electricity
Metals and alloys are used as conductors, contacts and resistors, as well as other components such as capacitors. Transparent conductors such as indium tin oxide and thin metals are used as electrodes in LCDs, touch screens, other display devices and solar cells. Thin films are also widely used in microelectronic devices.
magnetic
Some high performance magnetic data storage media have been deposited by sputtering. Cobalt alloys such as cobalt chromium and, to a lesser extent, nickel, iron, and samarium alloys are commonly used.
optics
Thin metallic and dielectric coatings are used to construct mirrors, anti-reflective coatings, light valves, laser optics and lens coatings, and provide building energy control and optical data storage.
mechanical
Hard coatings, such as titanium carbide, nitride, and carbon, provide wear-resistant coatings for knives. Molybdenum sulfide is used as a solid lubricant.
Chemical
Thin film coatings can be used for high temperature environmental corrosion resistance of aerospace and engine components, catalyst surfaces, gas barrier layers and lightweight battery components.
decorative
Titanium nitride is deposited on watch straps and jewelry as a hard gold coating. Metal deposition is used for weight reduction in automotive and decorative graphics applications.
