Method for monitoring alternating current discharge on a double electrode and apparatus
First Claim
1. A process for monitoring an-alternating-voltage discharge between the electrodes of a double electrode, comprising:
- measuring values of at least one of a discharge current and a discharge voltage for each half-wave within an alternating-voltage discharge period;
determining a difference between the measured values of a second half-wave and the measured values of the first half-wave;
comparing the determined differences to specific tolerance values, wherein, when the specific tolerance values are exceeded by the determined differences, a power supply is reduced, whereby the discharge is at least briefly suppressed.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Process for monitoring an alternating-voltage discharge between the electrodes of a double electrode and an apparatus. The process includes measuring values of at least one of a discharge current and a discharge voltage for each half-wave within an alternating-voltage discharge period, determining a difference between the measured values of a second half-wave and the measured values of the first half-wave, and comparing the determined differences to specific tolerance values. When the specific tolerance values are exceeded by the determined differences, a power supply is reduced, whereby the discharge is at least briefly suppressed. The apparatus includes a double magnetron including first and second targets arranged to form a double electrode, and a power supply coupled to supply power to the first and second targets. The power supply includes a measurement unit for measuring values of at least one of discharge current and discharge voltage, such that at least one of a discharge current and a discharge voltage for each half-wave within an alternating-voltage discharge period is measured. A device for determining a difference between the measured values of a second half-wave and the measured values of the first half-wave is provided, as well as a device for comparing the determined differences to specific tolerance values, and a device for at least briefly suppressing the discharge when the specific tolerance values are exceeded by the determined differences.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A process for monitoring an-alternating-voltage discharge between the electrodes of a double electrode, comprising:
-
measuring values of at least one of a discharge current and a discharge voltage for each half-wave within an alternating-voltage discharge period;
determining a difference between the measured values of a second half-wave and the measured values of the first half-wave;
comparing the determined differences to specific tolerance values, wherein, when the specific tolerance values are exceeded by the determined differences, a power supply is reduced, whereby the discharge is at least briefly suppressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A process for monitoring an alternating-voltage discharge between the electrodes of a double electrode, comprising:
-
measuring values of at least one of a discharge current and a discharge voltage for each half-wave within an alternating-voltage discharge period;
determining a difference between the measured values of a second half-wave and the measured values of the first half-wave;
comparing the determined differences to specific tolerance values, wherein, when the specific tolerance values are exceeded by the determined differences, a power supply is reduced, whereby the discharge is at least briefly suppressed, and wherein the alternative-voltage discharge is monitored between two targets for cathodic sputtering.
-
-
11. An apparatus comprising:
-
a double magnetron comprising first and second targets arranged to form a double electrode;
a power supply coupled to supply power to said first and second targets, said power supply comprising a measurement unit for measuring values of at least one of discharge current and discharge voltage, whereby at least one of a discharge current and a discharge voltage for each half-wave within an alternating-voltage discharge period is measured;
a device for determining a difference between the measured values of a second half-wave and the measured values of the first half-wave;
a device for comparing the determined differences to specific tolerance values; and
a device for at least briefly suppressing the discharge when the specific tolerance values are exceeded by the determined differences. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification