Ion beam modification of noble metals for electrical contacts

DWPI Title: Electrical contact, has noble metal thin film that is ion implanted with noble gas
Abstract: Ion beam modification of noble metal electrical contact coatings can achieve suitable friction and wear behavior with inherently stable low ECR. For example, this method of producing Au electrical contact coatings can produce wear properties similar to electroplated hard Au, but without the environmental concerns due to stringent OSHA regulations on the use and disposal of toxic chemicals associated with Au electroplating baths. Integration of physical vapor deposition techniques with ion implantation can produce noble metal coatings with surfaces modified to achieve the desired balance between adhesion/friction/wear and electrical contact resistance on a commercial scale.
Use: Electrical contact.
Advantage: The ion beam modification of noble metal electrical contact coatings is enabled to achieve suitable friction and wear behavior with inherently stable low electrical contact resistance (ECR). The ion beam modification of noble metals using noble gasses is enabled to alter the adhesion, friction, and wear behavior without adversely affecting the electrical conductivity.
Novelty: The electrical contact has a noble metal thin film that is ion implanted with a noble gas. The noble metal is gold, palladium, silver or platinum, while the noble gas is helium, neon, argon, krypton or xenon. The noble gas is ion implanted to a dose of greater than a specific value and less than a specific value. The thickness of the noble metal thin film is less than 10 microns.
Filed: 7/16/2015
Application Number: US14800898A
Tech ID: SD 12963.1
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
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