Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating work pieces in a vacuum treatment system having a first electrode embodied as a target, which is part of an arc vaporization source. Using the first electrode, an arc is operated with an arc current and vaporizes material. A bias voltage is applied to a bias electrode, which includes a second electrode that is embodied as a work piece holder, together with the work pieces. Metal ion bombardment is carried out either to pretreat the work pieces or in at least one transition from one layer to an adjacent layer of a multilayer system, so that neither a significant material removal nor a significant material buildup occurs, but instead, introduces metal ions into a substrate surface or into a layer of a multilayer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetron sputtering process that allows material to be sputtered from a target surface in such a way that a high percentage of the sputtered material is provided in the form of ions. According to the invention, said aim is achieved using a simple generator, the power of which is fed to multiple magnetron sputtering sources spread out over several time intervals, i.e. the maximum power is supplied to one sputtering source during one time interval, and the maximum power is supplied to the following sputtering source in the subsequent time interval, such that discharge current densities of more than 0.2 A/cm2 are obtained. The sputtering target can cool down during the off time, thus preventing the temperature limit from being exceeded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a pulsed discontinuous spark discharge. The spark is fed via a capacitor. Between the pulses there are switched-off time intervals during which no spark current flows. Within the pulses, that is to say during the switched-on time intervals, the supply of charge is stopped upon a current threshold being reached and is restarted, with the result that subpulses occur within the pulses. The time intervals and subpulses are chosen according to the invention such that when the capacitor is switched on again, the spark discharge readily ignites again.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ignition device for igniting a high-current discharge of an electrical arc evaporator in a vacuum coating system. Ignition is performed by means of mechanically closing and opening a contact between the cathode and the anode. Contact is established by means of an ignition finger that can move on a forced path. On account of the forced path, the ignition finger can be moved by means of a simple mechanical drive to a park position, which is protected against coating, and said ignition finger can also be used to ignite a second target.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radar-transparent component comprising a plastic body. Said component is characterized in that at least parts of the surface have a coating with a thickness of between 10 nm and 100 nm that comprises a semiconductor. Said coating gives the plastic body the desired metallic appearance without the body losing the characteristic of a radar-transparent component.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier has a base frame, a shaft surrounding a drive axis and a workpiece carrier and includes a rotary frame mounted on the base frame so as to be rotatable about the drive axis, workpiece holders mounted on the rotary frame so as to be rotatable about holding axes, a driving part with a holder mounted so as to be rotatable about the drive axis, a transmission part operationally connected to the rotatably mounted workpiece holders, and an intermediate gear attached to the rotatably mounted holder. The intermediate gear is connected to the shaft and to the transmission part in such a way that the transmission part engages with the driving part so as to be rotatable about an output point that is spaced apart from the drive axis by an eccentricity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component for processing plastic, the surface of said component being modified. The surface base material is steel, and according to the invention nitrogen is preferably diffused into the steel to a thickness of 400 ?m, thus forming a diffusion layer. The surface comprises a smoothed covering layer that substantially contains nitrogen-iron compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for effective spark detection during a process for treating workpieces with a vacuum treatment installation, For this purpose, in the case of a bias voltage applied to the workpieces, the discrepancy between the current flowing through the workpieces and a mean value is measured and, in the event of a threshold value being exceeded by this discrepancy, the process is stopped. According to the invention, the threshold value is made dependent on the magnitude of the bias voltage.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier (2) comprises a rotary frame (3) and a driving part (22), both of which are rotatable about a driving axle (4). The rotary frame (3) can be driven by a motor (6), and carries a plurality of workpiece holders (13) which are distributed around the driving axle (4) so as to be rotatable about holder axes. Mounted in the driving part (22) on a mount is a pinion (25) which engages with a stationary central wheel (21) and a ring gear (27) of a transmission part (26), at the centre of which lies an output point (29) which is at a distance of an eccentricity from the driving axle (4). Driving apertures (28) on the transmission part (26), through which driving pins (19) of the workpiece holders (13) project, are also at the distance of the eccentricity from the holder axes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating comprising at least one molybdenum-containing layer having molybdenum oxide, said molybdenum being essentially molybdenum monoxide. The invention further relates to a PVD process for producing the disclosed coating, in which the layer comprising the molybdenum monoxide is produced using arc evaporation. The invention also relates to a component that has said coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder for a number of borers, which can advantageously be used for coating borer tips. The holders according to the invention make it possible to arrange the borers in the coating unit in such a way that their tips rest on a cylindrical wall and these can be rotated past a coating source at the same minimum distance. The holder comprises a first curved wall with holes, a second curved wall with holes or slits and a third wall which serves as stop for borers inserted in the holes of the first and second wall.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of producing subsurface marking in a transparent body. According to the invention, the marking is done less than 500 ?m below the surface by applying a layer system with a high destruction threshold, compared to the substrate, to the surface of the substrate. If the layer system is designed as an anti-reflection coating system for the reading wavelength, it increases the contrast for reading. If the layer system is designed as a mirror for the writing wavelength, the writing can be done in reflection at a lower intensity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for electrochemically removing a coating from coated workpieces by means of a voltage applied in an electrolyte bath between the workpiece and a counter-electrode. According to the invention, a rising voltage profile is selected during the coating removal process. This has the effect that the voltage applied at the start is low, and therefore the workpieces are not damaged, but nevertheless the rise in the voltage prevents the coating removal process taking an uneconomically long time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating for workpieces with at least one layer, the at least one layer comprising metal components represented by AlxCr1?x wherein x is an atomic ratio meeting 0?x?0.84 and comprising non metallic components represented by O1?yZy where Z is at least one Element selected from the group N, B, C and 0?y?0.65, preferably y?0.5 characterized in that the coating comprises at least partially a cubic non gamma Cr and oxide comprising phase in such a way that the x-ray diffraction pattern shows formation of cubic phase which is not the cubic phase of CrN.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arc deposition source, comprising an electrically conductive ceramic target plate (1), on the back of which a cooling plate (10) is provided, wherein a shield (3) is provided in the central area on the surface to be coated so that the cathode spot of the arc does not reach the central area (6) of the surface during operation of the deposition source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical product, comprising an antibacterial hard material coating, which is applied to a main body and which comprises biocide. Said hard material coating includes at least one inner layer and one outer layer, wherein the biocide concentration in the outer layer is substantially constant and greater than the biocide concentration in the inner layer and the biocide concentration in the inner layer is greater than or equal to 0.2 at %.

Abstract: Vacuum treatment installation or vacuum treatment method for carrying out a plasma method, wherein the treatment is carried out in a vacuum chamber, in which are disposed a device for generating an electric low voltage arc discharge (NVBE) comprised of a cathode and an anode electrically interconnectable with the cathode via an arc generator, and a workpiece carrier electrically interconnectable with a bias generator for receiving and moving workpieces, as well as at least one feed for inert and/or reactive gas. At least a portion of the surface of the anode is therein fabricated of graphite and is operated at high temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arc deposition device, comprising a cathode, an anode, as well as a voltage source for putting the anode at positive potential relative to the cathode. The device also comprises magnetic elements, which cause a magnetic field over the cathode surface, wherein the anode is arranged in the vicinity of the cathode in such a way that the magnetic field lines exiting from the cathode surface hit the anode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a target for an ARC source having a first body (3) of a material to be vaporized, which essentially comprises in one plane a surface which is intended to be vaporized, wherein the surface surrounds in this plane a central area, characterized in that in the central area a second body (7) is provided, which is preferably in the form of a disk and is electrically isolated from the first body (3), in such a way that the second body (7) can essentially provide no electrons for maintaining a spark.