Patent · US Expired

Planar magnetron sputtering apparatus

US5407551A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
10References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 13, 1993
Grant dateApr 18, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 13, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/3497
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A planar magnetron sputtering device with improved target utilization and cooling capacity is provided. The device includes a magnet yoke as the main structure of the cathode body. The magnet yoke is made of low carbon steel which provides magnetic shunt and physical strength. The target is attached to a metal backing plate so that the side surface of the target is substantially flush with the side surface of the backing plate. Suitable magnets are adapted for producing a closed-loop magnetic field over the lower surface of the target. The magnets include an outer magnet that has an annular structure positioned around an inner elongated magnet. The outer magnets are positioned along the perimeter of the backing plate and small magnets are employed to create larger active target area. The magnet yoke also comprises extension structures which are positioned along the side surface of the target. These extensions shunt the magnetic field at the edges of the target. The planar magnetron demonstrates improved target utilization and deposits more uniform films.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.