Patent ID: 7951276
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: C23C,H01J,H05H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for producing a plurality of atom clusters, the apparatus comprising: a hollow cathode comprising one or more walls, the walls defining a sputtering chamber within the hollow cathode and comprising a material to be sputtered; a hollow anode at a first end of the sputtering chamber; a cryogenically cooled reservoir surrounding the sputtering chamber and including an inlet and an outlet for passage of a cryogenic fluid; an aperture between the sputtering chamber and a second chamber for passage of atom clusters therethrough, the aperture having a small size relative to the sputtering chamber for maintaining a higher pressure in the sputtering chamber than in the second chamber, the atom clusters being formed when a gas discharge is generated in the sputtering chamber; and an expansion passageway in the second chamber disposed adjacent to the aperture, the expansion passageway having a cross-sectional area that increases in a direction away from the aperture, wherein the cryogenically cooled reservoir is in contact with the expansion passageway.