It has been claimed that excimer laser ablation can prove to be a lower-cost option for the patterning of thin-film metal circuits on plastic substrates without using photo-resist.

Printed Electronics World reports that the technique could significantly reduce the cost of producing electronic circuits and patterned conductive layers of material including palladium can be directly patterned using the process.

In most cases, patterning of the thin layers is achieved using photolithographic methods, which can prove costly.

By using this new technique, it is hoped that a new breed of low-cost electronic circuits could be used in RFID tags and biosensors.

Source:

Plastic electronics using excimer laser ablation, 5/11/07
http://www.idtechex.com/printedelectronicsworld/articles/plastic_electronics_using_excimer_laser_ablation_00000740.asp

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