Patent · US Expired

Sputtering target assembly and method for depositing a thickness gradient layer with narrow transition zone

US6569294B1 · kind B1 · utility

4Cited by
13References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 20, 2001
Grant dateMay 27, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 20, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/60
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Selective deposition of a layer of a material, such as a thick protective overcoat, onto a selected substrate area, such as the inner or CSS landing zone, is achieved using a sputtering target assembly comprising a target/cathode having a planar sputtering surface including an erosion track area, a collimating shield positioned proximate the sputtering surface and surrounding at least a portion of the erosion track area, the collimating shield including an inwardly facing wall, and a blocking shield centrally positioned over the surface of the target/cathode and including an outwardly facing wall, wherein the inwardly facing wall of the collimating shield and the outwardly facing wall, wherein the inwardly facing wall of the collimating shield and the outwardly facing wall of the central blocking shield form an open-ended collimating channel for directing sputtered particles onto the selected substrate area.

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