Welcome to the Plasma & Coatings Physics Division

The Plasma & Coatings Physics group is a division at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Sweden. Our overall goal is to contribute towards addressing challenges of contemporary materials science and technology through the synthesis of novel films and nanomaterials.To realize this goal, we employ innovative processes which allow for the generation of plasmas with unique properties as well as control of the material synthesis at the atomic level. Through a combination of advanced experimental and theoretical tools we seek to understand the process-plasma-material interactions and gain insight into the knowledge-based synthesis of functional films and nanomaterials.

Download slides from recent conference presentations!

Job offer!

Diploma work opportunities

The demand on nanoparticles is steadily increasing because of their specific properties like high surface area to volume ratio and plasmonic effects. An important quantity that affects these properties is the size of the nanoparticle. With our method we can adjust the size by changing the discharge parameters. We offer two subjects for master theses where you will get practical experience with both plasma physics and characterization techniques such as SEM.:

"Nanoparticle Synthesis by High Power Impulse Hollow Cathode Sputtering" The aim of this thesis is to further explore the parameter range to influence size and shape of nanoparticles. The parameter range comprises, for example, gas flow variation, application of a cooling gas to quench the nanoparticle growth, and modifications of the setup. The thesis will focus on one of these aspects.

"Nanoparticle Synthesis by Reactive Sputtering" When implementing reactive sputtering, the number of materials of which nanoparticles can be synthesized from inreases substantially. For instance, semiconducting nanoparticles, or new materials with optical applications can be synthesized. The aim of this thesis is to explore nanoparticle synthesis using reactive sputtering, and to achieve control on the synthesis process. Depending on the start date, the work can also involve the setup of the new device dedicated for the reactive process.

For more information on each project, please contact Iris Pilch or Daniel Söderström.

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News

• January 2012:The article High power pulsed magnetron sputtering: A review on scientific and engineering state of the art by Kostas Sarakinos et al. is number 8 on the list of the most cited articles during the last 5 years in Surface and Coatings Technology.
  
  
• January 2012: Daniel Lundin article Internal current measurements in high power impulse magnetron sputtering, is number 6 on the most read articles in "Plasma Sources Science and Technology" this month.
  
• November 2011: Both Kostas and Ulf secured grants from the Swedish Science Council. See grant 86743 and 85711.
  
• May 2011: Daniel Lundin has been awarded a postdoc research fellowship by the The Swedish Research Council.
  
• March 2011: Daniel Söderström has been selected to be one of three young scientists that “LiU Fund of U” will support this year towards securing research funding from LiU alumni.
  
• March 2011: Kostas Sarakinos has been awarded a “LiU postdoc research fellowship" in very strong competition. More information will be available in due time on LiU future research leaders.
  
• January 2011: One of our papers are second on the list of highly cited papers the last five years in Thin Solid Films: Ionized physical vapor deposition (IPVD): A review of technology and applications, U. Helmersson, M. Lattemann, J. Bohlmark, A.P. Ehiasarian, J.T. Gudmundsson, Thin Solid Films 513, 1, (2006)
  
• ....more news