MSDS File
Product Overview
Erbium Evaporation Materials (Er) is an elemental evaporation material used to deposit metallic thin films by vacuum evaporation. Depending on vapor pressure, melting behavior, source geometry, and the available evaporator, the material may be processed by resistance heating, electron-beam evaporation, or another suitable high-vacuum source. For repeatable deposition, purity, source form, handling cleanliness, and compatibility with the boat, basket, crucible, or hearth are important procurement variables.
Evaporation Behavior and Process Considerations
The choice between resistance heating and electron-beam evaporation depends on vapor pressure, melting temperature, source mass, required rate, and the available boat or crucible. Low-to-moderate melting metals may be compatible with resistance heating, while higher-temperature materials can favor e-beam evaporation. Gradual preheating is useful for removing adsorbed gases and establishing a stable evaporation rate before deposition.
Technical Data
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Symbol | Er | Defines rare-earth optical behavior |
| Purity | 99.9% – 99.99% | Improves film clarity and device performance |
| Form | Pieces / Granules / Rods | Matches evaporation source configuration |
| Melting Point | ~1529 °C | Suitable for e-beam evaporation |
| Density | ~9.07 g/cm³ | Relevant for deposition rate calculations |
| Recommended Method | E-beam / Reactive Evaporation | Ensures stoichiometric control |
| Material | Key Advantage | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Erbium (Er) | 1.55 µm optical emission | Fiber-optic & photonic devices |
| Ytterbium (Yb) | High laser efficiency | High-power solid-state lasers |
| Thulium (Tm) | Mid-IR emission range | Infrared photonics |
| Neodymium (Nd) | Strong visible/near-IR emission | Nd:YAG laser systems |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is erbium suitable for thermal evaporation? | It can be used, but electron beam evaporation is generally preferred for stability. |
| Can it be used for oxide film deposition? | Yes, reactive evaporation can produce Er₂O₃ thin films. |
| Does it require special storage? | Yes, store in a dry or inert environment to minimize surface oxidation. |
| Is it compatible with co-evaporation systems? | Yes, it is often co-evaporated with host materials for doped films. |
| Are certificates provided? | Yes, chemical analysis and batch traceability documentation are available. |
Typical Thin-Film Applications
- Erbium metallic coatings for electronic, optical, conductive, reflective, catalytic, or contact-layer applications
- Semiconductor and laboratory PVD research
- Multilayer stacks and co-evaporation processes requiring a pure elemental source
Source Form and Ordering Considerations
For quotation, provide material, purity, source form, particle or piece size, quantity, evaporation method, and any boat, basket, crucible, or e-beam hearth constraints. If the material will be used for a specific coating stack, sharing the intended film thickness or deposition application can help with source-form selection and packaging recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Erbium be used for thermal evaporation?
It depends on melting point, vapor pressure, charge size, and the source hardware. Many elemental metals can be resistance-heated, while higher-temperature materials are often more convenient to evaporate with an electron beam.
How do I choose between pellets, pieces, and granules for Erbium?
Choose a form that loads securely into the boat, crucible, basket, or e-beam pocket and provides stable heating. Smaller pieces can improve packing, while larger pieces may reduce handling and dust.
Why should Erbium be preheated before opening the shutter?
Preheating removes adsorbed gases and stabilizes the evaporation flux. This can reduce pressure spikes, spitting, and contamination during the actual film deposition.
Can the crucible material affect Erbium evaporation?
Yes. At elevated temperature, the charge can react with, dissolve, wet, or contaminate some source materials. Crucible and boat compatibility should be checked for the actual evaporation temperature.
Does source purity directly affect film purity?
Source purity is one of the main contributors to film contamination, although chamber cleanliness, crucible condition, substrate preparation, and background pressure also affect the final film.
What information should I send TFM for Erbium evaporation material?
Please provide purity, preferred source form and size, quantity, evaporation method, source-holder details, and any packaging, inspection, or documentation requirements.
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