Plasma Quest Ltd trial next generation Plasma Launch System (PLS)
 Plasma Quest Ltd have significantly redesigned their Plasma Launch System (PLS)
for use in sputter deposition production environments.
Key factors in the development of the new PLS were:-
- Low cost of ownership
- Reliable
- Easy Maintenance
- Compact design
- No moving parts
- Wide operating range
- Improved efficiency
The new design performed well during extensive proving trials here in the UK
prior to being shipped to the USA where it will be installed on a customer’s production system.
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Second PQL success in DTi’s Technology Programme
Plasma Quest Limited (PQL) in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University (NTU), has again been successful in its application for a project supported under the DTi’s “Technology Programme”. The three year project will combine PQL’s high density plasma generation and sputtering technology with NTU’s skills in displays technology, and commenced on 1st February 2007.
Entitled “High Efficiency Solid State Light Sources Deposited by HiTUS”, this project will address the key factors necessary to realise a low cost, high efficiency process route for the thin film deposition and fabrication of optimised component materials suitable for a wide range of light emitting and flexible electronic applications. Critical to the success of this project is the ability of Plasma Quest's sputter deposition technology to lay down high quality thin films at low temperatures with high adhesion and at low stress.
NTU’s Wayne Cranton recently (January 2007) published a joint article in the electronic publication “Flexible Substrate” and a copy of the article – HESSLIS Project, is available in PQL’s Downloads Section. Alternatively the complete publication can be accessed on www.veritasetvisus.com
This is PQL’s second success in the Technology Programme. On 1st December 2006 PQL started a joint two year programme with Southampton University and Romag Limited to develop “Sputtered Semiconducting Silicon for Large Area Flexible Solar Cells”.
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Ground Breaking Flexible Solar Cell Research Programme Begins
Plasma Quest Limited (PQL) in partnership with the University of Southampton Civil Engineering Department and Romag has won valuable Dti funding for a two year programme to develop flexible silicon solar cells.
The objective is to develop flexible solar cells using PQL’s patented high density plasma sputtering technology for the deposition of semi conductor quality silicon. This could revolutionise the industry. It will provide the solution to producing high rate, low cost solar cells, manufactured in an environmentally friendly way, without the use of toxic gases.
Work on the programme commenced in December 2006.
To read about PQL’s earlier Dti-funded solar cell project, see “Low cost thin film poly-silicon solar cells” go to www.dti.gov.uk A full report on the project is available in PDF format under reference URN 05/700
For more information on either project or for PQL’s sputtering capability contact:
sales@plasmaquest.co.uk |
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PQL Go to Moscow
Plasma Quest Limited (PQL) recently exhibited at SEMI Expo CIS2006 in Moscow – www.semi.org/semiexpocis This is PQL’s first interaction with Russia, and from the response at the exhibition could lead to some significant business in the future. The show was a busy couple of days for MD Barry Holton and interpreter Nastya Koraleva – see photo.
A lot of interest was shown in PQL’s capabilities readily to lay down materials that are difficult by conventional means, with both industrial and academic enquiries being fielded. Specifically the ability to deposit materials such as gold onto flexible substrates met with much excitement, as did PQL’s success in depositing numerous dielectrics at high rate and with very low stress.
There will be a substantial amount of post exhibition follow up to be done!
For more information contact: sales@plasmaquest.co.uk |
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Flexible Gold.
PQL’s HiTUS thin film sputtering technology has been successfully used to deposit Gold thin films (200nm) onto flexible PET and Kapton® sheet with no signs of delamination. One interested observer’s comment was "I have never seen anything like this with gold before, this is really quite exceptional!"
PQL sees here potentially very exciting opportunities and is interested in discussing partnership programmes with appropriate organisations.
Samples could be provided.
This is only one of several materials that PQL have deposited onto flexible substrates. More information can be found on the website and on our Downloads page, or by contacting PQL directly. |
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Plasma Quest presence at SVC conference for second year!
A Joint paper between Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Plasma Quest Ltd is being presented at the Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC) annual technical conference. The conference takes place at
the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington DC on April 22-27, 2006. SVC home page
This is the second consecutive year that Plasma Quest's thin film sputtering technology has been co-presented at SVC.
The paper, entitled "Niobium Oxide Film Deposition Using a High-Density Plasma Source" is being presented in the "Emerging Technologies" Program by R Chow from LLNL.
A copy of the paper is now available for download from our "Downloads" page. |
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Plasma Quest Ltd presents talk for the UK Data Storage Network.
The UK Data Storage Network in collaboration with The UK Magnetics Society held a Topical Technical Workshop entitled 'Magnetic Data Storage - The Next Steps' on Monday the 16th January 2006 at Manchester University.
Plasma Quest's Barry Holton presented the talk on 'Magnetic data storage materials'.
A copy of the paper will be made available at www.dsnetuk.org Or by contacting Plasma Quest at sales@plasmaquest.co.uk
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Plasma
Quest awarded prize at AIMCAL
At
Aimcal in South Carolina, where world leaders in vacuum roll coating
gathered for their annual conference, Peter Hockley was the winner
of the John Matteucci Technical Excellence Award when he presented
Plasma Quest’s paper .
The
paper entitled “ A Remote Plasma Sputter Process for High
Rate Web Coating of Low Temperature Plastic Film with High Quality
Thin Film Metals and Insulators” was deemed by the judges
to be “the best based on the breadth of subject, technical
content, future impact and presentation style.”
The
judges further added that “ in particular the technology presented
has the potential to greatly change the process capability of vacuum
roll coating – something that the industry has been waiting
for!”
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 Linear
Target
PQL’s
continuing development of its ‘Linear Target’ System
has provided another breakthrough result when the 50cm cylindrical
target was tested for the first time this month.
Results have
confirmed that plasma generation efficiency is maintained along
the length of the target, providing a uniform plasma density for
high rate sputtering from the whole target surface.
Substantial
in-house R&D over the last year has shown that this configuration
has many benefits:
- More
efficient use of plasma source
- Eliminates
need to scale source with target
- Greatly
increased coating area
- Greatly
increased coating rates
- Retains
all HiTUS advantages – improves reactive stability.
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