Vacuum Coating Technology Center

We offer solutions to problems and themes in the area of  photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, energy efficiency, thin-film batteries and hydrogen technology based on the development of functional coatings. Our technical deposition process is focused mainly on sputtering..

Our range of services includes feasibility studies, small series production and product development through to finished industrial prototypes. We cover the entire spectrum of coating development, from the basics to demonstrator production and characterization of long-term durability.

We work together with companies that carry out coatings themselves, with plant manufacturers or with companies that use coated  goods in their products.

Our services in the "Vacuum Coating Technology Center" include:

• Optical Simulation Design of Thin Film Systems
• Layer Development and Sample Coating
• Design and Implementation of Resistance Tests
• Coating of Large-Area Demonstrators on Industrial Coating Systems

Using our own RAT software, we design and optimize thin-film systems with regard to reflection, transmission or absorption in specified spectral ranges (e.g. visual spectrum, AM1.5 solar spectrum or spectral range optimised for a specific solar cell). We can even design a specific reflected or transmitted colour hue based on specified or determined colourcoordinates. In conjunction with this, we characterize the layers produced on the sputtering systems by means of optical measurements in the Fourier spectrometer and can thus determine the refractive index and layer thicknesses by means of simulation.

We characterize the reflection, transmission and absorption, colour coordinates of our customers' samples. We have extensive expertise in dealing with different surfaces and geometries.

We develop coating systems for a wide range of applications and optimize them in terms of durability, scalability and series production.

Photovoltaics

• Transparent electrodes for organic and perovskite PV, thin-film solar cells and LEDs
• Charge carrier selective layers
• Colored PV cover glasses
• Anti-reflective layers
• Doping layers

Solar Thermal Energy

• Low-temperature selective absorber layers on innovative substrate materials (e.g. ultra-high performance concrete)
• High-temperature-stable selective absorber layers for parabolic trough collectors, solar tower receivers
• High-temperature stable mirror coatings (secondary concentrator for solar towers)
• Mirror coatings for primary mirrors

Energy-Efficient Components for Windows and Façades

• Low-e coatings and solar control coatings on glass and polymer films
• Optically switchable systems
• Vacuum insulation glazing
• Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Supply
• Protective coatings for bipolar plates

Process Technology

• O2 sensors for PVD coating systems, medical technology
• AI for process automation

Special Applications

• Solderable coatings on conventionally non-solderable surfaces
• Base layers for laser transmission
• Corrosion protection coatings for electrochemical applications
• Radio-transparent insulating glass
• Bird protection glass
• Coatings for laser forward transfer (LFT)

Together with our customers, we assess the requirements for the respective coating systems based on their operating conditions and then select suitable durability tests. On this theme we offer the following services

• Testing at elevated temperatures of up to 1000°C in air, in a vacuum or in an inert environment. Ovens of different sizes and applications are available for this purpose. 
• Testing at a controlled humidity and temperature, condensation and UV radiation. Two climate chambers are available for this purpose.
• Mechanical abrasion tests
• Durability tests in various chemical baths
• Electrochemical corrosion tests