Abstract: A tantalum sputtering target, wherein on a sputtering surface of the tantalum sputtering target, an orientation rate of a (200) plane is 70% or less, an orientation rate of a (222) plane is 10% or more, an average crystal grain size is 50 ?m or more and 150 ?m or less, and a variation in a crystal grain size is 30 ?m or less. By controlling the crystal orientation of the target, it is possible to increase the sputter rate, consequently deposit the required film thickness in a short period of time, and improve the throughput. In addition, by controlling the crystal grain size on the sputtering surface of the target, an effect is yielded in that the abnormal discharge during sputtering can be suppressed.

Abstract: A tantalum sputtering target, wherein, on a sputtering surface of the tantalum sputtering target, an average crystal grain size is 50 ?m or more and 150 ?m or less, and a variation in a crystal grain size is 30 ?m or less. A tantalum sputtering target, wherein, on a sputtering surface of the tantalum sputtering target, an orientation rate of a (200) plane exceeds 70%, an orientation rate of a (222) plane is 30% or less, an average crystal grain size is 50 ?m or more and 150 ?m or less, and a variation in a crystal grain size is 30 ?m or less. By controlling the crystal grain size of the target, or the crystal grain size and the crystal orientation of the target, effects are yielded in that the discharge voltage of the tantalum sputtering target can be reduced so that plasma can be more easily generated, and the voltage drift during deposition can be suppressed.

Abstract: A tantalum sputtering target, wherein, on a sputtering surface of the tantalum sputtering target, an orientation rate of a (200) plane exceeds 70%, an orientation rate of a (222) plane is 30% or less. By controlling the crystal orientation of the target, effects are yielded in that the discharge voltage of the tantalum sputtering target can be reduced so that plasma can be more easily generated, and the voltage drift during deposition can be suppressed.

Abstract: Provided is a tantalum sputtering target, which is characterized that an average crystal grain size of the target is 50 ?m or more and 200 ?m or less, and variation of a crystal grain size in the target plane is 40% or higher and 60% or less. This invention aims to provide a tantalum sputtering target capable of improving the uniformity of the film thickness and reducing the variation of the resistance value (sheet resistance).

Abstract: Provided is a tantalum sputtering target having a (200)-plane orientation ratio of 70% or less and a (222)-plane orientation ratio of 10% or more at the sputtering surface of the tantalum sputtering target. The sputter rate can be increased by controlling the crystalline orientation of the target, and thereby a film having an intended thickness can be formed in a short time to improve the throughput.