Patent · US Expired

Magnetic array for sputtering system

US6402903B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
28References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 2000
Grant dateJun 11, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/3408
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A plasma sputtering system is disclosed, along with methods of sputtering and methods of arranging an array of magnets disposed within the sputtering system. An embodiment of the sputtering system includes a vacuum chamber. A rotating magnetron is disposed in the vacuum chamber. A target is positioned between the magnetron and a substrate upon which material from the target is to be deposited. The magnetron includes an array of pairs of oppositely poled permanent magnets. A closed loop magnetic path extends between the pairs of oppositely poled magnets of the array. The magnetic path includes an inturn region proximate to an axis of rotation of the magnetron and at least two (e.g., five) indent regions.

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