LASER-ASSISTED METALLIZATION OF POLYPHENYLQUINOXALINE

Electroless copper metallization of polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ) was ca rried out using a palladium acetyl acetonate (Pd(acac)2) precursor. A continuous wave Ar ion laser was used to decompose the Pd(acac)2 organ ometallic layer deposited onto the PPQ. The samples were then processe d in a copper electroless plating solution of conventional composition . The sample surfaces were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscop y before any treatment, after laser irradiation and at the very first stages of copper growth. An estimate of the temperature reached by the polymer under the laser beam was obtained by analysing the interferen ce pattern reflected by the surface. Breakdown fields of the polymer d ielectric were found in the region of 1 MV cm-1 and are weakly affecte d by the electrochemical processes.