Patent ID: 7026254

Claim:
A method of making a mask or an electronic part, the method comprising the steps of: I) providing a precursor which comprises: a substrate having a conductive surface of copper or a copper-rich alloy; and a thermally sensitive composite layer structure having an inner surface contiguous to the substrate and an outer surface, the composite layer structure comprising: (a) a first layer having an inner surface, the first layer comprising a first polymeric material and a photothermal conversion material, wherein the first polymeric material is soluble or dispersible in an aqueous solution and the photothermal conversion material comprises an infrared absorbing compound; and (b) a second layer having an outer surface, the second layer comprising a second polymeric material, wherein the second layer is insoluble in the aqueous solution II) imagewise exposing the composite layer structure to thermal energy to provide exposed portions and complimentary unexposed portions in the composite layer structure, wherein the exposed portions of the composite layer structure are selectively removable by the aqueous solution; and (III) applying the aqueous solution to the outer surface to remove the exposed portions of the composite layer structure to produce an imaged article having uncovered areas of the substrate and complimentary remaining regions of the composite layer structure.