Abstract: A window assembly for transmitting relatively high power microwave energy from a waveguide, held at substantially atmospheric pressure levels, into a microwave reaction chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure levels. The window assembly provides for the transmission of microwave energy to generate a glow discharge plasma without suffering from catastrophic failure as a result of excessive temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A window assembly for transmitting relatively high power microwave energy from a waveguide, held at substantially atmospheric pressure levels, into a microwave reaction chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure levels. The window assembly provides for the transmission of microwave energy to generate a glow discharge plasma without suffering from catastrophic failure as a result of excessive temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A method of depositing high quality thin film at a high rate of deposition through the formation of a high flux of activated precursor species of a precursor deposition gas by employing a substantial pressure differential between the pressure adjacent the aperture in a conduit from which said precursor deposition gas is introduced into the interior of a vacuumized enclosure and the background pressure which exits in said enclosure. As the precursor deposition gas is introduced into said enclosure, a high density plume of said activated precursor species are formed therefrom due to an electromagnetic field established in an activation region adjacent said aperture. The pressure differential is sufficient to cause those activated precursor species to be deposited upon a remotely positioned substrate. In order to obtain a sufficient pressure differential, it is preferred that the flow of the precursor deposition gas reaches transonic velocity.

Abstract: A method of forming a high flux of activated species, such as ions, of an energy transferring gas by employing a substantial pressure differential between a first conduit in which the energy transferring gas is introduced into a vacuumized enclosure and the background pressure which exits in said enclosure. In one embodiment, the flow rate of the energy transferring gas flowing through said first conduit, when taken in conjunction with said pressure differential, causes the high flux to activated species of the energy transferring gas to collide with a precursor deposition/etchant gas, remotely introduced into the enclosure through a second conduit, for forming deposition/etchant species therefrom. In an alternate embodiment, the pressure differential causes those activated species, themselves, to be either deposited upon or etched away from the surface of a remotely positioned substrate.

Abstract: A window assembly for transmitting relatively high power microwave energy from a waveguide, held at substantially atmospheric pressure levels, into a microwave reaction chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure levels. The window assembly provides for the transmission of microwave energy to generate a glow discharge plasma without suffering from catastrophic failure as a result of excessive temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A method of forming a high flux of activated species, such as ions, of an energy transferring gas by employing a substantial pressure differential between a first conduit in which the energy transferring gas is introduced into a vacuumized enclosure and the background pressure which exits in said enclosure. In one embodiment, the flow rate of the energy transferring gas flowing through said first conduit, when taken in conjunction with said pressure differential, causes the high flux of activated species of the energy transferring gas to collide with a precursor deposition/etchant gas, remotely introduced into the enclosure through a second conduit, for forming deposition/etchant species therefrom. In an alternate embodiment, the pressure differential causes those activated species, themselves, to be either deposited upon or etched away from the surface of a remotely positioned substrate.