Laser Micro/Nano processing for Functional Electronics

Abstract

Inkjet direct writing of functional materials provides a promising pathway towards realization of ultra-low-cost, large-area printed electronics, albeit at the expense of lowered resolution (similar to 20-50 mu m). We demonstrate that selective laser sintering and ablation of inkjet-printed metal nanoparticles enables low-temperature metal deposition as well as high-resolution patterning. Combined with an air-stable carboxylate-functionalized polythiophene, all-inkjet-printed and laser-processed organic field effect transistors with micron to submicron critical feature resolution were fabricated in a fully maskless sequence, eliminating the need for any lithographic processes. All processing and characterization steps were carried out at plastic-compatible low temperatures and in air under ambient pressure. The fundamental mechanisms of the nanoparticle sintering process have been investigated by both Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations as well as in-situ probing.