Current-voltage characteristics of an impulse magnetron discharge in target material vapor

Abstract

The magnetron discharge with hot (uncooled) target in an impulse mode has been experimentally investigated. The I-V characteristics have been measured depending on the magnetic field strength for three target materials: copper, chromium, and silicon. For melted copper and hot chromium targets, stable gasless (no argon) operation of the magnetron has been demonstrated with maximum impulse power densities about 2.5 kW/cm2 (averaged over the racetrack area). For silicon target, maximum impulse power density was 1.5 kW/cm2 at low argon pressure (0.1 Pa). The magnetic field dependences of discharge parameters have shown the associated changes in differential plasma impedance.