High Resolution Sputter Coater

The objective of the NRC is to acquire a high-resolution Sputter Coater to support operations of Scanning Electron Microscopy facility of Construction Research Center. This equipment will augment the ability to image non-conductive materials and improve the functionality of the Electron Microscopy facility.

The National Research Council requires a high-vacuum Sputter Coater which can be used with an Iridium metal target and provide extremely fine grain coating, thus granting the ability to perform high resolution microscopy. Iridium metal coating is chosen due to its’ very fine grain size, stability to oxidation and compatibility with elemental analysis of the majority of samples encountered by the Construction Research Center.

The period of the Contract is from the date of Contract award to August 31st, 2026. All the deliverables must be received on or before August 31st, 2026.

I. Must be high vacuum magnetron sputter coater.
II. Sputter coater must have integrated turbo pump with appropriate backing pump.
III. The achievable pressure must be equal or less than 1x 10-5mBar.
IV. Sputter coater must have current controller.
V. Automatic operations based on time or thickness must be allowed in sputter coater.
VI. Sputter coater must be equipped with thickness controller.
VII. Sample stage (or combination) must be rotary, planetary and tilting.
VIII. Sputter coater must have a touch screen display for operation control and monitoring.
IX. Sputter coater must be able to save common coating procedures (either preset or user defined).
X. The sputter coater must be able to fit on top of the standard laboratory bench and have
dimensions not more than 61 cm deep and 65 cm.
XI. The sputter coater must be able to operate using standard North American power outlet (120V,
60 Hz)