Enhanced reliability and performance stability of a deposition baffle is provided in ionized physical vapor deposition (iPVD) processing tool in which a high density plasma is coupled into a chamber from an external antenna through a dielectric window. A deposition baffle with slots protects the window. The deposition baffle has slots through it. The width of the slots at the window side of the baffle is different from the width of the slots at the plasma side of the baffle. Preferably, the ratio of width of the slots at the window side is preferably less than the width at the plasma side. The slots have sidewalls at the plasma side that are arc spray coated. The ratio of the baffle thickness to slot width, or the slot's aspect ratio, is less than 8:1, and preferably less than 6:1. The deposition baffle is spaced less than 1 mm from the window, and preferably less than 0.5 mm from the window.