idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

Grafik: idw-Logo
Grafik: idw-Logo

idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft

Science Video Project
idw-Abo

idw-News App:

AppStore

Google Play Store



Instance:
Share on: 
03/16/2015 14:09

Active control of IBS processes in the near future

Lena Bennefeld Marketing & Communications
Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.

    Highly precise and stable surface coatings are essential for many applications, whether for eyeglasses, or for optics for lasers or telescopes. The project PluTO created a basic understanding of plasma-based coatings. The aim of the project PluTO+ is now to transfer these to industrial applications. For this, the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) is working on controlling ion beam sputtering (IBS).

    Up to now, IBS processes, in comparison to magnetron processes for example, could only be guided by using set parameters, but without online control. Fundamental knowledge of the influence of plasma parameters was missing. For this reason, the Process Development Group of the LZH investigated how exactly IBS coating processes work, within the framework of the joint project PluTO (Plasma and optical technologies). For example, they were able to quantify the ions of sputtered materials separately from the background plasma. Furthermore, they could analyze in detail the reactive processes on the target surface. With this knowledge, they were able to develop new strategies to decisively improve the quality, reproducibility and exploitation of IBS processes.

    Simulation of the process beforehand

    Additionally, the scientists developed a new, versatile tool for describing layer condensation. This tool can be used to simulate processes on an atomic level, so that in the future it is possible to adapt the parameters to the demands of deposition processes, for example for the stoichiometry, thickness or roughness of the layers.

    In the recently started follow-up project PluTO+, information from the project PluTO are to be transferred into industry. For this, the LZH has developed control sequences for the IBS process. In combination with innovative plasma diagnostics, it would be possible to follow the course of a process online, to make predictions, and accordingly intervene in these processes. This would make the coating processes more precise, more stable and faster and thus less expensive.

    In the collaborative project PluTO, five research organizations in the fields of plasma technology and optical thin-film coating technology have worked on gaining basic knowledge on plasma supported coating processes. The PluTO+ network consists of four research institutes and eight industrial partners under leadership of the Bühler Alzenau GmbH. Both PluTO and PluTO+ have been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.


    Images

    IBS coating equipment with process controls.
    IBS coating equipment with process controls.
    Photo: LZH
    None

    IBS process with two ion sources in use.
    IBS process with two ion sources in use.
    Photo: LZH
    None


    Criteria of this press release:
    Business and commerce, Journalists, Scientists and scholars
    Physics / astronomy
    transregional, national
    Research projects, Research results
    English


     

    Help

    Search / advanced search of the idw archives
    Combination of search terms

    You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.

    Brackets

    You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).

    Phrases

    Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.

    Selection criteria

    You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).

    If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).