Atlumin Energy’s customized ‘barking’ rotary sputtering targets offer maximum material utilization

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

 

Atlumin Energy has begun fabricating monolithic `barking’ (dog bone) rotary molybdenum sputtering targets for solar thin-film module manufacturing. Barking targets offer superior material utilization, while monolithic targets offer higher density and higher purity than traditionally fabricated targets.
 
Problem
 
Thin-film solar module manufacturers are faced with accelerated wear of their targets at the turnaround in the magnetic field, resulting in target material waste and a need for more frequent target change outs. While the ends of the target represent a small portion of the overall target area, accelerated wear at the ends means that the majority of the main body of the target isn’t fully sputtered and therefore isn’t fully utilized.
 
Solution
 
Atlumin’s barking configuration enables customers to make full use of their sputtering target materials by addressing accelerated wear at the ends of rotary targets. With added thickness at the ends of the target, these monolithic barking molybdenum targets are designed to compensate for the magnetic characteristics of specific sputtering tools and offer maximized material utilization, enabling fewer target change outs and allowing longer run times between target changes.
 
Applications
 
Thin-film sputtering. Molybdenum and sodiumdoped molybdenum can be customized for creation of the back contact in PV thin-film applications including CIGS and CdTe.
 
Platform
 
The physical dimensions can be customized to fit the unique requirements of each solar manufacturer.
 
Availability
 
Currently available.
 
This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Read Next

Premium
October 10, 2025
Gaëtan Masson of IEA PVPS warns of overcapacity, collapsing prices and slipping module quality in the new Trends in PV Applications report.
October 10, 2025
The European solar module market has reached a “state of equilibrium” in recent weeks, with stable prices and regular demand.
October 10, 2025
US solar recycling firm OnePlanet has achieved the R2v3 certification from electronics sustainability non-profit SERI, which represents the “highest standards of traceability”.
October 10, 2025
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat to develop 15GW renewable energy projects in Gujarat.
October 10, 2025
Australia's renewable energy sector recorded its slowest month of the year for additions in September, with 5.8GW of new projects added to development pipelines, according to data from Rystad Energy.
October 9, 2025
The Australian government has announced the results of the fourth Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender, with 6.6GW of renewables awarded long-term contracts.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK