Pre-bonding technology based on excimer laser surface treatment

The application of ArF excimer laser for surface pre-treatment of polycarbo nate, polyetherimide, polyaryl ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) composite, fibergl ass, aluminum, copper and fused silica was investigated. Various substrates were tested with excimer laser irradiation using various parameters, such as intensity, repetition rate, and number of pulses. The optimal laser trea tment parameters were found for each material needed for achieving maximum adhesional strength of the corresponding bonded joints. Experimental result s indicated that UV laser surface treatment improved significantly the adhe sion strength compared to conventional treated substrates for all the mater ials tested. The improved adhesion was correlated with the roughening of th e irradiated surface, chemical modification and removal of contamination. ( C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.