Abstract: Described is an article having a substrate; a thermochemically stable, amorphous layer comprising tantalum or a tantalum-containing material; a layer of material having a rock salt-like structure having substantial alignment both in-plane and out-of-plane; a superconducting layer formed on said rock salt-like layer having substantial in-plane and out-of-plane alignment; wherein said rock salt-like layer provides a template for the epitaxial growth of said superconducting layer; and an optional buffer layer or layers having substantial alignment both in-plane and out-of-plane, between the rock salt-like structure layer and the superconducting layer.

Abstract: Described is an article having a substrate; a thermochemically stable, amorphous layer comprising tantalum or a tantalum-containing material; a layer of material having a rock salt-like structure having substantial alignment both in-plane and out-of-plane; a superconducting layer formed on said rock salt-like layer having substantial in-plane and out-of-plane alignment; wherein said rock salt-like layer provides a template for the epitaxial growth of said superconducting layer; and an optional buffer layer or layers having substantial alignment both in-plane and out-of-plane, between the rock salt-like structure layer and the superconducting layer.

Abstract: A cathodic arc coating apparatus for applying a coating to an object is provided. The apparatus includes: an enclosure; means for evacuating the enclosure; an anode within the enclosure, wherein the anode comprises an open array of a metal defining a central axis and a deposition space for positioning the object; a cathode assembly positioned within the deposition space, wherein the cathode assembly comprises a first consumable cathode having a central axis and an evaporation surface; means for generating a plasma stream comprising charged particles, wherein the plasma stream is projected from the evaporation surface of the first consumable cathode toward the anode array; and a magnetic system for diverting the charged particles of the plasma stream away from the anode array and toward the object being coated; wherein the diverted charged particles are deposited on the object to form a coating thereon.

Abstract: A coated fiber is provided. The coated fiber comprises a ceramic or carbon fiber having a coating thereon of a refractory metal or metal-based ceramic material, the coating being substantially uniform and having a morphology which is fully dense and substantially void free. Further provided is a process for coating ceramic or carbon fibers in continuous tows or bundles comprising (a) applying sufficient current to a metal cathode to form a plasma of atoms and ions of the cathode material, (b) positioning said fibers in the path of said plasma, said plasma causing said fibers to billow, and (c) causing said plasma to condense on said fibers to form a refractory metal or a metal-based ceramic coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a diamond-like carbon coating. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate to be coated, providing a cathode of vitreous carbon or a pyrolytic graphite cathode and initiating a cathodic arc discharge with the arc spot on the cathode surface and directing the resulting carbon plasma toward the substrate to form a coating on said substrate, said coating being substantially macroparticle free.