Patent US2360137A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4686114A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4686114A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective electroless plating
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-01-17
•
Granted: 1987-08-11
•
Expires: 2006-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for deposition of metals onto a workpiece by applying a sensitizing solution to a workpiece, directing a high intensity optical beam onto the sensitized workpiece surface to flash evaporate sensitizer from the workpiece in areas which are not to be plated, and thereafter contacting the workpiece with an electroless plating solution to deposit a layer of metal in those areas from which the sensitizer is not flashed off.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Halliwell
- 👤 Joseph Zahavi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:18
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/10; H05K3/18; H05K3/181; H05K3/182; H05K3/185; C; C23; C23C; C23C18/00; C23C18/16; C23C18/1601; C23C18/1603; C23C18/1607; C23C18/1608; C23C18/1612; C23C18/18; C23C18/20; C23C18/2006; C23C18/2026; C23C18/204; C23C18/28; C23C18/285; C23C18/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for selectively plating a metal onto a workpiece which comprises, in combination, the steps of applying a sensitizing solution to said workpiece, thereby providing a sensitized workpiece, directing a pulsed noncoherent optical energy source onto said workpiece in an area which is not to be plated whereby said said sensitizer is flash evaporated from said sensitized workpiece in said area, and thereafter contacting said workpiece with an electroless plating solution to achieve plating thereon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for selectively plating a metal onto a workpiece which comprises, in combination, the steps of applying a sensitizing solution to said workpiece, thereby providing a sensitized workpiece, directing a pulsed noncoherent optical energy source onto said workpiece in an area which is not to be plated whereby said said sensitizer is flash evaporated from said sensitized workpiece in said area, and thereafter contacting said workpiece with an electroless plating solution to achieve plating thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sensitizer is a PdCl 2 --SnCl 2 --HCl solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said energy source has an intensity of at least about 0.01 megawatt per cm 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said area not to be plated is defined by a photomask.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said energy source is a carbon arc lamp modulated by a mechanical chopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said energy source is a mercury vapor lamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said workpiece is a flexible, polymeric film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said film is a polyimide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said area not to be plated is defined by moving said workpiece relative to said energy source to selectively remove said sensitizer from said workpiece.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for continuously plating a metal onto a workpiece which comprises, in combination, the steps of coating a linearly moving flexible workpiece with a sensitizer, positioning a linearly moving photomask in contact with the thus-sensitized workpiece, moving said sensitized workpiece and said photomask thrugh an intense beam of light positioned so that the said beam is directed onto said mask and through selected portions thereof onto said workpiece, whereby the portion of light passing through said selected portions flash evaporates said sensitizer from said sensitized workpiece, separating said photomask from the resulting pattern-sensitized workpiece, and contacting said pattern-sensitized workpiece with an electroless plating solution for a time sufficient to achieve a desired level of plating thereon.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for continuously plating a metal onto a workpiece which comprises, in combination, the steps of coating a linearly moving flexible workpiece with a sensitizer, positioning a linearly moving photomask in contact with the thus-sensitized workpiece, moving said sensitized workpiece and said photomask thrugh an intense beam of light positioned so that the said beam is directed onto said mask and through selected portions thereof onto said workpiece, whereby the portion of light passing through said selected portions flash evaporates said sensitizer from said sensitized workpiece, separating said photomask from the resulting pattern-sensitized workpiece, and contacting said pattern-sensitized workpiece with an electroless plating solution for a time sufficient to achieve a desired level of plating thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said sensitizer is a PdCl 2 --SnCl 2 --HCl solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said intense beam has an intensity of at least about 0.01 megawatt per cm 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said beam is produced by a carbon arc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said beam is produced by a mercury vapor lamp.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said workpiece is a polyimide film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-10 | 1991-02-09 | 1991-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-10 | 1995-02-09 | 1995-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-02-09 | 1999-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |