Patent ID: 6423207
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: C25F,H05K

Abstract:
A method of making, by wet etching, depressions in selected portions of an etching surface of an electrically conductive etching material, the depressions forming an etching pattern, the method comprising the step of:contacting the etching material with an etchant, characterised by the steps of: forming on the etching material a passivating layer, which reduces or prevents the etching capability of the etchant on the surface and which is dissolved in a chemical reaction when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, providing an electrode with electrically conductive electrode portions in selected portions of an electrode surface, said electrode portions forming an electrode pattern corresponding to the etching pattern, arranging the electrode in contact with the etchant and with the electrode portions facing the etching surface of the etching material, and applying an electric voltage between the electrode and the etching material, and exposing the etching material to electromagnetic radiation in at least one wavelength range through the electrode portions essentially perpendicular to the etching surface to remove the passivating agent from the surfaces to be etched.