US4898650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser cleaning of metal stock
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
•
Filing: 1988-05-10
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Granted: 1990-02-06
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Expires: 2008-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A method of cleaning a metal surface by means of a laser to improve the surface characteristics, prior to plating thereover with a noble metal, such as gold. More particularly, the method hereof includes the steps of illuminating the desired areas of said metal surface with a laser beam; provided, however, the laser power density is controlled to vaporize surface contaminants and embedded foreign materials, without significantly altering the properties of the metal, in preparation for plating said cleaned areas with said noble metal.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff C. Wu
- 👤 George B. Cvijanovich
- 👤 Richard T. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:16
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D5/00; C25D5/34; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/3489
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of cleaning the nickel plated surface of an electrically conductive metal by removing surface contaminants therefrom, by the application of an excimer laser light, where said contaminants strongly absorb the laser light and said nickel plated metal is capable of absorbing laser wavelengths between 193 and 351 nm by at least 10%, comprising the step of subjecting said nickel plated metal to at least a single pulse of a laser emitting at a wavelength between 193 and 351 nm for a controlled length of pulse width of from 3 to 100 nsec. and sufficient energy density to vaporize said contaminants.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of cleaning the nickel plated surface of an electrically conductive metal by removing surface contaminants therefrom, by the application of an excimer laser light, where said contaminants strongly absorb the laser light and said nickel plated metal is capable of absorbing laser wavelengths between 193 and 351 nm by at least 10%, comprising the step of subjecting said nickel plated metal to at least a single pulse of a laser emitting at a wavelength between 193 and 351 nm for a controlled length of pulse width of from 3 to 100 nsec. and sufficient energy density to vaporize said contaminants.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said laser is operating at a wavelength of from 248 nm to 351 nm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said laser is an excimer laser operating in the ultraviolet spectral region and at an energy density of from 1 to 1.5 J/cm 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said pulse width is from 3 to 15 nsec.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-08-07 | 1994-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-05 | 1997-08-07 | 1998-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-05 | 2001-08-07 | 2002-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |