Patent ID: 8992747
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: B23K,C23C,H01J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for energizing a plasma by RF power within a semiconductor fabrication system by sputtering material from a target onto a substrate, the apparatus comprising: a semiconductor fabrication chamber having a wall, a target assembly including a backing plate having a back surface, an outer peripheral front face and a recessed area defining an inner peripheral edge and a top surface, the target assembly also including the target joined to the backing plate, the target having a sputterable target surface, the target disposed in the recessed area and having a shape substantially the same as the recessed area adjacent the top surface so that the target is surrounded by the top surface and the inner peripheral edge such that the backing plate outer peripheral front face and sputterable target surface are substantially coplanar and so that the backing plate completely surrounds the upper and side surfaces of the target except for the sputterable target surface; and wherein the target has an outer peripheral edge and a vertical darkspace gap comprising a vertical space between the inner peripheral edge of the backing plate and the outer peripheral edge of the target; an RF power source coupled to the target assembly; and a conductive darkspace shield positioned adjacent and vertically spaced from said target assembly defining a horizontal darkspace gap between the target assembly and the darkspace shield.