Plasma and Coatings Physics (PLASM)

We are an innovative and forward-thinking group at the forefront of advanced plasma techniques. Our goal is to address major challenges facing contemporary materials science and technology. Through a combination of experimental and theoretical tools we seek to understand and exploit the process-plasma-material interaction.

Coloured SEM image of unique truss like structures, fabricated within our group, termed nanotrusses. The structures consist of interlinked iron nanoparticles. (Inset) STEM image showing individual iron nanoparticles.

Research at Plasma and coatings physics division

Our current research interests are focused into two main areas.

Plasma Theory and Diagnostics for Thin Film Deposition

The use of pulsed plasma pulses to sputter material it allows the deposition of thin films with unmatched density and quality. We are helping to further improve the quality of films deposited by investigating the underlying theory of pulsed plasmas, their characterisation by innovative in-situ methods and exploitation in the deposition of novel thin films.

Deposition of Anisotropic Nanoparticle Arrays

The division made the discovery that the application of a pulse plasma combined with a hollow cathode and applied magnetic field allows the formation of unique structures, see above. Our aim is to exploit these structures to enable improved performance for real world applications, for example water splitting for energy storage.

Collaborations

The division works with research groups across a wide range of disciplines both domestically and aboard. This includes a significant number of guest scientists and students working a wide range of projects.

Spin Out Company

In order to commercially exploit the benefits of thin film deposition by HiPIMS, in 2010, members of the group formed the spin out company; Ionautics AB ().

Doctoral education

Fysikhuset, Campus Valla, Link枚ping University.

Doctoral studies in Materials Science

Doctoral studies in Materials Science, with a particular link to condensed matter physics and nanotechnology, are focused on experimental activities on materials, including computations and modelling of these materials.

More about our research

Through a window in the vacuum chamber, two purple spheres are observed.

Plasma electrons can be used to produce metallic films

Computers, mobile phones and all other electronic devices contain thousands of transistors, linked together by thin films of metal. Scientists at LiU have developed a method that can use the electrons in a plasma to produce these films.

Materials science 鈥� seeking new ways to reach people

鈥淲e鈥檙e not worried about getting the science right, but we must increase interest among students and find new ways to spread our results and ensure that they are used in practice鈥�, said Igor Abrikosov, in the concluding discussion at AFM 2018.

Hydrogen from water in iron nanotruss structures

Swedish researchers have discovered a new and efficient way to use electrocatalysis to produce hydrogen gas from water. Instead of using expensive platinum electrodes, the new method uses electrodes with nanotruss structures of iron oxide.

Contact

Head of division

Staff

Robert Boyd

Principal Research Engineer

Sebastian Ekeroth

Adjunct Associate Professor

Ulf Helmersson

Professor, Head of Division

Daniel Lundin

Senior Associate Professor

Rommel Paulo Viloan

Postdoc

Visiting address

Campus Valla, Building F

Mail address

Linköping University
IFM
581 83 Linköping

Recent publications

2025

Sanjay Nayak, Nastaran Behravan, Ravindra Singh Bisht, Mohssen Moridi, Marco Deluca, Joaquin Miranda Mena, Dmytro Solonenko (2025) Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, Vol. 58, Article 185308 (Article in journal)

Clara Linder, Mikhail Vagin, Robert Boyd, Grzegorz Greczynski, Daniel Lundin, Karin Torne, Per Eklund, Emma Björk (2025) ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS (Article in journal)

Pentti Niiranen, Felicia Andersson, Daniel Lundin, Lars Ojamäe, Henrik Pedersen (2025) Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 162, Article 034703 (Article in journal)

Sanath Kumar Honnali, Robert Boyd, Roger Magnusson, Arnaud Le Febvrier, Daniel Lundin, Grzegorz Greczynski, Per Eklund (2025) Surface & Coatings Technology, Vol. 495, Article 131583 (Article in journal)

2024

Svjetlana Stekovic, Robert Boyd (2024) FATIGUE 2024, p. 140-154 (Conference paper)

Clara Linder, Robert Boyd, Grzegorz Greczynski, Mikhail Vagin, Daniel Lundin, Karin Torne, Per Eklund, Emma Björk (2024) SMALL SCIENCE, Vol. 4, Article 2400296 (Article in journal)

Swetha Suresh Babu, Joel Fischer, Kateryna Barynova, Martin Rudolph, Daniel Lundin, Jon Tomas Gudmundsson (2024) Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, Vol. 42, Article 043007 (Article in journal)

Sebastian Ekeroth, Robert Boyd, Arnaud Le Febvrier (2024) Vacuum, Vol. 228, Article 113515 (Article in journal)

Kateryna Barynova, Martin Rudolph, Swetha Suresh Babu, Joel Fischer, Daniel Lundin, Michael A. Raadu, Nils Brenning, Jon Tomas Gudmundsson (2024) Plasma sources science & technology, Vol. 33, Article 065010 (Article in journal)

Sanjay Kumar Nayak, Tun-Wei Hsu, Robert Boyd, Jens Gibmeier, Norbert Schell, Jens Birch, Lina Rogström, Magnus Odén (2024) Acta Materialia, Vol. 272, Article 119899 (Article in journal)

Pentti Niiranen, Anna Kapran, Hama Nadhom, Martin Cada, Zdenek Hubicka, Henrik Pedersen, Daniel Lundin (2024) Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, Vol. 42, Article 023006 (Article in journal)

Clara Linder, Smita Gangaprasad Rao, Robert Boyd, Grzegorz Greczynski, Per Eklund, Sara Munktell, Arnaud Le Febvrier, Emma Björk (2024) Thin Solid Films, Vol. 790, Article 140220 (Article in journal)

Daria Pankratova, Khabib Yusupov, Alberto Vomiero, Sanath Kumar Honnali, Robert Boyd, Daniele Fournier, Sebastian Ekeroth, Ulf Helmersson, Clio Azina, Arnaud Le Febvrier (2024) ACS Applied Nano Materials, Vol. 7, p. 3428-3435 (Article in journal)

2023

P. Klein, J. Hnilica, Daniel Lundin, P. Dvorak, Michal Zanaska, Ulf Helmersson, P. Vasina (2023) Plasma sources science & technology, Vol. 32, Article 075019 (Article in journal)

H. Hajihoseini, N. Brenning, M. Rudolph, M. A. Raadu, Daniel Lundin, Joel Fischer, T. M. Minea, J. T. Gudmundsson (2023) Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, Vol. 41, Article 013002 (Article in journal)

Hao Du, Michal Zanaska, Ulf Helmersson, Daniel Lundin (2023) Surface & Coatings Technology, Vol. 454, Article 129153 (Article in journal)

Smita Gangaprasad Rao, Pascal Manuel Illgner, Robert Boyd, Gyula Nagy, Philippe Djemia, Daniel Primetzhofer, Ivan Petrov, Arnaud Le Febvrier, Per Eklund (2023) Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, Vol. 41, Article 053415 (Article in journal)

V. G. Antunes, M. Rudolph, A. Kapran, H. Hajihoseini, M. A. Raadu, Nils Brenning, J. T. Gudmundsson, Daniel Lundin, T. Minea (2023) Plasma sources science & technology, Vol. 32, Article 075016 (Article in journal)

Jui-Che Chang, Eric Nestor Tseng, Yi-Ling Lo, Sanjay Kumar Nayak, Daniel Lundin, Per O. Å. Persson, Ray-Hua Horng, Lars Hultman, Jens Birch, Ching-Lien Hsiao (2023) Vacuum, Vol. 217, Article 112553 (Article in journal)

Swetha Suresh Babu, Martin Rudolph, Peter John Ryan, Joel Fischer, Daniel Lundin, James W. Bradley, Jon Tomas Gudmundsson (2023) Plasma sources science & technology, Vol. 32, Article 034003 (Article in journal)

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Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

Undergraduate teaching and research in the areas of biology, chemistry, materials and applied physics and theory and modelling are conducted at this department.

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