Abstract: The invention pertains to the alignment of chucks used in the web handling industry. The device includes specialized mounting features to align a light beam with a given chuck. Two of these assemblies are positioned such that each light beam aligns with the other. In this orientation the two chucks are aligned.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the alignment of chucks used in the web handling industry. The device includes specialized mounting features to align a light beam with a given chuck. Two of these assemblies are positioned such that each light beam aligns with the other. In this orientation the two chucks are aligned.

Abstract: Sputtering targets having a reduced burn-in time are disclosed that comprise: a) a heat-modified surface material having a substantially uniform crystallographic orientation, wherein at least part of the surface material was melted during heat-treatment, and b) a core material having an average grain size. Sputtering targets are also disclosed that include a heat-modified surface material having network of shallow trenches, alternating rounded peaks and valleys in the surface of the target or a combination thereof, wherein at least part of the surface material was melted during heat-treatment, and a core material having an average grain size. Methods of producing sputtering targets having reduced burn-in times comprises: a) providing a sputtering target comprising a sputtering surface having a sputter material and a crystal lattice, and b) heat-modifying the sputtering surface in order to melt at least part of the surface material and modify the crystal lattice.

Abstract: A PVD component forming method includes identifying two or more solids having different compositions, homogeneously mixing particles of the solids using proportions which yield a bulk formula, consolidating the homogeneous particle mixture to obtain a rigid mass while applying pressure and using a temperature below the minimum temperature of melting or sublimation of the solids, and forming a PVD component including the mass. A chalcogenide PVD component includes a rigid mass containing a bonded homogeneous mixture of particles of two or more solids having different compositions, the mass having a microcomposite structure exhibiting a maximum feature size of 500 ?m or less, and one or more of the solids containing a compound of two or more bulk formula elements. An alternative PVD component exhibits a uniform composition with less than 10% difference in atomic compositions from feature to feature.