Sputtering in PVD

Sputter deposition is a physical vapour deposition (PVD) method of depositing thin films by sputtering material from a ‘target’, then depositing it onto a ‘substrate’. Magnetron sputtering applies a magnetic field around the target in order to energize argon atoms for bombarding the target.

The Fission magnetron sputtering source enables rapid, contaminant-free deposition of metal or dielectric films in the HEX modular deposition system. Water-cooling and gas connections are made using quick-release connectors, removing the need for specialist tools to dismount the source and eliminating the hazard and inconvenience of draining coolant-water each time the source is removed from the chamber. Source mounting is also efficient and simple, without the need for specialist tools.

The Fission source can be operated in DC mode for conducting materials and RF mode for insulating materials. Gas introduction is through the gas hood, allowing a higher partial pressure to be achieved near the target surface and thereby reducing the overall chamber pressure required during deposition. The source can be equipped with manual or motor-driven shutters and can be controlled using our PC automation option.

Reactive sputtering can be enabled either by introducing additional gases directly with the sputtering gas or with a separate gas feed in the chamber. Magnetic materials can be sputtered using an optional strong magnet set which allows targets up to 1mm thick to be sputtered. The Fission source can be used to sputter all (solid) metals, insulators and semiconductors. Multiple sources may be used in one system in order to grow multilayer or composite material films.

Join the Korvus team to discuss the technical details of different sputtering techniques and processes, including: DC, RF, HiPIMS, Pulsed-DC and more…