Häufig gestellte Fragen

We are excited to announce that the VPI 2026 calendar is ready for distribution!

By optimizing the target-to-sample distance, power, pressure, and other parameters, it is possible to effectively balance sputtering rate and effective sputtered area. For VPI equipment, adjusting these variables based on sample size, quantity, and deposition thickness will lead to more efficient and higher-quality thin film deposition.

As a mid-to-high-end deposition system designed for materials science applications, the SD-650MHT is well-suited for research in metal surface engineering, functional oxide films, and emerging electronic materials. The system supports both DC and RF sputtering, enabling the deposition of high-quality thin films on a variety of substrates including metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and insulators. It provides critical support for research projects involving conductive layers, dielectric films, and multilayer structures.

VPI High Vacuum Magnetron Sputtering System Installed in the Shared Laboratory of the School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Founded in 2004, VPI (Vision Precision Instruments) has spent the past two decades building a legacy of trust and excellence in the global vacuum coating industry. From world-leading research institutions to cutting-edge technology companies, users around the world continue to achieve breakthroughs with the help of VPI’s precision coating systems. This enduring pursuit of excellence reflects VPI’s brand philosophy — “Only for the Best.” For twenty years, VPI has crafted every instrument with precision and passion, committed to delivering a better experience and superior results for every customer.

Recently, a team of application engineers from VPI visited the Shared Laboratory of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The purpose of this visit was to gain insights into the real-world performance of the SD-650 series high-vacuum magnetron sputtering systems, to collect feedback and suggestions from users, and to strengthen long-term collaboration with academic research teams.

When imaging the microscopic world with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), sample preparation is a decisive factor for image quality. Among the tools working behind the scenes, the sputter coater plays a crucial role. By depositing an ultrathin metallic coating on a specimen, it improves conductivity and optimizes imaging. This article explains what a sputter coater is, why it matters in electron microscopy (EM) sample preparation, and where it is commonly used.

Specifications such as “DC 1000 W” or “RF 300 W” represent the rated maximum output of the power supply. However, whether such levels can be sustained in practice depends on target size, cooling performance, and material properties.

SD-650MH High-Vacuum Magnetron Sputtering Titanium Coating – Technical Application Case Study

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is a technique that involves converting material into a vapor phase and depositing it as a thin film in a high vacuum environment, also known as vacuum coating.

Can magnetron sputtering also deposit organic polymers such as polyimide? Drawing on an internal trial by VPI’s R&D team, this case study analyses—in five sections—how the SD-650MH high-vacuum magnetron sputtering system performs when polyimide is used as the target material. The discussion highlights the equipment’s strengths in low-power plasma ignition, high-vacuum stability and precise thickness control, together with its adaptability to sensitive targets and its operator-friendly design.

Are There Affordable Alternative Sputtering Targets to Gold?(Substitution strategies for low-vacuum coaters amid soaring gold prices)

Application Case – Battery Materials Laboratory
VPI SD-900M Magnetron Sputter Coater (Sample Preparation)

Magnetron sputtering is a plasma-assisted physical-vapor-deposition (PVD) technique in which energetic ions bombard a solid target, ejecting atoms or molecules that subsequently condense on a substrate to form a film. The resulting coatings are dense and adhere strongly, making the process particularly suitable for refractory metals, alloys, and compound materials. Precise control of film thickness allows the method to meet the stringent density and uniformity requirements of optical and electronic functional layers. Because of its outstanding film quality and controllability, magnetron sputtering has become a key fabrication route for high-performance coatings—such as optical dielectrics and transparent conductors—in photonics and materials-science research.

🌟 Happy Labor Day! A tribute to every dedicated professional on the front lines of research. May every experiment you conduct lead to breakthroughs!

Battery Storage Industry Trend: Composite Films & Density Engineering
The ongoing “battery revolution” in lithium ion, solid state, sodium ion and other chemistries is driven by the relentless pursuit of higher energy density, longer cycle life and enhanced safety. Achieving these goals hinges on the development of novel materials, where high quality thin film electrodes and functional coatings play a pivotal role.
• Composite thin films built on electrode surfaces can stabilise interfaces and suppress side reactions, thereby extending service life.
• Researchers are likewise optimising material density: introducing nanoporous structures or lightweight phases to lower overall electrode mass while preserving active material efficacy. This strategy promises a higher specific energy (Wh kg⁻¹) — critical for portable and aerospace applications — yet it also poses challenges such as diminished film strength or adhesion, demanding advanced deposition technology to balance weight with structural integrity.

Customized vacuum coating solutions successfully overcome adhesion issues, film oxidation discoloration, and thickness non-uniformity in thick film preparation

Als führendes Hightech-Unternehmen, das auf Vakuumbeschichtung und Materialwissenschaftsgeräte spezialisiert ist, hat Vision Precision Instruments (VPI) die Hochvakuum-Magnetron-Sputtersysteme der Serie SD-650 eingeführt und damit der Forschung und Entwicklung im Bereich fortschrittlicher Energiematerialien einen starken Impuls gegeben.

Magnetronsputtern und thermisches Verdampfen sind weit verbreitete PVD-Verfahren (Physical Vapor Deposition) für die Dünnschichtbeschichtung. Obwohl beide Verfahren ähnliche Materialien beschichten können (wie Kohlenstofftargets beim Sputtern und Kohlenstoffstäbe beim Verdampfen), bietet jedes Verfahren einzigartige Vorteile in der Halbleiter- und Optikanwendung. Hier vergleichen wir die beiden Verfahren anhand des Magnetronsputters VPI SD-650MH und des Hochvakuum-Thermoverdampfers SD-100AF von Vision Precision Instruments, um Ihnen bei der Wahl des optimalen Verfahrens für Ihre spezifischen Anforderungen zu helfen.

Elektronenmikroskope (EM) sind wichtige Werkzeuge zur Erforschung von Mikro- und Nanostrukturen. Um hochauflösende und klare Bilder von Proben unter verschiedenen Elektronenmikroskopen zu gewährleisten, müssen leitfähige Dünnschichten auf der Probenoberfläche präpariert werden. Die Auswahl und Vorbereitung der Zielmaterialien für die Schicht wirken sich direkt auf die Bildqualität aus. Daher ist es wichtig, die Eigenschaften und die geeigneten Anwendungen verschiedener Materialien (Zielmaterialien) zu verstehen.