Abstract: A substrate electrode having a plurality of substrate holders capable of causing a substrate to tilt by an arbitrary angle .theta. relative to the horizontal plane is provided. A plurality of auxiliary electrodes are arranged substantially vertically below the substrate electrode and between the substrate electrode and a target. The substrate electrode and the auxiliary electrodes are electrically insulated from the target. Bias voltage applied to the substrate electrode and the auxiliary electrodes causes the plasma boundary between the cathode dark space and the negative glow to form a cathodic plasma space having a parabolic section, thus forming a crystal-oriented thin film on the substrate surface.