Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil Mask

Abstract Stencil masks are widely utilized in traditional macro‐scale patterning due to their simplicity and versatility in enabling various types of patterns. Compared to photoresist‐based methods, stencil‐based patterning enables chemical‐free processing and curved surface application. However, th...

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Main Authors: Bon‐Jae Koo, Jin‐Hyeong Lee, Hyo‐Kyung Kwon, Hwidon Lee, Joonsoo Jeong, Suk‐Kyun Ahn, Min‐Ho Seo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-07-01
Series:Advanced Electronic Materials
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202400979
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author Bon‐Jae Koo
Jin‐Hyeong Lee
Hyo‐Kyung Kwon
Hwidon Lee
Joonsoo Jeong
Suk‐Kyun Ahn
Min‐Ho Seo
author_facet Bon‐Jae Koo
Jin‐Hyeong Lee
Hyo‐Kyung Kwon
Hwidon Lee
Joonsoo Jeong
Suk‐Kyun Ahn
Min‐Ho Seo
author_sort Bon‐Jae Koo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Stencil masks are widely utilized in traditional macro‐scale patterning due to their simplicity and versatility in enabling various types of patterns. Compared to photoresist‐based methods, stencil‐based patterning enables chemical‐free processing and curved surface application. However, their application to micro‐scale patterning is constrained by challenges including precise fabrication, mechanical stability, and high production costs. Herein, a cost‐ and time‐effective, single‐step UV laser process is presented for fabricating polyimide stencil masks with micrometer‐resolution (down to 42.4 µm feature sizes) by optimizing photothermal effects on material. Specifically, the processing conditions are systematically explored and optimized to enable efficient etching of polyimide with a UV laser while maintaining its structural stability in a glassy state. This approach successfully yielded micro‐patterns with feature sizes below 50 µm on polyimide film. The developed method demonstrated high reproducibility, scalability, and stability, allowing polyimide films of varying thicknesses to be processed into stencil masks with dimensions down to 42.4 µm. Furthermore, the produced masks enable the formation of various micro‐patterns, including polygonal shapes and linear features, with high aspect ratios (<1:235.8) (42.4 µm width, 10 mm length). To demonstrate the practicality of this technology, wearable motion sensors are fabricated using stencil masks and successfully applied to advanced human‐machine interaction.
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spelling doaj-art-490e302a321e4d47bca8a4c562db1f1f2025-08-20T02:44:43ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Electronic Materials2199-160X2025-07-011110n/an/a10.1002/aelm.202400979Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil MaskBon‐Jae Koo0Jin‐Hyeong Lee1Hyo‐Kyung Kwon2Hwidon Lee3Joonsoo Jeong4Suk‐Kyun Ahn5Min‐Ho Seo6Department of Information Convergence Engineering Pusan National University 49 Busandaehak‐ro, Mulgeum‐eup Yangsan‐si Gyeongsangnam‐do 50612 Republic of KoreaSchool of Chemical Engineering Pusan National University Busan 46241 Republic of KoreaSchool of Biomedical Convergence Engineering Pusan National University 49 Busandaehak‐ro, Mulgeum‐eup Yangsan‐si Gyeongsangnam‐do 50612 Republic of KoreaDepartment of Cogno‐Mechatronics Engineering Pusan National University Busan 46241 Republic of KoreaDepartment of Information Convergence Engineering Pusan National University 49 Busandaehak‐ro, Mulgeum‐eup Yangsan‐si Gyeongsangnam‐do 50612 Republic of KoreaSchool of Chemical Engineering Pusan National University Busan 46241 Republic of KoreaDepartment of Information Convergence Engineering Pusan National University 49 Busandaehak‐ro, Mulgeum‐eup Yangsan‐si Gyeongsangnam‐do 50612 Republic of KoreaAbstract Stencil masks are widely utilized in traditional macro‐scale patterning due to their simplicity and versatility in enabling various types of patterns. Compared to photoresist‐based methods, stencil‐based patterning enables chemical‐free processing and curved surface application. However, their application to micro‐scale patterning is constrained by challenges including precise fabrication, mechanical stability, and high production costs. Herein, a cost‐ and time‐effective, single‐step UV laser process is presented for fabricating polyimide stencil masks with micrometer‐resolution (down to 42.4 µm feature sizes) by optimizing photothermal effects on material. Specifically, the processing conditions are systematically explored and optimized to enable efficient etching of polyimide with a UV laser while maintaining its structural stability in a glassy state. This approach successfully yielded micro‐patterns with feature sizes below 50 µm on polyimide film. The developed method demonstrated high reproducibility, scalability, and stability, allowing polyimide films of varying thicknesses to be processed into stencil masks with dimensions down to 42.4 µm. Furthermore, the produced masks enable the formation of various micro‐patterns, including polygonal shapes and linear features, with high aspect ratios (<1:235.8) (42.4 µm width, 10 mm length). To demonstrate the practicality of this technology, wearable motion sensors are fabricated using stencil masks and successfully applied to advanced human‐machine interaction.https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202400979laser processingmicro‐patterningpolyimide filmsstencil masks
spellingShingle Bon‐Jae Koo
Jin‐Hyeong Lee
Hyo‐Kyung Kwon
Hwidon Lee
Joonsoo Jeong
Suk‐Kyun Ahn
Min‐Ho Seo
Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil Mask
Advanced Electronic Materials
laser processing
micro‐patterning
polyimide films
stencil masks
title Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil Mask
title_full Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil Mask
title_fullStr Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil Mask
title_full_unstemmed Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil Mask
title_short Photo‐Thermal Approaches on Polyimide Film for Demonstration of Sub‐50 µm Polymer Stencil Mask
title_sort photo thermal approaches on polyimide film for demonstration of sub 50 µm polymer stencil mask
topic laser processing
micro‐patterning
polyimide films
stencil masks
url https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202400979
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