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VPT Introduces the Argus-optics Sputtering Machine!

This ground breaking technology will be presented at the 2013 OIC

For more visual information on this machine, please refer to the ARGUS-Optics coater presentation link located under the News column to the right of your screen.  Contact us with any questions at sales@vptec.com

Innova Ltd., Mark Imus to represent VPT in California

Mark Imus from Innova Ltd is representing Vacuum Process Technology in California starting on May 1st, 2012. Mr. Imus, President of Innova is a vacuum and optical thin-film veteran.  He has worked in the fields of vacuum processing and optical coatings for 30 years.  Originally a development engineer in the advanced products group of an optical coating company, (OCLI) Mr. Imus responsibilities have included sales, marketing and technology licensing as a Senior Engineer of business development for worldwide sales of vacuum coating systems and technology.  He is also an equity partner in a successful startup manufacturing high performance optics and has a consulting and sales company focusing on international sales of high precision optics, and ultra-high vacuum housings for Fabry Perot resonance cavity filters.  He received his BS in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Utah in 1980.

Plymouth, MA. - VPT and CEC announce partnership in Ion Beam Sputtering - Powerful new IBS system introduced to North American Market.

Vacuum Process Technology LLC (VPT) and Cutting Edge Coatings GmbH (CEC) announce their partnership in Ion Beam Sputtering Technology.   As part of this partnership, VPT will have exclusive distribution rights in North America for CEC’s products and CEC will gain access to VPT’s proprietary coating system technology. The cornerstone of this agreement is CEC’s advanced platform for high vacuum Ion Beam Sputtering of optical thin-films.  This fully automatic system incorporates innovative features including a broad band optical monitor, a load lock with automated palette handling and two very powerful ion sources. A major innovation is the ability to blend two materials to create hybrid materials with controllable index of refraction not available with existing coating materials.  This technology is well suited where extreme performance is required. These applications include high power laser coatings, filters for the health science industry including microscopy and fluorescence as well as Raman spectroscopy filters.

Dr. Kai Starke, General Manager of Cutting Edge Coatings, said, “We are excited to have VPT as our partner to bring this innovative IBS technology to the North American market; we have worked closely with VPT to identify the best IBS solution for this market.”  Ralf Faber, President of VPT, said “Cutting Edge Coatings has a new and innovative approach, borne out of years of research and development at the Laser Zentrum Hannover, Germany.  This technology to invent new materials for IBS by blending is unique and offers the customer a new tool set to achieve higher levels of performance.  Together with CEC, VPT offers the complete solution including the tool, and the turn-key coating process, in addition to local service and support.” 

VPT is located in Plymouth, MA and is a manufacturer of high vacuum coating systems for optical, medical, defense and solar applications. CEC is located in Hannover, Germany and is a spin-off company of the Laser Zentrum Hannover with a focus on the latest tools and technology for laser applications.  To visit CEC's website, click here.

Plymouth, MA. - VPT announces a revolutionary new, cost-effective way to achieve large area thin-film uniformity.

For thin-film fabrication for precision optics, thickness uniformity is critical.  Traditionally, achieving the required degree of uniformity meant using shadow masks and planetary rotation—or a combination of the two. And that involved the time-consuming, labor-intensive process of cutting and re-cutting the mask until the desired uniformity was reached.

But VPT has invented a new kind of evaporation coater, with a breakthrough configuration they call Gyro Motion. Together with VPT’s computer simulation technology, Gyro Motion improves throughput, equipment utilization, yield—and gross margins—without masks or test runs.

To learn more about the benefits of VPT’s new Gyro Motion, click here.

Plymouth, MA. - VPT announces an innovative, cost-effective approach to manufacturing thin-film solar cells.

The demand for solar energy has never been greater. But for solar energy cells to be truly practical for general use, the cost has to come down and efficiency must go up.

Thin-film solar cells show great promise in both categories, but there have been obstacles. One in particular involves the high temperatures required to evaporate the materials used to coat solar cells. Traditionally, this has meant that special materials had to be used to construct the evaporation source and the chamber—and that meant added cost.

But VPT has changed all that, with a simple, low-cost alternative that uses commercially available materials. And brings us another step closer to truly affordable solar energy.

For details on VPT’s revolutionary process, click here.