Mitsubishi Materials Corporation

Solar Frontier K.k.

Masahiro Shoji

Shoubin Zhang

Keita Umemoto

Yoshinori Shirai

Provided are a sputtering target which has excellent machinability and is capable of forming a compound film that mainly contains Cu and Ga and a method for producing the sputtering target. The sputtering target of the present invention has a component composition that contains 15 to 40 at % of Ga, 0.1 to 5 at % of Bi, and the balance composed of Cu and unavoidable impurities with respect to all metal elements in the sputtering target. The method for producing the sputtering target includes a step of melting at least Cu, Ga and Bi as simple substances or an alloy that contains two or more of these elements at 1,050&#xb0; C. or higher to produce an ingot.

Sputtering target and method for producing same

A sputtering target consists of a sintered body having a component composition consisting of: Ga of 10 to 40 at. % and Na of 0.1 to 15 at. % as metal elements; and the balance being Cu and inevitable impurities. The sintered body contains the Na in a form of Na compounds consisting of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sodium sulfate, sodium sulfite, sodium selenate, and sodium selenite, the sintered body has a composition in which a Na compound phase is dispersed, and an average grain size of the Na compound phase is 10 &#x3bc;m or less.

Sputtering target and production method of the same

Provided are a sputtering target that is capable of forming a Cu&#x2014;Ga film, which has an added Ga concentration of 1 to 40 at % and into which Na is well added, by a sputtering method and a method for producing the sputtering target. The sputtering target has a component composition that contains 1 to 40 at % of Ga, 0.05 to 2 at % of Na as metal element components other than F, S and Se, and the balance composed of Cu and unavoidable impurities. The sputtering target contains Na in at least one form selected from among sodium fluoride, sodium sulfide, and sodium selenide, and has a content of oxygen of from 100 to 1,000 ppm.

Provided is a sputtering target which contains Na in high concentration and, despite this, is inhibited from discoloration, generating spots, and causing abnormal electrical discharge and which has high strength and rarely breaks. Also provided is a method for producing the sputtering target. The sputtering target has a component composition that contains 10 to 40 at % of Ga and 1.0 to 15 at % of Na as metal element components other than F, S, and Se, with the remainder composed of Cu and unavoidable impurities, wherein the Na is contained in the form of at least one Na compound selected from sodium fluoride, sodium sulfide, and sodium selenide. The sputtering target has a theoretical density ratio of 90% or higher, a flexural strength of 100 N/mmor higher, and a bulk resistivity of 1 m&#x3a9;&#xb7;cm or less. The number of 0.05 mmor larger aggregates of the at least one of sodium fluoride, sodium sulfide, and sodium selenide present per cmarea of the target surface is 1 or less on average.

Provided are a sputtering target which has excellent machinability and is capable of forming a compound film that mainly contains Cu and Ga and a method for producing the sputtering target. The sputtering target of the present invention has a component composition that contains 20 to 40 at % of Ga, 0.1 to 3 at % of Sb, and the balance composed of Cu and unavoidable impurities. A method for producing the sputtering target includes a step of producing a starting material powder that is obtained by pulverizing at least Cu, Ga and Sb as simple substances or an alloy that contains two or more of these elements; and a step of subjecting the starting material powder to hot processing in a vacuum, in an inert atmosphere or in a reducing atmosphere, wherein Ga is contained in the starting material powder in the form of a Cu&#x2014;Ga alloy or in the form of a Ga&#x2014;Sb alloy.

[Problems to be Solved] To provide a sputtering target that is capable of forming a Cu&#x2014;Ga film to which Na is favorably added by a sputtering method, and a method for producing the same. [Means to Solve the Problems] The sputtering target is provided wherein 20 to 40 at % of Ga, 0.05 to 2 at % of Na, and 0.025 to 1.0 at % of S are contained and a remaining portion has a component composition consisting of Cu and unavoidable impurities. Also, a method for producing the sputtering target includes the step of hot pressing a mixed powder of NaS powder and Cu&#x2014;Ga alloy powder or a mixed powder of NaS powder, Cu&#x2014;Ga alloy powder, and pure Cu powder in a vacuum atmosphere or an inert gas atmosphere or sintering a mixed powder of NaS powder and Cu&#x2014;Ga alloy powder or a mixed powder of NaS powder, Cu&#x2014;Ga alloy powder, and pure Cu powder by hot isostatic pressing.

Growing community of inventors

Sanda, Japan

Masahiro Shoji