Patent ID: 6217714
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
A sputtering apparatus for use in forming a film on a substrate in a vacuum chamber into which gas can be supplied, said sputtering apparatus comprising:three discrete, separated electrodes, including a center electrode and two side electrodes disposed on opposing sides of said center electrode;three discrete, separated targets disposed at said electrodes, respectively, and including a center target and two side targets on opposing sides of said center target;three discrete, separated magnets arranged adjacent said three targets, respectively, in positions for generating lines of magnetic force on surfaces of said targets, respectively;a supporting, part for supporting the substrate to face said three targets such that the substrate is fixed in position relative to said three targets; andvariable power supplies operably connected to said electrodes for supplying power to said electrodes such that a difference between the levels of power supplied, or between the amounts of time the power is supplied, to said side electrodes and said center electrode is controlled based on respective consumption amounts of said targets with time;wherein vertical distances between said targets and respective portions of the substrate supported by the supporting part are the same;wherein said targets and said magnets are arranged so that each of said targets is subject to an annular closed erosion constituted of a combination of linear erosion parts and circular arc erosion parts, and such that distances between the linear erosion parts of said targets and a pitch of said targets are 90-110% of distances between the substrate as supported by said supporting part and the surfaces of said targets.