Abstract: The present invention refers to an optical elements holder device (11) for a coating station (5) comprising at least one sheet carrier (21) having individual openings (23), said opening (23) having in its inner face at least one shoulder (25) configured to hold an optical element (3) such as lenses during a coating procedure, said sheet carrier (21) presenting the shape of a dome or a part of a dome which is mounted above a vaporization source (9) so that the optical elements (3) are oriented towards said vaporization source (9), wherein it also comprises at least one adapter ring (31b) comprising an outer portion (33) configured to be supported by the at least one shoulder (25) of the opening (23) of the sheet carrier (21).

Abstract: A holder (10) for holding a substrate (L) during vacuum coating comprises a base body (12) with a masking portion (14) provided with an opening (16) adapted to receive the substrate. The opening in the masking portion is shaped to correspond to or closely match the shape of the substrate to be held without substantial gaps therebetween. The masking portion is provided with a slot (22) that extends radially outward from an inner edge (18) of the opening. A narrow spring arm of a spring arrangement mounted to the holder is received in the slot and adapted to resiliently bear against an outer edge (E) of the substrate to urge the substrate toward a support area (24) at the inner edge of the opening on a side opposite said slot. Further, a loading/unloading device (60) for loading the substrate into such holder and for unloading it therefrom is proposed.

Abstract: A box coating apparatus for vacuum coating of substrates has a vacuum chamber containing an evaporation source and a substrate holder formed as a dome related to the evaporation source and rotatable about an axis. A masking arrangement is located in between for partially shadowing the substrates on the substrate holder relative to the evaporation source. The masking arrangement comprises a fixed masking portion stationary in the vacuum chamber, and a plurality of gradient sector portions carrying gradient shields assigned to the substrates on the substrate holder, for forming a gradient mask. The gradient sector portions can be rotated about the axis between a gradient mask open position where they are stored behind the fixed masking portion, and a gradient mask closed position where they are spread like a fan between the evaporation source and the substrate holder.

Abstract: A box coating apparatus for coating of substrates comprises a vacuum chamber which contains an evaporation source. A substrate holder is disposed vis-à-vis to the evaporation source so that evaporated material can impinge on substrates held by the substrate holder. Besides the evaporation source and the substrate holder, at least one further functional component is provided, namely a Meissner trap and/or a high vacuum valve mechanism, to which a shield arrangement is assigned to prevent evaporated material from impinging on said component. This shield arrangement has a shutter portion which can be moved from a closed shielding position in which it covers a passageway through the shield arrangement and serves to shield said component, to an open pumping position in which it substantially clears the passageway to allow essentially free passage for gases and vapor, and vice versa.

Abstract: A box coating apparatus for vacuum coating of substrates comprises a vacuum chamber which contains an evaporation source for evaporating coating material and a substrate holder disposed vis-à-vis to the evaporation source so that coating material evaporated by the evaporation source can impinge on substrates held by the substrate holder. An electric heating device is centrally arranged in the vacuum chamber, which is constructed to heat up the vacuum chamber during vacuum check and cleaning routines. So as to be removable from the vacuum chamber prior to the deposition processes, the heating device is provided with a stand having a plurality of leg portions mounted to a base plate, which are sized and constructed at the base plate so that the heating device can be placed over and above the evaporation source.

Abstract: A box coating apparatus for vacuum coating of substrates has a vacuum chamber containing an evaporation source and a substrate holder formed as a dome related to the evaporation source and rotatable about an axis. A masking arrangement is located in between for partially shadowing the substrates on the substrate holder relative to the evaporation source. The masking arrangement comprises a fixed masking portion stationary in the vacuum chamber, and a plurality of gradient sector portions carrying gradient shields assigned to the substrates on the substrate holder, for forming a gradient mask. The gradient sector portions can be rotated about the axis between a gradient mask open position where they are stored behind the fixed masking portion, and a gradient mask closed position where they are spread like a fan between the evaporation source and the substrate holder.

Abstract: A box coating apparatus for vacuum coating of substrates comprises a vacuum chamber which contains an evaporation source for evaporating coating material and a substrate holder disposed vis-à-vis to the evaporation source so that coating material evaporated by the evaporation source can impinge on substrates held by the substrate holder. An electric heating device is centrally arranged in the vacuum chamber, which is constructed to heat up the vacuum chamber during vacuum check and cleaning routines. So as to be removable from the vacuum chamber prior to the deposition processes, the heating device is provided with a stand having a plurality of leg portions mounted to a base plate, which are sized and constructed at the base plate so that the heating device can be placed over and above the evaporation source.

Abstract: A box coating apparatus for coating of substrates comprises a vacuum chamber which contains an evaporation source. A substrate holder is disposed vis-à-vis to the evaporation source so that evaporated material can impinge on substrates held by the substrate holder. Besides the evaporation source and the substrate holder, at least one further functional component is provided, namely a Meissner trap and/or a high vacuum valve mechanism, to which a shield arrangement is assigned to prevent evaporated material from impinging on said component. This shield arrangement has a shutter portion which can be moved from a closed shielding position in which it covers a passageway through the shield arrangement and serves to shield said component, to an open pumping position in which it substantially clears the passageway to allow essentially free passage for gases and vapor, and vice versa.