arrow
Return

Atomic layer deposition

delete2025-10-16
delete0
PRE
AI
E
Erwin Kessels *
A
Anjana Devi
J
Jin‐Seong Park
M
Mikko Ritala
Á
Ángel Yanguas-Gil
C
Claudia Wiemer
DOI:10.1038/s43586-025-00435-6delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a surface-controlled chemical vapour deposition method, in which materials are prepared one atomic layer at the time. With ALD, film thickness can be controlled very precisely, and it allows the user to cover large areas and surfaces with a complex three-dimensional structure uniformly and conformally. ALD is used for the deposition of high-quality thin films and nanostructures, as well as for surface functionalization and interface engineering in a wide range of applications, both from a research and development perspective, as well as for high-volume manufacturing. This Primer outlines the method of ALD, describing the precursors, coreactants and tools commonly used and illustrating examples of typical results from ALD processes. We describe the implementation of ALD in high-volume manufacturing in the semiconductor, solar and display industry and detail other existing and emerging application fields. We devote special attention to the reproducibility of the method, key technical specifications and figures of merit, as well as its limitations and challenges. Finally, we outline the future perspective of ALD and its applications to position it within the broader trend of atomic-scale processing. Atomic layer deposition is a surface-controlled chemical vapour deposition method that — depositing materials one atomic layer at the time — grants a high degree of control on the film thickness. This technique can be used to obtain high-quality films with remarkable conformity and uniformity.
Keywords:
Atomic layer deposition
Thin films
Surface functionalization
High-volume manufacturing
Atomic-scale processing

Journal

Nature Reviews Methods Primers cover
Nature Reviews Methods Primers
IF:
56
Papers:
103
Citations:
9.3K

Organization

U
university of helsinki
Scholars:
4.1W
Papers: 3.6W
Citations: 51
H
hanyang university
Scholars:
2.9W
Papers: 2.7W
Citations: 36
A
Argonne National Laboratory
Scholars:
1.1W
Papers: 9.2K
Citations: 3.8W
U
University of Agrate Brianza
Scholars:
2
Papers: 2
Citations: 0
L
Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research
Scholars:
119
Papers: 57
Citations: 3.9K
E
Eindhoven University of Technology
Scholars:
1.6W
Papers: 1.5W
Citations: 2.2W
researcher View more organizations
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

A brief review of atomic layer deposition: from fundamentals to applications
err2014-06-01
err0
errOAAI
errRichard W. Johnson; Adam Hultqvist; Stacey F. Bent
errShare
errSave
Pyroelectric Heat Detection for Calibrated Measurement of Atomic Layer Deposition Reaction Heat
err2021-07-30
err9
errOAAI
errBielinski, Ashley R.; Sprague-Klein, Emily A.; Phelan, Brian T.; Martinson, Alex B. F.
errShare
errSave
Atomic layer deposition of iridium thin films
err2004-01-01
err207
PREAI
errAaltonen, T; Ritala, M; Sammelselg, V; Leskelä, M
errShare
errSave
Tuning Material Properties of Oxides and Nitrides by Substrate Biasing during Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition on Planar and 3D Substrate Topographies
err2018-03-19
err96
errOAAI
errFaraz, Tahsin; Knoops, Harm C. M.; Verheijen, Marcel A.; van Helvoirt, Cristian A. A.; Karwal, Saurabh; Sharma, Akhil; Beladiya, Vivek; Szeghalmi, Adriana; Hausmann, Dennis M.; Henri, Jon; Creatore, Mariadriana; Kessels, Wilhelmus M. M.
errShare
errSave
Atomic layer deposition for perovskite solar cells: research status, opportunities and challenges
err2017-01-01
err188
PREAI
errZardetto, V.; Williams, B. L.; Perrotta, A.; Di Giacomo, F.; Verheijen, M. A.; Andriessen, R.; Kessels, W. M. M.; Creatore, M.
errShare
errSave
Unearthing [3-(Dimethylamino)propyl] aluminium(III) Complexes as Novel Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Precursors for Al2O3 : Synthesis, Characterization and ALD Process Development
err2017-07-24
err23
PREAI
errMai, Lukas; Gebhard, Maximilian; de los Arcos, Teresa; Giner, Ignacio; Mitschker, Felix; Winter, Manuela; Parala, Harish; Awakowicz, Peter; Grundmeier, Guido; Devi, Anjana
errShare
errSave
researcher View more