A method for forming a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on an article is provided, comprising: alternatingly performing a deposition process and an ashing process on the article a determined number of times, wherein during the deposition process the method proceeds by forming on the article a layer of DLC which includes graphitic sp.sup.2 carbon and tetrahedral sp.sup.3 carbon, and during the ashing process the method proceeds by selectively etching the graphitic sp.sup.2 carbon, wherein the determine number of time is configured to result in a designated overall thickness of the DLC coating.

A method for forming a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on an article is provided, comprising: alternatingly performing a deposition process and an ashing process on the article a determined number of times, wherein during the deposition process the method proceeds by forming on the article a layer of DLC which includes graphitic sp.sup.2 carbon and tetrahedral sp.sup.3 carbon, and during the ashing process the method proceeds by selectively etching the graphitic sp.sup.2 carbon, wherein the determine number of time is configured to result in a designated overall thickness of the DLC coating.

A box coating apparatus for vacuum coating of substrates comprises a vacuum chamber which contains an evaporation source for evaporating coating material and a substrate holder disposed vis--vis to the evaporation source so that coating material evaporated by the evaporation source can impinge on substrates held by the substrate holder. An electric heating device is centrally arranged in the vacuum chamber, which is constructed to heat up the vacuum chamber during vacuum check and cleaning routines. So as to be removable from the vacuum chamber prior to the deposition processes, the heating device is provided with a stand having a plurality of leg portions mounted to a base plate, which are sized and constructed at the base plate so that the heating device can be placed over and above the evaporation source.

A box coating apparatus for vacuum coating of substrates comprises a vacuum chamber which contains an evaporation source for evaporating coating material and a substrate holder disposed vis--vis to the evaporation source so that coating material evaporated by the evaporation source can impinge on substrates held by the substrate holder. An electric heating device is centrally arranged in the vacuum chamber, which is constructed to heat up the vacuum chamber during vacuum check and cleaning routines. So as to be removable from the vacuum chamber prior to the deposition processes, the heating device is provided with a stand having a plurality of leg portions mounted to a base plate, which are sized and constructed at the base plate so that the heating device can be placed over and above the evaporation source.

The present invention provides a technology capable of inhibiting, in a vacuum processing apparatus that conveys a plurality of substrate holders along a conveying path formed to have a projected shape on a vertical surface, the projected shape being a continuous ring shape, dust from being generated during conveyance of a substrate holder. The present invention includes, in a vacuum chamber 2, an anti-sag member 35 assembled to a first drive unit 36 provided on an outer side with respect to a conveying direction of the conveying path, the vacuum chamber 2 including a conveying path formed to have a projected shape on the vertical surface, the projected shape being a continuous ring shape, a single vacuum atmosphere being formed in the vacuum chamber 2. A travel roller 54 of the anti-sag member 35 travels while being guided and supported by a guide unit 17 that is provided below a return-path-side conveying portion 33c positioned on a lower side of a substrate holder conveying mechanism 3 and extends in a second conveying direction P2, and the first drive part 36 is configured to come into contact with a first driven unit 12 of a substrate holder 11 and drive the substrate holder 11 along the conveying path in the second conveying direction P2.

The present invention provides a technology capable of inhibiting, in a vacuum processing apparatus that conveys a plurality of substrate holders along a conveying path formed to have a projected shape on a vertical surface, the projected shape being a continuous ring shape, dust from being generated during conveyance of a substrate holder. The present invention includes, in a vacuum chamber 2, an anti-sag member 35 assembled to a first drive unit 36 provided on an outer side with respect to a conveying direction of the conveying path, the vacuum chamber 2 including a conveying path formed to have a projected shape on the vertical surface, the projected shape being a continuous ring shape, a single vacuum atmosphere being formed in the vacuum chamber 2. A travel roller 54 of the anti-sag member 35 travels while being guided and supported by a guide unit 17 that is provided below a return-path-side conveying portion 33c positioned on a lower side of a substrate holder conveying mechanism 3 and extends in a second conveying direction P2, and the first drive part 36 is configured to come into contact with a first driven unit 12 of a substrate holder 11 and drive the substrate holder 11 along the conveying path in the second conveying direction P2.

A deposition apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a vacuum vessel, a rotary table rotatably disposed in the vacuum vessel, a heating device provided below the rotary table, and a radiation adjusting member. The rotary table is configured such that multiple substrates can be placed on the rotary table along a circumferential direction of the rotary table. The heating device is configured to heat the multiple substrates by thermal radiation, and the radiation adjusting member is configured to adjust an amount of radiant heat from the heating device to the plurality of substrates.

Provided is a chamber system for solid free form fabrication, the chamber system having a deposition chamber, a service chamber and one or more loading/unloading chambers. The chamber system allows for a more efficient and cost effective process to service the deposition apparatus, load holding substrates, and unload workpieces without requiring having to adjust the atmosphere in the deposition chamber.

Provided is a chamber system for solid free form fabrication, the chamber system having a deposition chamber, a service chamber and one or more loading/unloading chambers. The chamber system allows for a more efficient and cost effective process to service the deposition apparatus, load holding substrates, and unload workpieces without requiring having to adjust the atmosphere in the deposition chamber.

A wafer holder comprising: a ceramic base having a wafer-mounting surface as an upper surface; and a conductive member embedded in the ceramic base, the conductive member including a circuit portion provided parallel to the wafer-mounting surface, a pull-out portion provided parallel to the wafer-mounting surface and spaced from the circuit portion in a direction opposite to a direction toward the wafer-mounting surface, and a connecting portion configured to electrically connect the circuit portion and the pull-out portion to each other.