Nanoparticle & Thin film UHV Deposition System : NEXUS
The NEXUS is a versatile ultra-high vacuum (UHV) deposition system designed for a wide range of research and industrial applications. It combines multiple deposition techniques, including a 3-headed nanoparticle source using the Terminated Gas Condensation technique, while the QMS mass filter enables real-time scanning and filtering of nanoparticles by mass or diameter, optimizing growth conditions for consistent, high-quality results. The system also includes a Mini E-Beam Evaporator, Magnetron Sputter Source, Thermal Boat Source, and a K-cell for controlled thin film deposition. With customizable features such as substrate heating, rotation, biasing, and advanced recipe control software, the NEXUS offers exceptional flexibility. Additional options like a load lock and add-ons enhance process control and enable integration with analytical tools, making it ideal for applications in catalysis, energy storage, photonics, and life sciences.
Key Features
- Generate complex materials by combining nanoparticles and thin films
- Hydrocarbon free nanoparticles using NL-UHV
- UHV system with load-lock, bakeout and pumping upgrade option
- Combination turbo/dry backing pumping
- Confocal port geometry for up to 5 sources
- Compatible with third party sources
- Coating of substrates with rotation, heating and biasing options
- Interlocks to protect both personnel and equipment
- Fully automated and recipe driven software
Basic System Configuration
| Size of deposition chamber | 450 mm |
| Base Pressure | < 5e – 7 Torr |
| Orientation | Sputter up |
| Sample table | 4-inch wafer, 20rpm rotation, Z-shift for sample loading/unloading |
| Pumping | 300l/s turbo with 7.2m3/hr dry backing pump |
| Valves | Manual valves, shutters and linear drives |
| Control Software | Recipe driven processes, power supply control and data logging |
| In-situ monitoring | Quartz Crystal Microbalance for process monitoring and end point detection |
| Source Port | Up to 5 deposition sources 2 Confocal CF150 and 3 confocal CF100 source ports |
| Source Type | Nanoparticle source, Magnetron sputter sources, Mini e-beam evaporator, Thermal boat source K-cells, Ion source, RF Atom source |
Options
- 5e – 9 Torr base pressure (With bakeout option)
- Sample stage:-
– DC bias for nanoparticle acceleration
– RF bias for sample surface cleaning
– Heating to 800°C
- Pumping – 700l/s turbo
- Separately pumped load-lock with transfer arm
- System bakeout
- Automation options for valves, shutters and linear drives
- Adjustable baffle in front of turbo to increase dynamic pressure range for sputtering at lower gas flows
NEXUS System Configuration Options
Control Software
The intuitive “drag and drop” user interface is easy to use and allows full automation of the pump down and deposition sequence.
Highlights
⇒ Fully automated pump down and venting
⇒ Configure Virtual Rack to suit your process
⇒ Easy to add and remove instruments
⇒ Real Time Charting
⇒ Interlock Monitoring
⇒ Recipe Control
⇒ Data Logging Functions
Publications using Nanoparticle Technology
Antía Villamayor, Alonso Alba, Laura V. Barrio,Sergio Rojas, Eva Gutierrez-Berasategui. DOI : 10.3390/coatings14070868
A Caillard, S Cuynet, T Lecas, P Andreazza, M Mikikian, A-L Thomann , P Brault. DOI : 10.1088/0022-3727/48/47/475302
Aver Hemben, Iva Chianella , Glenn John Thomas Leighton. DOI : 10.3390/bioengineering8030038
Frequently Asked Questions
The NEXUS is a versatile ultra-high vacuum (UHV) deposition system that can include multiple deposition techniques, including a 3-headed nanoparticle source using the Terminated Gas Condensation technique and thin-film sources such as a mini e-beam evaporator and magnetron sputter source. It is designed for both industrial and academic research applications requiring high-purity nanoparticle/thin film composites.
The NEXUS features confocal CF port geometry for up to five deposition sources two CF150 and three CF100 ports and is compatible with Nikalyte’s own nanoparticle source, magnetron sputter sources, mini e-beam evaporator, thermal boat source, K-cells, and ion source, as well as third-party sources.
Yes. The NEXUS can be configured with a QMS (quadrupole mass spectrometer) mass filter that enables real-time scanning and filtering of nanoparticles by mass or diameter, allowing growth conditions to be optimised for consistent high-quality results.
Yes. The standard NEXUS achieves a base pressure below 5×10⁻⁷ Torr. With the optional system bakeout, base pressure can be improved to 5×10⁻⁹ Torr. A separately pumped load-lock with transfer arm is also available as an option, allowing sample loading without breaking the main chamber vacuum.
The standard sample table holds a 4-inch wafer with variable rotation speed (up to 20rpm) and Z-shift for loading and unloading. Optional upgrades include DC bias for nanoparticle acceleration, RF bias for sample surface cleaning, and heating up to 800°C.
The NEXUS runs on Nikalyte’s Spectrum software, a drag-and-drop interface for fully automated pump-down and deposition sequencing. Features include recipe control, a configurable virtual rack, real-time charting, interlock monitoring, and data logging.
The NEXUS is used for applications spanning catalysis, energy storage, photonics, and life sciences, where combining nanoparticle and thin-film deposition in a single UHV system supports the fabrication of complex, layered, or composite materials.