One-step curing process of conductive paste based on a UV pulse laser for a frequency selective surface

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Laser Processing

Background:

• Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) are crucial two-dimensional periodic structures often utilizing conductive paste and metal films.
• Efficient curing and material removal are key challenges in FSS fabrication.
• Existing methods may face limitations in precision and material integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of ultraviolet (UV) pulse-laser-induced curing for conductive paste in FSS applications.
• To explore a method for simultaneous efficient curing and surplus material removal.
• To analyze the impact of laser parameters on conductive paste properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilized UV pulse laser with defocus control for irradiating conductive paste on FSS structures.
• Systematically studied the curing process by measuring Ohmic resistance and bonding force.
• Analyzed effects of varying conductive paste thickness and laser scanning parameters.

Main Results:

• Controllable defocusing of the UV pulse laser effectively solidified conductive paste, enabling electrical connections.
• Achieved a peel strength greater than 7.1 N/cm for the cured conductive paste.
• Identified that pulse laser curing requires a longer duration compared to continuous UV curing.

Conclusions:

• UV pulse laser curing with defocus control offers a viable method for fabricating FSS with improved conductive paste properties.
• The technique successfully balances curing efficiency with material integrity, preventing ablation.
• Further optimization may be needed to address the longer curing times for industrial scalability.