An Improved LIEP Method Utilizing Electrothermal Technology

Laser Induced Electroless Plating(LIEP) has many advantages such as homogeneous microstructure, relatively low cost, feasibility to be applied on non-metal substrates and operated at room temperature with relative simple equipment, and thus received much attentions in flexible circuit making. But the wide application of LIEP is also limited by poor accuracy, low speed and low repeatability brought by the temperature, concentration, thickness of plating solution. An improved approach is proposed in this paper aiming at enhancing the Laser Induced Electroless plating on the fabric utilizing the AC electrothermal technology. A mathematical model is also established and the simulation is carried out. The results show that it is not only effective and feasible, but also capable of minimizing the pollution greatly, and thus of great convenience for future micro electro mechanical systems and its microfabraction.