Patent ID: 6998033
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: C23C,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method of providing adapter assemblies capable of mounting a sputtering cathode in mounting structure of a given geometry in a sputter coating apparatus and capable of supporting, in the mounting structure of the given geometry, a plurality of different cathode configurations of either a plurality of different target diameters, a plurality of different cathode materials or configurations, or at a plurality of different target-to-substrate spacings, the method comprising: providing an annular adapter body having an outside surface configured to mount in the mounting structure of the given geometry, having an inside surface configured to support a cathode of one of said diameters, and having thickness geometry configured to support a cathode at one of said target-to-substrate spacings; providing an annular electrical-insulator ring configured to support a cathode of one of the diameters and materials or configurations; providing a replaceable annular adapter shield attachable to the outside surface of the body and configured to cover portions of the outer surface of the body to protect said portions of the body from deposits during sputtering, the adapter shield being removable from the body to remove from the assembly deposits that have accumulated thereon during sputtering; and providing a replaceable annular dark-space shield attachable to a side of the body that is configured to face the substrate, the dark-space shield being configured and dimensioned to cover a portion of the body facing the substrate and a portion of the body facing radially-inwardly toward the target to protect said portions of the body from deposits during sputtering, the dark-space shield being removable from the body to remove, from the assembly, deposits that have accumulated thereon during sputtering, the dark-space shield having an inside surface configured to form a gap, between the target and the dark space shield and the target and the insulator, that is wide enough to prevent a spark between the target and the dark-space shield and narrow enough to prevent the formation of plasma between the target and the dark-space shield or the insulator, the gap having a depth that is sufficiently large relative to the width thereof to avoid substantial deposition of sputtering material on the insulator to facilitate use of the target substantially for the life of the target without interruption necessitated by a need to subject the adaptor assembly or parts thereof to removal for replacement or cleaning; the providing of the adapter body including providing a plurality of adapter bodies, each having the outside surface thereof configured to mount in the mounting structure of the given geometry, each body having either a) the inside surface thereof configured to support a cathode of a different one of said diameters, b) a different thickness geometry configured to support a cathode at a different one of said target-to-substrate spacings, or c) both the inside surface thereof configured to support a cathode of a different one of said diameters and a thickness geometry configured to support a cathode at a different one of said target-to-substrate spacings.