Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a laminated window such as a vehicle windshield. At least one of the two glass substrates of the window is ion beam milled prior to heat treatment and lamination. As a result, defects in the resulting window and/or haze may be reduced.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a layer(s) or coating(s) that includes, for example, amorphous carbon in a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). In certain embodiments, the DLC inclusive layer may be doped with at least one polar inducing dopant (e.g., Boron, Nitrogen, and/or any other suitable polar inducing dopant) in order to make the layer more polar and thus more hydrophilic so as to have a lower contact angle ?. In other embodiments, where such doping is optional, the DLC may be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in a manner sufficient to cause the contact angle ? of the DLC layer to drop into a hydrophilic range (e.g., less than or equal to about 20 degrees).

Abstract: An ion source is provided, which generates or emits an ion beam which may be used to deposit a layer on a substrate, or the perform other functions. The ion source includes at least one anode and at least one cathode. In certain example embodiments, the cathode(s) is maintained or kept at a reference potential(s) other than ground for at least a period of time. This may be done, for example and without limitation, by electrically connecting a zener diode (single or double type, for example), thyristor (actively), or the like to the cathode. Thus, the ion source can be made so that it does not react adversely to its environment, and/or undesirable arcing between the anode and cathode can be reduced thereby improving ion source operation.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments, a coated article includes a zirconium nitride inclusive layer before heat treatment (HT). The coated article is heat treated sufficiently to cause the zirconium nitride based layer to transform into a zirconium oxide based layer that is scratch resistant and/or durable. In certain example embodiments, the zirconium nitride and/or zirconium oxide may be doped with F and/or C.

Abstract: An ion source is provided wherein depositing gas and/or maintenance gas is/are introduced into the ion source via the vacuum/depositing chamber, thereby reducing the amount(s) of undesirable insulative build-ups on the anode and/or cathode of the source in an area proximate the electric gap between the anode and cathode. In certain embodiments, an insulative and/or dielectric insert(s) and/or layer(s) is/are provided in at least part of an area between the anode and cathode so as to help reduce undesirable insulative build-ups on the anode and/or cathode. More efficient ion source operations is thus achievable.

Abstract: A window includes an ice removal structure thereon for weakening the adhesion strength of ice to the window upon an application of voltage. The ice removal structure is at least partially covered and/or coated with a layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC) in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, the DLC may be of a type known as ta-C which can be very dense and have a large number of sp3 carbon-carbon bonds. The DLC protects the ice removal structure, and in certain instances can act as a semiconductor in order to aid ice removal. In other embodiments, the ice removal structure may include first and second substantially transparent electrodes sandwiching an anodized layer with columnar structure therebetween.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating diamond-like carbon (DLC) with a hot liquid and/or ion beam. This treatment can reduce the contact angle of the coating. In certain example embodiments, at least oxygen gas is used in an ion beam source(s) that generates the ion beam(s) used for the ion beam treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for ion treating diamond-like carbon (DLC) in order to reduce contact angle thereof. For example, a substrate is coated with a layer(s) or coating(s) that includes, for example, amorphous carbon in a form of DLC. The DLC is then ion beam treated in a manner so as to cause the contact angle ? thereof to decrease. In certain example embodiments, at least oxygen gas is used in an ion beam source(s) that generates the ion beam(s) used for the ion beam treatment.

Abstract: Durability and/or longevity of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer can be improved by varying the voltage and/or ion energy used to ion beam deposit the DLC layer. For example, a relatively low voltage may be used to ion beam deposit a first portion of the DLC layer on the substrate, and thereafter a second higher voltage(s) used to ion beam deposit a second higher density portion of the DLC layer over the first portion of the DLC layer. In such a manner, ion mixing at the bottom of the DLC layer can be reached, and the longevity and/or durability of the DLC improved.

Abstract: A method is provided for making vehicle trim components that have a layer(s) including chromium (Cr), in metallic, oxide, nitride, and/or carbide form. In certain embodiments, a Cr inclusive gas is used in conjunction with a vapor deposition apparatus (e.g., PECVD apparatus) in order to form a Cr inclusive layer on a substrate. In certain example embodiments, the substrate may be provided with a conductive layer thereon, and may be electrically biased in the deposition chamber. The Cr inclusive layer may be at least partially amorphous in certain example embodiments.

Abstract: A method of making a coated article (e.g., window unit), and corresponding coated article are provided. A layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) is formed on a glass substrate. Then, a protective layer is formed on the substrate over the DLC inclusive layer. During heat treatment (HT), the protective layer prevents the DLC inclusive layer from significantly burning off. Thereafter, the resulting coated glass substrate may be used as desired, it having been HT and including the protective DLC inclusive layer.

Abstract: A method of making a coated article (e.g., window unit), and corresponding coated article are provided. A layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) is formed on a glass substrate. Then, a protective layer is formed on the substrate over the DLC inclusive layer. During heat treatment (HT), the protective layer prevents the DLC inclusive layer from significantly burning off. Thereafter, the resulting coated glass substrate may be used as desired, it having been HT and including the protective DLC inclusive layer.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a layer(s) or coating(s) that includes, for example, amorphous carbon in a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). In certain embodiments, the DLC inclusive layer may be doped with at least one polar inducing dopant (e.g., Boron, Nitrogen, and/or any other suitable polar inducing dopant) in order to make the layer more polar and thus more hydrophilic so as to have a lower contact angle &thgr;. In other embodiments, where such doping is optional, the DLC may be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in a manner sufficient to cause the contact angle &thgr; of the DLC layer to drop into a hydrophilic range (e.g., less than or equal to about 20 degrees).

Abstract: An ion source includes an anode and/or cathode which is/are coated with a conductive coating. The coating has a sputtering yield less than that of an uncoated anode and/or cathode, so that erosion of the resulting anode and/or cathode in the source is reduced during source operation. Example coating materials for the anode and/or cathode of the ion beam source include metal borides including but not limited to TiB2 and ZrB2.

Abstract: A method and/or system for cleaning an ion source is/are provided. In certain embodiments of this invention, both the anode and cathode of the ion source are negatively biased during at least part of a cleaning mode. Ions generated are directed toward the anode and/or cathode in order to remove undesirable build-ups from the same during cleaning.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a window (e.g., vehicle windshield, architectural window, etc.), and the resulting window product. At least one glass substrate of the window is ion beam treated and/or milled prior to application of a coating (e.g., sputter coated coating) over the treated/milled substrate surface and/or prior to heat treatment. As a result, defects in the resulting window and/or haze may be reduced. The ion beam used in certain embodiments may be diffused. In certain embodiments, the ion beam treating and/or milling is carried out using a fluorine (F) inclusive gas(es) and/or argon/oxygen gas(es) at the ion source(s). In certain optional embodiments, F may be subimplanted into to treated/milled glass surface for the purpose of reducing Na migration to the glass surface during heat treatment or thereafter, thereby enabling corrosion and/or stains to be reduced for long periods of time.

Abstract: A substrate is coated with a layer(s) or coating(s) that includes, for example, amorphous carbon in a form of diamond-like carbon (DLC). In certain embodiments, the DLC inclusive layer may be doped with at least one polar inducing dopant (e.g., Boron, Nitrogen, and/or any other suitable polar inducing dopant) in order to make the layer more polar and thus more hydrophilic so as to have a lower contact angle &thgr;. In other embodiments, where such doping is optional, the DLC may be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in a manner sufficient to cause the contact angle &thgr; of the DLC layer to drop into a hydrophilic range (e.g., less than or equal to about 20 degrees).

Abstract: A coated article is provided which includes a layer including titanium oxycarbide. In order to form the coated article, a layer of titanium oxide is deposited on a substrate by sputtering or the like. After sputtering of the layer including titanium oxide, an ion beam source(s) is used to implant at least carbon ions into the titanium oxide. When implanting, the carbon ions have sufficient ion energy so as to knock off oxygen (O) from TiOx molecules so as to enable a substantially continuous layer comprising titanium oxycarbide to form near a surface of the previously sputtered layer.

Abstract: A glass substrate is ion beam milled in order to smoothen the same and/or reduce or remove nano-cracks in the substrate surface before a coating system (e.g., diamond-like carbon (DLC) inclusive coating system) is deposited thereon. It has been found that such ion beam milling of the substrate prior to deposition of the coating system improves adherence of the coating system to the underlying milled substrate. Moreover, it has surprisingly been found that such ion beam milling of the substrate results in a more scratch resistant coated article when a DLC inclusive coating system is thereafter ion beam deposited on the milled substrate. Amounts sodium (Na) may also be reduced at the surface of the substrate by such milling.

Abstract: Durability and/or longevity of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer can be improved by varying the voltage and/or ion energy used to ion beam deposit the DLC layer. For example, a relatively low voltage may be used to ion beam deposit a first portion of the DLC layer on the substrate, and thereafter a second higher voltage(s) used to ion beam deposit a second higher density portion of the DLC layer over the first portion of the DLC layer. In such a manner, ion mixing at the bottom of the DLC layer can be reduced, and the longevity and/or durability of the DLC improved.