Patent ID: 7678240

Claim:
Magnetron source, comprising a target configuration with a sputter surface, a magnet configuration generating above said sputter surface a magnetic field which forms, in top view onto said sputter surface, at least one magnet field loop and, viewed in a cross-sectional direction upon said target configuration, a tunnel-shaped arc magnet field and further comprising an electrode configuration which generates, when supplied by a positive electric potential with respect to an electric potential applied to said target configuration, an electric field which crosses at an angle to said magnetic field of said at least one magnet field loop and wherein said electrode configuration comprises a distinct electrode arrangement in a limited segment area of said electrode configuration, which is substantially shorter than the overall length of said magnet field loop, said electrode arrangement along said limited segment area being electrically isolated from the remainder of said electrode configuration so as to be electrically operated differently than the remainder of said electrode configuration.