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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S26675/02
Title: Diagnostic study of pulsed-magnetron plasmas: a route to advanced engineering coatings
Principal Investigator: Bradley, Professor JW
Other Investigators:
Martin, Professor P
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Organisation: University of Liverpool
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 March 2005 Ends: 31 March 2007 Value (£): 135,306
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Plasmas - Technological
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
GR/S26668/01 GR/S26682/02
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
It is undisputed amongst experts that pulsed plasmas have initiated a new and exciting era in surface engineering technologies, particularly in the pulsed magnetron sputtering of dielectric materials. Despite this, in common with other technological plasmas, understanding of the underlying science lags behind the applications, and there is currently very little knowledge of the fundamental plasma conditions required to optimise the structure and properties of oxide thin films.The key aim of this project is to give a much better understanding of key phenomena present in these systems, such as electron and ion transport in the complex magnetic field, fast particle generation and concomitant electron plasma heating, ion energy and power deposition at the substrate. Importantly, we will determine how these phenomena affect the deposition process and derive experimental 'metrics' (plasma parameters at the substrate and/or their combination), which determine the structure and properties of the films in the pulsed process. We will then use the physics knowledge gained to engineer thin films with advanced properties.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk