Abstract: A transport device for transporting elongated substrates through a vacuum coating system comprises an essentially rectangular frame and two groups of holding elements, which are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the frame in such a manner that any pair of opposite holding elements can be connected to both ends of a substrate. Furthermore, at least one retainer bar is provided that is operatively connected to a group of holding elements in such a manner that the holding elements of this group are moveable in order to increase or decrease by choice their distance from the holding elements of the other group. Also provided are a loading and unloading device for loading and unloading the transport device, and a method for loading and unloading the transport device.

Abstract: A sealing device for a rotary feedthrough for receiving a rotating machine element whose outer side can be applied to another machine element includes at least two sealing elements disposed in tandem in the axial direction of the machine element. Inner sides of the sealing elements are configured for forming an active sealing connection with the rotating machine element. At least one of the sealing elements can be pressurized with an additional force acting in the radial direction so that the force of compression acting on the rotating machine element for the at least one of the sealing elements can be adjusted relative to the force of compression acting on the rotating machine element due to at least one other sealing element.

Abstract: To achieve an improved end block, in which heating by induction eddy currents, which may occur during AC sputtering, for example, is significantly reduced relative to known end blocks, an end block for a magnetron configuration having a rotating target comprises an end block housing having an attachment surface for attaching the end block on a support apparatus, a pivot bearing for rotatable mounting of the rotating target, and at least one current conduction apparatus which conducts current through the end block housing in operation of the end block. The end block housing is implemented so that each current path in the end block housing which encloses the current conduction apparatus has an interruption at at least one point.

Abstract: A transport device for a vacuum processing system, a drive unit for high temperature processes in vacuum processing systems, and a vacuum processing system employ a drive unit which operates without the polygonal effect, can be connected endlessly, is suitable for high temperatures, is insensitive to radiation heat, does not generate degassing and does not need a lubricant. The drive unit includes a traction element, guided around at least two deflecting rollers. The traction element is a continuous metal strip.

Abstract: A drive end block for a magnetron arrangement with a rotating target, comprises an end block housing having a rotatably mounted drive shaft. The drive shaft is arranged in the end block housing, accessible at an end from outside of the end block housing for connection to the rotating target, and adapted at its end inside the end block housing for introduction of a torque. An electric motor with a stator and a rotor for creating the torque is arranged inside the end block housing.

Abstract: An end block for a magnetron device having a rotatable target comprises an end block housing having a pivot bearing. The end block housing is adapted on its outer side for attachment on a support unit, and the pivot bearing is adapted on an end that is accessible from outside the end block housing, for connection to the rotatable target. The end block housing is movably attached on the support unit. A vacuum coating apparatus has a vacuum chamber, a magnetron device situated in the vacuum chamber, and a rotatable target rotatably mounted on at least one such end block.

Abstract: A tube target with an end block for supplying coolant to the tube target is provided. The end block comprises a rotatably mounted carrier shaft for holding and rotating the tube target; a connecting sleeve arranged in the carrier shaft; a sealing element for the tube target on its end facing the end block; a coolant inlet port in the interior of the tube target; and a coolant outlet port. The coolant outlet port is formed by at least one aperture in the sealing element. The aperture is located in the vicinity of the wall of the tube target, and eccentrically to the rotational axis of the tube target.

Abstract: Please amend the Abstract of the Disclosure to read as follows. In accordance with 37 CFR §1.72, the abstract is submitted herewith on a separate sheet of paper, following page 9 of this amendment.

Abstract: A drive end block for a rotatable magnetron comprises a housing, which has a vacuum-tight rotary feedthrough extending through a wall of the housing, and a drive apparatus for generating a torque. An output end of the rotary feedthrough lies outside the housing for connection to the rotatable magnetron and a drive end of the rotary feedthrough lies inside the housing for introducing a torque. The drive apparatus is situated outside the housing of the drive end block and is connected using a torque transmission apparatus to the drive end of the rotary feedthrough so that the drive apparatus is electrically insulated from the housing and the rotary feedthrough of the drive end block.

Abstract: A highly reflective layer system for coating substrates with reflection-enhancing layers, a method for producing the layer system and a device for carrying out the method are provided. On the surface of the substrate, a first functional reflection layer is applied. The first functional reflection layer may be reflective or partially reflective and comprise of metal or a metal alloy which contains one of more constituents from the group comprising copper, nickel, aluminum, titanium, molybdenum and tin. Provided there over is a second functional reflection layer. The second functional reflection later may comprise metal or a metal alloy, for example silver or a silver alloy. Over the second functional reflective layer there follows a first transparent dielectric layer. The first transparent dielectric layer may comprise, for example, silicon oxide. Arranged over the first transparent dielectric layer is a second transparent dielectric layer. This may consist, for example, of titanium oxide.

Abstract: The transporting device according to the invention, in particular for transporting sheet-like substrates through a coating installation, comprises transporting rollers which are rotatably mounted on both sides and horizontally arranged transversely in relation to the transporting direction, the uppermost surface lines of the transporting rollers defining the transporting plane, and is characterized in that the end parts of the transporting rollers have a smaller diameter than the middle part of the transporting rollers and in that baffles which are mounted displaceably in the axial direction of the transporting rollers between a first position and a second position are arranged between the end parts of the transporting rollers and the transporting plane. The fact that the baffles are mounted in an axially displaceable manner has the effect of considerably extending the cleaning intervals of the transporting device.

Abstract: A highly efficient getter pump with low maintenance requirements is applied to a vacuum coating installation, allowing a substrate to be coated to remain uncontaminated by a dusting of getter material. The getter pump comprises a pump housing with an exposure opening. The housing has a getter body, of getter material that essentially closes the exposure opening and can move in relation to the exposure opening. An inner sub-section of the surface of the getter body points towards the interior of the pump housing and an outer sub-section points towards the exterior of the pump housing through the exposure opening. The positions of the inner and outer sub-sections are interchangeable by movement of the getter body. The getter pump is equipped with a device for removing getter material from the inner sub-section.

Abstract: A vacuum coating unit with a transport device for transporting substrates in a transport direction, comprises at least one first endless conveyor running in the transport direction and having a conveyor device guided around at least two deflection rollers. The conveyor device is located at a distance from a guide device extending in the transport direction parallel to the conveyor device of the first endless conveyor in such a way that the substrates can be introduced into the gap between the conveyor device and the guide device and can be moved in the transport direction by the displacement of the conveyor device.

Abstract: A method for measuring the temperature of substrates to be coated is disclosed. The substrates have an opening or a cavity, and the substrates are successively moved past a source of coating material. At least one substrate's temperature is measured during coating by at least one temperature sensor and the measured temperature value is transmitted to a measuring device. The temperature sensor is disposed inside the substrate's opening or cavity so as to prevent coating of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: In a transfer chamber having a housing with a transfer region and a passing band region, a transport device comprising a first arrangement of transport rollers is arranged in the transfer region of the housing, and a passing band comprising a second arrangement of transport rollers is arranged in the passing band region of the housing. The passing band region of the housing is subdivided by a horizontal wall, which is arranged above the passing band, into a transport space, which is located below the horizontal wall, and a pump space, which is located above the horizontal wall. The pump space has a vacuum port or a vacuum pump connected to it.

Abstract: In a vacuum coating installation to coat planar substrates, comprising a vacuum chamber and a transport device arranged in the vacuum chamber for transporting the substrates along a transportation path through the vacuum chamber, with the transport device comprising a multitude of transport rollers arranged successively along the transportation path, each transport roller is adapted to be mounted at least at two different positions, vertically distanced from each other. A carrier frame has a substrate accepting structure and a guiding rod arranged at the bottom of the carrier frame in the direction of transportation to create a friction connection with the transportation device, connected to the carrier frame at the connection points, with the guiding rod being connected at least at one connection point to the carrier frame such that a relative displacement is possible of the guiding rod relative to the carrier frame in the direction of transportation.

Abstract: A heater panel of a radiant heater includes a heating spiral provided on a panel element and mechanically connected to the panel element with a portion of a spiral turn. With the object of providing a heater panel with a stable arrangement of the heating spiral on the panel element by which a high power density is achievable, each spiral turn is detachably connected to the panel element by three spaced-apart contact spots. Two of said contact spots are located on the outer circumference of the spiral turn in such a distance to each other that the radii originating at them define an angle of less than 180°, and the third contact spot is located on the inner circumference of the spiral turn within the portion of the spiral turn facing the panel element and confined by the two outer contacts.

Abstract: In a transport device for elongated substrates, especially in hot processes, which includes an essentially rectangular frame, formed by longitudinal and transverse spars connected to each other, in which at least three transverse spars are provided between two longitudinal spars, at least one transverse spar is made from a material, whose heat expansion coefficient differs from the heat expansion coefficient of the material of the other transverse spars or/and at least one transverse spar is connected force-free to at least one transverse support or/and at least one transverse spar is formed from an open profile.

Abstract: A magnetron arrangement includes an end block, which has a target fastening device for rotatable coupling of a tubular target, a holding device for a magnet system arranged in the interior of the tubular target and a shield, which covers the end of a tubular target mounted in the target fastening device. An area of the shield covering the end of the tubular target is configured, so that an annular gap remaining between the target support tube and the shield, viewed from the outside, has at least one radially outward-leading section.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a processing atmosphere for coating substrates, with this method primarily being used in CVD-processes for precipitating an individual layer or a system of individual layers under defined processing atmospheres, in which processing gas is supplied to a coating chamber in a defined manner and exhausted. Via the method and related devices, a variable processing atmosphere is adjustable inside the coating chamber in a flexible, reliable and homogenous manner, and requiring a reduced maintenance and energy expense, even when the substrate is heated. The processing gas is created by at least one gas channel extending perpendicular in reference to the substrate by way of supplying gas flow or exhausting, with a lateral extension being equivalent to the width of the substrate.