Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing a carbon layer includes an arc discharge is formed between an electron source and an evaporation material by means of a first power supply device. The negative terminal of the first power supply device is connected in an electrically conducting manner to the electron source and the positive terminal of the first power supply device is connected in an electrically conducting manner to the evaporation material. A permanent magnet system and a solenoid coil are arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the evaporation material. The evaporation material is formed as a graphite rod which is surrounded by at least one heat-insulating element at least on the rod end to be evaporated of the graphite rod.

Abstract: The vacuum vaporization process is controlled using recoil force of the evaporating particles as the measurable variable by measuring the rate of evaporation. The vaporizer vessel is arranged in the vacuum chamber with the aid of force transducers, and the signal emanating from the force transducers can be used to control, for example, the electrical energy to heat the vaporizing material, the beam deflection or the fill level in the vaporizer, with the sensors not coming into contact with the vapor. Vacuum vaporization processes, particularly for vapor deposition of functional coatings on tools and sheet substrates, can be controlled with this method and device.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for pre-treatment of a substrate surface in a vacuum by a glow discharge for a subsequent coating process in a vacuum. The process includes maintaining a low pressure glow discharge between the substrate to be pre-treated and a counter-electrode, where the counter-electrode composed of at least a component of the coating to be deposited in the vacuum coating process. The process also includes periodically alternating a polarity of the substrate to act as a cathode or as an anode of the low pressure glow discharge, and individually controlling at least one of pulse length and discharge voltage in both polarities. A frequency of alternation of the polarity is set within a range of between 1 Hz and 1000 kHz. The apparatus includes an evacuatable vacuum chamber, a substrate holder positioned to hold a substrate to be pre-treated, at least one counter-electrode, and an alternating voltage generator coupled to the substrate to be pre-treated and the at least one counter-electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for stabilizing plasma generation in the coating of large substrate surfaces by means of an electron beam vaporizer. To obtain a stable operation of the apparatus at a high vaporization rate and stable plasma excitation of the vapour cloud without using additional electrodes, according to the invention the vaporization rate of the electron beam vaporizer is initially set so high that at least 10% of the electron beam power is absorbed in the vaporization chamber by the vapour and the optical emission of the resulting plasma is measured. The operating parameters of the electron gun or a process parameter are then controlled in such a way that the optical emission, and therefore the energy absorption, remains constant.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for plasma-activated electron beam vaporization is rovided. The vaporizing material from at least two vaporizer crucibles is vaporized with electron beams. An electric voltage is applied to the vaporizer crucibles in such a way that the vapor-emitting areas serve as electrodes of an electric discharge. The vaporizing material acts as a cathode or anode. The process and apparatus are preferably intended for the reactive coating of large surfaces and for the reactive coating of components, tools and strip steel.