Process for applying a non-self-supporting metal layer atop a plate surface

Claim 2

The improved method of positioning a very thin non-self-supporting layer of a given composition upon a surface of a body of a different composition, said given composition being of such physical characteristics that it vaporizes at a higher temperature than another material, lacquer, comprising the steps of: a. submerging a support ring in a fluid confined within a fluid reservoir, said support ring comprising a rim portion bordering an open space, b. depositing a lacquer in liquid form upon the surface of said fluid to form on said fluid surface a first layer of a predetermined thickness, c. permitting said lacquer to stand for a predetermined period of time whereby said lacquer changes to a solid state and forms a self-supporting layer, d. draining said reservoir to gradually reduCe the fluid level therein beneath the level of said support ring whereby said lacquer layer rides down with said fluid and a portion thereof settles down upon said support ring and drapes across the opening in said support ring, e. removing said support ring and supported lacquer layer from said reservoir, f. manipulating said support ring so that said lacquer layer is in contact with the surface of said body whereby said lacquer layer adheres to said surface, g. detaching and removing said support ring so as to leave said lacquer layer on said surface, h. inserting said body and attached lacquer layer into a vacuum deposition chamber and depositing upon said lacquer layer a very thin non-self-supporting second layer of said given composition, i. thereafter placing said body and supported lacquer layer and second layer in an oven, j. baking said body and supported layers in said oven in an air atmosphere at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to bake off said lacquer layer without baking off said second layer whereby said second non-self-supporting layer settles down onto said surface of said body, wherein said non-self-supporting layer of said given composition is positioned on said surface without the necessity of immersing said body in said fluid.

Claim 3

The improved method of positioning a very thin non-self-supporting layer of aluminum upon a surface of a microchannel plate without immersing said microchannel plate in water, comprising the steps of: a. submerging a support ring in de-ionized water confined within a water reservoir, said support ring comprising a rim portion bordering an open space, b. depositing lacquer in liquid form upon the surface of said water to form upon said water surface a first layer of a predetermined thickness, c. permitting said lacquer to stand for a predetermined period of time whereby said lacquer changes to a solid state and forms a self-supporting layer, d. draining said reservoir to gradually reduce the water level therein beneath the level of said support ring whereby said lacquer layer rides down with said water and a portion thereof settles down upon said support ring and drapes across the opening in said support ring, e. removing said support ring and supported lacquer layer from said reservoir, f. manipulating said support ring so that said lacquer layer is in contact with the surface of the microchannel plate whereby said lacquer layer adheres to said surface, g. detaching and removing said support ring so as to leave said lacquer layer on said surface, h. inserting said microchannel plate and attached lacquer layer into a vacuum deposition chamber and depositing atop said lacquer layer a very thin non-self-supporting second layer of aluminum, i. thereafter placing said microchannel plate with said supported lacquer layer and aluminum layer in an oven, j. baking said body and supported layers in said oven in an air atmosphere at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to bake off said lacquer layer without baking off said aluminum layer whereby said second non-self-supporting aluminum layer settles down onto said surface of said microchannel plate, wherein said non-self-supporting aluminum layer is positioned on said surface of the microchannel plate without the necessity of immersing said plate in said water.

Claim 4

The improved method of positioning a very thin non-self-supporting layer of aluminum upon a surface of a microchannel plate without immersing said microchannel plate in water, comprising the steps of: a. submerging a support ring in de-ionized water confined within a water reservoir, said support ring comprising a rim portion bordering an open space, b. depositing lacquer in liquid form upon the surface of said water to form upon said water surface a first layer of a predetermined thickness, c. permitting said lacquer to stand for a predetermined period of time whereby said lacquer changes to a solid state and forms a self-supporting layer, d. draining said reservoir to gradually reduce the water level therein beneath the level of said support ring whereby said lacquer layer rides down with said water and a portion thereof settles down upon said support ring and drapes across the opening in said support ring, e. removing said support ring and supported lacquer layer from said reservoir, f. manipulating said support ring so that said lacquer layer is in contact with the surface of the microchannel plate whereby said lacquer layer adheres to said surface, g. detaching and removing said support ring so as to leave said lacquer layer on said surface, h. inserting said microchannel plate and attached lacquer layer into a vacuum deposition chamber and depositing atop said lacquer layer a very thin non-self-supporting second layer of aluminum, i. thereafter placing said microchannel plate with said supported lacquer layer and aluminum layer in an oven, j. baking said body and supported layers in said oven in an air atmosphere at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to bake off said lacquer layer without baking off said aluminum layer whereby said second non-self-supporting aluminum layer settles down onto said surface of said microchannel plate, wherein said non-self-supporting aluminum layer is positioned on said surface of the microchannel plate without the necessity of immersing said plate in said water.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 2 further comprising connecting a vacuum pump to one surface of said microchannel plate for creating a suction force on the other surface, the surface on which said lacquer layer is placed, to assist attaching said lacquer layer to said plate surface.

Claim 6

The improved method of positioning a very thin non-self-supporting layer of a given composition upon a surface of a microchannel plate, which avoids immersion of said plate in a fluid, said given composition being of such physical characteristics that it vaporizes at a higher temperature than another mateRial, lacquer, comprising the steps of: a. submerging a support ring in a fluid confined within a fluid reservoir, said support ring comprising a rim portion bordering an open space, b. depositing a lacquer in liquid form upon the surface of said fluid to form a first layer of a predetermined thickness, c. permitting said lacquer to stand for a predetermined period of time whereby said lacquer changes to a solid state and forms a self-supporting layer, d. draining said reservoir to gradually reduce the fluid level therein beneath the level of said support ring whereby said lacquer layer rides down with said fluid and a portion thereof settles down upon said support ring and drapes across the opening in said support ring, e. removing said support ring and supported lacquer layer from said reservoir, f. manipulating said support ring so that said lacquer layer is in contact with the surface of said microchannel plate whereby said lacquer layer adheres to said surface, g. detaching and removing said support ring so as to leave said lacquer layer on said surface, h. inserting said microchannel plate and attached lacquer layer into a vacuum deposition chamber and depositing upon said lacquer layer a very thin non-self-supporting second layer of said given composition, i. thereafter placing said microchannel plate and supported lacquer layer and second layer in an oven, j. baking said microchannel plate and supported layers in said oven in an air atmosphere at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to bake off said lacquer layer without baking off said second layer whereby said second non-self-supporting layer settles down onto said surface of said microchannel plate, wherein said non-self-supporting layer of said given composition is positioned on said surface without the necessity of immersing said microchannel plate in said fluid.

Claim 7

The improved method of positioning a very thin non-self-supporting layer of a given composition upon a surface of a microchannel plate, which avoids immersion of said plate in a fluid, said given composition being of such physical characteristics that it vaporizes at a higher temperature than another mateRial, lacquer, comprising the steps of: a. submerging a support ring in a fluid confined within a fluid reservoir, said support ring comprising a rim portion bordering an open space, b. depositing a lacquer in liquid form upon the surface of said fluid to form a first layer of a predetermined thickness, c. permitting said lacquer to stand for a predetermined period of time whereby said lacquer changes to a solid state and forms a self-supporting layer, d. draining said reservoir to gradually reduce the fluid level therein beneath the level of said support ring whereby said lacquer layer rides down with said fluid and a portion thereof settles down upon said support ring and drapes across the opening in said support ring, e. removing said support ring and supported lacquer layer from said reservoir, f. manipulating said support ring so that said lacquer layer is in contact with the surface of said microchannel plate whereby said lacquer layer adheres to said surface, g. detaching and removing said support ring so as to leave said lacquer layer on said surface, h. inserting said microchannel plate and attached lacquer layer into a vacuum deposition chamber and depositing upon said lacquer layer a very thin non-self-supporting second layer of said given composition, i. thereafter placing said microchannel plate and supported lacquer layer and second layer in an oven, j. baking said microchannel plate and supported layers in said oven in an air atmosphere at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to bake off said lacquer layer without baking off said second layer whereby said second non-self-supporting layer settles down onto said surface of said microchannel plate, wherein said non-self-supporting layer of said given composition is positioned on said surface without the necessity of immersing said microchannel plate in said fluid.

Claim 8

The invention as defined in claim 4 further comprising connecting a vacuum pump to one surface of said microchannel plate for creating a suction force on the other surface, the surface on which said lacquer layer is placed, to assist attaching said lacquer layer to said plate surface.

Claim 11

The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of placing said lacquer layer on said matrix comprises further the steps of placing said matrix on a hollow support collar; operating and maintaining a vacuum on the bottom surface of said matrix so as to create a sucking action at the top surface thereof; inverting said support ring and moving same into said collar so as to place said lacquer layer in contact with said upper surface of said matrix.