Patent ID: 6224725
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
An unbalanced magnetron for sputter deposition of a target material onto a substrate, comprising:a) a first polepiece having a first polarity and having a first number of lines of magnetic flux passing therethrough;b) a second polepiece having a second polarity opposite to said first polarity and having a second number of lines of magnetic flux passing therethrough, said second number differing from said first number, such that unclosed lines of flux extend from whichever of said first and second polepieces has a higher number of lines of flux passing therethrough;c) a target extending along a portion of each of said first and second polepieces between said polepieces and said substrate; andd) a non-sputterable auxiliary electrode extending along a portion of said second polepiece adjacent said target such that said unclosed lines of flux pass through said electrode, said electrode being maintained at a biased electrode potential from ground.