A substrate processing module includes a transfer chamber, an array of processing stations, at least one shutter disk assembly, and a substrate handling device. The array of processing stations is disposed within a transfer volume, and each of the processing stations within the array are configured to selectively process at least one substrate. The shutter disk assembly includes an actuator and a disk blade configured to support a shutter disk coupled thereto. The shutter disk is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the disk blade is disposed between two of the plurality of processing stations. In the second position, the disk blade is located under one of the processing stations within the array. The substrate handling device is disposed centrally within the transfer volume and includes a plurality of arms each configured to support and position a substrate.

A sputtering target comprising a flat part and a tapered part on a sputter surface, wherein of the tapered part includes a crystal distortion having an average KAM value of 0.5° or more. It is possible to lower the ignition failure rate of ignition (plasma ignition), and start the sputter process stably. Because the downtime of the device can thereby be shortened, it is possible to contribute to the improvement in throughput and cost performance.

Magnetron sputtering source (1) for coating of a substrate (2), the sputtering source (1) comprising: a target (5) having a target surface at a front side a magnetron arrangement (511, 512) at a backside of the target (5) for creating a magnetic field near the target surface, to define a loop shaped erosion zone (20) at the target surface between an inner magnet assembly (512) and an outer magnet assembly (511), wherein the erosion zone (20) comprises a middle section with two parallel tracks (26) having a distance (d) and two curved end loop sections (27) each of which connects adjoining ends of the parallel tracks (26) and has a loop width (w) in the direction of the distance (d) which is greater than the distance (d) resulting in a double-T-shaped primary geometry of the erosion zone to provide an increased coating material flux from the end loop sections (27) to the substrate.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a planar sputtering target comprising a target material layer built up by a layering of splats, wherein the target material layer has a layer width and has a microstructure which varies across the layer width. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a planar sputtering target.

A sputtering target having a unitary body. The unitary body includes a planar substrate plate and a toroidal portion extending from a top surface of the substrate plate. The toroidal portion reduces non-uniform erosion against the plate caused by a magnetic field applied to the target. In use, the magnetic field is initially received at the toroidal portion. After the magnetic field wears down the toroidal portion, the magnetic field is received at the substrate plate.

A high throughput deposition apparatus includes a process chamber, a plurality of targets that form a first closed loop in the process chamber, wherein the first closed loop includes a long dimension defined by at least a first pair of targets and a short dimension defined by at least a second pair of targets, a first substrate carrier assembly that can hold one or more substrates and configured to receive a deposition material from the plurality of targets in the first closed loop, and a transport mechanism that can move the first substrate carrier assembly along an axial direction through the first closed loop in the first process chamber.

A method of depositing a layer on a substrate includes applying a first magnetic field to a cathode target, electrically coupling the cathode target to a first high power pulse resonance alternating current (AC) power supply, positioning an additional cylindrical cathode target electrode around the cathode, applying a second magnetic field to the additional cylindrical cathode target electrode, electrically coupling the additional cylindrical cathode target electrode to a second high power pulse resonance AC power supply, generating magnetic coupling between the cathode target and an anode, providing a feed gas, and selecting a time shift between negative voltage peaks associated with AC voltage waveforms generated by the first high power pulse resonance AC power supply and the second high power pulse resonance AC power supply. An apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, cathode target magnet assembly, first high power pulse resonance AC power supply, additional electrode, additional electrode magnet assembly, second high power pulse resonance AC power supply, and feed gas.

A magnetron plasma apparatus boosted by hollow cathode plasma includes at least one electrically connected pair of a first hollow cathode plate and a second hollow cathode plate placed opposite to each other at a separation distance of at least 0.1 mm and having an opening following an outer edge of a sputter erosion zone on a magnetron target so that a magnetron magnetic field forms a perpendicular magnetic component inside a hollow cathode slit between plates and, wherein the plates and are connected to a first electric power generator together with the magnetron target to generate a magnetically enhanced hollow cathode plasma in at least one of a first working gas distributed in the hollow cathode slit and a second working gas admitted outside the slit in contact with a magnetron plasma generated in at least one of the first working gas and the second working gas.

A film forming apparatus includes a processing container, a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate inside the processing container, a cathode unit disposed above the substrate holder, and a gas introducing mechanism configured to introduce a plasma generating gas into the processing container. The cathode unit includes a target, a power supply configured to supply electric power to the target, a magnet provided on a rear side of the target, and a magnet driving part configured to drive the magnet. The magnet driving part includes an oscillation driver configured to oscillate the magnet along the target, and a perpendicular driver configured to drive the magnet in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the target independently of driving performed by the oscillation driver. Sputtered particles are deposited on the substrate by magnetron sputtering.

A sputtering target packaging structure comprising: a sputtering target including a cylinder part, a flange part disposed on an opening part at one end of the cylinder part, and a cap disposed on an opening part at the other end of the cylinder part; and a packing material made up of a sheet and covering an inner surface and an outer surface of the sputtering target in a close contact state, wherein the packing material includes seal parts on both end sides of the sputtering target.