Abstract: Provided is a low carbon defect copper-manganese (CuMn) sputtering target and systems and methods for producing the same. The low carbon defect CuMn sputtering target may comprise of copper with a purity of at least about 99.9999%, manganese with a purity of about 99.9% to about 99.999%, and one or more active elements comprising of oxygen (O) at about 100 parts per million (ppm) to about 4000 ppm, iron (Fe) at about 5 parts per billion (ppb) to about 100 ppm, sulfur (S) at about 5 ppm to about 400 ppm, hydrogen (H) at about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm, and chromium (Cr) at about 5 ppb to about 200 ppm, wherein the manganese has a compositional range of up to about 5 wt %.

Abstract: A method of making a metal or metal alloy target having the steps of providing a billet, the billet having a generally cylindrical configuration and having a central axis, cutting the billet in half parallel to the central axis to form at least a half cylindrical blank, and cross rolling the half cylindrical blank to form a target.

Abstract: A Me-B based alloy spherical powder for use in a sputtering target including a metal powder selected from the group consisting of: Mo, W, Ta, Nb, Hf and Ti; a BN powder; and optionally a binary or ternary compound powder, as well as W/B sputter targets, alloys, and barrier/seed films made by such targets. A combined diffusion barrier layer is provided by sputter coating of a W/B sputter target either directly or by reactive sputtering with nitrogen wherein the B content of the alloy is about 0.5 wt %-10 wt %. The oxygen content of the alloy target is about 50 ppm or less. Preferably, the alloy is 99.995% pure.

Abstract: Methods for treating texturized surfaces of sputter targets in order to improve adhesion and retention of deposited particles thereon. The target surfaces may first be texturized by a precursor texturizing method such as bead blasting, grit blasting, plasma spraying, or a twin-wire-arc spraying (TWAS) method. The thus textured surface is then sprayed or blasted with ice particles to form an optimized textured surface. The ice particles may comprise sublimable particles such as frozen carbon dioxide or dry ice. Also, argon may be used as exemplary ice particles.

Abstract: Methods for making Ta sputter targets and sputter targets made thereby. Ta ingots are compressed along at least two of the x, y, and z dimensions and then cross rolled in at least one of those dimensions. A pair of target blanks is then cut from the cross rolled ingot. The resulting targets have a predominate mix of {100} and {111} textures and have reduced B {100} and B {111} banding factors.

Abstract: Described is a design and method for producing a sputtering target assembly with low deflection made from target material solder bonded to composite backing plate with coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matching the target material. The composite backing plate is composite configuration composed of at least two different materials with different CTE. The composite backing plate, after plastic deformation, if necessary, has a CTE matching the target material and low and desirable deflection in the bonding process, and therefore, resulting in a low deflection and low stress target material bonded to composite backing plate assembly. The method includes manufacturing composite backing plate with a flat bond surface, heat treating of target blank and composite backing plate to achieve desirable shape of bond surfaces, solder bonding target to a backing plate, and slowly cooling the assembly to room temperature.

Abstract: A sputter target assembly comprising a Si target and a backing plate is provided wherein the backing plate is bonded to the target. The Si target comprises a smooth, mirror-like surface and has a surface roughness of less than about 15.0 Angstroms. Methods are provided for producing silicon target/backing plate assemblies wherein a silicon blank is processed to remove scratches from the blank surface resulting in a mirror like surface on the target, and a surface roughness of 15.0 Angstroms or less. The method comprises a first and second cleaning step with the first step being performed before the scratch removal step, and the second step being performed after the scratch removal.

Abstract: A method of making a diffusion bonded sputter target assembly is provided. A target blank comprising a first metal or alloy has a first surface defining a sputtering surface and a second surface. A second metal or alloy is placed around the target blank. A backing plate is provided adjacent the second metal or alloy that is positioned alongside of the second target surface. This assembly is then diffusion bonded, and a portion of the second metal overlying the sputtering surface of the target is removed to expose the target sputtering surface. W target or W alloy target/Ti or Ti alloy backing plate assemblies are provided with an Al interlayer positioned intermediate the W or W alloy target and backing plate. The assembly has a bond strength exceeding 50 MPa.

Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy sputter targets and methods of making same are provided. The pure aluminum or aluminum alloy is mechanically worked to produce a circular blank, and then the blank is given a recrystallization anneal to achieve desirable grain size and crystallographic texture. A 10-50% additional strain is provided to the blank step after the annealing to increase the mechanical strength. Further, in a flange area of the target, the strain is greater than in the other target areas with the strain in the flange area being imparted at a rate of about 20-60% strain. The blank is then finished to form a sputtering target with desirable crystallographic texture and adequate mechanical strength.

Abstract: A method of making sputter targets from a BCC metal or BCC metal alloy is provided. The ingot is e-beamed melted and subjected to vacuum arc reduction. The ingot is then tri-axially forged, keeping the centerline of the ingot in the center of the ingot during the tri-axial forging step. The ingot is then vacuum annealed and clock rolled. During the clock rolling, the center line of the ingot is maintained in the center of the ingot and perpendicular to the compressive forces used during the clock rolling. The clock rolled ingot is then vacuum annealed and provided in a near net shape for usage as a sputter target. Tantalum target materials are disclosed having a purity of at least 99.5% and an interstitial content (CONH) of less than about 25 ppm. Tantalum targets, in accordance with the invention, have a grain size of about 50 to 100 microns and a mixed {100}/{111} texture with a higher % {111} gradient towards the center.

Abstract: A sputtering target made of aluminum and one or more alloying elements including Ni, Co, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ta, W, and rare earth metals (REM). The addition of very small amounts of alloying element to pure aluminum and aluminum alloy target improves the uniformity of the deposited wiring films through affecting the target's recrystallization process. The range of alloying element content is 0.01 to 100 ppm by weight, which is sufficient to prevent dynamic recrystallization of pure aluminum and aluminum alloys, such as 30 ppm Si alloy. The addition of small amount of alloying elements increases the thermal stability and electromigration resistance of pure aluminum and aluminum alloys thin films while sustaining their low electrical resistivity and good etchability. This invention also provides a method of manufacturing microalloyed aluminum and aluminum alloy sputtering target.

Abstract: A method of making a diffusion bonded sputter target assembly is provided. A target blank comprising a first metal or alloy has a first surface defining a sputtering surface and a second surface. A second metal or alloy is placed around the target blank. A backing plate is provided adjacent the second metal or alloy that is positioned alongside of the second target surface. This assembly is then diffusion bonded, and a portion of the second metal overlying the sputtering surface of the target is removed to expose the target sputtering surface. W target or W alloy target/Ti or Ti alloy backing plate assemblies are provided with an Al inter-layer positioned intermediate the W or W alloy target and backing plate. The assembly has a bond strength exceeding 50 MPa.

Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy sputter targets and methods of making same are provided. The pure aluminum or aluminum alloy is mechanically worked to produce a circular blank, and then the blank is given a recrystallization anneal to achieve desirable grain size and crystallographic texture. A 10-50% additional strain is provided to the blank step after the annealing to increase the mechanical strength. Further, in a flange area of the target, the strain is greater than in the other target areas with the strain in the flange area being imparted at a rate of about 20-60% strain. The blank is then finished to form a sputtering target with desirable crystallographic texture and adequate mechanical strength.

Abstract: A method is provided to remove a thickness of a sputter target surface deformation layer to thereby achieve a reduced burn-in time during sputtering operations. The method comprises extrusion hone polishing of the target surface with a visco-elastic abrasive medium.

Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy sputter targets and methods of making same are provided. The pure aluminum or aluminum alloy is mechanically worked to produce a circular blank, and then the blank is given a recrystallization anneal to achieve desirable grain size and crystallographic texture. A 10-50% additional strain is provided to the blank step after the annealing to increase the mechanical strength. Further, in a flange area of the target, the strain is greater than in the other target areas with the strain in the flange area being imparted at a rate of about 20-60% strain. The blank is then finished to form a sputtering target with desirable crystallographic texture and adequate mechanical strength.

Abstract: A method for producing a high purity tungsten sputtering target. The method includes heat treating of high purity tungsten powder in order to consolidate it into a blank with density providing closed porosity. The consolidation may be achieved by hot pressing, HIP or any other appropriate method. Next, this plate is rolled to produce target blanks of approximate size and further increased density of the material. The method may be applicable to a variety of blanks including round shape target blanks, for example, consisting of tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, hafnium, etc.

Abstract: A method of making metal target blank using circular groove pressing includes pressing a metal or metal alloy target blank in a first circular grooved pressing die set into a first concentric corrugated shape while maintaining an original diameter of the target blank to create concentric rings of shear deformation in the target blank. Forces are then applied to the concentric corrugated target blank sufficient to substantially flatten the target blank with a flat die set while maintaining the original diameter of the target blank to restore the target blank to a substantially flat condition. The target blank is pressed in a second circular grooved die set into a second concentric corrugated shape while maintaining the original diameter of the target blank, wherein the second die set has a groove pattern offset from a groove pattern of the first die set so as to create concentric rings of shear deformation in areas of the target blank which were not previously deformed.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a sputter target is provided comprising a backing plate (40) comprising a front surface and a back surface; and a sputtering plate mounted on said backing plate, the sputtering plate comprising a sputtering surface and a back surface. At least one of the back surface of the sputtering plate, the front surface of the backing plate, or the back surface of the backing plate has at least one groove (30) that is shaped and sized to correspond to an observed region of higher sputtering of the sputtering plate relative to an adjacent area of the sputtering plate. An insert (50) is placed in the groove(s). The backing plate comprises a first material, the sputtering plate comprises a second material, and an insert comprises a third material. In yet another aspect of the sputter target, a method of controlling the electromagnetic properties of a sputter target is provided.

Abstract: A sputtering target made of aluminum and one or more alloying elements including Ni, Co, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ta, W, and rare earth metals (REM). The addition of very small amounts of alloying element to pure aluminum and aluminum alloy target improves the uniformity of the deposited wiring films through affecting the target's recrystallization process. The range of alloying element content is 0.01 to 100 ppm by weight, which is sufficient to prevent dynamic recrystallization of pure aluminum and aluminum alloys, such as 30 ppm Si alloy. The addition of small amount of alloying elements increases the thermal stability and electromigration resistance of pure aluminum and aluminum alloys thin films while sustaining their low electrical resistivity and good etchability. This invention also provides a method of manufacturing microalloyed aluminum and aluminum alloy sputtering target.

Abstract: A target and backing plate assembly and method of making the same. The target and backing plate assembly provides a mechanical interlock between the target and backing plate in addition to diffusion bonding between dissimilar materials comprising the target and backing plate. An interlayer may also be used between the target and backing plate. A plurality of ridges, or other salient surface features on one of the target and backing plate are joined to corresponding members or channels on the other of the target and backing plate. The dissimilar materials of the target and backing plate fill negative angled cavities formed by the plurality of ridges and corresponding channels or members of the target and backing plate to accommodate the diffusion bonded dissimilar materials. A target and backing plate assembly with increased strength results.