Thin Film Technology and Coatings

A military sub-contractor research laboratory in southern California was having difficulty making a thin film optical passivation and anti-reflective coating adhere to a specialized sapphire substrate used as part of a missile proximity fuse.

This consultant was asked to evaluate the production process and find a solution that would improve adhesion properties and production yields.

Expert Analysis

This consultant determined using in situ Auger measurements and post coating ellipsometric measurements that one of the ionic compounds used in the coating was disassociating during the thermal evaporation process.

Based on work done by a UCLA materials scientist in a related field but different application, this consultant developed a reactive, plasma assisted thin film deposition process using a self-developed plasma generator and a different off-the-shelf thermal evaporation cell.

The resulting process dramatically improved coating adhesion and production yields. The Air-Force project manager issued a commendation for the efforts.

To see the resume of the expert associated with this case study, see the link below.