LASER ACTIVATION OF DIAMOND SURFACE FOR ELECTROLESS METAL PLATING

Selective area electroless nickel and copper deposition onto the surface of diamond single crystals and polycrystalline diamond films has been realized. Three methods of laser-assisted activation of diamond surface were applied: (i) prenucleation of diamond surface with a thin layer of palladium catalyst via laser-induced decomposition of a palladium acetyl-acetonate [Pd(acac)2] solid film; (ii) deposition of palladium by means of the decomposition of Pd(acaC)2 dissolved in dimethylformamide; (iii) laser-induced damage of diamond surface.