Acton Optics & Coatings Creates New Production Area for Metachrome® and Unichrome Coatings

09 Dec 2016

Acton Optics & Coatings has redesigned a portion of its suburban Boston manufacturing facility specifically in order to enhance and expand the production and processing of two proprietary UVconversion coatings, Metachrome and Unichrome. These highly popular, field-proven composite phosphor coatings provide scientists and engineers a cost-effective way to improve the ultraviolet detection capabilities of CCDs, CIDs, and CMOS sensors

The recent infrastructure modification represents a key investment in manufacturing by Acton Optics & Coatings, one which enables the delivery of even higher Metachrome and Unichrome performance value. Stringent protocols and a brand new, completely automated system ensure superior run-to-run repeatability. Furthermore, the rededicated production area’s state-of-the-art equipment includes a processing chamber that boasts a full 4x increase in capacity.

Both proprietary coatings extend performance in the UV down to 120 nm. Peak photonic emission of Metachrome occurs in the green-visible region; Unichrome’s peak emission is in the blue-visible range. Utilization of the coatings with front- and back-illuminated devices also renders a much cleaner signal response. Due to its anti‐etaloning effect, Metachrome typically yields a signal that is 7.5x smoother than that of an uncoated back-illuminated sensor. In like manner, Unichrome typically yields a signal that is 1.5x smoother.

“Either of these coatings can be deposited on almost any bare chip or packaged device, as long as we can access the sensor,” notes Jim Diamond, business unit manager at Acton Optics & Coatings. “There are thousands of parts that have been coated with Metachrome or Unichrome in the field today. The coatings do not require any maintenance, nor do they degrade over time.”

Primary applications for Metachrome and Unichrome coatings include emission spectroscopy, ICP, and LIBS equipment. Manufacturers of small spectroscopy equipment, as well as OEM companies that embed these types of equipment in larger systems, stand to benefit immediately from Acton Optics & Coatings’ improved processing capabilities.