Shaped anode and anode-shield connection for vacuum physical vapor deposition

Abstract

A physical vapor deposition apparatus includes a vacuum chamber with side walls, a cathode, a radio frequency power supply, a substrate support, a shield, and an anode. The cathode is inside the vacuum chamber, and the cathode includes a sputtering target. The radio frequency power supply is configured to apply power to the cathode. The substrate support is inside and electrically isolated from the side walls of the vacuum chamber. The shield is inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber. The anode is inside and electrically connected to the side walls of the vacuum chamber. The anode includes an annular body and an annular flange projecting inwardly from the annular body, and the annular flange is positioned to define a volume below the target for the generation of plasma.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.