A sputtering method includes one or more sputtering processes. Each sputtering process includes in a first pre-sputtering phase, sputtering a target material on a baffle plate configured to shield a substrate; in a second pre-sputtering phase, sputtering a target material compound on the baffle plate; and in a main sputtering phase, sputtering the target material compound on the substrate. The first pre-sputtering phase is used to adjust a sputtering voltage for the main sputtering phase.

An arc discharge generation device energizes an evaporation source with the power supply device so that the evaporation source functions as a negative electrode to have a striker chip contact the evaporation source and then separate the striker chip from the evaporation source to generate an arc discharge in the chamber. When extinguishing the arc discharge generated in the chamber, the arc discharge generation device has the striker chip contact the evaporation source and de-energizes the evaporation source with the power supply device in a situation in which the striker chip is in contact with the evaporation source.

An arc discharge generation device energizes an evaporation source with the power supply device so that the evaporation source functions as a negative electrode to have a striker chip contact the evaporation source and then separate the striker chip from the evaporation source to generate an arc discharge in the chamber. When extinguishing the arc discharge generated in the chamber, the arc discharge generation device has the striker chip contact the evaporation source and de-energizes the evaporation source with the power supply device in a situation in which the striker chip is in contact with the evaporation source.

A thin film deposition apparatus comprising: a laser pulse generator to generate a laser pulse; optical elements to optionally P-polarize and optionally rotate the laser pulse polarization with a polarization angle φ based on the cavity chamber and deposition material; focusing optics to focus the laser pulse; a source of deposition material having refractive index n.sub.2; said deposition material mounted within an evacuated chamber having a refractive index n.sub.1; a rotation and / or translation device to alter and / or direct said laser pulse onto said source of deposition material at an incidence angle θ to produce a plasma to be deposited on a substrate; wherein the polarization angle φ and incidence angle θ are defined by the area under the graphical representation of the ellipse of equation

[00001]$\frac{{\left(\theta -{\theta }_0\right)}^2}{a^2}+\frac{{\left(\phi -{\phi }_0\right)}^2}{b^2}=1$

where θ.sub.0=0.8× arctan (n.sub.2/n.sub.1), φ.sub.0=0, a=0.4× arctan (n.sub.2/n.sub.1) and b=0.5× arctan (n.sub.2/n.sub.1).

A thin film deposition apparatus comprising: a laser pulse generator to generate a laser pulse; optical elements to optionally P-polarize and optionally rotate the laser pulse polarization with a polarization angle φ based on the cavity chamber and deposition material; focusing optics to focus the laser pulse; a source of deposition material having refractive index n.sub.2; said deposition material mounted within an evacuated chamber having a refractive index n.sub.1; a rotation and / or translation device to alter and / or direct said laser pulse onto said source of deposition material at an incidence angle θ to produce a plasma to be deposited on a substrate; wherein the polarization angle φ and incidence angle θ are defined by the area under the graphical representation of the ellipse of equation

[00001]$\frac{{\left(\theta -{\theta }_0\right)}^2}{a^2}+\frac{{\left(\phi -{\phi }_0\right)}^2}{b^2}=1$

where θ.sub.0=0.8× arctan (n.sub.2/n.sub.1), φ.sub.0=0, a=0.4× arctan (n.sub.2/n.sub.1) and b=0.5× arctan (n.sub.2/n.sub.1).

Physical vapor deposition methods for reducing the particulates deposited on the substrate are disclosed. The pressure during sputtering can be increased to cause agglomeration of the particulates formed in the plasma. The agglomerated particulates can be moved to an outer portion of the process chamber prior to extinguishing the plasma so that the agglomerates fall harmlessly outside of the diameter of the substrate.

Physical vapor deposition methods for reducing the particulates deposited on the substrate are disclosed. The pressure during sputtering can be increased to cause agglomeration of the particulates formed in the plasma. The agglomerated particulates can be moved to an outer portion of the process chamber prior to extinguishing the plasma so that the agglomerates fall harmlessly outside of the diameter of the substrate.

A system is described herein for film deposition includes a drum; a motor configured to rotate the drum in a direction of rotation; a target including a target material; and a holder attached to the drum. The holder is configured to accommodate a substrate and to expose the substrate to free particles of the target material sputtered from the target, and the holder has an asymmetric shape.

A film forming apparatus has a process chamber and a processing unit provided in the process chamber and forming adhesive film. The surface of the inner walls of the process chamber is formed of a material having a large getter effect on gas or water (H.sub.2O) remaining in the process chamber.

According to various embodiments, the temperature control roller may comprise: a cylindrical roller shell, which has a multiplicity of gas outlet openings; a temperature control device, which is configured to supply and/or extract thermal energy to or from the cylindrical roller shell; multiple gas lines made to extend along the axis of rotation; a gas distributing structure, which couples the multiple gas lines and the multiplicity of gas outlet openings to one another in a gas-conducting manner, the gas distributing structure having a lower structure density than the multiplicity of gas outlet openings.