Kamis, 22 Agustus 2013

The Various Techniques of Magnetron Sputtering By George O Olushola

Sputtering is the removal of atomized material by hitting the surface layer with ions or neutral particles. The sputtering procedure requires a vacuum where argon gas is introduced in a controlled manner. The pressure in the vacuum is raised to the point that it can operate magnetrons while the atmospheric pressure is kept at a few thousandths.
Power is supplied to the magnetron by the application of -300V and a positive ion strikes the exterior atoms leading to an energy transfer. When the energy transmitted to the site is more than the energy that joins the atoms together, atoms will appear which will lead to collision cascades. Also, when the transmitted energy is more than the surface binding energy in threefold, the atoms on the surface will sputter. Secondary electrons are also emitted from the surface which creates a glow.
Magnetron sputtering with magnets is used to produce a magnetic field that will give room for lower pressures in order to trap electrons. The electrons that are trapped travel in helical paths while moving about the magnetic field. Higher sputter rates are caused by these electrons as they improve plasma ionization thereby giving rise to the sustenance of plasma at a lower temperature. The sputtered atoms are not affected by the magnetic trap because they are neutrally charged.
High power impulse magnetron sputtering is the application of high power pulses at a low frequency and the placement of magnetron-sputtering device at a lower setting in order to produce high-density plasma. This type of sputtering is used by manufacturers to coat products like CDs.
Closed-field unbalanced magnetron sputtering is the use of unbalanced magnetrons to apply strong outer layers on materials like layers that are corrosion resistant. Unbalanced magnetrons are created by the strengthening of the outer ring of the magnet so that electrons in the region that is targeted will follow magnetic field lines and reach the material that is being coated. This allows the high ion currents to travel to the substrate thereby giving room for a high quality deposit.
Since it will be difficult to deposit uniform coatings on complicated components by the use of one magnet, multiple magnetron systems must be used. Opposite magnets with same polarity can be used and opposite magnets with opposite polarity can also be used. The loss of electrons can be prevented by the creation of a closed-field configuration that enables the creation of a close trap for the plasma electrons.
For more information about magnetron sputtering, you should get in touch with Vergason.

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