US4691091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Direct writing of conductive patterns
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1985-12-31
•
Granted: 1987-09-01
•
Expires: 2005-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Electrically conductive paths are produced on a polymeric substrate by laser writing, i.e., by tracing desired paths on the substrate by a laser beam. The resulting paths comprise electrically conductive carbon as produced by thermal decomposition of substrate surface material; the paths can serve; e.g., as electrical interconnections akin to printed circuitry on a wiring board. Optionally, the conductivity of paths can be enhanced by electroplating a suitable conductor metal or alloy onto the paths.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan M. Lyons
- 👤 Frederick T. Mendenhall, Jr.
- 👤 Murray Robbins
- 👤 Nathaniel R. Quick
- 👤 Cletus W. Wilkins, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:27
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/10; H05K3/105; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/10; H05K2203/107; H05K2203/11; H05K2203/1136
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for making a conductive pattern on a substrate of which at least a surface portion consists essentially of a polymeric material, said method comprising a step of directing a laser beam onto said surface portion and causing relative motion between said beam and said substrate so as to delineate said pattern on said surface portion, said motion being controlled so as to cause thermal decomposition of selected portions of said material, whereby said selected portions are transformed into an electrically conductive carbon material such that rsistance of conductive paths in said pattern is less than 16 ohms/cm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for making a conductive pattern on a substrate of which at least a surface portion consists essentially of a polymeric material, said method comprising a step of directing a laser beam onto said surface portion and causing relative motion between said beam and said substrate so as to delineate said pattern on said surface portion, said motion being controlled so as to cause thermal decomposition of selected portions of said material, whereby said selected portions are transformed into an electrically conductive carbon material such that rsistance of conductive paths in said pattern is less than 16 ohms/cm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method of claim 1 in which said laser beam traverses an optical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method of claim 2 in which said laser beam is defocused by said lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method of claim 1 in which said laser beam is produced by a CO 2 laser or a Nd:YAG laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method of claim 1 in which said laser beam is deflected by a movable mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method of claim 1 in which said substrate is a circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method of claim 1 in which said substrate is an interconnection block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method of claim 1 in which said substrate is a module/daughter board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 1, said method comprising a step of plating metal onto said selected portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Article of manufacture having a conductive pattern made by the method of claim 1.
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) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |