This concise review of the developments that have led to the various applications in vacuum coating technology provides an excellent starting point for those exploring this field. It will be especially valuable to those researching proposed or existing patents. While the discussion is brief and to the point, the references (over 370 are cited) are extensive, and are effective in directing the reader to more specialized technical and patent literature. The listing of acronyms used in vacuum coating will be valuable; even better is the excellent 80 page glossary of terms. Recommended.

From the Preface: “Vacuum coating processes consist of a source of vapor (atomic or molecular) of the material to be deposited, transport of the vapor to the surface to be coated, and condensation on the surface to form a thin film or coating with the desired properties. In the case of reactive deposition, availability of the reactive gas at the surface of the growing film and `activation' of the reactive gas are important...The field of vacuum coating is continually evolving and new processes, materials, and applications provide a fertile field for the historian.”

Target Audience: Materials scientists, engineers, and other readers of any proficiency level who are interested in the history, process, and uses of vacuum coating technology.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Early Vacuum Science and Technology

Early Electricity and Magnetism

Early Plasma Physics and Chemistry

Some Scientific and Engineering Societies and Publications

Patents and the U.S. Patent Office

Deposition Processes: Sputter Deposition; Thermal Evaporation; Arc Vapor Deposition; Chemical Vapor Deposition; Ion Plating

Surface Preparation

Summary and Notes

References

Acronyms Used in Vacuum Coating

Glossary of Terms for Vacuum Coating