CONSTRUCTION OF LOW COST SPIN AND DIP COATERS FOR THIN FILM DEPOSITION USING OPEN SOURCE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

A novel low cost method was developed for the construction of a spin coater and a dip coater device incorporating inexpensive mechanical components and open-source software. Both devices are utilized for depositing thin films, and can be built with interdisciplinary knowledge of physics, mechanics, and electronics at the undergraduate level. The spin coater permits a wide speed range (from 500 to 10,000 rpm), and the velocity range of the dip coater stretches (from 0.6 cm/h to 30 cm/min). The operational parameters of these instruments compare favorably with commercial models.

Keywords

• Spin coater
• Dip coater
• Thin films
• Surface deposition
• Open source
• Low cost