Elevating Thin Film Coating Capabilities at Notch Optics
Thin film coatings have long been central to our optical manufacturing capabilities. Now, with the installation of a plasma-assisted e-beam vacuum deposition system from Tecport Optics, we’re taking these coatings to a new level.
Plasma-assisted deposition is an advanced evolution of the ion-assisted e-beam process that Notch Optics has utilized successfully for years.
Like ion assist, this plasma-based process relies on electron beams to evaporate coating materials before deposition on a substrate. It also uses ionized reactive gases to enhance adhesion and improve the structural quality of optical coatings.
However, plasma assist goes a step further by merging reactive ions and evaporated materials within a high-density DC plasma. With low voltage and high current, this plasma offers much greater efficiency than traditional e-beam processes, producing thin films of significantly higher quality.
Key Features of Our New Thin Film Process:
Coating Larger Parts:
In addition to superior coatings, our new system significantly expands the size of optical components we can handle.
While our current ion-assisted e-beam systems can coat parts up to 13 inches in diameter in a 38-inch chamber, the new plasma-assist system features a 96-inch chamber capable of coating parts up to 60 inches in diameter.
This leap in capacity opens doors to applications such as next-gen optics for semiconductor equipment, large telescope mirrors, and astronomy optics.
High-Volume Coating Capabilities:
The system can also efficiently coat batches of small parts at a lower cost, making it ideal for high-volume jobs.
While primarily intended for in-house needs, its high throughput will enable us to offer contract thin film coating services on customer-supplied optics soon.
Enhanced Thin Film Quality:
High-density plasma technology significantly improves thin film quality, advancing various mechanical and optical properties, including:
- Adhesion
- Reduced residual stresses
- Surface smoothness
- Scratch resistance
- Wavelength stability
- Reduced absorption
New Design Possibilities:
Our upgraded machine includes expanded electron beam carousels, allowing us to work with a broader range of coating materials.
By combining this versatility with high-density plasma technology, we expect to achieve thin film coating designs with exceptional optical and mechanical properties.
For instance, we’re exploring layered coatings with fine gradients of optical properties through the coating’s thickness.
With these enhanced capabilities, Notch Optics is well-positioned to set a new standard in thin film coatings, meeting the demands of today’s most advanced optical applications.