LASER ACTIVATION OF DIAMOND SURFACE FOR ELECTROLESS METAL PLATING

Selective area electroless nickel and copper deposition onto the surfa ce of diamond single crystals and polycrystalline diamond films has be en realized. Three methods of laser-assisted activation of diamond sur face were applied: (i) prenucleation of diamond surface with a thin la yer of palladium catalyst via laser-induced decomposition of a palladi um acetyl-acetonate [Pd(acac)2] solid film; (ii) deposition of palladi um by means of the decomposition of Pd(acaC)2 dissolved in dimethylfor mamide; (iii) laser-induced damage of diamond surface.