Patent ID: 8741115
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method for applying a sputtered coating onto the interior non-cylindrical surface of a hollow elongate workpiece, the workpiece having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing an elongate emitter assembly, the emitter assembly comprising: b. positioning the emitter and the magnet assembly of the emitter assembly within the workpiece so that the longitudinal axis of the emitter is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the workpiece; c. providing a low pressure environment containing a sputtering gas exterior to the emitter and interior to the workpiece; d. creating a plasma field between the emitter and the workpiece; and; e. creating a magnetic field exterior to the emitter by flowing current through the electromagnets of the magnet assembly to create a magnetic flux which primarily exits the outer faces of the end portions of the cores of the electromagnets, wherein the magnet assembly configuration and the current supplied to each magnet unit is selected to provide a magnetic field configuration compatible with the workpiece surface contour.