KRI®: A Track Record of Success
From company founders to present-day staff, our team has made significant contributions to broad-beam technology. This includes ion source designs, a portfolio of patents, and a comprehensive collection of publications.
Our ion and electron source designs have produced tremendous commercial success, with over 3,500 sources shipped through licensed clients. Our full spectrum of offerings includes:
Gridless End-Hall Ion-Plasma Source Technology
- Cylindrical source sizes ranging from 6cm to 25cm in diameter
- Rectangular source sizes ranging from 20cm to 100cm long
Gridded Ion Source Technology
- Both DC and RF plasma-discharge products
- Ion optic sizes ranging from 1cm to 38cm diameter
Electron Source Technology
- Non-immersed sources, including hollow cathode and plasma-bridge products

Industry Publications
Industry thought leaders at KRI® have written or contributed to over 100 authoritative publications. Our journal articles, books, technical notes, and other writings form a body of literature that continues to advance the fields of broad beam equipment and material processing.
Breaking New Ground in Broad Beam Sources:
Founded in 1978 by Harold Kaufman and Steve Robinson, Kaufman & Robinson’s objective was to perform research that would push the boundaries of broad-beam source technology. As part of its research and development mission, KRI® undertook the development of ion-beam products for use in industrial applications. In particular, KRI® fulfilled contracts to design commercial broad-beam sources for use in the vacuum processing of materials such as thin films and plasma products.
Over the course of two decades, KRI® delivered over 25 commercial ion, plasma, and electron source devices under license agreements with its clients, who manufactured and marketed the products. In 2002, we modified our business model and entered the market with our own ion, plasma, and electron source products.
Today, we leverage our vast technical knowledge to manufacture new, next-generation broad ion-beam products. And while the company has evolved and developed a full product line to serve multiple applications and markets, our founders’ commitment to innovation and quality still drives every decision we make and action we take.