Thin solid films have been used in many types of engineering systems and have been adapted to fulfill a wide variety of functions. A few examples follow.

1. – Great strides in thin film technology have been made in order to advance the rapid development of miniature, highly integrated electronic circuits. In such devices, confinement of electric charge relies largely on interfaces between materials with differing electronic properties. Furthermore, the need for thin materials of exceptionally high quality, reproducible characteristics and reliability has driven film growth technology through a rapid succession of significant achievements. More recently, progress in the physics of material structures that rely on quantum confinement of charge carriers continues to revolutionize the area. These systems present new challenges for materials synthesis, characterization and modeling.

2. – The use of surface coatings to protect structural materials in high temperature environments is another thin film technology of enormous commercial significance. In gas turbine engines, for example, thin surface films of materials chosen for their chemical inertness, stability at elevated temperatures and low thermal conductivity are used to increase engine efficiency and to extend significantly the useful lifetimes of the structural materials that they protect. Multilayer or continuously graded coatings offer the potential for further progress in this effort.

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