Mi-Net Technology Ltd

14/04/2026

Did you know that the same type of plasma found in lightning bolts is also used in some of the most advanced materials science labs in the world?

In our latest Insights article, we explore how plasma-based deposition techniques, including PECVD and Plasma-Enhanced ALD, are helping researchers and engineers create thin film coatings with greater precision, uniformity, and performance than ever before.

We look at how these techniques work, the recent advances driving faster throughput and improved film quality, and what they mean for applications in semiconductors, optics, and photonics.

If you are working in thin film processing or advanced materials development, this is worth a read.

Please see the link below for the full article.

https://www.mi-net.co.uk/insight/glow-up-innovations-in-plasma-deposition-techniques-for-thin-film-processing/

The roots of plasma deposition stretch back to the early 20th century, when Nobel Prize-winning chemist Irving Langmuir coined the term “plasma” to describe the behaviour of ionised gases in electrical discharges. It wasn’t until the 1960s and 70s, however, that plasma began to be used in mate...

14/04/2026

We are looking forward to MACH 2026, taking place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from 20 to 24 April.

This year we will be supporting our partners Luxium Solutions, who will be showcasing the PLX Inc. Orthogonal Laser Metrology Module (O-LAMM) — a compact, robust 3D line-laser scanning system for in-situ metrology.

O-LAMM tracks retro-reflective markers in full six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) with arc-second accuracy at up to 100Hz, making it well suited to complex manufacturing challenges such as aerospace applications where line-of-sight limitations are a factor.

If you are attending MACH, stop by the Luxium Solutions stand at 18-14 for a live demo. More details are available via the link below.

https://www.mi-net.co.uk/event/mach2026/

09/04/2026

The HT1200 and HT1600 from GrindoSonic uses the Impulse Excitation Technique (IET) to determine mechanical properties about bulk materials such as elastic moduli (Young’s, shear, Poisson’s ratio) and damping at high temperatures of 1200°C and 1600°C respectably.

Importantly IET is a non-destructive test meaning it can be used directly on finished parts, delivering real physics based measurements instead of assumptions.

IET is extremely reproducible making this an exciting technique for use in research, process optimisation and quality control and is trusted by R&D labs, production lines and quality control teams worldwide.

For further information please visit https://www.mi-net.co.uk/product/grindosonic-ht/ or get in touch.

07/04/2026

Lithium niobate (LiNbO₃ or LN) is a versatile nonlinear optical crystal, valued for its strong electro-optic coefficients, piezoelectric properties, broad transparency range, and wide intrinsic bandwidth.

When implemented as lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI), it enables the fabrication of high-index-contrast optical waveguides and densely integrated photonic circuits (PICs), opening the door to the next generation of miniature radio-frequency modulators and other advanced photonic devices.

This application note demonstrates an optimized etching process for LiNbO₃ ridge waveguides with smooth, high-quality sidewalls performed using a SENTECH Instruments SI500 ICP plasma etcher.

Visit our website via the link below to request a copy of the full application note.

https://www.mi-net.co.uk/application-note/high-quality-etching-of-lithium-niobate-ridge-waveguides/

01/04/2026

A monochromating crystal behaves in X-ray spectrometry as does a diffraction grating in optics therefore when rotated with respect to the incident beam it will diffract the spectral component in accordance with Bragg’s Law.

The most important characteristic of a monochromating crystal is the double atomic spacing 2d, which defines the largest wavelength which can be diffracted. The Luxium Solutions range of synthetic & naturally occurring monochromating crystals offers the widest possible variety of 2d spacing.

Crystals include:

• LiF

• Quartz or SiO2

• InSb

• Si

• Ge

• PET

• ADP

• Beryl

• TIAP

• RbAP

• KAP

• CsAP

If you would like further information please visit https://www.mi-net.co.uk/product/x-ray-monochromators/ or get in touch.

30/03/2026

In this application note NANOVEA use their PB1000 mechanical tester in Nanoindentation mode with DMA to study the viscoelastic properties of rubber at different thicknesses of a tire sample.

40 nanoindentation DMA tests were performed along the thickness of a tire sample and the distribution illustrated in graphs. Indents were spaced 0.38mm apart for a total distance of 15.5mm and the corresponding Tan(δ), Storage Modulus, Loss Modulus and Hardness reported.

You can view the full application note on our website via the link below. Please get in touch if you would like further information.

https://www.mi-net.co.uk/application-note/viscoelastic-analysis-of-rubber-with-nanoindention-dma/

24/03/2026

The Accuva10 is a fully automated thin film quality control tool from SENTECH Instruments. It provides reliable and precise measurement of thin films stacks using spectroscopic reflectometry and ellipsometry.

Wafers are loaded from standard cassettes, and recipes automatically carry out the quality control measurements.

The tool is designed to measure film thicknesses, control deposition processes by measuring refractive indices of thin films, and prepare surface trimming for filters.

Please click the link below for further information or get in touch.

https://www.mi-net.co.uk/product/sentech-accuva10-fully-automated-thin-film-quality-control/

11/03/2026

A ball mounted hollow retroreflector is an optical device that will reflect light back towards its source with minimal scattering. A ceramic ball mounted hollow retroreflector is lightweight with low thermal conductivity.

PLX Inc. retroreflectors are extremely accurate and have guaranteed compatibility with laser tracking systems from all major manufacturers.

More detailed technical information is available on our website at https://www.mi-net.co.uk/product/plx-ball-mounted-hollow-retroreflectors/

If you would like to learn more please get in touch.

05/03/2026

Our lab testing surfaces grew extensively in 2025, both in terms of the number of researchers now using our services, and the number of different test techniques that we are now able to offer via our valued partners.

2026 looks likely to continue this trend so please contact us if you would like help on projects requiring:

• Surface Profilometry (surface topography measurements)

• Mechanical Testing (scratch, hardness, wear)

• Friction & Wear Testing

• Hand Abrasion Testing

• Impulse Excitation Technique Testing

• Additional Surface & Chemical Testing

Remember that our testing services always come with full consultation before, during and after testing, all as part of the service.

For more information you can visit our website at https://www.mi-net.co.uk/products/lab-services/ or get in touch.

26/02/2026

The Droplet Lab Dropometer is a cutting-edge, smartphone-powered tensiometer designed to make contact angle and surface tension measurements simpler and more accessible.

Droplet Lab aims to transform these analyses into practical, portable, and affordable processes, removing the traditional reliance on high-budget laboratories and academic institutions. Despite its compact and cost-effective design, the instrument has demonstrated performance that rivals and in some cases surpasses many established, higher-priced measurement systems.

In this video from Droplet Lab we give a short visual introduction to the tool and it’s software. Visit our Dropometer webpage or contact us to learn more and to arrange a demo.

https://www.mi-net.co.uk/videos/droplet-lab-dropometer-video-introduction/

In this video from Droplet Lab we give a short visual introduction to the tool and it's software.

23/02/2026

The JR25 non-contact profilometer from NANOVEA allows you to take the power of a desktop profilometer directly to your sample. Ideal for measuring the surface topography of samples that are difficult to move or for labs where you need to pack your profilometer away after use to save space.

Used to measure a variety of surface characteristics such as roughness, texture, geometry & shape, step height & thickness, volume & area, and flatness and warpage.

Equipped with a 25mm x 25mm stage with interchangeable measurement sensors allowing measurement of a wide range of sample geometries both dull and reflective in finish.

For further information please visit https://www.mi-net.co.uk/product/nanovea-jr25-profilometer/ or get in touch.