A process for selective micro metallisation of polymers has been developed by IPU, in close collaboration with the micro manufacturing group of Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

The process is called Laser Induced Selective Activation (or LISA), because a laser beam is used to induce a change in the surface structure of a given polymer, which enables chemical selective activation (and subsequent selective plating) of the desired areas of the polymer. The main advantages of the process are listed here:

• Standard commercial grades of thermoplastic polymers can be successfully plated, which makes LISA more flexible than other laser based methods such as the LPKF LDS method
• Tracks can be from approximately 80 micrometers to several millimetres in width depending on the type of laser used
• For metallisation - typically with copper, nickel and gold - standard commercial plating baths can be used
• The use of dangerous chemicals and precious metals are at an extremely low level
• Adhesion of the metal tracks to the polymer substrate is excellent

IPU and DTU are now actively working towards commercialisation of the process, particularly for moulded interconnect devices (MID) in applications in areas such as medical sensors, antenna systems, automotive and optics.

For more information please contact Peter T. Tang.

Cross-section of a 2 mm thick polycarbonate substrate with four copper tracks med by the LISA process.