Plating processes utilizing high intensity acoustic beams
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (US)
InventorsRichard C. Oeftering, Charles Denofrio
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Abstract
A system and a method for selective plating processes are disclosed which use directed beams of high intensity acoustic waves to create non-linear effects that alter and improve the plating process. The directed beams are focused on the surface of an object, which in one embodiment is immersed in a plating solution, and in another embodiment is suspended above a plating solution. The plating processes provide precise control of the thickness of the layers of the plating, while at the same time, in at least some incidents, eliminates the need for masking.
Claims67
A system used for plating objects comprising:
- a) a container holding a plating solution in which is lodged anode and cathode electrodes connected to respective electroplating voltages and with the cathode electrode connected to the object to be plated, said container having means for holding an object at least near said plating solution;
- b) a source of radio frequency (RF) having an output;
- and
- c) a transducer receiving said output of said RF frequency source and developing an output beam of acoustic waves directed at least near said object.
A method used for plating objects comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a container holding a plating solution in which is lodged anode and cathode electrodes connected to respective electroplating voltages and with the cathode electrode connected to the object to be plated, said container having means for holding an object at least near said plating solution;
- b) providing a source of radio frequency (RF) having an output;
- and
- c) providing a transducer receiving said output of said RF frequency source and developing an output beam of acoustic waves which are directed at least near said object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.