Transition mode control in reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (R-HiPIMS)

Abstract

This is to review a novel approach stabilizing reactive mode at transition regime in reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (R-HiPIMS). The proposed method is based on a real-time monitoring of peak discharge current. To stabilize the process conditions at a given set point, a feedback control system, which automatically regulates the pulse frequency, and thereby the average sputtering power, was implemented to maintain a constant maximum discharge current. As a representative result, the variation of the pulse current waveforms over a wide range of reactive gas flows and pulse frequencies during a R-HiPIMS of Hf in an Ar-N2 atmosphere illustrates that the discharge current waveform is an excellent indicator of the process conditions. Applicability of the proposed method was successfully demonstrated.