Sputtering Materials offers higher material utilization in thin film deposition

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Product Brief Outline: Sputtering Materials, Inc. is now offering high-density casted CIG (CuInGa) targets for thin film deposition in rotatable and planar form factors for thin film solar production. The casted targets offer high-density (99% +) materials that offer thin film technicians greater control and better material utilization in thin film deposition, physical vapor deposition and sputtering system processing.

Problem: Thin film deposition with low-density material, such as powder-based metallurgy and cold spray, create low-density target material that is prone to arcing and contamination in process. Casting the ternary alloy CuInGa has proven very difficult because of its unique properties and complicated phase transitions. Normal casting techniques yield segregated material prone to contamination by cast forms and other casting equipment.

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

Solution: Sputtering Materials has invested over three years of research and development in creating a process for casting CIG and CIGS onto planar and rotatable backplates. Casted targets enable a high level of total material utilization, because the increased density, target life and control are extended as well as the fact that the targets are reclaimed and reused to make new targets. There is a significant difference between powder metallurgy targets and casted CIGS targets; casted target processes can reuse the spent material by machining clean material off spent targets and re-casting it to make new targets.

Applications: This new innovative casting technology also works with high purity materials such as In, InSn, Sn, Zn, Al, SAC, and others. The nature of high-density and high-purity material lends itself to be cleanly reclaimed and re-casted into new targets.

Platform: Materials can be casted to rotatable targets up to 50” in length.

Availability: November 2007 onwards.

Read Next

September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has launched a new electrical balance of systems (eBOS) trunk connector.
September 5, 2025
Scientists from Germany and Saudi Arabia have discovered that perovskite thin-film cells are compatible with current industry standard silicon solar cells, which they claim is a “crucial step toward the industrialisation of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells”.
September 5, 2025
During a week of major US clean energy developments, ContourGlobal, PSE, Arevon, and Ameren Missouri advanced solar projects across four states in the US.
September 5, 2025
Newly formed firm Solaris Assets has acquired the business operations and assets of Texas-based residential solar installer Sunnova.
September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies has announced that two of its tracking systems are compatible with 2,000V solar systems.
September 5, 2025
Research firm Rystad Energy has found that Queensland’s utility-scale solar PV power plants have dominated the best-performing assets, in terms of AC capacity factor, rankings for August 2025.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines