A deposition system, and a method of operation thereof are disclosed. The deposition system comprises a cathode assembly comprising a rotating magnet assembly including a plurality of outer peripheral magnets surrounding an inner peripheral magnet.

A magnetron sputtering system includes a substrate mounted within a vacuum chamber. A plurality of cathode assemblies includes a first set of cathode assemblies and a second set of cathode assemblies, and is configured for reactive sputtering. Each cathode assembly includes a target comprising sputterable material and has an at least partially exposed planar sputtering surface. A target support is configured to support the target in the vacuum chamber and rotate the target relative to the vacuum chamber about a target axis. A magnetic field source includes a magnet array. A cathode assemblies controller assembly is operative to actuate the first set of cathode assemblies without actuating the second set of cathode assemblies, and to actuate the second set of cathode assemblies without actuating the first set of cathode assemblies.

A magnet assembly is disclosed for steering ions used in the formation of a material layer upon a substrate during a pulsed DC physical vapour deposition process. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed incorporating the assembly for controlling thickness variation in a material layer formed via pulsed DC physical vapour deposition. The magnet assembly comprises a magnetic field generating arrangement for generating a magnetic field proximate the substrate and means for rotating the ion steering magnetic field generating arrangement about an axis of rotation, relative to the substrate. The magnetic field generating arrangement comprises a plurality of magnets configured to an array which extends around the axis of rotation, wherein the array of magnets are configured to generate a varying magnetic field strength along a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation.

A plasma vapor deposition (PVD) chamber used for depositing material includes an apparatus for influencing ion trajectories during deposition in an edge region of a substrate. The apparatus includes a reflector assembly that surrounds a substrate support and is configured to reflect heat to the substrate during reflowing of material deposited on the substrate and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded in the reflector assembly that are configured to influence ion trajectories on the edge region of the substrate during deposition processes, the plurality of permanent magnets are spaced symmetrically around the reflector assembly.

Apparatus and methods for improving film uniformity in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process are provided herein. In some embodiments, a PVD chamber includes a pedestal disposed within a processing region of the PVD chamber, the pedestal having an upper surface configured to support a substrate thereon, a first motor coupled to the pedestal, a lid assembly comprising a first target, a first magnetron disposed over a portion of the first target, and in a region of the lid assembly that is maintained at atmospheric pressure, a first actuator configured to translate the first magnetron in a first direction, a second actuator configured to translate the first magnetron in a second direction, and a system controller that is configured to cause the first magnetron to translate along at least a portion of a first path by causing the first actuator and second actuator to simultaneously translate the first magnetron.

A plasma sputtering device including one or a plurality of plasma generating devices each including an insulating tube having an expanding inner diameter and having a gas injection port formed in an end portion or a side portion thereof, a first electromagnet or a permanent magnet group which can apply a static magnetic field, and a high frequency antenna; a second electromagnet which is disposed in a region downstream of the plasma generating device(s) and which can form a curved magnetic force line structure; a target mechanism which includes a permanent magnet embedded therein and a cooling mechanism and which can apply a DC or high frequency voltage; a substrate stage facing the target mechanism; a second permanent magnet group around the substrate stage; and a heat insulating mechanism between a target material and the target mechanism.

A method for manufacturing a housing of an electronic device includes providing a substrate, forming a metal plating on a surface of the substrate, and laser-etching the metal plating to form a conductive layer. The conductive layer serves as an antenna radiator or a conductive circuit.

Electrically conductive, thin, smooth films are provided that comprise silver (Ag) and a conductive metal, such as aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), magnesium (Mg), tantalum (Ta), germanium (Ge) or combinations thereof. In other alternative variations, electrically conductive, thin, smooth films are provided that comprise gold (Au) or copper (Cu) and a conductive metal, such as aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), magnesium (Mg), tantalum (Ta), germanium (Ge) or combinations thereof. Such materials have excellent electrical conductivity, may be ultra-thin, flexible, transparent, and have low optical loss. Assemblies incorporating such films and methods of making the films are also provided. The assemblies may be used in photovoltaic and light emitting devices with high power conversion efficiencies or optical meta-materials that exhibit high transmittance and homogeneous response, among others.

A method and apparatus are for controlling stress variation in a material layer formed via pulsed DC physical vapour deposition. The method includes the steps of providing a chamber having a target from which the material layer is formed and a substrate upon which the material layer is formable, and subsequently introducing a gas within the chamber. The method further includes generating a plasma within the chamber and applying a first magnetic field proximate the target to substantially localise the plasma adjacent the target. An RF bias is applied to the substrate to attract gas ions from the plasma toward the substrate and a second magnetic field is applied proximate the substrate to steer gas ions from the plasma to selective regions upon the material layer formed on the substrate.

Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. For example, a physical vapor deposition processing chamber comprises a chamber body defining a processing volume, a substrate support disposed within the processing volume and comprising a substrate support surface configured to support a substrate, a power supply configured to energize a target for sputtering material toward the substrate, an electromagnet operably coupled to the chamber body and positioned to form electromagnetic filed lines through a sheath above the substrate during sputtering for directing sputtered material toward the substrate, and a controller operably coupled to the physical vapor deposition processing chamber for controlling the electromagnet based on a recipe comprising a pulsing schedule for pulsing the electromagnet during operation to control directionality of ions relative to a feature on the substrate.