(19)

(11)

EP 1 000 182 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 19.11.1998 (43) Date of publication: 17.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/20 (21) Application number: 98907020.6 (22) Date of filing: 23.02.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C23C 14/00, C23C 14/06, C23C 14/54, G02B 5/28 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9800/556 (87) International publication number: WO 9837/254 (27.08.1998 Gazette 1998/34)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 21.02.1997 GB 9703616 (71) Applicant: University Court of the University of Paisley Paisley,Renfrewshire PA1 2BE (GB)	(72) Inventor: PLACIDO, Frank Renfrewshire PA11 3JJ (GB) (74) Representative: McNally, Roisin  Murgitroyd & Company,373 Scotland Street Glasgow G5 8QA Glasgow G5 8QA (GB)