Abstract: The present invention comprises an ion source apparatus for producing an ion beam from a solid material of arsenic or phosphorus. The ion source includes a plasma chamber having an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice wherein a non-toxic carrier gas is inputted into the plasma chamber. A means for generating a gas plasma is arranged within the plasma chamber and an electrically insulated platform is also arranged within the plasma chamber. A heatable wafer of solid source material of a metal phosphide or arsenide is attached to the platform, for conversion upon heating, into an ion beam.

Abstract: An ion source generating device having a main arc chamber and an auxiliary chamber attached to and in fluid communication with the main chamber. The auxiliary chamber contains solid reactants consisting of Ca.sub.3 P.sub.2 or Mg.sub.3 As.sub.2 to provide a reduction reaction of feed gas such as HF or H.sub.2 O respectively, passing through the chamber and into the main chamber, in which the ion beam is generated.

Abstract: An improved coated orthopaedic implant component is disclosed. The implant may be coated with platinum for improved characteristics. Ion beam coating orthopaedic parts by ion implanting the parts with zirconium ions while the parts are immersed in an oxygen-containing background gas is also disclosed. The adhesion of the graded interface zirconium oxide surface layer so formed is further improved by the initial removal of surface contamination using an ion bombardment and the deposition of an intermediate layer of platinum or silicon between the orthopaedic metal component and the zirconium oxide. Furnace heating results in atomic interdiffusion to enhance adhesion between the surfaces. The zirconium oxide provides a low friction, low wear articulating surface. The graded interface may be characterized by a blackish color and a transition between pure zirconium oxide and pure intermediate layer that extends over a thickness of hundreds of Angstroms.