Thin Film
Coating Services
& Process Development
KDF's 2,000 sq. ft. applications lab is equipped with production KDF sputtering systems and full metrology capabilities — giving you a direct path from feasibility to production-ready thin film processes, without the capital investment.
KDF Thin Film Service & Process Development
KDF is now providing a thin film coatings service to help speed up the feasibility and startup of customer projects in a production-like environment. Our 2,000 sq. ft. lab is fully equipped with KDF production sputtering tools and metrological equipment — the same equipment you would use in your own facility.
With over 35 years of providing quality PVD equipment, KDF now offers the benefits of our sputtering expertise in the form of thin film depositions for customers. We offer standard process coatings for a host of substrates and sizes, with metal and dielectric sputtering technologies along with reactive sputtered films.
KDF has the experience and expertise to tailor your sputtering needs and requirements into reality with fully controlled processes and exceptional uniformities down to sub 1%, depending on your application and budget.
Production Equipment, Not a Research Tool
All of KDF's thin film coating work is performed on KDF production equipment — not a scaled-down research tool. This means the process developed at KDF is directly transferable to your facility when you're ready to bring it in-house, with no process translation required.
Whether you need R&D efforts for a new project or a minimum production-like setup, KDF will work with you and put a plan together that suits your needs — from feasibility through production readiness.
In addition to standard metals and dielectrics, Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCOs) utilizing materials like ITO and ZnO are available, along with reactive sputtered compounds and hard coatings.
Sputtering Modes Available
DC Magnetron Sputtering
Standard DC magnetron sputtering using KDF Inset™ Cathodes for metallic and alloy depositions. High deposition rates with excellent uniformity across the full pallet.
KDF Inset™ CathodesDC & Reactive Sputtering
DC and reactive sputtering using KDF's LMM™ (Linear Moving Magnetron) cathode — a patented design for stable reactive deposition of oxides and nitrides including TiN, TaN, SiO₂, and Al₂O₃.
KDF LMM™ Patented CathodeHIPIMS
High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering for highly ionized deposition — ideal for via fill, hard coatings, DLC, and applications requiring high film density and superior conformality.
Note: Must be scheduled in advanceRF Diode Sputtering
RF diode sputtering for dielectric materials that cannot be deposited by DC methods. Enables deposition of insulating targets including SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and other oxide and nitride compounds.
RF Magnetron Sputtering
RF magnetron sputtering for dielectric deposition at significantly increased rates over RF diode sputtering — enabling higher throughput on oxide and nitride films for production-volume applications.
Long-Throw Sputtering
Long-throw sputtering for lift-off process replication and collimated sputtering requirements — enabling precise directionality for advanced patterning and step coverage applications.
RF Pre-Clean
In-situ RF pre-clean steps for substrate surface conditioning prior to deposition — removing native oxides and surface contamination for improved adhesion and interface quality.
Pre & Post Heat Steps
Substrate pre-heating and post-deposition annealing up to 400°C. Heat steps integrated into the deposition recipe for controlled thermal processing before, between, or after deposition layers.
Depositable Materials
Metals & AlloysFull Metrology Lab On-Site
KDF's Rockleigh facility includes a full metrology lab, enabling process development and sample runs to prove a process before a customer places an order or invests in capital equipment.
From Feasibility to Production
Feasibility Discussion
KDF engineers review your substrate, film requirements, and application. We confirm process feasibility and propose an approach.
Process Development
Trial depositions on your actual parts using KDF production equipment. Full metrology analysis confirming film properties and uniformity.
Production Runs
Once the process is proven, KDF can run production coating batches in our facility — or hand off the complete recipe for integration into your own KDF system.
In-House Transfer
When you're ready, bring the process in-house on a KDF system. Because all development was done on production equipment, process transfer is seamless.
More Thin Film Services & Support
Ready to Discuss Your Thin Film Process?
Contact KDF with your substrate, film requirements, and application. We'll confirm feasibility and put together a plan that suits your project and budget.
