Novel Manufacturing Design and Processing Methods and Apparatus for Sputtering Targets

Abstract

Sputtering targets having a reduced burn-in time are disclosed that comprise: a) a heat-modified surface material having a substantially uniform crystallographic orientation, wherein at least part of the surface material was melted during heat-treatment, and b) a core material having an average grain size. Sputtering targets are also disclosed that include a heat-modified surface material having network of shallow trenches, alternating rounded peaks and valleys in the surface of the target or a combination thereof, wherein at least part of the surface material was melted during heat-treatment, and a core material having an average grain size. Methods of producing sputtering targets having reduced burn-in times comprises: a) providing a sputtering target comprising a sputtering surface having a sputter material and a crystal lattice, and b) heat-modifying the sputtering surface in order to melt at least part of the surface material and modify the crystal lattice. Methods of producing a sputtering target having a reduced burn-in time are also disclosed comprising: providing a sputtering target having a sputtering surface, wherein the sputtering surface comprises a damage layer, and modifying the sputtering surface by deplating a layer of material, pulsed-plating a layer of material or a combination thereof

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.