Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of bonding a first mass to a second mass. A first mass of first material and a second mass of second material are provided and joined in physical contact with one another. The first and second masses are then diffusion bonded to one another simultaneously with the development of grains of the second material in the second mass. The diffusion bonding comprises solid state diffusion between the first mass and the second mass. A predominate portion of the developed grains in the second material have a maximum dimension of less than 100 microns. The invention also encompasses methods of forming a physical vapor deposition target bonded to a backing plate.

Abstract: The invention includes deposition apparatuses having reaction chambers and particle-trapping features formed along one or more surfaces within the chambers. In particular aspects, the particle-trapping features can comprise a pattern of bent projections forming receptacles, and can comprise microstructures on the bent projections. The invention also includes methods of forming particle-trapping features by initially forming a pattern of projections, bending the projections, and then exposing the projections to particles to form microstructures on the bent projections.

Abstract: The invention includes PVD targets having non-sputtered regions (such as, for example, sidewalls), and particle-trapping features formed along the non-sputtered regions. In particular aspects, the particle-trapping features can comprise a pattern of bent projections forming receptacles, and can comprise microstructures on the bent projections. The targets can be part of target/backing plate constructions, or can be monolithic. The invention also includes methods of forming particle-trapping features along sidewalls of a sputtering target or along sidewalls of a target/backing plate construction. The features can be formed by initially forming a pattern of projections along a sidewall. The projections can be bent and subsequently exposed to particles to form microstructures on the bent projections.

Abstract: The invention includes an aluminum-comprising physical vapor deposition target bonded to an aluminum-comprising backing plate to a bond strength of greater than 10,000 pounds/in2. The invention also includes a method of bonding a first aluminum-comprising mass to a second aluminum-comprising mass. The first aluminum-comprising mass has a first surface, and the second aluminum-comprising mass has a second surface. The first and second masses are pressed together to bond the first mass to the second mass. Additionally, the invention includes a method of bonding a physical vapor deposition target material to a backing plate material. The target material and backing plate material are joined in physical contact with one another. The target material and backing plate material are then compressed under a load that progresses sequentially.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a sputtering target. A wear profile for a sputtering target surface is determined. The wear profile corresponds to a shape of the used target surface after the target is subjected to the wear of having material sputtered therefrom. The wear profile is divided amongst a plurality of datapoints across the target surface. A difference in height of the target surface after the wear relative to a height of the target surface prior to the wear is calculated. The difference in height calculations generate a plurality of wear definition datapoints. Target lifetime datapoints are calculated using the wear definition datapoints, and sputtering uniformity datapoints are also calculated using the wear definition datapoints. A difference between the target lifetime datapoints and sputtering uniformity datapoints is calculated.