A new window coating system and a new window for the ALS

A new window coating system has been developed to coat a newly designed window for the storage ring RF system in the Advanced Light Source (ALS). A bell jar large enough to accommodate the 15 cm (OD)/spl times/50 cm (L) tubular ceramic window is used for a vacuum chamber. Methodical procedures are employed to ensure the chamber is free of contaminants before any coating is carried out. A single filament is used to coat the new tubular window, however other shapes of filaments could be used for coating other windows if necessary. Details of the coating system and window construction as well as the performance of the coating system and the new windows are presented.