METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF MATERIALS UTILIZING MULTIPLE COMBINED ENERGY SOURCES

摘要

Material treatment is effected in a treatment region (124) by at least two energy sources, such as (i) an atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma and (ii) an ultraviolet (UV) laser directed into the plasma and optionally onto the material being treated. Precursor materials (323) may be dispensed before, and finishing material (327) may be dispensed after treatment. Electrodes (e1, e2) for generating the plasma may comprise two spaced-apart rollers (212/214; 412/414; 436/438). Nip rollers (416/418; 436/438) adjacent the electrode rollers (412/414) define a semi-airtight cavity (440), and may have a metallic outer layer (437/439).