Patent ID: 7169271

Claim:
An oscillating magnetron configured for used with a sputtering target generally symmetric about a central axis for use in a magnetron sputter reactor generally symmetrically arranged around said central axis, comprising: a magnet assembly disposed above the taraget and comprising a closed inner magnetic pole substantially circularly symmetric about a magnet axis with no substantial apertures therethrough and having a first magnetic polarity along said central axis and a first total magnetic intensity, and an outer magnetic pole substantially circularly symmetric about the magnet axis and surrounding said inner magnetic pole and having a second magnetic polarity opposed to said first magnetic polarity and a second total magnetic intensity; and a scanning mechanism moving said magnet assembly in a path extending both radially and circumferentially of said central axis, wherein said scanning mechanism includes a rotary shaft disposed radially inside with respect to the central axis of gears of the scanning mechanism and passing along and rotating about the central axis and providing the sole motive power for said scanning mechanism, and wherein the magnet assembly and the scanning mechanism are supported solely through an upper end of the rotary shaft above the scan mechanism and a lower end of the rotary shaft is not supported.