Patent ID: 8593727
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: B23K,G02B

Abstract:
1. A method comprising spatially selectively irradiating in a predetermined pattern with an output beam of a laser system an interface between a polymer membrane and a metal film on the polymer membrane, wherein: (a) the polymer membrane is less than about 10 μm thick and is substantially transparent to the output beam of the laser system; (b) output of the laser system comprises a sequence of pulses; and (c) the output of the laser system is characterized by wavelength between about 500 nm and about 1100 nm, pulse duration less than about 50 ps, pulse energy between about 0.1 μJ and about 2 μJ, and beam size between about 10 μm and about 40 μm at the polymer/metal interface so that each pulse from the laser system that irradiates an area of the polymer/metal interface substantially completely removes by ablation the metal film from at least a portion of the irradiated area without substantially altering surfaces or bulk of the polymer membrane and without leaving on the polymer membrane or on remaining areas of the metal film substantial residue of metal that resolidified after being melted by laser irradiation.