Cathodic arc plasma deposition is one of oldest coatings technologies. Over the last two decades it has
become the technology of choice for hard, wear resistant coatings on cutting and forming tools, corrosion
resistant and decorative coatings on door knobs, shower heads, jewelry, and many other substrates. The
history, basic physics of cathodic arc operation, the infamous macroparticle problem and common filter
solutions are reviewed. Cathodic arc plasmas stand out due to their high degree of ionization, with
important consequences for film nucleation, growth, and efficient utilization of substrate bias. The
overview concludes with a compilation of typical applications and coating materials.