Patent ID: 6436252
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
A cathode assembly for magnetron sputtering inside an annular cavity of a hollow, curved workpiece having a non-linear axis of symmetry, comprising: a tubular cathode having a sputtering length of Ls, and being generally curved along a non-linear axis of symmetry to follow the non-linear axis of symmetry of the annular cavity of the workpiece;one or a plurality of magnets held within the cathode such that a driving force applied to said one or a plurality of magnets imparts relative longitudinal movement between said one or a plurality of magnets and the cathode; and in the case of a plurality of magnets, said plurality of magnets being arranged in either i. one magnet package as spaced magnets of alternating polarity, or ii. in more than one magnet package with each magnet package including one magnet, or a plurality of spaced magnets arranged with alternating polarity.