Diamond-like Carbon Coating (i.e., Dlc) Patents (Class 427/249.7)
  • Patent number: 7309515
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for fabricating an imprint mold which can be used in the field of nano-imprint lithography. Firstly, a diamond film and a photoresist film are successively formed onto a substrate; wherein the photoresist film is more capable of anticorrosion than the diamond film. Then an energy beam lithography system is provided to make the photoresist film form a photoresist mask with particularly arranged patterns. Because of the etching selectivity between the diamond film and the photoresist film, on the surface of the diamond film a pattern can be easily formed with recessions and protrusions according to the photoresist mask by dry etching method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hung-Yin Tsai, Chih-Hung Wu, Chih-Yung Cheng
  • Patent number: 7300684
    Abstract: The coating of internal surfaces of a workpiece is achieved by connecting a bias voltage such that the workpiece functions as a cathode and by connecting an anode at each opening of the workpiece. A source gas is introduced at an entrance opening, while a vacuum source is connected at an exit opening. Pressure within the workpiece is monitored and the resulting pressure information is used for maintaining a condition that exhibits the hollow cathode effect. Optionally, a pre-cleaning may be provided by introducing a hydrocarbon mixture and applying a negative bias to the workpiece, so as to sputter contaminants from the workpiece using argon gas. Argon gas may also be introduced during the coating processing to re-sputter the coating, thereby improving uniformity along the length of the workpiece. The coating may be a diamond-like carbon material having properties which are determined by controlling ion bombardment energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sub-One Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William John Boardman, Andrew William Tudhope, Raul Donate Mercado
  • Patent number: 7290751
    Abstract: A composite mold comprising a main body, a molding layer formed on the main body, and a protective layer formed on the molding layer, the protective layer being made from diamond-like carbon. A method for manufacturing the composite mold comprising the following steps: providing a main body; forming a molding layer on the main body; and forming a protective layer on the molding layer, the protective layer being comprised of diamond-like carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Publication number: 20070224365
    Abstract: A method for providing an alignment surface for liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal display, comprising depositing on an optically transparent substrate an optically transparent film; and irradiating the film with nitrogen ions sufficiently to produce a pretilt angle of preferably greater than ten degrees. The film is preferably comprised of diamond like carbon. A liquid crystal display formed in accordance with the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Alessandro C. Callegari, James P. Doyle, Alfred Grill, Hideo Kimura, Minhua Lu, Vishnubhai V. Patel, James Vichiconti, Takeshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7273655
    Abstract: A slidably movable member such as an adjusting shim used in a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The slidably movable member is used in contact with lubricating oil and comprises a substrate. A hard carbon-based film is coated on a surface of the substrate. The hard carbon-based film has a surface section which contains at least one of nitrogen and oxygen in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 30 at % and/or hydrogen in an amount of not more than 10 at %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shojiro Miyake, Yoshiteru Yasuda, Makoto Kano, Yutaka Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 7270719
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of PVD technique for the application of a low static friction and wear resistant coating consisting essentially of titanium nitride or a diamond-like carbon—DLC, with or without an addition of tungsten carbide, on a stainless steel, in one and the same operation as the surface hardening of the stainless steel. In this way, in one single operation, a low static friction is obtained on a very hard and wear resistant surface. Moreover, the dimensions of the work-piece are maintained unaltered, which makes the invention very useful in the production of, e.g., cam followers, cylinder tubes and piston rods for shock absorbers. The used stainless steel has the following composition (in weight %): carbon max about 0.1; nitrogen max about 0.1; copper from about 0.5 to about 4; chromium from about 10 to about 14; molybdenum from about 0.5 to about 6; nickel from about 7 to about 11; cobalt 0 to about 9; tantalum max about 0.1; niobium max about 0.1; vanadium max 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Göran Berglund
  • Patent number: 7264850
    Abstract: A process for depositing a diamond-like carbon film, which comprises providing a means for generating a sheet-like beam-type plasma region inside a vacuum vessel for depositing the diamond-like carbon film, and depositing the film on a substrate being moved through said plasma region. Also claimed is an apparatus for fabricating a magnetic recording medium by sequentially and continuously forming a magnetic layer and a diamond-like carbon film on a polymer substrate material, which comprises at least a first vacuum vessel for forming the magnetic layer of the magnetic recording medium and a second vacuum vessel for forming the diamond-like carbon film, provided that the pressure difference between the operation pressures for the first vessel and the second vessel is set in the range of from 10?2 to 10?5 Torr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Itoh, Shigenori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7247348
    Abstract: Methods for making an erosion resistant gas turbine engine compressor airfoil substrates coated with a diamond-like coating (DLC), wherein the coating airfoil substrates are protected from ingested abrasive particulates, may include the step of performing a hydrogen-free chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process by ablation of a graphite target in a vacuum. The DLC may be comprised predominantly of sp3 (tetrahedral) carbon, and may be devoid of detectable amounts of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Power
  • Patent number: 7223442
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a conducting doped diamond-like nanocomposite film containing, as basic elements, carbon, silicon, metal, oxygen and hydrogen. The film is produced as follows: a substrate is disposed in a vacuum chamber, and a voltage of 0.3-5.0 kV is applied to the substrate; a gas discharge plasma with an energy density of more than 5 kilowatt-hour/gram-atom of carbon particles is generated, and an organosiloxane compound is evaporated into the plasma; a beam of particles of a dopant is introduced into the plasma; and a film is grown on the substrate to produce a conducting doped carbon nanocomposite film with a predetermined relationship of atomic concentrations of carbon, metal and silicon. The film surface is coated with a silicon dioxide layer. A unidirectional alternating current is passed through the film in a current generator mode to effect electric thermal exposure of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: International Technology Exchange, Inc.
    Inventors: Ljudmila Petrovna Sidorova, Vitaly Konstantinovich Dmitriev, Vitaly Nikolaevich Inkin
  • Patent number: 7182663
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate; an emission control circuit formed on the substrate; an insulating layer covering the control circuit; an organic light-emitting device including a first electrode and a second electrode and formed on the insulating layer; and a contact wiring structure for electrically connecting the emission control circuit and the organic light-emitting device. The contact wiring structure includes a first conductive layer made of the same material as the first electrode; a second conductive layer made of the same material as the second electrode; and a diamond-like carbon film between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignees: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp., Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Tsujimura, Atsushi Tanaka, Kohji Murayama
  • Patent number: 7166336
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing DLC film-coated plastic containers, which comprises an outer electrode unit disposed outside a plastic container, an inner electrode disposed inside the plastic container, a duct through which a raw material gas of a carbon source is fed into the plastic container having been degassed, and a high-frequency oscillator for applying a voltage between the outer electrode unit and the inner electrode with a carbon source gas being fed into the container, thereby to generate plasma to form a DLC film on the inner surface of the plastic container. In the apparatus, the outer electrode unit comprises a bottom electrode disposed along the bottom of the plastic container, and a body electrode disposed along the body of the plastic container, and the upper edge of the bottom electrode is positioned below the center between the top and the bottom of the plastic container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Shoji Plastics Corporation, Hokkai Can Co., Ltd., Kirin Brewery Company Limited
    Inventors: Shigeki Mori, Yuuji Yamashita, Tsuyoshi Kage
  • Patent number: 7160616
    Abstract: The invention describes a device and a process that render possible the production of a layer system for wear protection, corrosion protection and improvement of the slipping properties and the like with an adhesion layer to be arranged on a substrate, a transition layer to be arranged on the adhesion layer and a covering layer of diamond-like carbon, wherein the adhesion layer comprises at least one element of the group of elements that contains the elements of the fourth, fifth and sixth subgroup of the periodic table and silicon, the transition layer comprises carbon and at least one element of the aforesaid groups and covering layer consists essentially of diamond-like carbon, the layer system having a hardness of at least 15 GPa, preferably at least 20 GPa, and an adhesion of at least 3 HF according to VDI 382l, Sheet 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: OC Oerlikon Balzers Ltd.
    Inventors: Orlaw Massler, Mauro Pedrazzini, Christian Wohlrab, Hubert Eberle, Martin Grischke, Thorsten Michler
  • Patent number: 7150849
    Abstract: In certain example embodiments, a coated article includes respective layers including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and zirconium nitride before heat treatment (HT). During HT, the hydrogenated DLC acts as a fuel which upon combustion with oxygen produces carbon dioxide and/or water. The high temperature developed during this combustion heats the zirconium nitride to a temperature(s) well above the heat treating temperature, thereby causing the zirconium nitride to be transformed into a new post-HT layer including zirconium oxide that is scratch resistant and durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 7125588
    Abstract: A method of forming an insulating ceramic film or a metallic film by a plasma CVD process in which a high density plasma is generated in the presence of a magnetic field wherein the electric power for generating the plasma has a pulsed waveform. The electric power typically is supplied by microwave, and the pulsed wave may be a complex wave having a two-step peak, or may be a complex wave obtained by complexing a pulsed wave with a stationary continuous wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiharu Miyanaga, Tohru Inoue, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7067175
    Abstract: A method of making a coated article includes providing a protective layer on a substrate over a coating in order to protect the coating. The protective layer may protect the coating before or during heat treatment in certain example embodiments of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 7060322
    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, preferably over at least one barrier layer. 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. The protective layer may be removed after HT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 7033649
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 6924001
    Abstract: A production device for a DLC film-coated plastic container and a production method therefor, capable of forming DLC (diamond-like carbon) films simultaneously on the inner surfaces of a plurality of plastic containers, and reducing variations in film thickness. A production device for DLC film-coated plastic containers, for forming a plurality DLC films simultaneously, characterized by comprising a columnar external electrode (3) having housing spaces in which a plurality of plastic containers (7a-7d) can be disposed in parallel and independently, internal electrodes (9a-9d) respectively disposed in the housed containers (7a-7d), a matching box (14) connected to the external electrode (3) and impedance-matching a high-frequency load, and a high-frequency power supply (15) connected to the matching box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Shoji Plastics Corporation, Youtec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Hama, Tsuyoshi Kage, Takumi Kobayashi, Tomoyuki Araki
  • Patent number: 6913795
    Abstract: A method of making a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) film comprises depositing carbon atoms over the surface of an object. The surface of the object is kept exposed to fluorine atoms during the deposition of the carbon atoms. The method allows the fluorine atoms to scatter within the deposited carbon atoms in the tetrahedral amorphous carbon film. The hardness of the tetrahedral amorphous carbon film can be improved in response to an increased content of sp3 carbon bonds included within the tetrahedral amorphous carbon film. In addition, the tetrahedral amorphous carbon film still provides a sufficient repellent performance to water due to the fluorine atoms existing near the exposed surface of the tetrahedral amorphous carbon film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hyodo
  • Patent number: 6878405
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bienkiewicz, Jeffrey D. Gordon, Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6878403
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6878404
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6854309
    Abstract: A gas barrier synthetic resin container 10 has an opening portion 12 defined by a flange 12A, a body portion 14 having the opening portion 12, and a bottom portion 16 for closing the end of the body portion 14. The container 10 is a wide mouth container having the minimum inside diameter Dmin of the opening portion 12 larger than the maximum inside diameter Dmax of the body portion. Alternatively, the container 10 may be a wide mouth container having the minimum inside diameter Dmin of the opening portion 12 smaller than the maximum inside diameter Dmax of the body portion, the difference between the diameters being equal to or less than 20 mm. A diamond-like carbon film 18 is formed on an outer wall of the body portion 14 and bottom portion 16 of the container 10. After the container 10 has been filled with contents, a metal cover 20 and the flange 12A are double-seamed onto the container to provide improved gas barrier properties to the entire container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyonori Shimada
  • Patent number: 6855232
    Abstract: A method for making a magnetic disk comprises forming first and second protective carbon layers on a magnetic layer. The first protective carbon layer is predominantly SP3 carbon. The second protective carbon layer comprises about 50% or less SP3 carbon. The second protective carbon layer is very thin, e.g. between 0.1 and 1.0 nm thick. A lubricant layer (e.g. a perfluoropolyether lubricant) is applied to the second protective carbon layer. The second protective carbon layer facilitates improved cooperation between lubricant and the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Komag, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Jairson, Ching Jackie Tsoi, Wen Liu, Shigeto Hashimoto, Eric Woo Hock Yong, Tsutomu Tom Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040258926
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 6827977
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 6824836
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer and a protective carbon-containing overcoat comprising a first carbon density, preferably of a low-density carbon, and a second carbon density different from the first carbon density, preferably of a high-density carbon, and a method of making and using the magnetic recording medium are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jing Gui, Michael Stirniman, Xiaoding Ma
  • Patent number: 6818257
    Abstract: Systems to achieve both more uniform and particle free DLC deposition is disclosed which automatically cycles between modes to effect automatic removal of carbon-based buildups or which provides barriers to achieve proper gas flow involves differing circuitry and design parameter options. One ion source may be used in two different modes whether for DLC deposition or not through automatic control of gas flow types and rates and through the control of the power applied to achieve maximum throughput or other desired processing goals. Arcing can be controlled and even permitted to optimize the overall results achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Amann, Michael Kishinevsky, Andrew Shabalin, Colin Quinn
  • Publication number: 20040224161
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 6811610
    Abstract: Single crystal CVD diamond is heated to temperatures of 1500° C. to 2900° C. under a pressure that prevents significant graphitization. The result is a CVD diamond with improved optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Frushour, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 6806629
    Abstract: An amorphous diamond material that is capable of emitting electrons in a vacuum upon the input of a sufficient amount of energy is disclosed. The material may utilize both compositional and geometrical aspects in order to maximize electron output and minimize required energy input. In one aspect, the amorphous diamond material may include at least about 90% carbon atoms with at least about 30% of such carbon atoms bonded in distorted tetrahedral coordination. Further, the material may be configured with an emission surface having an asperity height of from about 10 to about 10,000 nanometers. A variety of energy types may be used separately or in combination to facilitate electron flow, such as thermal energy, light energy, and induced electric field energy. The amorphous diamond material may be incorporated into a variety of vacuum-type devices, such as switches, laser diodes, electrical generators, and cooling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Chien-Min Sung
  • Patent number: 6793979
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 6793849
    Abstract: An electrically conducting n-type ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) having no less than 1019 atoms/cm3 of nitrogen is disclosed. A method of making the n-doped UNCD. A method for predictably controlling the conductivity is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Dieter M. Gruen, Alan R. Krauss, Orlando H. Auciello, John A. Carlisle
  • Patent number: 6793978
    Abstract: The invention is based on a method for coating at least one wiper blade element (10) made of an elastomer material, in which first, the surface of the wiper blade element (10) is cleaned and activated by means of a plasma, and then in a CVD process, a coating material is brought into a plasma state and at least one protective coating (64) forms on the surface of the wiper blade element (10), where a high-frequency voltage is applied to the region of the wiper blade element (10) oriented away from the protective layer (64) by means of an electrode (56). The invention proposes that before being brought into a treatment chamber (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 74), the wiper blade element (10) be cut to a useful length (66) from a profiled band and placed on an electrode plate (56) so that its wiper lip (18) stands approximately perpendicular to the electrode plate (56), which extends to both sides of the wiper blade element (10), and is subjected to a plasma flow (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Burger, Guenter Schneider, Klaus Burghoff, Thomas Weber, Jeanne Forget-Funk
  • Patent number: 6777030
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl
  • Publication number: 20040157058
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20040121243
    Abstract: Damage-resistant coatings are provided on radiation-exposed surfaces of EUV lithographic components. The diamond coating provides resistance to particle impingement, cleaning processes, and degradation due to high temperatures. The diamond coating is beneficial when deposited on the reflecting surface of an EUV Si/Mo multilayer mirror, the reflecting surface of an EUV Si/Mo multilayer reflective mask, and radiation-exposed surfaces of EUV debris shield. The diamond coating provides longer lasting EUV components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Manish Chandhok, K.V. Ravi
  • Patent number: 6753042
    Abstract: Wear-resistant and low-friction hard amorphous, diamond-like carbon coating (DLC) is formed directly on an eternal surface of a magnetic recording media sensor (MRMS). The coating demonstrates a high degree of hardness, low friction coefficient and moderate electric resistivity, providing abrasion-proof, low-clogging, static electricity-deterrent properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: ITAC Limited
    Inventors: Oleg Markovich Bakounine, Serguei Aleksandrovich Plotnikov, Ilia Shmulevich Trakhtenberg, Kensuke Uemura
  • Publication number: 20040069231
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for forming diamond via a chemical vapor deposition process using hot metal filament based on hydrogen and methane gas, and a method thereof. In particular, the present invention provides an apparatus for using the hot filament repeatedly without breakage, in comparison with the conventional apparatus that the filament is limited in one use, and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a base substrate wherein diamond is synthesized by heating filament due to supply of voltage, a pair of electrodes being located above the base substrate, and a plurality of hot filaments being placed over the both electrodes. The top portion of the electrodes has a flat surface that is parallel with the filament, and the side portion has a curved surface. A plurality of filaments is smoothly hanged to both electrodes according to the flat surface and the curved surface without fixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Ki-Woong Chae
  • Patent number: 6720035
    Abstract: The method includes the phases of preparation of said ceramic discs once lapped and polished; and deposition of a layer of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (or DLC: Diamond-Like Carbon) on said ceramic discs, said deposition phase including the following stages: exposure of said ceramic discs to vacuum; application of a cleaning plasma on said ceramic discs; application of a first deposition plasma on said ceramic discs; and application of a second deposition plasma on said ceramic discs. The ceramic disc is characterized in that it includes a layer of hydrogenated amorphous carbon deposited directly onto the ceramic disc. Thereby are obtained ceramic discs for utilization in mixer valves of single-lever mixer type whose friction coefficient is lower that that of the ceramic discs currently used, all this without loss of leak tightness, without having to use grease and with a low manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Industrias Ramon Soler, S.A.
    Inventors: Josè-Luis Andújar, Joan Esteve Pujol, Xavier Ferret Picazo, Maria Benelmekki
  • Publication number: 20040067362
    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). The DLC is then ion beam treated in a manner so as to cause the contact angle &thgr; 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6699531
    Abstract: In a case where a CF film is used as an interlayer dielectric film for a semiconductor device, when a wiring of tungsten is formed, the CF film is heated to a temperature of, e.g., about 400 to 450° C. At this time, a F gas is released from the CF film, so that there are various disadvantages due to the corrosion of the wiring and the decrease of film thickness. In order to prevent this, thermostability is enhanced. A compound gas of C and F, e.g., C4F8 gas, and a hydrocarbon gas, e.g., C2H4 gas, are used as thin film deposition gases. These gases are activated as plasma to deposit a CF film on a semiconductor wafer 10 using active species thereof. Then, a hydrogen plasma producing gas, e.g., H2 gas, is introduced to be activated as plasma, and the CF film deposited on the wafer 10 is irradiated with the H plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Noriaki Fukiage
  • Publication number: 20040038033
    Abstract: The invention describes a device and a process that render possible the production of a layer system for wear protection, corrosion protection and improvement of the slipping properties and the like with an adhesion layer to be arranged on a substrate, a transition layer to be arranged on the adhesion layer and a covering layer of diamond-like carbon, wherein the adhesion layer comprises at least one element of the group of elements that contains the elements of the fourth, fifth and sixth subgroup of the periodic table and silicon, the transition layer comprises carbon and at least one element of the aforesaid groups and covering layer consists essentially of diamond-like carbon, the layer system having a hardness of at least 15 GPa, preferably at least 20 GPa, and an adhesion of at least 3 HF according to VDI 382l, Sheet 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Orlaw Massler, Mauro Pedrazzini, Christian Wohlrab, Helmut Eberle, Martin Grischke, Thorsten Michler
  • Publication number: 20040023032
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a conducting doped diamond-like nanocomposite film containing, as basic elements, carbon, silicon, metal, oxygen and hydrogen. The film is produced as follows: a substrate is disposed in a vacuum chamber, and a voltage of 0.3-5.0 kV is applied to the substrate; a gas discharge plasma with an energy density of more than 5 kilowatt-hour/gram-atom of carbon particles is generated, and an organosiloxane compound is evaporated into the plasma; a beam of particles of a dopant is introduced into the plasma; and a film is grown on the substrate to produce a conducting doped carbon nanocomposite film with a predetermined relationship of atomic concentrations of carbon, metal and silicon. The film surface is coated with a silicon dioxide layer. A unidirectional alternating current is passed through the film in a current generator mode to effect electric thermal exposure of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Ljudmila Petrovna Sidorova, Vitaly Konstantinovich Dmitriev, Vitaly Nikolaevich Inkin
  • Publication number: 20040003638
    Abstract: A method for impressing holographic images or holograms in the surface of sporting and fitness products such as ball bats and bicycle frames. The surfaces of metal shims and print rolls bearing holograms are hardened as by coating them with thin amorphous diamond coatings or diamond like coatings so the holograms can be embossed into many thousands of metal objects with clarity and consistency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mark W. Schaefer, Thomas L. Levendusky, Simon Sheu, Robert B. Larsen, Neville C. Whittle
  • Patent number: 6669996
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing metal doped carbon films by placing a substrate in a chamber with a selected amount of a metalorganic compound. An electron cyclotron resonance is applied to the chamber in order to vaporize the metalorganic compound. The resonance is applied to the chamber until a metal doped carbon film is formed. The metalorganic compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of an organic salt of ruthenium, palladium, gold or platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: University of Louisville
    Inventors: Mayumi Ueno, Mahendra Kumar Sunkara
  • Patent number: 6663753
    Abstract: A substrate is coated with a low-E coating system including at least one infrared (IR) reflective layer. A diamond-like carbon (DLC) inclusive protective coating system (e.g., including at least one highly tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) inclusive layer having sp3 carbon—carbon bonds) is provided on the substrate over at least the IR reflective layer in order to make the low-E coating system scratch resistant, abrasion resistant, and generally mechanically durable. The DLC inclusive protective coating system may be hydrophobic, hydrophillic, or neutral in different embodiments of the invention. Optionally, at least one fluoro-alkyl silane (FAS) compound inclusive layer may be provided on the substrate over at least one of the DLC inclusive layer(s) in hydrophobic embodiments in order to increase contact angle &thgr; of the coated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6664026
    Abstract: An etch barrier to be used in a photolithograph process is disclosed. A silicon rich etch barrier is deposited on a substrate using a low energy deposition technique. A diamond like carbon layer is deposited on the silicon rich etch barrier. Photoresist is then placed on this etch barrier DLC combination. To form photolithographic features, successive steps of oxygen and flourine reactive ion etching is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Son Van Nguyen, Neil Leslie Robertson, Thomas Edward Dinan, Thao Duc Pham
  • Patent number: 6660342
    Abstract: A method of forming a film by a plasma CVD process in which a high density plasma is generated in the presence of a magnetic field wherein the electric power for generating the plasma has a pulsed waveform. The electric power typically is supplied by microwave, and the pulsed wave may be a complex wave having a two-step peak, or may be a complex wave obtained by complexing a pulsed wave with a stationary continuous wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiharu Miyanaga, Tohru Inoue, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6652969
    Abstract: A carbon film containing fluorine and hydrogen, wherein a spectrum determined by FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrum analysis exhibits such a relationship that a ratio (IR.C—F)/(IR.C—H) between a peak area (IR.C—F) in a range from 1000 cm−1-1300 cm−1 resulting from C—F bonds and a peak area (IR.C—H) in a range from 2800 cm−1 to 3100 cm−1 resulting from C—H bonds is larger than 0, and a spectrum determined by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectrum analysis) exhibits such a relationship that a ratio (F1S/C1S) between a peak intensity resulting from F1S and a peak intensity resulting from C1S is larger than 0 and smaller than 3. A carbon film containing hydrogen and nitrogen. A carbon film containing at least one of metal, metal compound, silicon and silicon compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nissin Electric Co., LTD
    Inventors: Yasuo Murakami, Takahiro Nakahigashi, Jo Takeuchi