THIN FILMS

P R E S E N T E D B Y:
N I S CH I T H B
S
 Define Thin Films!
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 A thin film is a layer of material ranging from fractions of

a nanometer (monolayer) to several micrometers in
thickness.
 Thin film technology is a "self organizing" structural
evolution.
 Ex: In ancient times, people already knew how to beat
gold into a thin film (< 1 μm thickness) with hammers and
knew how use this "gold leaf" for coating all kinds of
stuff.
 Purpose of Thin Film development!
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o To maintain surface uniformity.

o To reduce the amount (or mass) of light absorbing
material.
o Spray Coating Technology for Superior Functional
Medical Coatings.
o To decrease the weight and bulkiness of the materials.
 Thin Film Technology
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 Thin film technology involves deposition of

individual molecules or atoms.
 Uniform ultra-thin film coatings onto stents,
catheters, balloons, endoscopic instruments,
pacemakers, heart valves, glucose monitors,
sensors, medical textiles, blood collection
tubes, surgical implants, orthopedic implants,
and diagnostic devices.
 Example for industrial thin films produced are:
1. 1.Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)
2. 2.Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)
 Properties to be considered!
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 FILM THICKNESS : The physical properties of a thin film are

highly dependent on their thickness. Thickness measurement
methods are applied during deposition ("in situ") and methods
by which the thickness can be determined after finishing a
coating run ("ex situ").
a) Gravimetric Method b) Optical Method
 ROUGHNESS : In Ultrathin Films, it can influence all film
properties such as mechanical, electrical, magnetical or optical
properties. roughness types, the mechanisms of their origin,
roughness measurement and roughness quantification needs to
be taken into consideration.
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CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
Conventional methods of chemical analysis
as atomic emission, atomic absorption spectral
analysis, X-ray fluorescence and mass
spectrometry play an important role for the
production of the coating materials.
Interaction of photons, electrons, ions or other
particles with the coating or surface has to be
analyzed.
 Deposition Techniques
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Deposition processes is done to controllably

transfer atoms from a source to a substrate
DEPOSITION
TECHNIQUES

GLOW-
DISCHARGE GAS-PHASE
TECHNOLOG CHEMICAL
IES PROCESSES

EVAPORATIVE LIQUID-PHASE
METHODS CHEMICAL
FORMATION
Chemical Vapour Deposition(CVD)
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Gaseous compounds react to form a
dense layer on a heated substrate.
The most widely deposited wear-
resistant coatings are TiC, TiN,
chromium carbide and alumina.
Deposition temperatures are
generally in the range 800-1000°C.
Thicknesses are limited to about
10mm due to the thermal expansion
mismatch stresses which develop
on cooling which also restrict the
coating of sharp edged
components.
Advantages
 High coating hardness
 Good adhesion (if the coating is not
too thick)
 Good throwing power (i.e.
uniformity of coating)
Disadvantages
 High temperature process (distortion)
 Sharp edge coating is difficult (thermal
expansion mismatch stresses)
 Limited range of materials can be
coated
 Environmental concerns about process
gases
Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD)
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Low pressure coating processes in
which the coating flux is produced by
a physical process. There are two
main types:-
1. Evaporation
2. Sputtering
 In both cases the source material is a
solid (metal or ceramic). A reactive
gas may be used in the deposition
chamber to deposit compound
coatings from an elemental source or
maintain the stoichiometry of
coatings from compound sources,
though thinner layers are used in
microelectronics and thicker layers
are used for high temperature .
Advantages
 Excellent process control
 Low deposition temperature
 Dense, adherent coatings
 Elemental, alloy and compound
coatings possible
Disadvantages
 Vacuum processes with high
capital cost
 Limited component size treatable
 Relatively low coating rates
 Poor throwing power without
manipulation of components
Ultrasonic Nozzle Technology
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 Low velocity, soft spray with minimal overspray

saves up to 80% in coating material
 Independent control of process parameters including
flow rate, spray velocity, drop size and deposition
 Precise control over a wide range of flow rates
 Non-clogging, repeatable performance
 Choice of drop size depending on nozzle frequency
(drop sizes range from 18 - 49 microns)
 Deagglomeration of particles in suspension due to
ultrasonic vibration
 Thin Film Advantages
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o Simple fabrication
o Requires low fabrication temp
(300 C)
o Manufacturing requires little
materials. -thin cell to
crystalline thickness= 1 to 300
o Flexible/ non-breakable
o High voltage can be obtained
o No infrastructure needed to
support cells
o Cell can double as building
material (roofing tiles, walls,
etc)
 Where can we apply it ??
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Thin-film Batteries:
Thin-film printing technology
is being used to apply solid-state lithium
polymers to a variety of substrates to create
unique batteries for specialized applications.
Thin-film batteries can be deposited directly
onto chips or chip packages in any shape or size.
Flexible batteries can be made by printing onto
plastic, thin metal foil, or paper.
Thin-film solar cells:
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also called a thin-film photovoltaic cell (TFPV), is a

second generation solar cell that is made by depositing
one or more thin layers, or thin film (TF) of
photovoltaic material on a substrate, such as glass,
plastic or metal.
Thin-film solar cells are commercially used in
several technologies, including cadmium telluride
(CdTe), copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), and
amorphous and other thin-film silicon
Blood Collection Tubes
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Targeted coating of side walls, layering of

chemistries, polymers, or clotting agents.
Common materials sprayed include Heparin,
Silicone and EDTA.
Nozzle design allows atomizing surface
to reach inner diameter lengths. Fully
automated control of electronics. Custom
multiple nozzle systems for high volume
production. Soft, low velocity spray will not
collect on base of tubes.
Orthopedic Implants
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Thin film coatings of antimicrobial agents or

bone growth enhancing solutions onto rods, screws,
plates, or joint replacements. Low velocity spray
readily adheres to all surfaces. Ability to adjust
coating morphology characteristics. Tight drop
distribution uniformly coats any shape.
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Micro
encapsulation
This include
targeted drug
delivery, slow
release
pharmaceuticals,
and
nanoencapsulati
on.
 Thin-Film market demand
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http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/solar-energy-expands-escapes-the-power-grid
 Future of Thin Films
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Natures solution to thin film cells.

Developing molecules out of organic compounds

like carbon and hydrogen

Super-thin film about 100 nanometers thick, can

be applied as a paint.

Replaces heavy metals currently being used in

cells. Creates a biodegradable, almost natural cell.
 References
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 Barna, P. B. (2005). HISTORY OF THIN FILMS. In P. B. Barna, HISTORY OF

THIN FILMS (p. 37). Budapest, Hungary: Research Institute for
Technical Physics and Materials Science of HAS.
 IFP TUWEIN. (2009, September 30). Retrieved from
http://static.ifp.tuwien.ac.at:
http://static.ifp.tuwien.ac.at/homepages/Personen/duenne_schichten/
pdf/t_p_dschapter1.pdf
 Jiang, P. D. (2008). Introduction to Thin Film Technology. LOT , 28.
 Ohring, M. (2001). Materials Science of Thin Films . Boston: Academic
Press.
 Seshan, K., & McGuire, G. (2002). HANDBOOK OF THIN-FILM DEPOSITION
PROCESSES. Norwich, New York, U.S.A.: NOYES PUBLICATIONS.
 (2007, October). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_film
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