JP2011100918A - Method of forming electrically conductive pattern and apparatus for forming the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of forming an electrically conductive pattern by printing a pattern on a substrate using a dispersion liquid of metal fine particles, and heating the printed substrate to sinter the metal fine particles, wherein the problems of melting, deformation, and discoloring of the substrate during sintering of the metal fine particles and difficulty in reducing the sintering time of the metal fine particles, in the case a low heat-resistant resin film is used for the substrate, are solved by the method. <P>SOLUTION: A printed substrate 100, which is formed by printing a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a metal-compound solution, is prepared beforehand. The printed substrate 100 is exposed to plasma within a process chamber 11 of a pattern forming apparatus that generates microwave surface-wave plasma to sinter the metal component of the pattern-printed substrate, thereby forming an electrically conductive pattern. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention draws a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a metal compound solution, exposes the drawn pattern to microwave surface wave plasma, and sinters to form a conductive pattern. The present invention relates to a method and a conductive pattern forming apparatus.

  There is already known a circuit board that forms a circuit pattern by drawing a pattern on a non-conductive substrate surface using a fine particle dispersion in which metal fine particles are dispersed, and sintering the metal fine particles present in the pattern. .

  For example, a paste composition in which metal fine particles made of a metal such as gold, silver, copper, or an alloy thereof are stably dispersed in an organic solvent is used for drawing on the substrate surface, and then on the drawn substrate. A circuit temperature is formed by applying a heating temperature and sintering the fine metal particles.

  The paste composition used in such a circuit pattern forming method is a compound (for example, amine, alcohol, phenol, thiol) that can coordinate the surface of metal fine particles having an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm with the metal element. In the paste composition, the fine metal particles are dispersed and exist in a stable form in an organic solvent.

In addition, drawing using the paste composition is performed using various methods such as ink jet and screen printing.
Then, a heating temperature is applied to the drawing pattern to remove the coating layer of the metal fine particles, and the metal fine particles are sintered together to form a circuit pattern.
Note that epoxy, polyimide, thermosetting resin, or the like is used for the substrate.

According to the circuit pattern forming method described above, it is possible to produce a build-up wiring board, a plastic wiring board, a printed wiring board, etc. For example, the line / space is 25 μm / 25 μm and the specific resistance is 4 × 10 ⁻⁵ Ω. A fine circuit pattern can be formed.

JP 2002-299833 A

  In the conventional circuit pattern forming method described above, when a resin film having low heat resistance is used as a base material, the base material may be melted and deformed when the metal fine particles are sintered, and the fine particles are coated. It is necessary to lengthen the heating time in order to remove the compound to be performed, and it is difficult to shorten the formation time of the conductive pattern.

In particular, for base metal fine particles such as copper and nickel, and metal compound fine particles such as copper oxide, it is necessary to sinter in a reducing gas atmosphere in order to suppress and reduce oxidation during sintering. However, since a temperature of 300 ° C. or higher is necessary for the reduction reaction, for example, sintering on a resin film having a low heat resistance having a melting point of 280 ° C. or lower is, for example, 120 ° C. to 150 ° C. There is a problem that it is more difficult because it is thermally deformed at a temperature of ° C.
Moreover, since it takes a long time to control the atmosphere of the reducing gas and to sinter, it is very difficult to sinter the pattern produced on the roll film.

Furthermore, for those with a large area, there is a difficulty in forming a uniform conductive pattern, and since the base material may be discolored, it is necessary to form a conductive pattern for conductive parts that require high transmittance. Not suitable.
The present invention aims to solve such problems as much as possible.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the conductive pattern forming method of the present invention forms a conductive pattern by drawing a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a solution and then sintering the drawn pattern. Regarding the method.
The pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution as the solution, and the sintering process is performed by supplying microwave energy from an irradiation window of a processing chamber consisting of a decompression chamber, and generating microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber. An electrodeless plasma generating means is used.
Thus, the drawing pattern is configured to be sintered by being exposed to microwave surface wave plasma having a low electron temperature and a high electron density.

As the above-mentioned metal compound solution, a mixture of copper sulfate, concentrated aqueous ammonia, sodium hydroxide, high-purity cellulose, water, citric acid (C ₆ H ₈ O ₇ ), copper hydroxide Cu (OH) ₂ and polyvinyl A mixture in which alcohol (PVA) is dissolved, or a mixture of acetylacetone, copper hydroxide, and glycol can be used.
As the metal compound solution, a compound solution in which metal fine particles are mixed can be used.

Furthermore, an inorganic material substrate or a synthetic resin substrate is used as the base material depending on the application.
The synthetic resin substrate may be in the form of a film.
Moreover, in order to improve the adhesiveness of a base material and a conductive layer, before drawing a pattern with a metal compound solution, it is preferable to apply | coat polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution to the said base material.
The metal compound solution can be drawn by a normal printing method, and after drawing, the drawing pattern is dried.

The dried drawing pattern is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma and sintered.
For this sintering, electrodeless plasma generating means for supplying microwave energy from the irradiation window into the processing chamber and generating microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber can be used.
As the plasma generating means, microwave energy having a frequency of 2450 MHz is supplied from the irradiation window of the processing chamber, and the electron temperature is about 1 eV or less and the electron density is about 1 × 10 ¹¹ to 1 × 10 ¹³ in the processing chamber. A cm ⁻³ microwave surface wave plasma can be generated.

On the other hand, the following first invention, second invention, and third invention are proposed as inventions of a pattern forming apparatus for forming a conductive pattern.
A pattern forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a pattern forming apparatus in which a pattern is drawn on a non-conductive substrate using a solution, and the conductive pattern is formed by processing the drawn pattern. A substrate on which a pattern is drawn, an electrodeless plasma generating means for generating microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber by supplying microwave energy from an irradiation window of a processing chamber configured as a decompression chamber, and the pattern is drawn A processing base for placing the base material in the processing chamber, the base material on which the pattern is drawn is placed on the processing base, the drawing pattern is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber, and a conductive pattern is formed. It is the structure to form.

  A pattern forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a pattern forming apparatus that forms a conductive pattern by drawing a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a solution and processing the drawn pattern, using a metal compound solution A substrate on which a pattern is drawn, an electrodeless plasma generating means for generating microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber by supplying microwave energy from an irradiation window of a processing chamber configured as a decompression chamber, and the pattern is drawn A processing stand for disposing the base material in the processing chamber, and further, a first preliminary chamber associated with a loading port of the processing chamber, a second preliminary chamber associated with the loading port, and the first A pressure reducing mechanism for the first preliminary chamber, opening the inlet, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the substrate on which the pattern is drawn from the first preliminary chamber onto a treatment table in the treatment chamber; An unloading mechanism for releasing the substrate on which the pattern is drawn from the processing table in the treatment chamber to the second preliminary chamber; loading by the loading mechanism; plasma processing by the processing table; and unloading by the unloading mechanism; The substrate having the pattern drawn thereon is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber to form a conductive pattern.

In the first and second inventions described above, a base material in which a pattern is drawn using the above metal compound solution on a base material such as glass or a resin material having a predetermined size is prepared in advance.
In the pattern forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the drawn base material is placed in the processing chamber of the electrodeless plasma generating means, placed on the processing table, and then supplied with microwave energy (microwave power). To do.
As a result, plasma is generated in the processing chamber, but this plasma becomes surface wave plasma generated in a large amount in the processing chamber near the irradiation window.
In the present application, this surface wave plasma is referred to as microwave surface wave plasma for convenience.
Therefore, the drawing pattern of the substrate is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma having a low electron temperature and a high electron density, and the drawing pattern is sintered to form a conductive pattern.

In the pattern forming apparatus of the second invention, when a substrate on which a pattern is drawn is placed in the first preliminary chamber, the substrate is fed onto a processing table in the processing chamber by the carrying-in means.
The processing chamber is configured to generate microwave surface wave plasma regardless of whether the substrate is loaded or unloaded. The drawn substrate is exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma on the processing table, and the fine particles of the drawing pattern are burned. As a result, a conductive pattern is formed.
Subsequently, since the drawn base material is sent out to the second preliminary chamber by the carry-out means, the substrate having the conductive pattern can be taken out from the second preliminary chamber.

  In the pattern forming apparatuses according to the first and second inventions described above, the drawn base material is exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma on the processing table, so that deformation or melting caused by temperature rise may occur. In order to prevent adverse effects, the processing table can be provided with a cooling means for cooling the back surface of the substrate.

  When the pattern forming apparatus of the first and second inventions described above is drawn on a film-like substrate, a portion separated from the portion joined to the processing table surface may be generated due to the curved portion of the substrate. In order to solve this problem, a suction holding unit that sucks the drawn base material into the processing table by air suction may be provided.

  In the pattern forming apparatus of the first and second inventions described above, the treatment table surface can be formed on a gently bulging surface in order to increase the degree of joining of the drawn base materials.

The pattern forming apparatus according to the first and second inventions described above can include a driving unit that rotates the processing table so that the microwave surface wave plasma uniformly strikes the drawn substrate.

Note that even after exposure to microwave surface wave plasma and the drawing pattern sinters into a conductive pattern, the conductive pattern may be exposed to the atmosphere and oxidized if it is removed from the processing chamber in a high temperature state. Therefore, in the case of the pattern forming apparatus of the first invention, the conductive substrate is taken out from the processing chamber after the temperature of the conductive substrate is lowered to the normal temperature (room temperature).
In order to solve this problem, the pattern forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention preferably includes a gas supply means for supplying an oxidation-suppressing gas that suppresses oxidation of the conductive pattern to the second preliminary chamber.

  The pattern forming apparatus of the third invention is a pattern forming apparatus that draws a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a solution and sinters a metal component present in the pattern to form a conductive pattern. Electrodeless plasma that generates surface wave plasma in the processing chamber by supplying microwave energy from a long flexible substrate with a pattern drawn using a metal compound solution and an irradiation window in the processing chamber configured as a decompression chamber And a drawing reel provided between the two reels, a take-up reel around which the flexible base material on which the pattern is drawn is wound, a take-up reel around which the flexible base material is taken up. And a plasma processing roller for irradiating microwave surface wave plasma on the flexible substrate supplied from a take-up reel. While moving the take-up reel through the space between the processing rollers, drawing pattern continuously subjected to sintering treatment by exposure to microwave surface-wave plasma are configured to form a conductive pattern.

  The pattern forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention is provided with a cooling means for cooling the plasma processing roller because the drawn flexible substrate is heated by being exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma in the process of passing through the plasma processing roller. It is preferable to cool the back surface of the flexible substrate.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a cooling roller between the plasma processing roller and the take-up reel, cool the flexible substrate with drawing, whose temperature has been increased by plasma heating, with the cooling roller, lower the temperature, and take up with the take-up reel. .

Further, as the plasma generating means of the first, second and third inventions described above, microwave energy having a frequency of 2450 MHz is supplied from the irradiation window of the processing chamber, and the electron temperature is about 1 eV or less in the processing chamber. A microwave surface wave plasma having a density of about 1 × 10 ¹¹ to 1 × 10 ¹³ cm ⁻³ can be generated.

  The above-described conductive pattern forming method and apparatus for forming the conductive pattern supply a reducing gas such as hydrogen gas to the plasma generating means when the metal component of the metal compound solution is oxidized, and the drawn pattern is reduced to the reducing gas. It is configured to perform reduction treatment and sintering treatment by exposure to microwave surface wave plasma generated in the inside.

As described above, in the present invention, a conductive pattern is formed by sintering a drawing pattern on a substrate using a metal compound solution using a plasma generating means.
The plasma generating means supplies microwave energy (microwave power) from an irradiation window of a processing chamber consisting of a decompression chamber, and generates microwave surface wave plasma generated by microwave excitation in the processing chamber.
Therefore, since the microwave surface wave plasma can be generated without an electrode, the electron temperature is low, and the electron density is high, the following effects can be obtained.

Even when a resin film having low heat resistance, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) is used as a base material, the base material melts when the drawing pattern is sintered because the electronic temperature is low, There is no such thing as deformation.
In addition, since the treatment is performed with microwave surface wave plasma compared to the conventional method of forming a conductive pattern, the electron density is high and the sintering time can be shortened as much as possible.
As a result, the range of use of the substrate having this type of conductive pattern is widened, and it is advantageous for reducing the production cost.

Furthermore, since microwave surface wave plasma is generated by electrodeless plasma generation means, it is possible to form a conductive pattern on a large area substrate, and substrate damage (deformation, discoloration, etc.) due to plasma concentrated by the electrode There is no.
In addition, sintering by microwave surface wave plasma is optimal for forming a conductive pattern on a substrate that requires high transmittance in the substrate because the substrate does not change color.
In addition, the microwave surface wave plasma can be generated in a decompression chamber for supplying microwave energy and becomes a plasma generating means having a simple configuration, so that it can be easily put into practical use.

  In particular, a substrate drawing pattern drawn using a metal compound solution in which a metal component is oxidized is exposed to a microwave surface wave plasma generated in an atmosphere of a reducing gas such as hydrogen gas. Thus, reduction treatment can be performed simultaneously with sintering even at a low temperature.

In addition, after drawing a pattern on a base material using a metal compound solution, it is preferable that the drawing pattern is dried and dried to expose the drawing pattern to microwave surface wave plasma.
In this way, the gas generated during the plasma treatment is suppressed by drying, so that the sintered conductive pattern is cracked or the conductive pattern is peeled off from the substrate. Is prevented.

  Furthermore, after drawing a pattern on a substrate using a metal compound solution containing metal fine particles, this conductive pattern is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma to form a conductive pattern as described above. Can do.

As the metal compound solution containing metal fine particles, one kind or two or more kinds of fine metal particles such as noble metal fine particles, base metal fine particles, copper fine particles, base metal fine particles whose surface is oxidized or copper fine particles are mixed. Metal compound solutions can be used.
The fine particle diameter is preferably about 1 to 100 nm.
In particular, a conductive pattern composed of a pattern drawn using a metal compound solution containing metal fine particles can increase the amount of metal per unit area.

  Therefore, according to the pattern forming apparatus of the present invention, the reduction treatment and the sintering treatment can be performed simultaneously and continuously, so that it is suitable for continuous production of a substrate having a conductive pattern, and the drawn long flexible substrate. If the material is supplied from the take-up reel and is plasma-treated by the plasma treatment roller, it is possible to reduce and sinter the substrate with a long drawing, while cooling the drawn substrate. If it is configured to be exposed to plasma, there is an effect that the thermal damage of the substrate can be reduced as much as possible.

It is a simplified sectional view of the pattern formation device shown as an embodiment. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a pattern forming apparatus shown as apparatus example 1. FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating a pattern forming apparatus according to an apparatus embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the process stand with which the pattern formation apparatus of apparatus Example 1 is equipped, a pushing up lever, a carrying-in movement board, and printed matter. FIG. 3 is a simplified view of a processing table portion illustrating a printed material carrying-in operation in the pattern forming apparatus according to the apparatus embodiment 1; It is a simplified sectional view showing an example in which a cooling pipe is provided as a cooling means on the above-described processing table. It is a simplified diagram of a processing stand portion showing a configuration in which the above-described push-up bar is used as a suction unit for printed matter. It is a simplified view of a processing table portion showing a configuration in which the surface of the processing table described above is gently bulged to more accurately join a printed material. FIG. 3 is a simplified view of a processing table portion showing a configuration in which a large number of suction holes are provided in the processing table and the printed material is sucked and held. It is sectional drawing of the processing stand shown in FIG. It is a simple perspective view of the pattern formation apparatus shown as apparatus Example 2. It is a simplified sectional view of a pattern forming apparatus of apparatus Example 2. It is a simplified cross-sectional view of a pattern forming apparatus shown as an improved example of the apparatus embodiment 2.

First, an embodiment of a method for forming a conductive pattern will be described.
In practicing the present invention, a substrate on which a pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution is prepared in advance.
As the metal compound solution, a mixture of copper sulfate, concentrated aqueous ammonia, sodium hydroxide, and high-purity cellulose can be used, and before the pattern is drawn, a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution is applied to the substrate surface. The adhesion of the conductive pattern to the substrate can be enhanced.

A pattern is drawn on a non-conductive substrate using such a metal compound solution.
As the substrate, an inorganic material substrate or a synthetic resin substrate is used depending on the application.
The synthetic resin substrate may be in the form of a film.

A pattern is drawn on the substrate using the metal compound solution.
Specifically, a pattern corresponding to the conductive pattern to be formed is determined and drawn using a metal compound solution.
This drawing can be realized by, for example, gravure printing, screen printing, offset printing, flexographic printing, ink jet printing, dispenser printing, spin coating, bar coating, and the like.

After drawing as described above, the drawing pattern on the substrate is dried.
This drying may be performed by a normal method. For example, it can be dried using an oven or an infrared heating furnace.
The substrate prepared by drawing a pattern in advance as described above is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma to fuse the metal component of the drawing pattern to achieve conductivity.

As the microwave surface wave plasma, a plasma generator for generating surface wave plasma by supplying microwave energy into a decompressed processing chamber can be used.
As described above, the microwave surface wave plasma has characteristics of high electron density and low electron temperature, and is an electrodeless plasma, and therefore does not damage the substrate.
Specifically, the microwave surface wave plasma has a high electron density of 1 × 10 ¹¹ to 1 × 10 ¹³ cm ⁻³ and has a strong effect of removing organic substances. Form.

In addition, when the metal component of the metal compound solution is oxidized, a reducing gas such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, ammonia, nitrogen or a mixed gas thereof is supplied, and the atmosphere of the reducing gas is supplied. The drawing pattern is exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma generated therein, and the drawing pattern is reduced and sintered.
Further, the reducing gas has an effect that plasma is easily generated when an inert gas such as helium, argon, neon, krypton, or xenon is mixed and used.

Next, an embodiment of a pattern forming apparatus for conductive patterns will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a pattern forming apparatus, and a substrate (drawn substrate) 100 to be plasma-treated is placed on a processing table 12 provided in a processing chamber 11.
The drawn substrate 100 is a substrate prepared by drawing a pattern using a metal compound solution as described above, drying the drawn pattern, and opening the door 13 of the processing chamber 11 to open the processing table 12. And is taken out from the processing chamber 11.

A microwave irradiation window 14 sealed with quartz glass is provided on the ceiling wall of the processing chamber 11, and microwave surface wave plasma is generated by microwave power (microwave energy) irradiated from the microwave irradiation window 14.
Microwave power is sent to the microwave irradiation window 14 from a coupling hole 16 provided in the waveguide 15.
That is, the waveguide 15 forms a waveguide system circuit together with the isolator 17, the power monitor 18, the tuner 19, and the like, and the microwave power of the frequency 2450 MHz output from the magnetron 20 is passed through the waveguide system circuit. And propagates into the processing chamber 11 through the coupling hole 16 and the microwave irradiation window 14.
The microwave power is a high frequency power of 2450 MHz, but a frequency range of 2450 MHz / ± 50 MHz is allowed due to an accuracy error of the magnetron 20 and the like.

The processing chamber 11 is provided with a hydrogen supply path (pipe) 21 for supplying hydrogen gas. The hydrogen supply path 21 is provided with a flow meter 22 and a valve 23.
Further, the processing chamber 11 is provided with a vacuum pump path (pipe) 24 for decompressing the inside of the processing chamber 11. The vacuum pump path 24 is provided with a vacuum pump 25 and a valve 26.
In addition, the processing chamber 11 is provided with a pressure gauge 27 for measuring the reduced pressure state in the processing chamber 11.

According to the pattern forming apparatus described above, the microwave power supplied into the processing chamber 11 is turned into plasma in an atmosphere of hydrogen gas, and the microwave surface wave plasma along the microwave irradiation window 14 is formed in the processing chamber 11. Occurs.
The microwave surface wave plasma is generated as a microwave surface wave plasma having an electron temperature as low as about 1 eV or less and an electron density as high as about 1 × 10 ¹¹ to 1 × 10 ¹³ cm ^−3. The drawn substrate 100 exposed to plasma forms a conductive pattern by oxidizing and reducing metal components present in the pattern and fusing the metal components together in a short time.

Subsequently, embodiments of the pattern forming apparatus will be described as apparatus embodiments 1 and 2 with reference to the drawings.
In the following description of the examples, glass, resin film, and the like are referred to as “substrate”, and a substrate on which a pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution is referred to as “printed matter”.

Apparatus Example 1
2 is a simplified perspective view of the pattern forming apparatus shown as the apparatus embodiment 1, and FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the pattern forming apparatus.
In this embodiment, a quadrilateral printed material 100 is drawn in advance by drawing on a substrate using a metal compound solution, and the drawn pattern is dried, and the printed material 100 is heated to form a conductive pattern. .

As shown in the figure, this pattern forming apparatus is provided with a processing table 32 in a processing chamber 31 for generating a microwave surface wave plasma 30, and a printed material 100 is placed on the processing table 32 and exposed to plasma.
In the present embodiment, the microwave power output from the three magnetrons 33a, 33b, and 33c is sent into the processing chamber 31 through the respective waveguide circuits 34a, 34b, and 34c, and a wide range of microwaves is transmitted. A surface wave plasma is generated.
As already described, the waveguide system circuit is a circuit system such as an isolator, a power monitor, and a tuner provided in the waveguides 35a, 35b, and 35c.

In addition, microwave power irradiation windows 36a, 36b, and 36c are provided on the ceiling wall of the processing chamber 31 so as to face the coupling holes of the waveguides 35a, 35b, and 35c arranged in parallel.
The irradiation windows 36a, 36b, and 36c are made of quartz glass so as to seal the processing chamber 31.
The processing chamber 31 is provided with a hydrogen supply path (pipe) 37 for supplying hydrogen gas and a vacuum pump path 38.
Reference numeral 39 is a valve provided in the hydrogen supply path (pipe) 37, and reference numerals 40 and 41 are valves provided in the vacuum pump path 38 and a vacuum pump.

On the other hand, the processing chamber 31 is provided with a first spare chamber 42 that can communicate with the carry-in port 31a and a second spare chamber 43 that can communicate with the carry-out port 31b.
That is, the first preliminary chamber 42 opens the normally closed shutter 44 provided in the carry-in port 31a to communicate with the processing chamber 31, and the second pre-chamber 43 has a normally closed structure provided in the carry-out port 31b. The shutter 45 is opened to communicate with the processing chamber 31.

The first preliminary chamber 42 is a part chamber that should be called a standby chamber for carrying the printed material 100 into the processing chamber 31, and is provided with a lid plate 42 a that can be sealed, and the printed material 100 is opened by opening the lid plate 42 a. Is delivered into the first spare chamber 42.
The first preliminary chamber 42 is provided with a carry-in moving plate 46 for loading the printed material 100 and carrying it into the processing chamber 31.
The carry-in moving plate 46 is provided with a drive mechanism for moving back and forth between the first preliminary chamber 42 and the processing table 32 in the processing chamber 31. However, the carry-in moving plate 46 is manually advanced and retracted. It is good also as a structure.

  Further, a vacuum pump path (pipe) 47 is disposed in the first preliminary chamber 42 described above, and the first preliminary chamber 42 is decompressed and the shutter 44 is opened with the cover plate 42a closed, and the printed material 100 is printed. Is carried into the processing chamber 31.

The carry-in moving plate 46 and the processing table 32 are configured as shown in FIG.
That is, through holes 32a are provided at four positions of the processing table 32, and a push-up bar 48 that pushes up the printed material 100 once through the through holes 32a is provided.
The push-up bar 48 is provided in a processing chamber portion on the lower side of the processing table 32 so as to advance and retreat in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5 shows an operation for carrying in the printed material 100.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the carry-in moving plate 46 on which the printed material 100 is placed advances onto the processing table 32, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pusher bar 48 rises to push up the printed material 100. .
With this push-up operation, the carry-in moving plate 46 moves backward, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C, the push-up collar 48 is lowered and the printed matter 100 is placed on the processing table 32.

The second preliminary chamber 43 is for carrying out the printed material 100 sintered in the processing chamber 31 and is configured in substantially the same manner as the first preliminary chamber 42.
That is, the pressure is reduced by the vacuum pump path (pipe) 49, the shutter 45 is opened in the reduced pressure state, the carry-out moving plate 50 is reciprocated, and the printed matter 100 is carried out into the second preliminary chamber 43.

Further, at the time of carry-out, the reverse operation is performed as compared with the carry-in operation shown in FIG.
That is, the printed material 100 is pushed up from the state of FIG. 5C as shown in (B), and the carry-out moving plate 50 enters between the processing table 32 and the printed material 100.
Subsequently, the push-up bar 48 descends and the printed material 100 is placed on the carry-out movement plate 50 and carried out by the backward movement of the carry-out movement plate 50.
The unloading moving plate 50 is provided with a drive mechanism for moving back and forth between the second preliminary chamber 43 and the processing table 32 in the processing chamber 31, but the unloading moving plate 50 is manually advanced and retracted. It is good also as a structure.

After the printed material 100 is carried out into the second preliminary chamber 43, the shutter 45 is closed, and further, a cooling gas is supplied from the gas supply path 51 into the second preliminary chamber 43 to lower the temperature of the printed material 100. Then, the lid 43a is opened and the printed matter 100 is taken out.
This is because the temperature of the printed material 100 immediately after sintering is high, and if the printed material 100 is immediately taken out from the second preliminary chamber 43, the sintered pattern of the metal compound may be oxidized.
As the cooling gas, hydrogen gas, argon gas, nitrogen gas, helium gas, carbon dioxide gas and the like are effective.

  In addition, reference numerals 52 and 53 shown in FIG. 3 are air paths (pipes) for sending air to the first and second auxiliary chambers 42 and 43 to be atmospheric pressure, 54 is a vacuum pump, and 55 to 59 are valves. .

As described above, the pattern forming apparatus according to the apparatus embodiment 1 delivers the printed material 100 prepared in advance to the first preliminary chamber 42, places it on the carry-in moving plate 46, and closes the lid 42 a, thereby forming the first preliminary chamber 42. While reducing the pressure, the shutter 44 is opened, and the printed material 100 is carried in by the carry-in moving plate 46.
Note that when the carry-in moving plate 46 on which the printed material 100 is placed on the processing table 32 is retracted, the shutter 44 is closed, and then the first preliminary chamber 42 is returned to normal pressure (atmospheric pressure).

The printed material 100 placed on the processing table 32 is exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma 30, and the printed material 100 is heated to sinter the metal component of the drawing pattern.
Thereafter, the shutter 45 is opened, the carry-out moving plate 50 advances from the decompressed second preliminary chamber 43, and the printed material 100 is carried into the second preliminary chamber 43.
Subsequently, the shutter 45 is closed, and the printed material 100 that is the substrate having the conductive pattern is cooled by the cooling gas.

From the above, the sintered printed matter 100, that is, the substrate on which the conductive pattern is formed can be taken out from the second preliminary chamber 43.
As a result, according to the first embodiment, the conductive pattern can be formed by semi-automatically sintering the drawing pattern.

In the apparatus embodiment 1 described above, the processing table 32 can be rotated to uniformly irradiate the entire printed material 100 with the microwave surface wave plasma 30.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a cooling pipe 60 that circulates cold water is provided in the processing table 32, and cooling can be performed from the back surface of the printed material 100 heated by the microwave surface wave plasma 30.

On the other hand, since the printed material 100 is only placed on the processing table 32, a stable position may not be maintained.
Therefore, as the next step of FIG. 5B in which the push-up collar 48 is configured as a suction pipe and the printed material 100 is placed on the processing table 32, the operation state of FIG. Thus, it can be stably placed on the processing table 32.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that the processing table 32 has a gently bulging surface as shown in FIG. 8 in order to surface-bond the printed material 100, and the printed material 100 is attached by a suction pipe using the lifting rod 48. It can be sucked and held.
Further, as means for sucking air, a plurality of suction holes 61 may be provided in the processing table 32 as shown in FIGS. The processing table 32 includes an air suction pipe 62 and the like.

Apparatus Example 2
FIG. 11 is a simplified perspective view showing another embodiment of the pattern forming apparatus, and FIG. 12 is a simplified sectional view of the pattern forming apparatus.
In this embodiment, a long printed material 200 drawn on a long flexible substrate having a predetermined width using a metal compound solution and dried is prepared in advance, and the printed material 200 is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma to be conductive. A pattern is formed.

As shown in the figure, in the apparatus embodiment 2, a winding reel 72 around which a long printed material 200 is wound, a winding reel 73 around which the printed material 200 is wound, and a plasma treatment between the reels 72 and 73. The roller 74 is arranged in the processing chamber 71.
In the second embodiment, cooling rollers 77, 78, 79, and 80 for circulating cold water are provided between the plasma processing roller 74 and the take-up reel 73 along with the guide rollers 75 and 76.
The reels 72 and 73 and the rollers 74 are provided with a drive mechanism for controlling the rotation of the reels 72 and 73 and the rollers 74, and the reels 72, 73 and the rollers 74 can be taken out from the processing chamber 71.

Further, similarly to the apparatus embodiment 1, three waveguides 81a, 81b, 81c transmitting microwave power are arranged in parallel, and the processing chamber 71 is passed through the irradiation windows 82a, 82b, 82c from the coupling holes of these waveguides. In this configuration, microwave power is propagated to generate microwave surface wave plasma.
In addition, in the apparatus embodiment 2, the gas supply path 83 for supplying hydrogen gas is arranged as the shunt pipes 83a to 83d corresponding to the waveguides 81a, 81b and 81c, and similarly the vacuum pump path. 84 is also arranged as shunt pipes 84a to 84d.

  As described above, by arranging the gas supply path 83 and the vacuum pump path 84 by the shunt pipe, the hydrogen gas is equalized in the processing chamber 71, and as can be seen from FIG. 12, the shunt pipe By directing the tip toward the upper direction of the processing roller 74, the hydrogen gas as the reducing gas can be used more effectively.

In the pattern forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the printed material 200 sent out from the take-up reel 72 is exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma while moving along the plasma processing roller 74, and the printed pattern 200 has a metal pattern. The components are sintered.
Thereafter, the temperature of the printed material 200 is lowered in the process of being moved by the guide of the cooling roller, and the printed material 200 having a low temperature is taken up by the take-up reel 73.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present apparatus, the printed material 200 fed out from the winding reel 72 can be continuously heated to sinter the metal component of the drawing pattern.
Further, the printed matter 200 whose temperature has been increased by heating the microwave surface wave plasma is sent through the cooling rollers 77 to 80, and the printed matter 200 whose temperature has been lowered is taken up by the take-up reel 73. If this is the case, the take-up reel 73 can be removed from the processing chamber 71.
Note that the sintered printed matter 200 wound around the take-up reel 73 is appropriately processed thereafter to obtain an electric component having a conductive pattern.

FIG. 13 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a pattern forming apparatus showing an improved example of the apparatus embodiment 2.
In this improved example, three plasma processing rollers 74a, 74b, 74c are provided, and each of the waveguides 81a, 81b, 81c has irradiation windows 85a, 85b corresponding to the plasma processing rollers 74a, 74b, 74c. , 85c.
According to this improved example, since the printed material 200 is exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma at each of the three plasma processing rollers 74a, 74b, and 74c during the movement, the sintering time of the drawing pattern of the printed material 200 is reduced. It can be further shortened.

In the pattern forming apparatus of the apparatus embodiment 2 and the improved example described above, the reel and the processing roller are rotated forward and backward so that the microwave surface wave plasma is evenly exposed to the printed matter 200, and the printed matter 200 is reciprocated at a small distance. A forward / reverse drive mechanism can be provided.
Further, the apparatus embodiment 2 and the improved example include a cooling means for cooling the plasma processing roller, and the printed material 200 can be exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma while the back surface of the printed material 200 is cooled.

Subsequently, an example of the pattern forming method will be described.
For this method embodiment, the following experimental examples 1, 2, and 3 were performed using the pattern forming apparatus shown in FIGS.
Method Example 1
As a metal compound solution,
Copper sulfide _{(CuSO 4 · 5H 2 O)} : 1g,
Concentrated aqueous ammonia: 10 ml,
Sodium hydroxide (2N NaOH): 4 ml,
High purity cellulose: 0.2 g
To produce.
And the above-mentioned metal compound solution was apply | coated and drawn on the glass base material, and was then naturally dried at room temperature, and the printed matter 100 was produced.

Subsequently, the printed material 100 is put into the processing chamber 31, microwave surface wave hydrogen plasma (surface wave plasma in a hydrogen gas atmosphere) is generated under conditions of 10 Pa and microwave power of 1000 W, and the printed material 100 is microwaved for 1 minute. After being exposed to surface wave hydrogen plasma, it was taken out from the processing chamber 31.
There was no damage such as deformation and discoloration on the printed material 100.
In the above treatment, reduction treatment and sintering treatment of the metal compound applied to the glass substrate and dried were performed, and a glass substrate having a copper (Cu) pattern could be produced.

Method Example 2
Before applying the metal compound solution, an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution was applied to the glass substrate, and an experiment was conducted in the same manner as in Method Example 1.
In Method Example 2, it was confirmed that copper (Cu) was further adhered to the glass substrate.

Method Example 3
As a metal compound solution,
Water: 20g
Citric acid (C6H8O7): 5g,
Copper hydroxide Cu (OH) ₂ : 3 g
The product was produced by dissolving polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
And after apply | coating this metal compound solution to a glass base material, it was made to dry and the printed matter 100 was produced, and it exposed to the microwave surface wave hydrogen plasma similarly to the method Example 1, and processed.
Also in Method Example 3, the printed material 100 was not damaged such as deformation or discoloration, and a glass substrate having a copper (Cu) pattern could be produced.

Method Example 4
Acetylacetone, copper hydroxide, and glycol are mixed to produce a metal compound solution, and this metal compound solution is applied to a glass substrate to produce a printed material 100. Similar to Method Example 1, microwave surface wave It was confirmed that the base material which has a copper (Cu) pattern can be manufactured by processing by plasma.
According to this method embodiment, since no water is used for the metal compound solution, the drying step of the printed material 100 is not required.

  Formation of conductive patterns such as printed wiring boards, RFID tag antennas, membrane switch wiring, electromagnetic shielding materials, electrodes for flat panel displays, wiring, electrodes of batteries such as solar cells, radio wave reflectors, antennas, anti-fogging plates Can be applied to.

11 Processing chamber 12 Processing table 14 Microwave irradiation window 15 Waveguide 21 Hydrogen supply path 24 Vacuum pump path 31 Processing chamber 32 Processing tables 35a, 35b, 35c Waveguides 36a, 36b, 36c Irradiation window 37 Hydrogen supply path 38 Vacuum Pump path 42 First spare chamber 43 Second spare chamber 44, 45 Shutter 46 Carry-in moving plate 48 Push-up rod 50 Carry-out moving plate 71 Processing chamber 72 Take-up reel 73 Take-up reel 74 Processing rollers 77-80 Cooling rollers 74a, 74b, 74c Processing roller 100, 200 Printed matter

Claims (22)

A method of drawing a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a solution and processing the drawing pattern to form a conductive pattern,
For the solution, a metal compound solution is used,
For the processing of the drawing pattern, an electrodeless plasma generating means for generating surface wave plasma in the processing chamber by supplying microwave energy from an irradiation window of a processing chamber consisting of a decompression chamber,
A method for forming a conductive pattern, comprising exposing the drawing pattern to microwave surface wave plasma having a low electron temperature and a high electron density to form a conductive pattern. In the formation method of the electroconductive pattern of Claim 1,
For the processing of the drawing pattern, electrodeless plasma generating means for supplying a reducing gas such as hydrogen gas together with microwave energy into the processing chamber and generating surface wave plasma in the reducing gas atmosphere is used. ,
A conductive pattern forming method for forming a conductive pattern, wherein the drawing pattern is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma generated in a reducing gas atmosphere to perform a reduction treatment and a sintering treatment. . In the formation method of the conductive pattern according to claim 1 or 2,
A conductive pattern forming method, wherein a metal compound solution containing metal fine particles is used as the solution. In the formation method of the electroconductive pattern in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A method for forming a conductive pattern, comprising: a step of drawing a metal compound solution on the substrate and then drying the substrate, and exposing the dried drawing pattern to microwave surface wave plasma to form a conductive pattern. . In the formation method of the electroconductive pattern in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The metal compound solution may be a mixture of copper sulfate, concentrated aqueous ammonia, sodium hydroxide, high-purity cellulose, or water, citric acid (C ₆ H ₈ O ₇ ), copper hydroxide Cu (OH) ₂ and polyvinyl alcohol ( A method for forming a conductive pattern, wherein a mixture of PVA) or a mixture of acetylacetone, copper hydroxide, glycol, or the like is used. In the formation method of the conductive pattern according to claim 3,
The metal compound solution containing the metal fine particles is a metal compound solution in which metal fine particles such as noble metal fine particles, base metal fine particles, copper fine particles, base metal fine particles or copper fine particles whose surface is oxidized are mixed, and the like. Of forming a sex pattern. In the formation method of the electroconductive pattern in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The method for forming a conductive pattern, wherein the substrate is made of a glass material or a synthetic resin material. In the formation method of the electroconductive pattern in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
Before drawing a pattern, the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution is apply | coated to the said base material, The formation method of the conductive pattern characterized by the above-mentioned. In a pattern forming apparatus that draws a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a solution and processes the drawn pattern to form a conductive pattern,
A substrate on which a pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution;
An electrodeless plasma generating means for supplying microwave energy from an irradiation window of a processing chamber configured as a decompression chamber and generating microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber;
A processing table for arranging the substrate on which the pattern is drawn in the processing chamber;
A pattern forming apparatus, wherein a substrate on which a pattern is drawn is arranged on the processing table, and the drawing pattern is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma in a processing chamber to form a conductive pattern. In a pattern forming apparatus that draws a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a solution and processes the drawn pattern to form a conductive pattern,
A substrate on which a pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution;
An electrodeless plasma generating means for supplying microwave energy from an irradiation window of a processing chamber configured as a decompression chamber and generating microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber;
A processing table for arranging the substrate on which the pattern is drawn in the processing chamber;
Furthermore, a first preliminary chamber associated with the carry-in port of the processing chamber, a second preliminary chamber associated with the carry-out port,
A loading mechanism for depressurizing the first preliminary chamber and opening a loading port, and feeding the substrate on which a pattern is drawn from the first preliminary chamber onto a treatment table in a treatment chamber;
A decompression mechanism that decompresses the second preliminary chamber and opens a carry-out port, and sends out the base material on which a pattern has been drawn from the treatment table in the treatment chamber to the second preliminary chamber,
A series of carrying-in by the carrying-in mechanism, plasma processing at the processing table, and carrying-out by the carrying-out mechanism are performed, and the substrate on which the pattern is drawn is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber to form a conductive pattern. A pattern forming apparatus for forming a pattern. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10,
A substrate on which a pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution containing metal fine particles;
A pattern forming apparatus, wherein the substrate is placed on a processing stage of the plasma generating means and exposed to microwave surface wave plasma to form a conductive pattern. The pattern forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
A substrate on which a pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution;
A drying means for drying the pattern drawn on the substrate;
A pattern forming apparatus characterized in that a substrate on which the drawing has been dried is placed on a processing table of the plasma generating means and exposed to microwave surface wave plasma to form a conductive pattern. The pattern forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
A pattern forming apparatus comprising plasma generating means for supplying a reducing gas such as hydrogen gas together with microwave energy to the processing chamber to generate microwave surface wave plasma in an atmosphere of reducing gas. In the pattern formation apparatus in any one of Claims 9 thru | or 13,
The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling unit that cools the back surface of the substrate on which the pattern is drawn. In the pattern formation apparatus in any one of Claims 9 thru | or 13,
The pattern forming apparatus, wherein the processing table is provided with suction holding means for sucking the drawn base material into the air and bonding the drawn substrate to the processing table. In the pattern formation apparatus in any one of Claims 9 thru | or 13,
A pattern forming apparatus comprising driving means for rotating the processing table. The pattern forming apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
An apparatus for forming a pattern, characterized in that the second preliminary chamber is provided with means for supplying an oxidation-suppressing gas for suppressing oxidation of the sintered conductive pattern before taking out the drawn substrate. In a pattern forming apparatus that draws a pattern on a non-conductive substrate using a solution and processes the drawn pattern to form a conductive pattern,
A long flexible substrate with a pattern drawn using a metal compound solution;
An electrodeless plasma generating means for supplying microwave energy from an irradiation window of a processing chamber configured as a decompression chamber and generating microwave surface wave plasma in the processing chamber;
Further, in the processing chamber, a winding reel around which the flexible base material on which the pattern is drawn is wound, a take-up reel around which the flexible base material is wound, and a microwave surface wave on the drawing pattern provided between these two reels. A plasma processing roller for irradiating plasma,
While moving the flexible substrate supplied from the take-up reel to the take-up reel via the plasma processing roller, the drawing pattern is exposed to the microwave surface wave plasma to continuously perform the sintering process, and the conductive pattern Forming a pattern. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
A flexible base material on which a pattern is drawn using a metal compound solution containing metal fine particles;
While drawing and moving the flexible substrate from the take-up reel to the take-up reel via the plasma treatment roller, the drawing pattern is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma and subjected to a sintering process continuously to form a conductive pattern. A pattern forming apparatus for forming a pattern. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 18 or 19,
A drying means for drying a pattern drawn using a metal compound solution on a long flexible substrate;
While moving the flexible substrate after drawing from the take-up reel to the take-up reel via the plasma treatment roller, the drawing pattern is exposed to microwave surface wave plasma and subjected to a sintering process continuously to make it conductive. A pattern forming apparatus for forming a pattern. The pattern forming apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 20,
A pattern forming apparatus comprising plasma generating means for supplying a reducing gas such as hydrogen gas together with microwave energy to the processing chamber to generate microwave surface wave plasma in an atmosphere of reducing gas. The pattern forming apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 21,
A pattern forming apparatus, wherein the plasma processing roller is provided with cooling means for cooling the back surface of the flexible substrate.

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