Abstract: Techniques for removing an electrical short caused by a flake in a thin film sputtering system are disclosed. The flake typically bridges the dark space between target and anode or shield and is removed through manipulation of the power supply utilized for normal operations. Sensing of the flake and discrimination between recoverable arcs is accomplished by timing the duration of an over-current condition. Removal involves switching between power mode or some other initial mode of regulation and current modes and progressively increasing current to melt the flake. Circuitry automatically removes the flake and is easily adapted to power supplies particularly more sophisticated, high frequency, lower energy storage DC supplies.

Abstract: Techniques for removing an electrical short caused by a flake in a thin film sputtering system are disclosed. The flake typically bridges the dark space between target and anode or shield and is removed through manipulation of the power supply utilized for normal operations. Sensing of the flake and discrimination between recoverable arcs is accomplished by timing the duration of an over-current condition. Removal involves switching between power mode or some other initial mode of regulation and current modes and progressively increasing current to melt the flake. Circuitry automatically removes the flake and is easily adapted to power supplies particularly more sophisticated, high frequency, lower energy storage DC supplies.

Abstract: Techniques for recovery from a low impedance conditions during cathodic arc or electric vapor thin film processes are disclosed. Sensing of a low impedance condition is achieved followed automatically by active clearing of the cloud to return it to the proper impedance or resistance state. Active clearing is accomplished by a progressive increase in the output of bias voltage supply. Regulation of the bias voltage supply switches between voltage or power modes and a current mode of regulation. Circuitry disclosed is designed to readily modify existing power supplies to achieve the methods discussed and to linearly increase the current output by it.