Most Modern Methods for Cleaning and Surface Modification - Plasma Surface Technology

Photoresists are commonly used in the electronics industry, especially in the printed circuit board industry. These provide the necessary materials for creating a pattern on the surface. There are different types of photoresist which are used based on what thickness of cover you want on the substrate. There are both negative and positive photoresists. Negative photoresists are those which don’t get affected by the UV light and become strengthened on exposure. Positive photoresists get affected by the light and dissolve off leaving the substrate exposed in the exposed portion. Other than in the electronics industry these photoresists are also used in the electroplating and lithography. The photoresists allow for complex patterns to be imprinted on a surface.

One of the most important uses of photoresists is in the printed circuit board industry. The photoresists are used to cover the substrate and then removed using UV rays. The negative photoresists are what is mainly used in the printed circuit board industry. They enable to produce complex patterns in small sizes very easily and economically. This enables for complex wiring of an electronic system to be done very economically. Another major application of photoresists is in the integrated circuits and wafer industry. This has led to making the creation of multiple circuits in a small unit very economically.

SU8 is a negative photoresist that is highly used in the microelectronics industry. It has got excellent cross linking properties which makes it very strong and not easily dissolved during development. This was developed for use in the semiconductor industry for making a high-resolution mask. It has also found use in other industries. However, the problem with SU8 is the difficulty of removing it after development form high aspect-ratio structures. The chemical methods used for the removal of the photoresist have proved to be inefficient and expensive. It also affects the other portions of the substrate. There was a need to find an alternate method of removing the SU8 photoresist. Plasma processing has been found to be the best method of removing SU8 photoresist from any surface without fear of destroying the substrate.

Alpha Plasma has been at the forefront of developing the technology for removing the photoresist. We have developed the microwave plasma cleaner which helps in economical removal of the photoresist. Our microwave plasma cleaners are available in different sizes for use in different industries. We have helped many of the printed circuit board and other electronic industries to use this technology economically for removing photoresist. Our machines can be used for removal of photoresist after the wet or dry etching process. They remove all types of photoresists including SU8 photoresist. These machines are also used in the removing sacrificial layers in MEMS fabrication.

Alpha Plasma also makes machines for the making surfaces more suitable for bonding. Our plasma surface modification equipment is being very commonly used.

We have also helped spread the plasma etching by supplying very affordable machines to the different industries. Alpha Plasma will continue to research the process and provide more support to industries to make their processes cheaper.

So, it is convenient to get the high-grade plasma systems of all industrial uses and surface cleaning needs of clients at “Alpha Plasma” in Singapore at reasonable cost.