Abstract: The invention provides niobium-titanium films, coatings (e.g., low-emissivity coatings) comprising one or more niobium-titanium films, and substrates bearings such coatings. Methods of depositing niobium-titanium films are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and coaters for applying films onto a substrate (e.g., a large-area glass substrate) are disclosed. Certain embodiments involve a coater for applying thin films onto a sheet-like substrate. The coater in some embodiments has a transport system adapted for conveying the substrate along a path of substrate travel extending through the coater. The substrate transport system in certain embodiments includes an upward coating deposition gap. The coater preferably has a source of coating material adapted for delivering coating material upwardly through such gap and onto a bottom major surface of the substrate as the substrate is conveyed along a desired portion of the path of substrate travel, which portion of the path of substrate travel extends over the upward coating deposition gap.

Abstract: The invention provides a coater, and methods of using the coater, for depositing thin films onto generally-opposed major surfaces of a sheet-like substrate. The coater has a substrate transport system adapted for supporting the substrate in a vertical-offset configuration wherein the substrate is not in a perfectly vertical position but rather is offset from vertical by an acute angle. The transport system defines a path of substrate travel extending through the coater. The transport system is adapted for conveying the substrate along the path of substrate travel. Preferably, the transport system includes a side support for supporting a rear major surface of the substrate. The preferred side support bounds at least one passage through which coating material passes when such coating material is deposited onto the substrate's rear major surface. Preferably, the coater includes at least one coating apparatus (e.g.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention includes a cylindrical cathode target assembly for use in sputtering target material onto a substrate that comprises a generally cylindrical target, means for rotating the target about its axis during a sputtering operation, an elongated magnet carried within the target for generation of a plasma-containing magnetic field exterior to but adjacent the target, a framework for supporting the magnet against rotation within the target, and a power train for causing the magnet to oscillate within and axially of the target in a substantially asynchronous manner to promote generally uniform target utilization along its length, as well as its method of use. In some embodiments, the magnet is oscillated in response to rotation of the target.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating. In one embodiment, a glass sheet is provided bearing a sputtered water-sheeting coating comprising silica on an exterior surface and bearing a reflective coating on an interior surface. The interior surface of a sheet of glass can be coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass can be coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass. Both the reflective coating and the water-sheeting coating can optionally be applied during the same pass through the same sputter coating apparatus.

Abstract: A coated article (e.g., a coated glass article) is provided with a low-emissivity, water-sheeting coating. The coating comprises a sputtered silica layer over a pyrolytically-applied dielectric layer. In certain embodiments, an automobile windscreen is provided with a low-emissivity, water-sheeting coating. Also provided are methods of rendering a surface of a substrate (e.g., a pane of glass) resistant to soiling and staining, such as by depositing on the substrate a low-emissivity, water-sheeting coating.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a glass sheet is provided bearing a sputtered water-sheeting coating comprising silica on an exterior surface and bearing a reflective coating on an interior surface. The interior surface of a sheet of glass can be coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass can be coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass. Both the reflective coating and the water-sheeting coating can be applied during the same pass through the same sputter coating apparatus.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate bears a hydrophilic coating carrying a temporary protective cover that protects the hydrophilic coating against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the hydrophilic coating by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a water-sheeting coating 20 comprising silica is sputtered directly onto an exterior surface of the glass. The exterior face of this water-sheeting coating is substantially non-porous but has an irregular surface. This water-sheeting coating causes water applied to the coated surface to sheet, making the glass article easier to clean and helping the glass stay clean longer. In one method of the invention, interior and exterior surfaces of a glass sheet are cleaned. Thereafter, the interior surface of the sheet of glass is coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass is coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: The invention provides thin film coatings that have a transparent base layer. For example, the invention provides low-emissivity coatings with a transparent base layer. In certain embodiments, a silicon dioxide base layer is used. Methods of producing thin film coatings having a transparent base layer are provided as well. In one embodiment, sputter deposition is utilized to produce these coatings.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate has a durable exterior surface bearing a temporary protective cover that protects the durable surface against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the durable surface by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides thin film coatings that have a transparent base layer. For example, the invention provides low-emissivity coatings with a transparent base layer. In certain embodiments, a silicon dioxide base layer is used. Methods of producing thin film coatings having a transparent base layer are provided as well. In one embodiment, sputter deposition is utilized to produce these coatings.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate has a durable exterior surface bearing a temporary protective cover that protects the durable surface against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the durable surface by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides graded photocatalytic coatings. In one aspect, the invention provides a substrate carrying a photocatalytic coating that includes a first graded film region and a second graded film region. The first graded film region has a substantially continuously decreasing concentration of a first transparent dielectric material and a substantially continuously increasing concentration of a second transparent dielectric material. The second graded film region has a substantially continuously decreasing concentration of the second transparent dielectric material and a substantially continuously increasing concentration of a third transparent dielectric material. In certain embodiments, the first transparent dielectric material comprises silicon dioxide, the second transparent dielectric material comprises zirconium oxide, and the third transparent dielectric material comprises titanium oxide. The invention also provides methods and equipment for depositing graded photocatalytic coatings.

Abstract: A substrate carrying a temporary protective cover and related methods of producing and processing substrates are described. In one embodiment, a substrate bears a hydrophilic coating carrying a temporary protective cover that protects the hydrophilic coating against contamination but that can readily be readily removed from the hydrophilic coating by washing with a given washing fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a substrate bearing a low-emissivity coating. The low-emissivity coating comprises at least one graded film region. In certain embodiments, at least one graded film region is provided between the two infrared-reflective layers of a double-type low-emissivity coating. The graded film region has a substantially continuously decreasing concentration of a first dielectric material and a substantially continuously increasing concentration of a second dielectric material. Also provided are methods of depositing such low-emissivity coatings and substrates bearing these coatings.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating. In one embodiment, a glass sheet is provided bearing a sputtered water-sheeting coating comprising silica on an exterior surface and bearing a reflective coating on an interior surface. The interior surface of a sheet of glass can be coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass can be coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass. Both the reflective coating and the water-sheeting coating can optionally be applied during the same pass through the same sputter coating apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating two sides of a single pane of glass or other substrate in a single pass through a coating apparatus. A sputtering line is provided, this line comprising a series of sputtering chambers. At least one of the chambers comprises a downward sputtering chamber having an upper target. At least one of the chambers comprises an upward sputtering chamber having a lower target. In some embodiments, the upper and lower targets are rotary targets. The coating apparatus advantageously has a plurality of transport rollers for conveying the substrate along the sputtering line. In certain embodiments, a majority of the chambers of the sputtering line are downward sputtering chambers each having only an upper target with no lower target.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant low-emissivity coating is provided. The low-emissivity coating comprises, in sequence outwardly, a corrosion-resistant inner infrared-reflective layer, a transparent dielectric middle coat, and an outer infrared-reflective layer. The outer infrared-reflective layer consists essentially of silver and the corrosion-resistant inner infrared-reflective layer has a different composition than the outer infrared-reflective layer. Also provided are methods for depositing coatings of this nature, as well as substrates bearing these coatings.

Abstract: A substrate having a surface carrying a removable transparent film that can be removed by the surface by a desired washing process, and removable presence indicator associated with the removable transparent film, the presence indicator being removable by the same desired washing process as the removable transparent film. A method of producing a substrate having a presence indicator in contact with a removable transparent film a method of washing a substrate having a presence indicator in contact with a removable transparent film are also disclosed.