Abstract: A containment vessel for evaporating materials for use in applying film coatings to a substrate includes a body fabricated from a refractory material. In one embodiment the body includes end portions capable of being connected to other bodies in an end to end fashion. In another embodiment, the body includes an integral patterned conductor incorporated into the outer surface portion of the body to facilitate association with an electrical power source for heating.

Abstract: A containment vessel for evaporating materials for use in applying film coatings to a substrate includes a body fabricated from a refractory material. In one embodiment the body includes end portions capable of being connected to other bodies in an end to end fashion. In another embodiment, the body includes an integral patterned conductor incorporated into the outer surface portion of the body to facilitate association with an electrical power source for heating.

Abstract: A wafer processing device or apparatus, i.e., a heater or an electrostatic chuck, comprises a planar support platen, a support shaft having centrally located bore, and a pair of electrical conductors located in the shaft. In one embodiment, the electrical conductors are concentrically located within the bore of the shaft, with the first electrical lead being in the form of a pyrolytic graphite rod and separated from the outer second graphite electrical lead by means of a pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) coating. In a second embodiment, the support platen and the support shaft are formed from a single unitary body of graphite. In yet another embodiment of the device of the invention, the connection posts comprise a carbon fiber composite and the exposed ends of the electrical connectors are coated with a protective ceramic paste for extended life in operations.

Abstract: A wafer processing device or apparatus, i.e., a heater or an electrostatic chuck, comprises a planar support platen, a support shaft having centrally located bore, and a pair of electrical conductors located in the shaft. In one embodiment, the electrical conductors are concentrically located within the bore of the shaft, with the first electrical lead being in the form of a pyrolytic graphite rod and separated from the outer second graphite electrical lead by means of a pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) coating. In a second embodiment, the support platen and the support shaft are formed from a single unitary body of graphite. In yet another embodiment of the device of the invention, the connection posts comprise a carbon fiber composite and the exposed ends of the electrical connectors are coated with a protective ceramic paste for extended life in operations.

Abstract: A graphite heater and method of forming a graphite heater comprising a graphite body configured in a spiral or serpentine geometrical shape defining at least one zone of an electrical heating circuit having opposed ends so as to provide an electrical path for each heating zone through the graphite body from the opposed ends with said graphite body having at least one heating surface, a coating of pyrolytic boron nitride or aluminum nitride encapsulating said graphite body and a surface layer of pyrolytic boron nitride or aluminum nitride disposed on said graphite body such that said heating surface is continuous and solid.

Abstract: A flash evaporator heater including a substrate formed of an intermetallic compound or of graphite and having an outer coating composed of pyrolytic boron nitride or pyrolytic graphite. The substrate has a substantially rectangular configuration with a substantially flat upper surface and a recessed cavity. The cavity has a longitudinal cross sectional geometry which forms a slope intersecting the substantially flat upper surface of the substrate at an angle .alpha. of less than 60 degrees.

Abstract: A resistance heated evaporator includes a body of graphite having a generally rectangular geometry with opposite ends each of which has four sides. A coating of pyrolytic boron nitride covers substantially the entire surface of three of the sides at each end so as to form a channel which provides structural support at each end. At least one side at each end remains open for electrical contact to a power supply.

Abstract: A pyrolytic boron nitride heating unit composed of a dielectric base of boron nitride and a pyrolytic graphite heating element having contact ends for connection to an external power supply through a contact assembly comprising graphite posts connected to the contact ends with each post having a pyrolytic boron nitride coating and exposed attachment ends spaced a predetermined minimum distance from the contact ends for connection to the power supply. The contact assembly preferably also includes flexible graphite washers for connection between the contact ends and the graphite posts.