A brief description is given of a method to increase the negative ion
current of a Model 860A sputter source through employing a Ta sheet io
nizer of spherical geometry, rebuilding the focusing geometry electrod
e system and enhancing the cathode target voltage. In order to prolong
the lifetime of the sputter sample, a new design named Three- wheel,
21-target probe changing mechanism, has been constructed and is briefl
y described in this paper.