HiPIMS: Pioneering the Future of Thin Films

High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) is revolutionizing thin film technology with its pulsed plasma approach, producing dense, high-quality coatings with high precision. Its high ionisation allows for tailored film properties, supporting cutting-edge applications. HiPIMS addresses key challenges in the semiconductor industry by depositing uniform, quality films on complex 3D structures, including smooth, defect-free gate dielectrics, interconnects, and barrier layers, at low temperatures for advanced nodes. The technology can also produce antimicrobial metal-oxide and nitride films for biomedical devices and touchscreens, enhancing public health. In renewable energy, graded bandgap layers boost solar cell performance, aiding sustainability.

Many industries are now either expanding their coating portfolio to include HiPIMS or even shifting from their present technologies to HiPIMS. Dense, defect-free HiPIMS coatings exhibit improved corrosion resistance, extending component lifespan. In military/defence, HiPIMS offers wear-resistant, thermally stable, stealth coatings that enhance military equipment in harsh environments. Furthermore, protective layers through HiPIMS enhance radiation resistance and safety for nuclear rods.

This growth is reflected in market projections, highlighting robust growth in sputtering technologies, with HiPIMS driving advancements in film quality and industrial adoption. The sputter coating equipment market, encompassing deposition systems, is valued at USD 0.72 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 1.08 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%.

In contrast, the magnetron sputter film market, which reflects the value of thin-film coatings produced for applications such as semiconductors and optics, is significantly larger, estimated at USD 4.2 billion in 2024 and expected to grow to USD 7.7 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 7.9%.

HiPIMS systems, valued at USD 0.3 billion in 2024, are forecasted to double to USD 0.6 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 8.0%, reflecting their increasing adoption due to superior film density, adhesion, and versatility in producing defect-free coatings.