Abstract: A polymeric substrate 10 is coated with a metal oxide film 22 to provide oxidation protection in low earth orbital environments. The film contains about four volume percent polymer to provide flexibility.

Abstract: An electrothermal thruster utilizes a generally cylindrical heat exchanger chamber. A textured, high emissivity heater element radiatively transfers heat to the inner wall of this chamber that is ion beam morphologically controlled for high absorptivity. This, in turn, raises the temperature of a porous heat exchanger material in an annular chamber surrounding the cylindrical chamber. Propellant gas flows through the annular chamber and is heated by the heat exchanger material.

Abstract: A polymeric substrate 10 is coated with a metal oxide film 22 to provide oxidation protection in low earth orbital environments. The film contains about 4 volume percent polymer to provide flexibility.A coil of polymer material 30, 42 moves through an ion beam 14 as it is fed between reels. The ion beam first cleans the polymer material surface and then sputters the film material from a target 24 onto this surface.

Abstract: A polymeric substrate 10 is coated with a metal oxide film 22 to provide oxidation protection in low earth orbital environments. The film contains about 4 volume percent polymer to provide flexibility.A coil of polymer material 30, 42 moves through an ion beam 14 as it is fed between reels. The ion beam first cleans the polymer material surface and then sputters the film material from a target 24 onto this surface.

Abstract: A diamondlike carbon film is deposited in the surface of a substrate by exposing the surface to an argon ion beam containing a hydrocarbon. The current density in the ion beam is low during initial deposition of the film.Subsequent to this initial low current condition, the ion beam is increased to full power. At the same time a second argon ion beam is directed toward the surface of the substrate. The second ion beam has an energy level much greater than that of the ion beam containing the hydrocarbon. This addition of energy to the system increases mobility of the condensing atoms and serves to remove lesser bound atoms.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with providing improved surface texturing for adhesive bonding, metal bonding, substrate plating, decal substrate preparation, and biomedical implant applications. The invention is particularly concerned with epoxy bonding to polymers that typically exhibit low adhesion and bonding metals to a desired thickness to a polymer substrate.The surface 12 to be bonded is first dusted in a controlled fashion to produce a disbursed layer of fine mesh particles 14 which serve as masks. The surface texture is produced by impinging gas ions on the masked surface. The textured surface takes the form of pillars or cones.The bonding material, such as a liquid epoxy, flows between the pillars which results in a bond having increased strength. For bonding metals a thin film of metal is vapor or sputter deposited onto the textured surface. Electroplating or electroless plating is then used to increase the metal thickness to the desired amount.

Abstract: A source of hydrogen ions is disclosed and includes a chamber having at one end a cathode which provides electrons and through which hydrogen gas flows into the chamber. Screen and accelerator grids are provided at the other end of the chamber. A baffle plate is disposed between the cathode and the grids and a cylindrical baffle is disposed coaxially with the cathode at the one end of the chamber. The cylindrical baffle is of greater diameter than the baffle plate to provide discharge impedance and also to protect the cathode from ion flux. An anode electrode draws the electrons away from the cathode.The hollow cathode includes a tubular insert of tungsten impregnated with a low work function material to provide ample electrons. A heater is provided around the hollow cathode to initiate electron emission from the low work function material.

Abstract: An electron bombardment argon ion source is used to treat polyimide and fluorinated ethylene propylene polymers to form textured surfaces thereon. This improves the optical and electrical properties so that these polymers can be used in industrial and space applications.