Patent ID: 8206646

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a sputtering target assembly comprising the steps of: providing a powder layer having a first and second surface; providing a backing plate having a first and second surface; providing a compression means having an upper portion surface and a lower portion surface; positioning the first surface of the backing plate against the lower portion surface of the compression means; positioning the first surface of the powder layer against the second surface of the backing plate; positioning the upper portion surface of the compression means against the second surface of the powder layer to a non-planar orientation, wherein the surface of the upper portion of the compression means is convex; compressing the powder and backing plate to press the powder to a density of at least about 95%; diffusion-bonding the powder to the backing plate to achieve a target assembly; and controlling the target assembly to be warped toward a direction opposite to the second surface of the backing plate during cooling, whereby the target assembly attains a planar orientation.