Analysis of mass transport in an atmospheric pressure remote plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process

In remote microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition processes operated at atmospheric pressure, high deposition rates are associated with the localization of precursors on the treated surface. We show that mass transport can be advantageously ensured by convection for the heavier precursor, the lighter being driven by turbulent diffusion toward the surface. Transport by laminar diffusion is negligible. The use of high flow rates is mandatory to have a good mixing of species. The use of an injection nozzle with micrometer-sized hole enables us to define accurately the reaction area between the reactive species. The localization of the flow leads to high deposition rates by confining the reactive species over a small area, the deposition yield being therefore very high. Increasing the temperature modifies nonlinearly the deposition rates and the coating properties.