Method and Apparatus for the Multi-Layer and Multi-Component Coating of Thin Films on Substrates, and Multi-Layer and Multi-Component Coatings

The present invention pertains to a process for depositing multi-component and nanostructured thin films. Various parameters are monitored during the process to produce the structure of the thin films, on one hand the residence time of the gas mixture in the reactor is controlled by the pumping rate, on the other side to generate the plasma direct current (DC) or radio frequency (RF) sources are used, plus the combination of three unbalanced magnetrons allows alternative emission of elements that make up the multi-component and nanostructured films. The process is monitored by an optical emission spectrometer (EOE) and a Langmuir probe (SL), the EOE can follow the emission corresponding to the electronic transitions of atoms and molecules in the plasma. Emissions occur in the visible, infrared and ultraviolet domains. The relationships between spectral networks of different elements have been identified that ensure structural characteristics of thin films. Through SL, operating conditions have been identified by measuring the electron temperature and measuring the density of electrons. It was decided in the prototype to make this measurement at significantly important points in the process.