FISSION | Magnetron Sputtering

The Fission series of magnetron sputtering systems allows users to switch between thin film DC/RF sputtering without specialised tools or lengthy downtime. The Fission deposition source is a module of the modular HEX system that uses quick-release connectors for cooling and water connections, making set-up simple and fast. The HEX system provides the framework for multiple physical vapour deposition techniques, including DC/RF sputtering.
The system accommodates reactive sputtering through the introduction of the reactive gas directly into the chamber or via a separate gas feed. We recommend using the separate feed to maintain the correct partial pressure of the reactive gas at the target.
The Fission series allows the sputtering of all solid metals, magnetic materials, insulators, and semiconductors and can even process multiple sources to grow a composite thin film.
The HEX system even supports high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS), resulting in the target molecules arriving at the substrate as ions instead of neutral atoms. The main advantage of HiPIMS is t

hat it allows for excellent control over the film’s microstructure, phase composition, and optical properties.

Sputter Deposition Technique

Sputter deposition is a widely-used thin film deposition. A plasma is ignited above a negatively-biased ‘target’ which has the effect that ions are drawn from the plasma and accelerated towards the target material. On impact, the argon ions eject atoms/molecules from the surface – a process known as sputtering. The sputtered material forms a vapour, which can be re-condensed on a substrate to form a thin film coating.