum internal combustion engine piston.

Abstract: Energy, such as from one or more lasers, is directed at the surface of a substrate to mobilize and vaporize a constituent element (e.g., carbide) within the substrate (e.g., steel). The vaporized constituent element is reacted by the energy to alter its physical structure (e.g., from carbon to diamond) to that of a composite material which is diffused back into the substrate as a composite material. An additional secondary element, which can be the same as or different from the constituent element, may optionally be directed (e.g., sprayed) onto the substrate to augment, enhance and/or modify the formation of the composite material, as well as to supply sufficient or additional material for fabricating one or more coatings on the surface of the substrate. The process can be carried out in an ambient environment (e.g., without a vacuum), and without pre-heating or post-cooling of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate with an oriented film. A target is ablated to create a plume. The substrate is manipulated, which may be by vibration, in the plume to coat the substrate with a film. The film is heated in a synthesis gel of the target to form the oriented film.

Abstract: A system for the depositing of insulating, conducting, or semiconducting thin films is disclosed, in which the sputtering plasma is irradiated with a transverse, adjustable ultraviolet emission produced by an ultraviolet optical cavity containing a lamp discharge. The cavity irradiates the sputtering plasma volume with a sufficiently high optical flux to enact significant changes in the film produced. This effect is enabled by the device geometry, which, in the preferred embodiment, provides uniquely high efficiency and stability in the optical coupling between the lamp discharge and the sputtering plasma, resulting in the ability to significantly alter ionized and excited state populations within and directly above the sputtering plasma. The design also allows the operator to significantly control the volume and species involved in the optical interaction.

Abstract: This invention combines the precision spray process with in-flight laser treatment in order to produce direct write electronic components. In addition to these components, the process can lay down lines of conductive, inductive, and resistive materials. This development has the potential to change the approach to electronics packaging. This process is revolutionary in that components can be directly produced on small structures, thus removing the need for printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for uniformly depositing a coating material from a vaporization source onto a powdered substrate material to form a thin coalescence film of the coating material that smoothly replicates the surface microstructure of the substrate material. The coating material is uniformly deposited on the substrate material to form optical interference pigment particles. The thin film enhances the hiding power and color gamut of the substrate material. Physical vapor deposition processes are used for depositing the film on the substrate material. The apparatus and systems employed in forming the coated particles utilize vibrating bed coaters, vibrating conveyor coaters, or coating towers. These allow the powdered substrate material to be uniformly exposed to the coating material vapor during the coating process.

Abstract: A one-step rapid manufacturing process is used to create three dimensional prototyping parts. Material such as metal, ceramics and the like powder, and wire, and the like, is delivered to a laser beam-material interaction region where it is melted and deposited on a substrate. The melted and deposited material is placed on a XYZ workstation. Three dimensional parts are created by moving the XYZ workstation relative to the laser beam while simultaneously feeding powdered alloys, first in the XY and then in the Z plane. Beam shaping focussing optics can be used to tailor the intensity distribution of the laser beam to the requirements of the deposition layers, and can be used to create parts with desired mechanical or thermodynamic properties. Additional beam splitting and recombining optics can be used to allow powder to be fed at a perpendicular angle to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a self decontaminating surface to decontaminate chemical and biological contaminants that are deposited on the surface and decontaminatable through reaction with free hydroxyl radicals. The method first includes determination of a surface to be treated and which is exposable to ultraviolet light. Second, a coating of nanoparticles of a transition metal oxide, non-limitedly exemplified by anatase titanium dioxide, is applied to the chosen surface. Application of the coating is accomplished by spraying heated nanoparticles or clusters thereof from a feed stock onto the surface to form a nanoparticle coating, with the nanoparticles being at a temperature of at least about 750° C. upon exit from a spray apparatus and of a size between about 5 nm and 100 nm.

Abstract: The method for the production of a ceramic layer on a metallic base material combines the following measures: The base material is preheated. Ceramic coating material is applied to a locally melted surface region of the base material. The coating material is therein likewise melted. A metallurgical bonding zone is provided using an additive material which reacts with the coating material and which is additionally applied to the base material as an adhesion producing layer or is added to the base material as a component of the alloy.

Abstract: A one-step rapid manufacuring process is used to create three dimensional prototyping parts. Material such as metal, ceramics and the like powder, and wire, and the like, is delivered to a laser beam-material interaction region where it is melted and deposited on a substrate. The melted and deposited material is placed on a XYZ workstation. Three dimensional parts are created by moving the XYZ workstation relative to the laser beam while simultaneously feeding powdered alloys, first in the XY and then in the Z plane. Beam shaping focussing optics can be used to tailor the intensity distribution of the laser beam to the requirements of the deposition layers, and can be used to create parts with desired mechanical or thermodynamic properties. Additional beam splitting and recombining optics can be used to allow powder to be fed at a perpendicular angle to the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to fabricate nano-device and semiconductor device structures and features by controlling a coherent or near coherent particle beam to directly deposit, or direct write, onto a preselected deposition site of a substrate and into a predetermined shape is provided. Evanescent wave plates are optionally included to increase the order of the particle beam prior to interaction with a photonic lens. The photonic lens is holographically generated by means of a source laser and an optical lens to focus the atomic beam onto the deposition site by means of Lorenz force interaction between light fields of the photonic lens and dipole moments of the atoms of the atomic beam.

Abstract: A method of making an evaporated deposit of a material comprising the steps of: (i) positioning at least one test substrate above a vapor source wherein at least a portion of the at least one test substrate is not perpendicularly disposed to vapor source, (ii) heating the vapor source in a vacuum to evaporate the vapor source, (iii) condensing a deposit evaporated from the vapor source on the at least one test substrate such that at least a portion of the deposit is not perpendicularly deposed to the vapor source, (iv) measuring the chemical composition of the deposit at various positions relative to a line normal to the vapor source, (v) repeating steps (i) through (iv) until a deposit having a desired chemical composition is measured, (vi) removing each of the at least one test substrate, (vii) positioning a workpiece above the vapor source at a location corresponding to that of the test substrate upon which a deposit of desired chemical composition is condensed and measured, (viii) heating the vapor source

Abstract: Multilayer magnetic transducer and structure and process for the production of the structure. The magnetic structure only has one stack of layers of a magnetic material separated by layers of a non-magnetic metallic material having a thickness such that there is an anti-ferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic layers, the magnetic material being chosen from among the alloys FeNi, FeNiCo, and NiCo and the non-magnetic material is silver.

Abstract: A process for providing precision deposits (3) of metal films unto a working substrate (5) by transmitting an ultrafast laser pulse thorough a transparent target substrate (6) whose lower surface supports a metal film (7). Rapid laser heating produces pressure that propels vaporized metal unto the working substrate whereupon the metal vapor rapidly resolidifies on a dimension substantially equal to the ultrafast laser's focal spot size.

Abstract: A process for additive manufacture by energetic wire deposition is described. A source wire is fed into a energy beam generated melt-pool on a growth surface as the melt-pool moves over the growth surface. This process enables the rapid prototyping and manufacture of fully dense, near-net shape components, as well as cladding and welding processes. Alloys, graded materials, and other inhomogeneous materials can be grown using this process.

Abstract: Prepared is a transcribing plate comprising a glass substrate and a chromium film formed on a surface of the glass substrate. The transcribing plate is disposed on a surface of an object (for example, a glass substrate of a plasma display panel) such that the chromium film faces the surface of the object. The transcribing plate is pressed toward the object, if necessary. A predetermined identification code pattern is drawn on the transcribing plate by a YAG laser beam. The laser beam reaches, through the glass plate, the chromium film to heat it. Chromium vapors generated by the heating are deposited on the surface of the object. This means that the identification code pattern is transcribed on the object surface.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber for UV light transmission, able to be sterilized with gamma radiation, has a core including undoped synthetic silica, a cladding including fluorine doped synthetic silica, a hydrogen content higher than 5.times.10.sup.19 molecules/cm.sup.3 and a metal coating that retards diffusion of hydrogen outwardly from the fiber, the metal being selected from aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, silver and gold. The metal coating has a high diffusion coefficient below 150.degree. and a low diffusion coefficient at a hydrogen loading temperature above 250.degree. C. The optical fiber may have a high-OH content of 50 to 1500 ppm and a low-OH content below 50 ppm after treatment. The optical fiber may also or alternatively have a low-OH content below 50 ppm, and preferably below 5 ppm, before treatment. A gamma radiation sterilized multimode fiber bundle may include a plurality of such optical fibers. A gamma radiation sterilized catheter may include at least one optical fiber or a fiber bundle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coating monocrystalline or polycrystalline metal substrates with a ceramic heat-insulating layer of zirconia by electron-beam vapor deposition, and to a method for coating turbine blades made of Ni-based superalloys. The method is characterized in that the metal substrate is moved during the vapor deposition in terms of a superposition of two rotational motions around horizontal axes, but in essentially perpendicular directions.

Abstract: Short-wavelength photons are used to ablate material from a low work function target onto a suitable substrate. The short-wavelength photons are at or below visible wavelength. The elemental composition of the deposit is controlled by the composition of the target and the gaseous environment in which the ablation process is performed. The process is carried out in a deposition chamber to which a short-wavelength laser is mounted and which includes a substrate holder which can be rotated, tilted, heated, or cooled. The target material is mounted onto a holder that spins the target during laser ablation. In addition, the deposition chamber is provided with a vacuum pump, an external gas supply with atomizer and radical generator, a gas generator for producing a flow of molecules on the substrate, and a substrate cleaning device, such as an ion gun. The substrate can be rotated and tilted, for example, whereby only the tip of an emitter can be coated with a low work function material.

Abstract: A method of overlaying by a laser beam, comprises the steps of: relatively moving and irradiating a laser beam with respect to a base metal and simultaneously putting an other metal material than the base metal material on the base metal surface; and forming an overlay layer by melting the other metal material, wherein the overlay operation is performed in such a manner that an inclined angle .theta. with respect to the base metal surface of the beginning end portion surface becomes a range of 8.degree.<.theta.<27.degree..

Abstract: A method is provided for forming metal layers in semiconductor channels or vias by using a very high pressure ionized metal deposition technique which results in improved sidewall step coverage with enhanced subsequent filling of the channel or vias by conductive materials. To obtain the very high pressure in excess of 100 mT, the plasma coil power is increased and the gas flow is increased while maintaining a constant pumping feed in the ionized metal deposition equipment.

Abstract: A method of forming metallization layers and vias as part of an interconnect structure within an integrated circuit ("IC") is disclosed. The metallization layers and vias are formed of an alloy consisting of tungsten and one or more other materials such as aluminum, gold, copper, cobalt, titanium, molybdenum or platinum. In the alternative, the alloy may include aluminum and exclude tungsten. The alloy that forms the metallization layers and vias is deposited onto the IC substrate using ionized cluster beam ("ICB") apparatus. The IC substrate is an "in-process" IC in that various active devices (e.g., bipolar and/or MOS transistors), resistors and capacitors are formed in the substrate using conventional techniques prior to the ICB deposition of the alloy layers. Intermediate IC substrate processing steps (e.g., patterning and etching to form the vias) may take place in-between ICB deposition steps.

Abstract: An electron-emitting device having an electroconductive film including an electron-emitting region and arranged between a pair of electrodes is manufactured by forming an electroconductive film on a substrate and producing an electron-emitting region in the electroconductive film. The electroconductive film is formed on the substrate by heating the substrate in an atmosphere containing a gasified organic metal compound to a temperature higher than the decomposition of the gasified organic metal compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for metal line deposition and a method for metal line deposition using the apparatus. A donor plate has a donor substrate transparent to a focused coherent light beam and a donor surface. The donor surface of the donor plate has a channel formed therein. The channel is coated with a metallic material. A deposition substrate onto which the metal line is to be deposited is disposed adjacent the donor surface of the donor plate. The focused coherent light beam is directed through the donor substrate of the donor plate and onto the metallic coating in the channel. The focused coherent light beam causes the metallic material to ablate from the channel by discharging ions of the metallic material away from the channel and onto the deposition substrate to form the metal line.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object is generated according to a stored, digital representation through layer-by-layer transfer of material onto a receiver, each layer corresponding to a layer of the three-dimensional representation. Each deposited layer is applied through selective irradiation of an ablation-transfer carrier. The carrier includes a transfer material that is ejected in response to irradiation, and which solidifies on the receiver or on a previously applied layer of transfer material. Thus, irradiation of the carrier in an area pattern corresponding to a layer results in deposition of the transfer material in accordance with the pattern. Sequential irradiations of fresh ablation-transfer carrier material, each according to a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to one of the contiguous layers of the three-dimensional object, result in depositions that gradually build up into the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A printing sheet is made from a porous resin sheet containing a predetermined amount of carbon grains. In order to manufacture the printing sheet, a mask (which partially shields the infrared rays according to a predetermined pattern) is placed on a transparent plate and the printing sheet is placed on the mask sheet. Flash bulbs irradiate the infrared rays onto the mask sheet. Infrared rays irradiated onto the transparent portion of the mask sheet pass through the mask sheet and reach the printing sheet, causing the carbon grains to heat the resin sheet such that pores in said resin sheet are sealed to form a non-print portion on said porous resin sheet corresponding to said transparent portion.

Abstract: Composite material for magnetooptic recording, comprising a thin layer deposited on a non-magnetic solid substrate. The said thin layer is a polycrystalline layer consisting of microcrystals having a structure of a vacant-site spinel ferrite, based on iron, cobalt and transition metals. By virtue of a particular process for producing the thin layers, enabling especially the size of the crystallites to be increased, it is possible to optimize the magnetic and magnetooptic properties and to obtain thin layers having, for example, a remanent Faraday rotation and a coercive field which are greater, respectively, than 1 degree per micron for the Faraday rotation and 1000 Oe for the coercive field.

Abstract: A track bushing for an endless track of a track-type vehicle includes a cylindrical tubular shape, a first end and a second end, and first end and second bearing surfaces adjacent respective ends. A circumferential groove having a depth in an axial direction is formed in at least one of the first end and second end bearing surfaces. An abrasion resistant material is deposited within the circumferential groove and bonded to the bushing at a bond interface. The abrasion resistant material at the bond interface is diluted with no greater than 5% by weight track bushing material.

Abstract: An improved additive process for metallization of substrates is described whereby a catalyst solution is applied to a surface of a substrate. Metallic catalytic clusters can be formed in the catalyst solution on the substrate surface by irradiating the substrate. Electroless plating can then deposit metal onto the portion of the substrate surface having metallic clusters. Additional metallization thickness can be obtained by electrolytically plating the substrate surface after the electroless plating step.

Abstract: A composition of material of the formula MN.sub.x O.sub.y where M and N are metals selected from the group of elements consisting of Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Ac, Th, and U where O is oxygen and x and y have values such that the oxygen-to-metal ratio is less than 4 and the ratio of y/(1+x) is also less than 4, said material being in the form of a single oxide phase and having a crystal structure of a single type alone with no detectable crystal structure of a second type, said material being sub-stoichiometric.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the introduction of alloying compounds into a metal substrate using a laser energy source is disclosed. The compositions comprise a viscous fluid mixture of a powdered silicate mineral composite, a powdered metallic or semi-metallic compound and a water insoluble or slightly water soluble liquid component capable of supporting a dispersion of the powdered silicate mineral composite and the powdered metallic or semi-metallic compound therein. The composition may be sprayed in bulk onto large surface areas of a metal substrate in need of repair prior to laser irradiation.

Abstract: An article comprising a soft, polysiloxane elastomer having a hardness of 5-55 durometer units (Shore 00), the elastomer having a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least one of its surfaces is described. A process for bonding a pressure sensitive adhesive to the soft polysiloxane elastomeric is also described.

Abstract: In a cladding method for covering a surface of a base metal with a metal for coating by using a processing apparatus for supplying a levigated coating metal together with irradiating a laser beam, in a first step, a first layer of cladding is formed on a surface of the base metal, and in a second step, a second layer is formed on a cladding starting portion in the first layer in an overlapping manner. In the second step, the processing apparatus is moved to an upper position which is more apart from the base metal than in the first step. In the above manner, since the processing apparatus forms the second layer of cladding with moving the processing apparatus upward, a processing point is moved upward together with motion of the processing apparatus. As a result of this, a generation of a defect in an overlapping portion of the cladding and a neighborhood thereof can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for improving the adhesitivity of surface refined parts (6) to the body (7) of railway wheels (1), which surface refined parts (6) have been produced by treating the railway wheel (1) with high energy generated preferably by laser radiation (8). In order to prevent or at least obstruct the risk for loosening of the surface refined parts (6) from the body (7) of the railway wheel (1), the maximum thickness (B) of the surface refined parts (6) is selected so that the Hertzian pressure which affects the railway wheel (1) when said wheel is loaded with the maximum permitted pressure thereon is substantially carried by the body (7) of the railway wheel (1) beneath the surface refined parts (6).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for hardsurface cladding a workpiece such as a tip shroud notch face of a turbine bucket configured for contact engagement with an adjacent tip shroud notch face. A continuous wave laser beam is generated in a Nd:YAG laser and directed on the notch face at a spot to provide heat thereat. A hardsurface cladding wire is dispensed at the spot under a shielding gas for being melted by the laser beam to form a molten cladding layer on the notch face. The laser beam and wire are traversed over the notch face to form a cladding layer over the entire notch face, which is cooled and solidified in a hardsurface cladding layer integrally bonded to the notch face.

Abstract: A magnetic medium has permanently defined boundaries between tracks and a consistent surface smoothness. The crystallographic structure of the magnetic medium is modified at the track boundaries, so the grains of the magnetic thin film permanently take on a relatively non-magnetic structure as compared to the grains of the magnetic thin film within the tracks. Servo patterns on the magnetic medium may be permanently defined at the same time the track boundaries are permanently defined. Laser ablation, laser heating to an amorphous structure, photolithography, perpendicular deposition, ion milling, reverse sputtering, and ion implantation can be used individually or in combination, with either the magnetic layer or the underlayer, to create the relatively non-magnetic areas.

Abstract: A process for forming a layer of gold on a substrate, comprising: preparing a solution of a gold precursor wherein the gold precursor consists ofAu(OH).sub.p (OOCR.sup.1).sub.q (OOCR.sup.2).sub.rwherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl, and R.sup.2 is selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, alkenyl, or alkynyl, and p+q+r=3. Applying the solution of the gold precursor to the surface of the substrate. Decomposing the gold precursor by subjecting the gold precursor to heat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing unit which can be used in a drainage pump operated without supply of clean water or a hydraulic pump, which exhibits excellent wear resistance against water containing earth and sand and satisfactory assembling facility, and a method of manufacturing the bearing unit.The contact surface of a bearing made of stainless steel and/or that of a sleeve is applied with a sprayed coating, the main component of which is WC, and which contains one or more elements selected from a group consisting of nickel, chromium and cobalt as a binder material thereof, or a sprayed coating, the main component of which is Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2, and which contains NiCr as a binder material, after the sprayed coating has been formed, heating at from 300.degree. C. to 550.degree. C. is performed for one hour or longer so that hardness and wear resistance equivalent to those of a WC-12% sintered article is attained.

Abstract: The apparatus for depositing thin films on both a first surface and a second surface of the substrate via off-axis laser ablation according to present invention comprises (1) a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber having (a) a first target of a first deposition material supported by a first target holder, (b) a second target of a second deposition material supported by a second target holder so as to positioned to be substantially coplanar with the first target, (c) a substrate holder for holding a substrate above a space between the first and second targets, the substrate being oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the targets, (d) a heating means for heating the first and second surfaces of the substrate, (e) a first entrance window through which a first laser beam passes to impinge onto the first target with a predetermined angle, and (f) a second entrance window through which a second laser beam passes to impinge onto the second target with a predetermined angle and (2) a laser optical system compri

Abstract: A PZT ferroelectric thin film is sputter deposited on an electrode without microcracks while avoiding oxygen and Pb ion deficiencies at the electrode interface by initially forming a buffer layer containing a sufficient amount of a volatile Pb component and a sufficient amount of oxygen to easily absorb the energy of sputter particles. The PZT ferroelectric thin film can also be deposited by laser ablation.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a conductive and light-absorbing baseplate for use in a field emission display is disclosed. A surface of the baseplate is coated with a praseodymium oxide- and manganese oxide-containing layer having a resistivity that does not exceed 1.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA.-cm. The coating may be placed on the baseplate by radiofrequency sputtering, laser ablation, plasma deposition or the like. Suitable praseodymium sources include praseodymium acetate, praseodymium oxalate and Pr(THd).sub.3, while suitable manganese sources include MnO.sub.2 and MnCO.sub.3.

Abstract: A method of applying strengthening coatings to metallic or metal-containing surfaces is provided in which the surface (2) to which a strengthening coating is to be applied is first subjected to activation, then at least one strengthening coating layer (1) is applied to the surface thus prepared. Said layer is treated with a laser beam (3) having a diameter (d) ranging from 0.2 mm to half the diameter (d) of the laser beam (3) entering into focusing element (5), with a power of at least 0.5 kW, with a rate of relative travel (A) of the surface being treated (2) and the laser beam (3) of at least 50 mm/min, the distance (L) between the focal plane (f) of the focusing element (5) to the surface being treated (2) being less than or equal to half the focal distance (F).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the application of conducting metallic, structured coatings on glass substrates, for example, for the manufacture of integrated circuits. The invention relies on placing a negative mask of the structure to be applied into the beam path of an excimer laser. After leaving the mask, the laser beam is directed onto a flat silica glass slice, the back side of which is in contact with a reductive copper bath. The process according to this invention requires exposure times no longer than seconds, after which the process proceeds autocatalytically. It can be stopped as soon as the desired coating thickness has been attained.

Abstract: In order to improve a process and an apparatus for producing a functional structure of a semiconductor component, which comprises layers arranged on a base substrate and defining the entire functions of the semiconductor component, such that the functional structure of the semiconductor components can be produced as simply as possible and with as little susceptibility as possible with respect to the quality of the semiconductor components it is suggested that all the layers be produced without lithography and applied to the base substrate one after the other exclusively with physical layer application processes.