Activated Reactive Evaporation (ARE)

Activated Reactive Evaporation (ARE) is an advanced process in surface engineering and thin film technology. In this process, a thin layer of a specific material is created on a substrate surface by vaporizing a starting material and chemical reactions during the deposition process.

The process begins with the vaporization of the starting material, typically in a vacuum chamber, which is heated to convert the material to a gaseous state. During the vaporization process, reactive gases such as oxygen, nitrogen or hydrogen are introduced into the chamber. These gases then react with the vaporized atoms or molecules, resulting in the formation of the desired coating.

By using reactive gases, coatings with specific properties can be produced, such as oxidations, nitrations or carbides. These coatings can have different functional, optical or mechanical properties, depending on the requirements of the application. Examples include improved wear resistance, corrosion resistance or electrical conductivity.

Precise control of process parameters such as evaporation temperature, vacuum pressure and gas composition is crucial for the quality and desired properties of the deposited coating. ARE enables the production of high-quality coatings for a wide range of applications, including optical coatings, protective coatings, barrier coatings and more.