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Coating aluminum oxide on a 150 micron platinum sphere

In my research I need to coat a Pt sphere with ~150um diameter with a layer of Al2O3. The thickness of the coating is not critical, as long as it can cover the Pt sphere. However, previous experience shows the thickness cannot be more than 2um, otherwise it is easy to be broken. Sputtering can do this kind of coating. The problem is how to hold this tiny sphere. Some people use tape to hold this sphere. After one side is coated, manually turn the sphere to other side and coat it. It is greatly appreciated if any other ideas are given on this problem.

Xueyang Yu
University of Western Ontario - London, Ontario, Canada
2007

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Hi Xueyang. Maybe figure a good way to keep it rolling while it is being coated, instead of trying to keep it from rolling? Best of luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007