Patent ID: 7320936
Filing Date: 2008-01-22
Classification: C23C,C25D,G11B,H01F,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method of applying layers to conductive areas of a substrate comprising the steps of: (a) electrophoretically depositing an insulator onto said conductive areas of the substrate to provide an insulating layer, wherein a catalyst is co-deposited with the insulating layer, and wherein the insulating layer is electrophoretically deposited from an emulsion of insulator particles, and the catalyst is dissolved in solution in the emulsion; and (b) electroless plating a conductive layer onto the insulating layer, in which the catalyst activates the electroless plating; wherein the insulating layer is activated before electroless plating of the conductive layer; and wherein the insulating layer is activated by plasma etching to remove a surface portion of the insulating layer to expose the catalyst.