Abstract
In order to understand the removal mechanism and seek the optimal conditions. KrF excimer laser ablation of Cr films on glass substrates is investigated. The surface morphology of the laser-irradiated spot is examined by SEM. The measured single-shot ablation rate is found to be about two times the result of numerical analysis based on a surface vaporization model and heat conduction theory. Surface morphology examination indicates that the Cr film is removed by the sequence of melting-surface vaporization-,melt expulsion by plasma recoil and that the outmost ripple of the diffraction pattern gives a strong effect on the morphology of molten Cr during the melting and vaporization processes. To seek the optimal process parameters for micro patterning morphological investigation is carried out experimentally on samples having different chromium film thicknesses. Optimal processing conditions are determined to enhance the accuracy and quality of thin film removal for micro patterning.
