PATTERNING OF THIN FILM CONDUCTIVE AND PASSIVATION LAYERS
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- depositing a conductive layer onto a surface;
depositing a passivation layer onto the conductive layer;
applying a removable mask including a pattern to the passivation layer;
patterning the passivation layer to have the pattern;
providing the patterned passivation layer as a mask for the conductive layer; and
patterning the conductive layer to have the pattern.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Simplified patterning of conductive layers and passivation layers of a thin film is disclosed. In some embodiments, the patterning can include depositing a conductive layer onto a thin film substrate, depositing a passivation layer onto the conductive layer, applying a removable mask including a desired pattern to the passivation layer, patterning the passivation layer to have the desired pattern, using the patterned passivation layer as a mask for the conductive layer, and patterning the conductive layer to have the desired pattern. In other embodiments, the patterning can include depositing a conductive layer onto a thin film substrate, depositing a passivation layer onto the conductive layer, depositing a protective layer onto the passivation layer, applying a removable mask including a desired pattern to the protective layer, patterning the protective layer to have the desired pattern, using the patterned protective layer as a mask for the passivation and conductive layers, and patterning the passivation and conductive layers to have the desired pattern. An exemplary device utilizing the thin film so patterned can include a touch sensor panel.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
depositing a conductive layer onto a surface; depositing a passivation layer onto the conductive layer; applying a removable mask including a pattern to the passivation layer; patterning the passivation layer to have the pattern; providing the patterned passivation layer as a mask for the conductive layer; and patterning the conductive layer to have the pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method comprising:
-
depositing a conductive layer onto a surface; depositing a passivation layer onto the conductive layer; depositing a protective layer onto the passivation layer; applying a removable mask including a pattern to the protective layer; patterning the protective layer to have the pattern; providing the patterned protective layer as a mask for the passivation layer and the conductive layer; and patterning the passivation layer and the conductive layer to have the pattern. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A touch sensor panel comprising:
-
a touch area comprising a first set of conductive traces and a second set of conductive traces forming touch sensors to sense a touch at the panel, and multiple conductive bridges at crossings of the first and second sets of conductive traces to separate the first and second conductive traces from each other and to conduct signals associated with the sensed touch along the first and second conductive traces at the crossings, each conductive bridge comprising a passivation layer disposed on the first and second conductive traces, the passivation layer and the first and second conductive traces formed together into a same pattern at the bridge; and a bonding area comprising a third set of conductive traces forming connectors to connect the panel to associated circuitry, each of the third conductive traces having the passivation layer removed therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A method comprising:
-
providing a conductive layer configured to transmit signals of an electronic device; providing a passivation layer configured to protect the conductive layer; and patterning the conductive layer and the passivation layer together into a same pattern. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A device comprising:
-
at least one conductive layer configured to transmit signals of the device; and at least one passivation layer configured to protect the conductive layer from damage, the passivation layer and the conductive layer formed into a same pattern on the device from a removable mask including the pattern to form the passivation layer into the pattern and from the patterned passivation layer functioning as a mask to form the conductive layer into the pattern. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
Specification