In general it takes approximately half a day to set up the deposition plant and half a day to close it down.  Depending on the samples requested and PQL’s experience of those materials, it will then take a minimum of further day (normally 2 to 3 days) to tune the system for the Client’s needs.  Once the system is set up and optimised, the actual trial runs can begin.  Again depending upon the thickness and complexity of the film(s) being deposited, anything between one and four samples per day may be run.

Therefore the Client should expect an elapsed time of at least one week for their trials to be conducted, and reported upon.  PQL charges a standard rate ranging from £1,000 to £2000per day, plus VAT as appropriate according to complexity and o the number and level of people needed to solve problems.

For this charge PQL will supply the deposition plant run by a PhD standard scientist, who will conduct the trials and generate a post trial report for the Client.  Included  in the price are normal process and reactive gases (argon, oxygen, nitrogen),  general consumable items, some set up materials e.g. glass slides and Kapton and in some instances the target material may be included  -  this would be subject to separate negotiation.

In the event of special and complex multilayer samples taking a long  time to complete the final costs might be perceived as being high it is not unusual that these trials can cost in excess of £30/40,000. Obviously such expenses have to be economically and technically justified.

The prices can be justified with the following comments:

• The high level of expertise of people working at PQL. One has to keep in mind that at this level the standard fees for a consultant is about 700/800£ plus VAT a day. PQL’s staffs are encouraged to work closely with the Client on a personal basis with the objective of ensuring that the Client’s needs are met, whilst offering advice based on many years experience in the field of thin film coatings
• Vacuum deposition systems are not inexpensive, and like any other company PQL has to include amortisation costs in its prices which when added into the price with highly qualified personnel, clearly identifies very good value for money
• In most instances it will be necessary for PQL to use some of The Client’s substrates during the set up and optimisation process.  In some cases this may require reasonably large numbers of substrates being requested by PQL.  This would be fully discussed prior to commencement of any trials.

Existing Samples:
We call existing-samples, samples that PQL has done for its own purposes, these one are absolutely not optimised for the client’s needs but can help them to decide if it worth to ask for tests at PQL or not.
Thus when PQL has undertaken some tests on the same materials as that needed by a potential client, in certain occasions we can send these samples against payment that is reimbursed when the samples are returned undamaged. This enables the Client to determine if it worth paying for their own tests or not.