Thin films

Thin films are thinly deposited layers of a material on a substrate and are widely used in various industries. These layers can be just a few nanometers to several micrometers thick and are produced using various deposition techniques such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sputtering or chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

In the electronics industry, thin films are often used for the production of semiconductor components, integrated circuits and transparent conductors. They serve as barriers against oxidation, as dielectrics, conductors or as protective layers to protect electronic components from environmental influences or to improve their performance.

Another important area of application for thin films is in optical coating. By applying thin layers to optical components such as lenses, filters and mirrors, their reflection, transmission, absorption or refractive index can be controlled. This enables the production of coatings with specific optical properties for applications in optics, photography, laser and spectroscopy technology.

Thin coatings are used in tool and wear protection technology to harden, lubricate or protect the surfaces of tools, molds and components against wear. Coatings such as DLC (diamond-like carbon coatings) or PVD-coated coatings improve the durability, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of components in various industrial applications.

Thin films are also used in the solar industry for the production of thin-film solar cells, which are a cost-effective alternative to conventional silicon solar cells. Thin-film solar cells consist of different layers of semiconductor materials such as amorphous silicon, copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) or cadmium telluride (CdTe), which are applied to substrates and convert sunlight into electrical energy. Overall, thin films offer a wide range of advantages in various industrial sectors and help to improve the performance, functionality and durability of products.