Original Date: 01/27/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) Vacuum Process Group features experienced personnel, state- of-the-art facilities, and coating equipment and capabilities. The Group specializes in applying coatings to a variety of parts by using physical vapor deposition methods and can deposit vacuum-compatible materials onto substrates in thicknesses ranging from angstroms to hundreds of microns.

As an application and development facility, the Group’s staff can solve coating problems for most applications. They have developed computer codes which enable them to optimize source design, coating material, and process variables. Specialty equipment includes a cathodic arc system for amorphous diamond coatings; ion-plating; sputtering for x-ray multilayer optics; transparent conductive oxides; and surface engineering for adhesion, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and superconductive wires.

With its diverse skills and capabilities, LLNL’s Vacuum Process Group is set up to work with most coating applications. The Group also operates with industrial interactions via Cooperative Research And Development Agreements (CRADAs); work-for-others programs; tool and material partnerships; and small business initiatives programs.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.