Method for photopatterning metallization via UV-laser ablation of the activator
First Claim
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1. A method for patterning electroless plating activator material disposed on a polymer substrate, said method comprising the step of:
- selectively exposing said polymer substrate and said electroless plating activator material disposed thereon to an ultraviolet laser beam which is sufficiently powerful to ablate said activator material.
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Abstract
A laser, such as an excimer laser, is employed to ablate electroless plating activator material from polymer and other substrates. The treated substrates are then immersed in electroless plating baths for plating of conductive material over remaining activator material. The method is particularly effective for depositing conductive patterns on non-flat substrates and on substrates needing plated-through connections. High resolution patterns are created on any compatible polymer substrate with any compatible electroless plating activator material.
62 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for patterning electroless plating activator material disposed on a polymer substrate, said method comprising the step of:
selectively exposing said polymer substrate and said electroless plating activator material disposed thereon to an ultraviolet laser beam which is sufficiently powerful to ablate said activator material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. The method for forming conductive patterns on a polymer substrate, said method comprising the steps of:
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coating said substrate with an electroless plating activator material; selectively exposing said substrate and said electroless plating activator material thereon to an ultraviolet laser beam which is sufficiently powerful to ablate said activator material; and then immersing said substrate in an electroless plating bath for a time sufficient to deposit conductive material on the activator material which was not ablated. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. The method for patterning electroless plating activator material disposed on a polymer substrate, said method comprising the steps of:
selectively exposing said polymer substrate and said electroless plating activator material thereon to an ultraviolet laser beam with a power level which is above an ablation threshold level to ablate said activator material.
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34. A method of forming conductive patterns on a polymer substrate, said method comprising the steps of:
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coating said substrate with an electroless plating activator material; selectively exposing said substrate and said electroless plating activator material thereon to an ultraviolet laser beam having a power level which is above an ablation threshold to ablate said activator material; and then immersing said substrate in an electroless plating bath for a time sufficient to deposit conductive material on the activator material which was not ablated.
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Specification