Laser-enhanced jet plating: A method of high-speed maskless patterning

We describe a metal deposition technique that combines free-standing jet plating with an intense laser beam, directed collinearly along the jet. Experiments were made to deposit gold areas on nick-plated beryllium-copper substrates. The deposits are found to be crack-free and dense, possessing excellent adhesion to the substrate. Deposition rates for 0.05-cm-diam gold spots are on the order of 10 μm/s, faster than any previously reported rate for gold plating.