Abstract: The present invention provides a device in the form of a filter which is useable in conjunction with a plasma display panel and which functions to reduce reflection after assembly to acceptable levels, to increase contrast enhancement ratios, to reduce EMI emissions to levels which comply with consumer safety and other regulations and standards and to reduce infrared transmission in the 800 nm-1000 nm range to a level which does not interfere with IR remote control operation. The present invention also relates to a method of making such a plasma display panel filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device in the form of a single filter which is useable in conjunction with a plasma display panel and which functions to reduce reflection after assembly to acceptable levels, to increase contrast enhancement ratios, to reduce EMI emissions to levels which comply with consumer safety regulations and with military and aircraft standards and to reduce infrared transmission in the 800 nm-1000 nm range to a level which does not interfere with IR remote control operation. The present invention also relates to a method of making such a plasma display panel filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device in the form of a filter which is useable in conjunction with a plasma display panel, which is applied to the front face of a display, and which functions to reduce reflection after assembly to acceptable levels, to increase contrast enhancement ratios, to reduce EMI emissions to levels which comply with consumer safety or other governmental or other regulations or standards and to reduce infrared transmission in the 800 nm-1000 nm range to a level which does not interfere with IR remote control operation. The present invention also relates to a method of making such a plasma display panel filter and device.

Abstract: An article comprising a transparent or translucent polymer substrate and a transparent or translucent coating applied thereto in which the refractive index of the coating material substantially matches the refractive index of the polymer substrate. The invention also relates to a method for making an article comprising a polymer substrate and a coating in which the refractive index of the coating substantially matches the refractive index of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: A method and system for designing and manufacturing a high-performance, optimized optical interference coatings that have a minimal number of layers. Index of refraction, absorption coefficient, and thickness values are selected for each of the layers in the design so as to cause the reflectance of a coated object to be zero for a given wavelength. Materials that with the selected properties are manufactured by mixing two or more preexisting available materials.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the reflectance of an object (e.g., a CRT) that is coated with an anti-reflective coating material is disclosed. The quality and/or uniformity of the coating is evaluated by a reflectometer. The reflectometer is positioned relative to the object by non-contact sensors. Reflectance data gathered by the reflectometer is analyzed to determine to what extent the actual coating differs from the optimal (i.e., ideal) coating. A feedback system modifies the coating process for subsequent objects in an attempt to fine-tune the coating process and achieve optimal anti-reflective coatings for later objects passing through the system.

Abstract: An optical analyzer measuring the reflectivity of a moving article in an in-line sputtering deposition system. The optical analyzer includes a light source which provides a light beam. Light is reflected from an optical coating of a moving article into a concentrator, which captures and directs the reflected light to a detector. The analyzer may be mounted in an evacuable chamber in which the end walls have openings to allow passage of the article.

Abstract: A cathode body for a rotating cylindrical magnetron wherein the magnetron provides a sputtering zone extending along the length of the cathode body and circumferentially along a relatively narrow region thereof. The cathode body includes an elongated tubular member having a target material at the outer surface thereof. A collar of electrically-conductive material is located at at least one end of the tubular member, and extends along the tubular member from that one end into the erosion zone. A sleeve of electrically-conductive material may extend circumferentially around the collar.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and carrier for coating a CRT screen after assembly. The method and apparatus includes isolating a surface portion of the CRT to be coated from the remaining surface to prevent or minimize coating problems resulting from outgassing or difficulty in controlling coating process parameters and to isolate noncompatible components from the deposition environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate in preparation for thin film coating. The invention involves cleaning the substrate in a cleaning chamber under controlled conditions by a blast of carbon dioxide pellets suspended in and transported by a compressed gas medium.

Abstract: A rotatable magnetron cathode has one end adapted to be attached to a drive shaft and a free end supported by a yoke suspended from spring-loaded supporting devices attached to a sputtering chamber wall. A dark space shield is attached to the cathode where the cathode connects to the drive shaft of its motor so as to rotate with the cathode. Another dark space shield is attached at the free end of the cathode with an insulator bearing in between such that the cathode can rotate without causing the shield at its front to also rotate. An insulator pad is placed between the yoke and a metal cover piece attached to the shield at the front so as to keep the frontal dark space shield in an electrically floating condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a CRT screen after assembly. The method and apparatus includes isolating a surface portion of the CRT to be coated from the remaining surface to prevent or minimize coating problems resulting from outgassing and to isolate noncompatible components from the deposition environment.

Abstract: A multilayer antireflection coating for a temperature sensitive substrate such as plastic. One layer is a DC reactively sputtered metal oxide which may be deposited quickly and without imparting a large amount of heat to the substrate. Another layer has a refractive index lower than the substrate.

Abstract: A magnetron cathode having a magnet housing which encloses a magnet array and has a cooling fluid passage therethrough. The magnet housing fills a significant portion of the cathode leaving a passage of relatively low cross-section for cooling fluid flow between the magnet housing and a cathode wall. The magnet housing may be hermetically sealed to prevent magnet corrosion and may be provided with rollers which engage the cathode wall to prevent magnet housing deformation due to magnetic forces.

Abstract: A rotatable magnetron cathode having at least one supported end adapted for attachment to a spindle. At least one dark space shield is attached to the cathode at a supported end to rotate therewith, and is electrically floating relative to the cathode. If the cathode is cantilever mounted, a floating cone end shield, facing away from the gas discharge and not overlapping the cylindrical cathode wall, is used at the free end.

Abstract: A rotatable magnetron cathode having at least one supported end adapted for attachment to a spindle. At least one dark space shield is attached to the cathode at a supported end to rotate therewith, and is electrically floating relative to the cathode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a CRT screen after assembly. The method and apparatus includes isolating a surface portion of the CRT to be coated from the remaining surface to prevent or minimize coating problems resulting from outgassing and to isolate noncompatible components from the deposition environment.

Abstract: A cathode body for a rotating cylindrical magnetron wherein the magnetron provides a sputtering zone extending along the length of the cathode body and circumferentially along a relatively narrow region thereof. The cathode body includes an elongated tubular member having a target material at the outer surface thereof. A collar of electrically-conductive material is located at at least one end of the tubular member, and extends along the tubular member from that one end into the erosion zone. A sleeve of electrically-conductive material may extend circumferentially around the collar.

Abstract: An antireflection coating for a substrate including four layers and having optimized photopic reflectance and optimized for deposition by sputtering. The first layer (the layer farthest from the substrate) has a refractive index less than the refractive index of the substrate and a thickness of about one-quarter wavelength. The second layer (the layer adjacent the first layer) has an refractive index greater than about 2.2 and a thickness of about a half wavelength. The third layer has refractive index less than that of the second layer. The fourth layer (the layer adjacent the substrate) has a refractive index less than about 2.0 and greater than that of the third layer. The combined thickness of the third and fourth layers is less than about a quarter wavelength. The first and third layers may include silicon dioxide. The second layer may include titanium dioxide or niobium oxide. The fourth layer may include indium oxide, tin oxide, indium tin oxide, or zinc oxide.

Abstract: A shutter apparatus capable of protecting the interior surface of an evacuable optical coating chamber viewport from the deposition of off-substrate coating material when in the closed position, and exposing the viewport surface to permit viewing through the viewport into the chamber when in the open position. The movement of the shutter between the open and closed positions is accomplished without breaching the chamber seal.