What is a Vacuum Coating?

Vacuum coatings processes use a vacuum (sub-atmospheric pressure) environment and an atomic or molecular condensable vapor source to deposit thin films and coatings. The vacuum environment is used not only to reduce gas particle density but also to limit gaseous contamination, establish partial pressures of inert and reactive gases, and control gas flow. The gaseous environment may be in the form of a partially ionized plasma. The vapor source may be from a solid or liquid surface (physical vapor deposition—PVD), or from a chemical vapor precursor (chemical vapor deposition—CVD). The term "vacuum deposition" is often used instead of PVD, particularly in the older literature.

To learn more about vacuum coatings and their practical applications please see Applications of Vacuum Coating.