UV laser microprocessing and post chemical etching on ultrathin Al2O3 ceramic substrate

In this study, an Nd:YVO4 UV laser was used for microprocessing ultrathin (125 mu m) ceramic plates for use as a multi-layer microchip substrate. The effects of the UV laser microprocessing parameters, including laser power density, frequency, laser scanning speed, and pass delay on microprocessing accuracy and quality (kerf width and arithmetic average roughness R-a on the kerf sidewall) were investigated by means of a 4 x 4 orthogonal design. The key processing parameters were determined and optimized for small kerf width and minimal R-a of the kerf sidewall while retaining high production efficiency. Subsequent chemical etching of the laser processed areas was performed to reduce the kerf surface and kerf sidewall roughness by removing debris and the thin recast layer for the required size precision and post gilding treatment. The results showed that a clean surface and crack-free kerf sidewall with roughness R-a of 0.16 mu m could be achieved by laser microprocessing and chemical etching. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.