Laser-assisted via hole metallization in PCB materials

A novel via hole metallization method is presented, where the vias are drilled in polyimide/copper (PI/Cu) flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs) using KrF excimer pulses, and then pre-metallized using a scanned Ar super(+) laser. In the pre-metallization step, a thin (20-50 nm) and narrow (2-10 mu m) palladium layer is deposited on the polyimide-covered side of the PCB and on the wall of the vias using the laser-induced chemical liquid-phase deposition method. After the pretreatment, the Pd covered holes are immersed into a Cu electroless plating bath. Plated copper vertical and horizontal interconnects are analyzed by optical microscopy, focused ion beam, profilometry and resistivity measurements. The results show that the copper deposits formed on the pre-metallized surface of PCBs have high chemical purity, excellent adhesion and almost bulk conductivity, but, so far, due to unclear reasons, high through hole resistance.