The target (5) of a sputter cathode 3 is permanently bonded to a metallic backing plate (14, 15) with a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the target (5). This backing plate (14, 15) is held removably on the electrode (4), for example by means of spring clips (16, 17).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention pertains to a sputter cathode with an electrode to which at 
least one target to be sputtered is attached. 
Sputter cathodes of the type indicated above are used in coating systems 
for sputtering and are generally known. Its target is usually bonded 
permanently to the electrode. This leads to problems, however, when the 
coefficient of expansion of the target material differs significantly from 
that of the electrode and when the electrode and the target have large 
surface areas. Widely differing coefficients of expansion occur, for 
example, when the target consists of indium-tin oxide and thus the metal 
electrode must be bonded to a nonmetal. Large-area electrodes and targets 
are required when it is desired to coat substrates with large surface 
areas in a static manner, that is, without the movement of the substrate. 
To prevent the target from cracking as a result of a difference in the 
coefficients of expansion, sputter cathodes are known in which, instead of 
a single target with a large surface area, several targets are bonded to 
the electrode like tiles, one next to the other. The disadvantage here, 
however, is that the solder used for bonding also intrudes between the 
targets and is atomized during sputtering, with the result that the layer 
sputtered onto the substrate is contaminated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention provides a sputter cathode of the type described above which 
minimizes the danger that the target will crack. This is accomplished by 
permanently bonding the target to a metallic backing plate with a 
coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the target, and by 
removably connecting this backing plate to the electrode. 
By means of a backing plate connected permanently to the target, with a 
coefficient of expansion similar to that of the target, the thermal 
stresses in the target which could lead to cracking are avoided. Because 
only the backing plate must be coordinated with respect to the coefficient 
of expansion to the target, the electrode can consist of some other 
material, selected for optimum performance. When the sputter cathode 
according to the invention is used, it is easier to replace an atomized 
target with a new target, because, for this purpose, it is enough merely 
to remove the target with its backing plate and not the entire electrode 
itself. As a result, the parts to be removed can be much lighter than in 
the case of known sputter cathodes. This feature is especially important 
in the case of sputter cathodes with large surface areas. 
It is especially easy to replace a target in the case of large surface area 
sputter cathodes when the target consists of several target segments, 
which are arranged like tiles on the electrode, each of them being 
provided with its own backing plate. A design such as this means that, in 
the event that only certain areas of the target become damaged, it is 
possible to replace only the individual target segments involved. This 
replacement can be accomplished without special equipment, because the 
weight of the individual target segments with their associated backing 
plate is much less than that of a complete electrode with target. In 
operations where coating processes are carried out with different 
materials, furthermore, it is no longer necessary to keep on hand an 
inventory of complete cathode troughs, i.e., electrodes with targets; on 
the contrary, it is necessary only to stock the backing plates carrying 
the targets of different materials. Transport costs are also lower, 
because the targets must be shipped only with their backing plates and not 
together with the electrodes. 
If, for the attachment of the backing plate or plates, spring clips, which 
are able to grip around projections on the backing plate or plates, are 
provided on the side of the electrode facing the backing plates, the 
target or a segments of a target can be replaced without tools. 
It is even more convenient to remove and reinstall a target or a segment of 
a target provided with a backing plate when, according to another 
embodiment of the invention, each backing plate is provided on its rear 
surface with at least one downward pointing, slanted hanger lug, which is 
designed to hang in a corresponding, upward-slanting slot in the front 
surface of the electrode. 
The backing plate is pressed with very great force against the electrode 
when at least one screw is provided for the attachment of each individual 
backing plate. This screw passes through a bore in the electrode with 
radial clearance and rests with its head against an elastic seal in a 
widened area of the bore in the electrode. These high contact forces 
ensure an especially good transfer of heat, so that the target is 
efficiently cooled by the cooling of the electrode. 
When a target of indium-tin oxide (ITO) is used, it is advantageous for the 
backing plate to consist of molybdenum. Molybdenum has a coefficient of 
expansion which is comparable to that of ITO and also has a high modulus 
of elasticity, so that even when the plates are only 3-4 mm thick, 
sufficient stability is provided to prevent damage to the target during 
handling. The heat transfer via the backing plate from the target to the 
electrode is not as good as that in a design without a backing plate, and 
this obviously leads to higher target temperatures. In the case of ITO 
targets, however, these higher temperatures have the effect of reducing 
the growth of "pimples", which is therefore advantageous with respect to 
the problem of arcing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 shows a part of a wall 1, which separates a coating chamber 2 from 
the atmosphere. This wall 1 holds a sputter cathode 3, which consists 
essentially of a pan-shaped electrode 4, a target 5, and a set of magnets 
6. Set of magnets 6 can be moved inside pan-shaped electrode 4, as 
indicated by a double arrow 7. This movability serves to produce a 
homogeneous layer on a stationary substrate (not shown), set up opposite 
target 5. 
Sputter cathode 3 is separated electrically by an insulator 8 from wall 1, 
so that it can be connected to a negative potential and so that wall 1 can 
be connected to ground. Seals 9, 10 prevent air from entering coating 
chamber 2 in the area of sputter cathode 3. 
Target 5 is divided into several target segments 11, 12, 13, which are 
arranged like tiles on electrode 4 and are removably attached thereto. 
FIGS. 2-4 show different ways in which the segments can be removably 
attached. 
FIG. 2 shows by way of example how target segments 11 and 12 are attached 
to backing plates 14 and 15, respectively. This attachment is permanent 
and is achieved by bonding. The important point here is that the material 
selected for backing plates 14, 15 is such that its coefficient of 
expansion is as close as possible to that of the target material. If 
target segments 11, 12 consist, for example, of indium-tin oxide, then it 
would be advantageous for backing plates 14, 15 to be made of molybdenum. 
Several spring clips 16, 17 of beryllium-copper are attached to electrode 
4; these clips engage shoulders 18, 19 on backing plates 14, 15 and thus 
hold these plates with pretension against electrode 4. 
In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, backing plate 14 has downward 
pointing hanger lugs 20 on the side facing electrode 4; these lugs are 
able to engage in corresponding slots 21 in the vertical front surface of 
electrode 4 and thus, by virtue of the weight of target 11 and backing 
plate 14, are able to hold the plate in contact with electrode 4. 
FIG. 4 shows that the attachment of backing plates 14 can also be 
accomplished with screws 22. For this purpose, screw 22 passes with radial 
clearance through a bore 23 in electrode 4 and rests with its head 24 by 
way of an elastic seal 25 against the base of an expanded section 26 of 
bore 23. In backing plate 14, a threaded bore 27 is provided, into which 
screw 22 is screwed, so that it is able to hold backing plate 14 against 
electrode 4. The clearance in bore 23, however, makes it possible for 
backing plate 14 to be shifted around slightly on electrode 4, so that 
different degrees of thermal expansion can be compensated.