Surface enhancement through Coldab™
The patented Picodeon Coldab™ laser technology is based on the Ultra-Short Pulsed Laser Deposition (USPLD) of thin-films. Such films, ranging from a single nanometer up to a few micrometers, are used to enhance and modify the surface properties of materials. This production versatility enables applications that range from the fairly simple (e.g. decorative surfaces) to the very complex (e.g. to deposit a sequence of layers controlled on a nanoscale level to produce state-of-the-art optoelectronic devices). Picodeon Coldab™ laser technology involves a special form of laser ablation called cold ablation. The energy of a picolaser light beam is used to evaporate a plasma plume from target source material that is used for surface deposition of a thin film or coating. The many processing benefits of our patented Coldab™ laser technology include:
Cold ablation
The energy of a picoseconds laser pulse heats only the illuminated spot of the target. Although the surface temperature of this spot rises to 1 000 000 ºC, there is little or no heat transfer to the rest of the target material. This is why this technique is called “cold ablation”, particularly when compared to conventional nanolaser PLD. Thus our Coldab™ laser deposition technology allows heat-sensitive materials, such as certain plastics and paper, to be coated at a low substrate temperature.
Homogenous particle-free plasma
Fine control of both the picolaser pulses and the method we use to scan the target material ensures that the surface of the target source material remains smooth. This ensures the particle-free homogeneity of the plasma plume to give superior surface properties. Additional USPLD control is achieved through fine adjustment of process pressure, atmosphere and temperature.
Intellectual Property Rights
A crucial activity of Picodeon is the protection of its Coldab™ laser deposition technology through Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) having a global reach. So far we have generated nearly 50 patents and patent applications. The patents cover our core Coldab™ laser as well as specific application areas and the materials involved. Relevant IPR is licensed to customers.