Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging

Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging

The Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging is a centre of excellence and key laboratory in the UK for the development of thin film technology, deposition processes, as well as characterisation and dissemination of information on the applications of thin films.

The institute has received extensive funding support from EPSRC, Scottish Council, RSE, EU, and STFC, amongst others in the past 15 years, and has world leading facilities for thin film deposition.

The facilities comprise plasma enhanced e-beam deposition, magnetron sputtering systems (including DC, pulsed DC, RF, microwave systems), plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (RF, hollow cathode PECVD) and various advanced film characterisation facilities.

Institute researchers have strong expertise in thin film and plasma research, micro/nanoscale film/structure design, characterisation/evaluation, micro-mechanics and nanotechnology. Institute facilities are unique within the academic community, providing necessary vacuum deposition capability to support institute specific and collaborative research.

MSc Advanced Thin Film Technologies

Institute staff also deliver the University's MSc Advanced Thin Film Technologies. 

The advanced Masters programme provides up-to-date coverage of evolving thin film technologies and latest developments in the field. It develops the multi-disciplinary skills needed for professional development within this rapidly expanding field and forms the basis for future professional Chartered Engineer and/or Chartered Physicist status. 

The MSc is ideal for engineering or science graduates planning a career in research, development, production and/or business involving thin film technologies.

Partners

The Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging has been operating for over ten years and provides a unique service for industry in the research and development of deposition processes for thin films, design and fabrication of thin film products, characterisation of thin films and the dissemination of information about the applications of thin films.

Collaboration

The Institute collaborates with a wide range of industries and applications including ophthalmics, optics, telecoms, flexible displays, bio engineering, energy generation, decorative and barrier coatings for pharmaceutical and food products.

Experience

We have vast experience in working with Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) as well as established companies and we are currently running a Scottish Executive Expertise, Knowledge and Innovation Transfer (SEEKIT) programme with the aim to enhance Knowledge Transfer between Scottish based SMEs and the The Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging.

Links to Partner Sites

Scottish Microelectronic Centre | www.scotmicrocentre.co.uk

Scottish Optoelectronics Associations | www.optoelectronics.co.uk

Institute of Physics | www.iop.org

Scottish Enterprise | www.scottish-enterprise.com

Institute of Nanotechnology | www.nano.org.uk

SPIE | www.spie.org

Infrared Multilayer Laboratory (University of Reading)   | www.reading.ac.uk/cybernetics