COALVILLE, Leicestershire, U.K.-- A new range of AR coating equipment is being offered by U.K.-based Applied Multilayers. The equipment uses the latest reactive magnetron sputtering technology to produces high-quality coatings. Sputtering is known to produce high-quality coatings and is widely used in semiconductor manufacture, architectural glass, wear resistant coatings and high-end precision optical coating applications. The technique is more energetic than the standard evaporation process and produces coatings that are dense, durable and spectrally stable, according to Michael Walls, PhD, chairman of Applied Multilayers.

The process uses the patented "closed field" strategy, which supports an intense plasma in which the reactive sputtering takes place, Walls said. As a result, no auxiliary ion or plasma source is required making the process fast, simple and less expensive.

Above: The operator loads a segment of lenses onto the vertical drum of a CFM450 AR coating system from Applied Multilayers Ltd. Below: The CFM450 system from Applied Multilayers with a Meissner trap (left) for fast throughput, the sputter-coating system (center) and the automated computer control (left) with remote modem diagnostic capability.

"These new systems are based on 15 years of experience and more than 100 machine installations in other application areas," said Walls. "The machines are well proven and robust. The process is simple and maintenance is easy. Modem diagnostics comes as standard.

"The machines use silica and niobia multilayers to produce standard AR or a super-AR coating with very low residual reflection. The coatings are deposited at room temperature on both plastic or glass lenses. We also offer an in-chamber super-hydrophobic topcoat to complete the package."

Depending on batch size, Applied Multilayers supplies units equipped with four or six magnetron positions so extra capability can be added if required. "For example, we can offer transparent, electrically conducting (TCO) coatings for anti-static or intermediate layers such as alumina to enhance anti-scratch," said Walls. "The systems are very flexible."

Applied Multilayers offers a range of machine sizes to suit the small laboratory all the way up to high throughput systems suitable for large labs or lens manufacturers. Three models are available. The CFM450 has a 30 lens capacity while the CFM650 and CFM850 can coat 60 or 140 lenses respectively.