Patent ID: 6228235
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
A magnetron source for use in a plasma system for sputtering a surface of a target, said magnetron comprising:a target holder which holds the target during processing;a first magnet assembly arranged to generate a magnetic field over an area in front of the target that is confined primarily to an inner region of that area, said inner region of the area in front of the target being surrounded by an outer region;a second magnet assembly arranged to generate a magnetic field over said area in front of the target that is confined primarily to the outer region of the surface of the target, both of said first and second magnet assemblies being located in back of the target when said target is being held by the target holder; anda lift mechanism which during use causes relative movement between the first magnet assembly and at least part of the second magnet assembly so as to control the relative strength of the magnetic field in the outer region relative to the magnetic field in the inner region.