Carl R Collins

US Patent:

54786509, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

May 2, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/433937

Inventors:

Farzin Davanloo - Dallas TX
Carl B. Collins - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

B05D 306

US Classification:

428408

Abstract:

Films of nanometer-scale nodules of diamond-bonded carbon structures are disclosed. Such films may be used, for example, to coat objects to improve their resistance to wear. Moreover, because the nanophase diamond films of the present invention are of optical quality, they may be used to coat optical lenses and the like. The nanophase diamond films of the present invention have diamond-like properties, indicating a preponderance of sp. sup. 3 bonds within the nodules and a substantial absence of hydrogen and graphite within the nodules. If desired, the nanophase diamond films disclosed herein may be created to have a hardness exceeding that of natural diamond, depending on the quantity of graphite left in the voids between the nodules. The nanophase diamond films of the present invention are also characterized by a low coefficient of friction, by low average internal stress, and by an optical quality capable of providing a visual appearance of Newton's rings of interference.

US Patent:

50987372, Mar 24, 1992

Filed:

May 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/521694

Inventors:

Carl B. Collins - Richardson TX
Farzin Davanloo - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

B05D 306
B05D 512
C23C 1600
B01J 306

US Classification:

427 531

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing amorphic or ultra fine-grained, diamond-like material on a substrate. Uniform, high quality dehydrogenated diamond-like material is produced when a hardened target material is used and/or when a laser beam strikes the target at non-perpendicular angles of incidence. Also, selective placement of particles upon a substrate as well as simultaneous cleaning of the substrate is achieved by a secondary electrode placed within the laser beam path of travel between a first electrode and the substrate.

US Patent:

40538532, Oct 11, 1977

Filed:

Aug 18, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/605410

Inventors:

Carl B. Collins - Richardson TX

International Classification:

H01S 3097

US Classification:

331 945PE

Abstract:

A system for producing repetitive stimulated emission pulses of coherent electromagnetic radiation which operates in a traveling wave mode is disclosed. Each pulse of coherent electromagnetic energy is produced by applying a single high voltage pulse to a plurality of pulse transmission lines of progressively greater electrical lengths which are connected at spaced points to electrodes extending parallel to and disposed on opposite sides of a discharge channel which contains a laser type medium. As a result, the pulse is applied to successive points along the discharge channel as the stimulated radiation wave front approaches the respective points, providing optimum efficiency. A number of such systems can be cascaded to produce theoretically unlimited power. In the preferred embodiment, the transmission lines are strip transmission lines formed by printed circuit techniques ad include impedance matching connections at the electrodes to provide enhanced efficiency. The rapid rise pulse is applied to the transmission lines by a thyratron or other switching device.

US Patent:

54117976, May 2, 1995

Filed:

Apr 1, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/042104

Inventors:

Farzin Davanloo - Dallas TX
Carl B. Collins - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

B05D 306

US Classification:

428336

Abstract:

Films of nanometer-scale nodules of diamond-bonded carbon structures are disclosed. Such films may be used, for example, to coat objects to improve their resistance to wear. Moreover, because the nanophase diamond films of the present invention are of optical quality, they may be used to coat optical lenses and the like. The nanophase diamond films of the present invention have diamond-like properties, indicating a preponderance of sp. sup. 3 bonds within the nodules and a substantial absence of hydrogen and graphite within the nodules. If desired, the nanophase diamond films disclosed herein may be created to have a hardness exceeding that of natural diamond, depending on the quantity of graphite left in the voids between the nodules. The nanophase diamond films of the present invention are also characterized by a low coefficient of friction, by low average internal stress, and by an optical quality capable of providing a visual appearance of Newton's rings of interference.

US Patent:

49870076, Jan 22, 1991

Filed:

Apr 18, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/183022

Inventors:

Suhas S. Wagal - Richardson TX
Carl B. Collins - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

B05D 306
C23C 1648

US Classification:

427 531

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided which produces a layer of material on a substrate by extracting ions from a laser ablation plume in a vacuum environment. In a basic embodiment, the apparatus includes a vacuum chamber containing a target material and a laser focused on the target to ablate the material and ionize a portion of the ablation plume. An accelerating grid within the vacuum chamber is charged to extract the ions from the plume and direct the ions onto a substrate to grow the layer. The basic embodiment has produced diamond-like carbon films on a clean, unseeded silicon substrate at deposition rates approaching 20 microns per hour. The diamond-like carbon films produced were of exceptional quality: uniform thickness with a surface roughness about 1 Angstrom; uniform index of refraction within the range of 1. 5-2. 5; resistivity greater than 40 megs ohms per centimeter; and a hard surface resistant to physical abuse. An enhanced embodiment includes multiple targets within the vacuum chamber and mechanisms to selectively produce ions from each target.

US Patent:

49474154, Aug 7, 1990

Filed:

May 9, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/861491

Inventors:

Carl B. Collins - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

H01J 3522

US Classification:

378122

Abstract:

An apparatus for producing high energy, pulsed, flash X-rays which is of a useful laboratory-scale size. The apparatus includes a hydrogen thyratron coupled between a D. C. power source and a low impedance Blumlein, and a low impedance X-ray head. The thyratron is in a grounded grid configuration and provides a commutated input voltage to the Blumlein at a high repetition rate. The switching waveform output of the Blumlein is applied across a pair of spaced electrodes in the X-ray head to produce an X-ray emitting discharge therebetween. A portion of the electrode assembly is preferably cast integral in an insulating base plate of the head. A pair of foil sheet conductors are preferably cast in the base plate to respectively connect the electrodes to the Blumlein. An apertured cover plate is mounted over the base plate with a seal ring interposed between the plates around the electrodes to establish a sealable evacuatable chamber around the discharge gap between the electrodes.