VON ARDENNE Announces New SKYVA2000 Vacuum Coating System for Large-Aperture Optics

As investment continues to grow in next-generation terrestrial observation and space- and satellite-based optical systems, demand is increasing for scalable coating technologies capable of delivering exceptional optical performance across a wide range of mirror sizes. SKYVA2000 extends VON ARDENNE’s proven technology to address these emerging opportunities while maintaining flexibility to support future customer requirements.

“With SKYVA2000, we’re making the expertise and technology proven on some of the world’s most demanding telescope projects available to a broader range of customers,” said Michael Schneider, vice president semiconductors and precision optics at VON ARDENNE. “The platform combines proven coating processes, scalable engineering, and the flexibility to support everything from research to next-generation astronomical facilities and aerospace and satellite applications, giving customers confidence in both performance and long-term reliability.”

Part of VON ARDENNE’s family of vacuum coating systems, SKYVA2000 enables the deposition of high-performance reflective and protective coatings, including protected silver and aluminum, for astronomical telescopes and other demanding optical systems. The scalable platform addresses the growing need for highly uniform, repeatable optical coatings as telescope mirrors and precision optical components become increasingly sophisticated.

SKYVA combines advanced coating processes, automation, in-situ process monitoring, and low-particle handling to deliver consistent coating quality, process stability, and operational reliability. Its modular platform architecture supports substrates ranging from approximately 1 meter to 8.4 meters in diameter, allowing customers to select a solution tailored to their specific application while benefiting from a common technology platform.

The SKYVA platform draws on VON ARDENNE’s decades of expertise in large-area vacuum coating technologies, including large-area architectural glass coating and advanced deposition processes such as magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, electron-beam evaporation, and ion-beam technologies. Engineering capabilities for complex installation environments, integrated process monitoring, and high-quality material supply further differentiate the platform.

VON ARDENNE demonstrated the platform’s capabilities through the SKYVA8400 system installed at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The system is   used to coat the observatory’s unique 8.4-meter primary/tertiary mirror, as well as its secondary mirror, showcasing the company’s expertise in large-aperture optical coating applications. Further affirming VON ARDENNE’s expertise, smaller VERA ASTA systems are in continuous operation at the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and the Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory (ANAS ShAO).

VON ARDENNE will showcase SKYVA during SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, July 5-10 in Copenhagen, Denmark, at Booth 426. Attendees will learn about SKYVA’s coating capabilities for large-aperture telescope mirrors, available coating options, automation features, modular customization opportunities, testing capabilities through VON ARDENNE’s Technology & Application Center, and lessons learned from major telescope deployments.