Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating work pieces in a vacuum treatment system having a first electrode embodied as a target, which is part of an arc vaporization source. Using the first electrode, an arc is operated with an arc current and vaporizes material. A bias voltage is applied to a bias electrode, which includes a second electrode that is embodied as a work piece holder, together with the work pieces. Metal ion bombardment is carried out either to pretreat the work pieces or in at least one transition from one layer to an adjacent layer of a multilayer system, so that neither a significant material removal nor a significant material buildup occurs, but instead, introduces metal ions into a substrate surface or into a layer of a multilayer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating work pieces in a vacuum treatment system having a first electrode embodied as a target, which is part of an arc vaporization source. Using the first electrode, an arc is operated with an arc current and vaporizes material. A bias voltage is applied to a bias electrode, which includes a second electrode that is embodied as a work piece holder, together with the work pieces. Metal ion bombardment is carried out either to pretreat the work pieces or in at least one transition from one layer to an adjacent layer of a multilayer system, so that neither a significant material removal nor a significant material buildup occurs, but instead, introduces metal ions into a substrate surface or into a layer of a multilayer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for surface treatment of work pieces in a vacuum treatment system having a first electrode embodied as a target, which is part of an arc vaporization source; by means of the first electrode, an arc is operated with an arc current and vaporizes material from the target that is deposited at least partially and intermittently onto the work pieces and having a second electrode that is embodied as a work piece holder and, together with the work pieces, constitutes a bias electrode; by means of a voltage supply, a bias voltage is applied to the bias electrode, with the bias voltage applied so that it is matched to the arc current such that essentially, no net material buildup on the surface occurs.