Multi-layer metal or pseudometallic materials having engineered anisotropy are disclosed. The multi-layer materials having defined engineered grain orientations in each layer of the multi-layer material and bond layers between adjacent layers orthogonal to the grain orientations. This configuration distributes applied stress across the plurality of layers in the multi-layer metal material and around a neutral axis of the multi-layer metal material and increases the overall mechanical properties of the disclosed multi-layer metal material relative to conventional wrought metal materials of the same or similar chemical constitution. The microstructure of each layer, group of layers, or across multiple layers may be tailored to the intended application of a device made from the material. Individual layers may be tuned for property variations, such as gradients, or to adjust the bond layer characteristics. A method of making the multi-layer metal materials by physical vapor deposition to deposit each layer as crystalline grain structures and allow for layer-by-layer control over the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of each layer in the multi-layer metal as well as a bond layer between adjacent layers is disclosed.

Packaging materials and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The packaging material comprises a substrate surface and film coating selected from the group consisting of an elastomer, a polymer, an inorganic material and combinations thereof. The film coating includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer deposited on the second layer. The first layer has a formula of SiO.sub.xN.sub.yC.sub.z, where x is in a range from 1.9 to 2.15, y is in a range from 0.01 to 0.08, and z is in a range from 0.10 to 0.40.

A multi-layer PVD film stack contains high index of refraction base material(s), followed by a semi-transparent low index of refraction cap layer. The base layer(s) provide the color range of the film. The thickness of the cap layer dictates the degree to which the film retains the color properties of the base material and the reflectivity of the cap material. The cap layer not only increases the reflectivity of the base material, but it also decreases the reflectivity lost when the PVD film is topcoat lacquered. The lacquering is advantageous in protecting the PVD film but it decreases the reflectivity of the high index of refraction materials (generally n value>1.9 at 632 nm). These materials are desirable due to their color properties but are too dark after lacquering for many commercial applications. We address this problem by utilizing a high refractive index metal, or metals, as an opaque first layer followed by a thin semi-transparent second layer of a low refractive index metal. Upon topcoat lacquering, the resulting coating retains most of the aesthetically pleasing properties of the base metal(s) but minimizes the darkening of the metal(s) after topcoat due to the low refractive index of the second layer, which is in contact with the lacquer.

The present disclosure provides a deposition equipment, which includes a reaction chamber, a carrier, a target material, a magnetic device are at least one shield unit. The carrier and the target material are disposed within the containing space, wherein the carrier is for carrying a substrate, also a surface of the target material faces the carrier and the substrate. The magnetic device is disposed on another surface of the target material, to generate a magnetic field within the containing space through the target material. The shield unit is made electrical conductor and is disposed between a portion of the magnetic device and a portion of the target material, wherein the shield unit is for partially blocking and micro-adjusting the magnetic field generated by the magnetic device within the containing space, such that to improve an evenness of thickness for a thin film formed on the substrate.

The color of an electrochromic stack in a tinted state may be modified to achieve a desired color target by utilizing various techniques alone or in combination. A first approach generally involves changing a coloration efficiency of a WO.sub.x electrochromic (EC) layer by lowering a sputter temperature to achieve a WO.sub.x microstructural change in the EC layer. A second approach generally involves utilizing a dopant (e.g., Mo, Nb, or V) to improve the neutrality of the tinted state of WO.sub.x (coloration efficiency changes). A third approach generally involves tailoring a thickness of the WO.sub.x layer to tune the color of the tinted stack.

A film forming apparatus includes a target holder that holds a target facing a substrate and extending in a predetermined direction on a horizontal plane, a magnet unit including a pair of magnet assemblies each having magnets and disposed at a back side of the target holder, a pair of shielding members disposed between the target and the substrate to extend from the target toward the substrate, and a moving mechanism configured to reciprocate the magnet unit between one end and the other end in the predetermined direction. The magnet assemblies are arranged along the predetermined direction, and each of the shielding members is disposed, in plan view, on a boundary line between a first region where only one of the magnet assemblies passes during a reciprocating motion of the magnet unit and a second region where both of the magnet assemblies pass therethrough during the reciprocating motion.

There is provided a method of forming a silicon film, which includes: a film forming step of forming the silicon film on a base, the silicon film having a film thickness thicker than a desired film thickness; and an etching step of reducing the film thickness of the silicon film by supplying an etching gas containing bromine or iodine to the silicon film.

An improved cathodic arc source and method of DLC film deposition with a carbon containing directional-jet plasma flow produced inside of cylindrical graphite cavity with depth of the cavity approximately equal to the cathode diameter. The generated carbon plasma expands through the orifice into ambient vacuum resulting in plasma flow strong self-constriction. The method represents a repetitive process that includes two steps: the described above plasma generation/deposition step that alternates with a recovery step. This step provides periodical removal of excessive amount of carbon accumulated on the cavity wall by motion of the cathode rod inside of the cavity in direction of the orifice. The cathode rod protrudes above the orifice, and moves back to the initial cathode tip position. The said steps periodically can be reproduced until the film with target thickness is deposited. Technical advantages include the film hardness, density, and transparency improvement, high reproducibility, long duration operation, and particulate reduction.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for enlarging the opening width of substrate features by reducing the overhang of deposited films. Some embodiments of the disclosure utilize a high power bias pulse to etch the deposited film near the opening of the substrate feature. Some embodiments of the disclosure etch the deposited film without damaging the underlying substrate.

An improved cathodic arc source and method of DLC film deposition with a carbon containing directional-jet plasma flow produced inside of cylindrical graphite cavity with depth of the cavity approximately equal to the cathode diameter. The generated carbon plasma expands through the orifice into ambient vacuum resulting in plasma flow strong self-constriction. The method represents a repetitive process that includes two steps: the described above plasma generation/deposition step that alternates with a recovery step. This step provides periodical removal of excessive amount of carbon accumulated on the cavity wall by motion of the cathode rod inside of the cavity in direction of the orifice. The cathode rod protrudes above the orifice, and moves back to the initial cathode tip position. The said steps periodically can be reproduced until the film with target thickness is deposited. Technical advantages include the film hardness, density, and transparency improvement, high reproducibility, long duration operation, and particulate reduction.