Abstract: A compliant tool that can hold a first electro-optical device while a second device is aligned with the first device. The tool includes a gimbal that allows the first device to rotate about two perpendicular horizontal axes. The tool also has a plurality of brakes that can lock the position of the gimbal when the second device is aligned with the first device. The tool further has an electrical docking station that is connected to the first device after the brakes have locked the position of the gimbal.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing synthetic diamond on a surface of a substrate includes a deposition chamber and a cooling block having a surface in the deposition chamber that is cooled by heat exchange. The substrate is supported from the cooling block so that the bottom surface of the substrate is spaced from the cooling block surface by a gap, and a gas is provided in the deposition chamber and in the gap, the gas comprising at least 30 percent hydrogen gas. A plasma deposition system forms in the chamber a plasma containing hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon gas for depositing synthetic diamond on the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for depositing diamond film, including the following steps: providing an environment comprising hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon gas; dissociating hydrogen gas of the environment by dielectric barrier discharge to obtain atomic hydrogen; and providing a deposition surface in the environment and implementing diamond deposition on the deposition surface from the hydrocarbon gas, assisted by the atomic hydrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the atomic hydrogen is transported by molecular diffusion from its dissociation site to the deposition surface.

Abstract: A method for depositing a substance, such as diamond, by plasma deposition on a substrate mounted over a madrel cooled by a heat exchange, comprising the steps of: determining the heat flux at the deposition surface of the substrate; providing, between said mandrel and said substrate, a spacer having a thermal conductance in its thickness direction that varies in accordance with said determined heat flux; and depositing said substance on said substrate by said plasma deposition.

Abstract: A method for depositing a substance, such as diamond, on a surface of a substrate with temperature control, which comprises the steps of providing a cooling block having a surface that is cooled by heat exchange; supporting said substrate from said cooling block so that the bottom surface of said substrate is spaced from said cooling block surface by a gap, the size of said gap being in the range of 0.01 cm to 0.30 cm; providing a gas in said gap; and depositing said substance on the top surface of said substrate, whereby heat, resulting from said depositing of said substance, flows by conduction across said gap from said substrate to said cooling block.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a substance with temperature control includes, in one embodiment: a mandrel rotatable on an axis; a spacer mounted on the mandrel; a substance mounted on the spacer; a plasma, containing constituents of the substance being deposited, directed toward the substrate; the spacer having a thermal conductance in its thickness direction that varies with radial dimension.