Laser sintering process optimization of microstrip antenna fabricated by inkjet printing with silver-based MOD ink

Abstract Inkjet printing has been widely used for the manufacturing of patch antennas, circuit boards, biochemical sensors, frequency selection surfaces and other electronic devices. As an essential process, laser sintering is of great significance to the inkjet printing, which can enable the printed patterns to possess very good conductivity. The laser sintering process for the MOD (Metal Organic Decomposition) ink is investigated in this manuscript. First of all, the laser sintering simulation of the MOD ink is carried out based on COMSOL Multiphysics and change mechanism of the sintering temperature under different process parameters is revealed. Then, sintering experiments and process optimization are conducted on the self-developed platform, and the sintering quality differences are comparatively analyzed by measuring the widths, conductivities and thicknesses of the printed silver lines. Finally, a microstrip antenna is fabricated based on the optimized process and the performance of the manufactured antenna satisfies the use requirements. The simulation results are highly consistent with the experimental results, and both of them have verified the feasibility, reliability and effectiveness of the optimized sintering process.