Single crystal substrates

The way a thin film grows during vacuum coating depends on the orientation of the single-crystal substrate it’s applied to. For the best results, it’s recommended to use freshly cleaved substrates, as they usually have very flat surfaces at the atomic level. These smooth surfaces help the thin film grow evenly and with high quality.

It’s normal to see small steps or changes in height across the surface after cleaving, as the crystal may break slightly across different atomic layers. This is expected and usually doesn’t affect the overall performance.

Using the right substrate is important for applications like semiconductors, solar cells, and advanced coatings, where surface quality makes a big difference. 

High purity, optical-grade NaCl, KBr and KCl.

• Ideal for education, thin film research, and single crystal film research
• Excellent substrates for growing epitaxial films
• Less than 1% impurity

Handling / Storage:

• NaCl is hygroscopic. Store in a desiccator or dry environment.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity.

• Use non-aqueous solvents for cleaning (e.g., ethanol or isopropanol).

• Handle with gloves or tweezers to prevent contamination.