Patent ID: 6808607
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
Apparatus for sputter deposition of a cathode material in a continuous operating mode to form a coating on a substrate, comprising:a) a plasma chamber in which a plasma is created containing ions and electrons; b) at least one target disposed in the plasma chamber containing atoms that can be sputtered there from in response to bombardment by ions from the plasma to deposit a film on the surface of at least one substrate in close proximity to the plasma; c) a dc pulsed power supply having a pulsing circuit connected to the target disposed in the plasma chamber to deliver voltage pulses thereto; and d) the pulsing circuit further comprising an energy storage capacitor for delivering the pulses to a serially connected inductor with a switching means for disconnecting the pulsing circuit from the plasma and recycling the inductor energy back to the energy storage capacitor at the detection of an arc condition.