Patent ID: 7807030

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 the central axis, comprising: a magnet assembly having a total area of no more than 10% of a scanning area of the target and comprising an inner magnetic pole having a first magnetic polarity along the central axis and a first total magnetic intensity, and an outer magnetic pole surrounding the inner magnetic pole and having a second magnetic polarity opposed to the first magnetic polarity and a second total magnetic intensity; and a scanning mechanism moving the magnet assembly in an epicyclic path about the central axis extending both radially and circumferentially of the central axis over the scanning area of the target, wherein the scanning mechanism includes, a bottom plate supporting the magnet assembly; a follower gear rotating the bottom plate, a drive shaft extending along the central axis; a drive plate fixed to the drive shaft and rotatably supporting away from the central axis the follower gear, and a gear coaxial about the central axis through which the rotary drive shaft extends and having an external geared surface radially inside of the following gear and gearedly coupled with the follower gear.