Laser-assisted electrochemical deposition on certain cathodes

Irradiation by multi-line average-power argon laser was used for the enhanc ement of the electrochemical deposition of gold and copper from cyanide sol ution, and copper and nickel from sulfate solutions. The deposition rate wa s significantly increased with increasing laser power. The diameter of the laser focus on the cathode was less than 30 mum at a power density (intensi ty) of 0.1 MW/cm(2). The increase in deposition rate may be explained by th ermal activation of the cathode/electrolyte surface at the interface. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.