Abstract: A substrate holder and mask system for depositing curved films and mirrors on flat mirror substrates. A spherical mask is held in close proximity to a substrate by a support structure to intercept a fraction of vapor from a distant source. The film deposited on the substrate behind the mask has a spherically symmetric curvature when the source has a large area. The cross section of the mask support structure is made as small as possible to minimize irregularities in the spherical figure. A mirror is subsequently deposited on said curved substrate after removing said mask.

Abstract: An electrode apparatus for an electric arc vapor deposition machine has an electrode body with a coaxially aligned stud threaded into its rear surface and projecting substantially perpendicularly thereto. The distal end of the stud is threaded for rapid detachable fastening to an electrode support means such that the periphery of the rear surface of the electrode is uniformly drawn toward engagement with the electrode support means. A seal member forms a fluid tight seal between the peripheral rear surface of the electrode body and the electrode support means, which cooperatively define a coolant cavity for actively and efficiently cooling substantially the entire lower surface of the electrode. The electrode support means includes means for directly bathing the seal with liquid coolant from the coolant cavity. The simple threaded stud mounting configuration allows a spent cathode to be rapidly replaced.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for maintaining cathode spots in an electric arc vapor deposition coating process, on the desired cathode evaporation surface are disclosed. A primary anode is arranged, configured and biased within a vacuum deposition coating chamber relative to a cathodic source so as to maintain an electric arc therebetween. A relative biasing network maintains a voltage difference during deposition between the primary anode and other conductive surfaces within the chamber, or the chamber wall itself, such that electrons leaving the cathode are preferentially drawn toward the primary anode rather than to other conductive surfaces. The anode orientation within the chamber causes those electrons drawn toward it to tend to maintain the cathode spots on the desired cathode evaporation surface for maintaining arc stability at low arc current levels.

Abstract: An improved electric arc vapor deposition source plate mounting assembly (8) is disclosed. The source plate assembly is formed of a plurality of cooperatively mating sections (12, 22 and 24) that are secured to one another by fastening members (30, 32). The innermost section (24) carries an electrode (26) of coating source material. Insulator seal rings (56, 58) electrically isolate the mating sections (12, 22 and 24) from one another while forming a vacuum seal between the respective mating members. The insulator seal rings (56, 58) have two adjoining sections annularly displaced from one another such that the rings are self-centering between the respective mating members. The insulator rings preferably have a substantially L-shaped cross-section and include an enlarged bulge portion (61) for improved sealing characteristics.

Abstract: A trigger apparatus and method for striking an electrical arc at the surface of a coating source material within a vapor deposition chamber is disclosed. A plunger member is mounted for axial movement in a housing configured for attachment to an inlet port of a deposition chamber. The plunger has one end adapted to carry an arc-initiating wire contact. A pneumatic drive cylinder axially reciprocates the plunger member with positive force strokes in both directions such that the wire contact alternately engages and disengages the surface of the cathode source material. Seal means are provided for maintaining a vacuum seal of the deposition chamber through the trigger apparatus. Dynamic shield means are mounted adjacent the inlet port for protecting the seal members from being coated by vapor particles within the deposition chamber. Alignment means cooperatively engage the plunger member for maintaining a positive angular position of the plunger member during reciprocal motion thereof.

Abstract: This is a system for connecting flexible electrical connectors having raised conductors above an insulating substrate to a plasma display panel having a glass substrate with the electrical conductors deposited in the bottom surface of conductor pathways etched in a glass substrate. The raised conductors on the connectors mate with the depressed conductors in the panel substrate. The spacing of the conductors in the connector may be varied to facilitate an exact mating with the conductors in the panel substrate. A clip device in combination with a flexible insulating force spreading member applies a uniform continuous pressure to the connector cable and glass substrate combination to maintain connection. This system may be used to facilitate the direct attachment of large scale integrated circuit chip carriers having conductor members on a surface thereof directly to conductors in a plasma display panel substrate.

Abstract: In a tubular plasma display consisting of an array of parallel glass capillary tubes sealed in a plenum and attached to a rigid substrate, having different thermal expansion properties limiting operational temperature range, the improvement being an extension to the substrate creating a gap which separates the tube manifold from the nearest point where the tube and substrate are bonded.