Unusual Cathode Erosion Patterns Observed for Steered Arc Sources

A cathodic arc source with a magnetron-type magnetic field was investigated for stability, erosion, and compatibility with a linear macroparticle filter. Here we report about unusual arc spot erosion patterns, which were narrow (~ 2 mm) with periodic pits when operating in argon, and broad (~ 10 mm) with periodic groves and ridges when operating in an argon and oxygen mixtures. These observations can be correlated with the ignition probability for type 2 and type 1 arc spots, respectively.