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Magnetron sputtering is a powerful thin-film deposition technique used in semiconductors, optics, and wear-resistant coatings. A magnetron sputtering system operates by generating a plasma that ejects atoms from a target material, which then deposit onto a substrate to form a thin film. While this fundamental process remains the same across applications, the configuration of a

Choosing physical vapor deposition (PVD) equipment is a decision that extends beyond meeting current production needs. It requires thinking ahead to ensure the system you invest in today can support future expansion without costly overhauls. Industries relying on thin-film coatings, from semiconductors and optical technologies to medical devices and energy solutions, need physical vapor deposition

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) has revolutionized modern manufacturing by enabling the generation of thin, functional coatings with unmatched precision. From aerospace components to cutting-edge electronics, PVD coatings enhance durability, performance, and aesthetics across diverse industries. Achieving these high standards, however, requires more than advanced equipment. It demands meticulous control of the deposition environment. While the

Imagine the precision required to coat a semiconductor wafer with layers just a few atoms thick or to apply flawless, glare-resistant films to camera lenses. Achieving such feats relies on the magnetron—a marvel of engineering at the core of many deposition processes. By generating controlled plasma within a magnetic field, magnetrons enable the precise sputtering

Plasma Vapor Deposition (PVD) has redefined the standards for high-performance coatings, offering unparalleled durability, precision, and adaptability. By leveraging the unique properties of plasma, this process enhances coating characteristics in ways that traditional methods cannot match. Below, we’ll dive deeper into how PVD works, its benefits, and why it’s the gold standard for advanced coating

The capabilities of thin films are what help them to be utilized in a variety of applications, including optics, energy, and electronics. All these applications are possible thanks to the thin film’s influence over the characteristics of a surface. Thin films are only thin material layers, with thicknesses between several nanometres – micrometres, but when

When thin films need to be added to a surface, sputtering techniques are there to help. They can produce a coating with a specific placement that’s only several atoms thick. We see the benefits of these properties in everyday items. The coatings from sputtering techniques provide them with extensive functionality, strength, and durability. With many

This article explores the importance of PVD for display technology, and how the design of PVD systems are crucial for the development of new products and the production of affordable consumer electronics. Thin-Film Transistors (TFTs) are integral components in modern electronic displays, enabling the precision control of pixels in technologies such as liquid crystal displays

Surface engineering is an age-old custom. Yet it was only in the 1970s that we started achieving uniform microscopic coatings on substrates with any degree of efficiency. This is linked to the genesis of magnetron sputtering. We understood the basic physics of sputtering as early as the mid-19th Century, but it took almost a hundred

Surface wear and tear affects everyone. You might notice household paintwork cracking or peeling over time due to thermal cycling, and whenever you need to change your car’s brake pads, it’s likely due to friction. The same basic abrasive or corrosive mechanisms affect systems in all aspects of life; from the home to the factory.

In the realm of material science and thin-film deposition, sputtering stands out as a pivotal technique for creating high-quality coatings. Whether you’re developing cutting-edge electronic devices, advanced optics, or high-performance sensors, the choice of sputtering technology can make a significant difference. In this blog post, we will discuss sputtering and explore how  Nikalyte’s NEXUS and

At Nikalyte we are asked quite often, “What exactly is Physical Vapour Deposition?”. Our entire business is centred around this technology and so we thought it useful to explain it in simple detail.  Physical Vapour (Vapor) Deposition or PVD for short, is a form of thin film coating. There are many other methods of thin