The sputter deposition of coatings onto capsules of polymer and oxide shells as well as solid metal spheres is accomplished using a chambered substrate platform. Oxides and metal coatings are sputter deposited through a screen-aperture array onto a 0.3-1.2 mm diameter, solid spheres and hollow shells. Each shell is contained within its own individual chamber within a larger array. Ultrasonic vibration is the method used to produce a random bounce of each capsule within each chamber, in order to produce a coating with uniform thickness. Characterization of thin aluminum-oxide coated, platinum solid spheres and thicker copper-gold layer coated, hollow capsules (of both glass and polymer) show that uniform coatings can be produced using a screen-aperture chambered, substrate platform. Potential advantages of this approach compared to open-bounce pans include improved sample yield and reduced surface roughness from debris minimization. A process model for the coating growth on the capsules is developed to assess selection of the screen aperture based on the effects of sputter deposition parameters and the coating materials
