See how Denton Vacuum has pioneered thin film for 6 decades.

5 Benefits of PIB-CVD Over PE-CVD

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Thin films obtained by standard chemical vapor deposition (CVD) typically require temperatures ranging from 600°C to 800°C. Using plasma enhanced CVD (PE-CVD) allows reactions to occur at temperatures down to 350°C. Plasma ion beam CVD (PIB-CVD) advances this process even further by allowing room temperature deposition. Without the need to heat a substrate to such… Read More

Ion Beam Etch for Semiconductor Failure Analysis

A wafer being placed inside of an Infinity FA system.

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Conventional failure analysis methods have failed to scale with modern semiconductors, which are larger, more complex, and incorporate a wider variety of materials than ever before. Ion Beam Etch, or IBE, overcomes the challenges that conventional failure analysis methods cannot.  IBE provides a uniform etch no matter the material, exposes large areas of interest with… Read More

What is Magnetron Sputtering?

Magnetron Sputtering

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Magnetron sputtering is a plasma-based technique for physical vapor deposition (or PVD) coating that creates dense films with good adhesion. It is excellent for depositing materials with high melting points that cannot be evaporated, and it has the highest scalability of any PVD type. Magnetron sputtering provides excellent precision in film thickness and density of… Read More

Bias Target Sputtering for Thin Film Deposition

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Traditional ion beam sputtering (IBS) provides excellent control over ion energies and thin film stoichiometry, making it the process of choice for sputtering metals and dielectrics for applications such as vanadium oxide microbolometers and VCSELs. Still, IBS has various challenges in meeting the necessary standards for applications in which a high degree of precision and… Read More

Cathode Options for Magnetron Sputtering

Denton Vacuum magnetron sputtering illustration

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Magnetron sputtering is a versatile deposition technique that creates very dense films with good adhesion. It can easily deposit materials with high melting points that cannot be evaporated. Denton Vacuum’s magnetron sputtering systems are highly configurable with multiple cathode options to meet the specific requirements of different applications.  In this article, we discuss the multiple… Read More

Is Evaporation or Sputtering Better for Your Application?

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When selecting a physical vapor technique for your manufacturing process, the end application will greatly affect which technique is best. While PVD has many forms, there are two prominent techniques: evaporation and sputtering. Sputtering through magnetron or ion beam (IBS) utilizes energetic ions colliding with a target to eject (or sputter) target material. Thermal resistive… Read More

How to Prevent Defects in Thin Film Sputtering and Evaporation

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The goal of any thin film deposition method is to create a high-quality uniform film across the entire surface of a substrate. Unfortunately, defects such as spits, particles, and voids can interfere with your ability to reach desired film quality. If necessary, there are ways to adjust a manufacturing process to eliminate such defects and… Read More

Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and their Applications

GaAs VCSEL diagram

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Lasers are used in a wide variety of everyday applications, in everything from fiber optic telecommunications, to computer mice, to cell phones, and even cars. This is made possible by semiconductor lasers, particularly by vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). A VCSEL is created from a complex multilayer structure that is formed by depositing thin film layers… Read More

Utilizing Plasma in Chemical Vapor Deposition: Plasma Enhanced CVD vs PIB-CVD

Plasma Ion Beam Chemical Vapor Deposition

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In thin films obtained by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), chemical reactions are driven by applying heat to the substrate to be coated or to the area immediately around the substrate. Reactive precursor gasses are then introduced into the deposition chamber and react immediately with the heated substrate surface or combine to form new compounds that… Read More

Making a Carbon-Free Future a Reality: Electrolyzers, Platinum, and Thin Film Deposition

PEM electrolysis diagram

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One device helping make the carbon-free future more of a reality is the electrolyzer. Hydrogen is emerging as an increasingly important fuel source, and electrolyzers use electricity to perform electrolysis – the process of dividing water molecules into their separate components of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The oxygen and hydrogen can then be compressed… Read More