Formation of photopatterned ink jet nozzle plates by transfer methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for forming a novel ink jet printhead which comprises: (a) providing a lower substrate in which one surface thereof has an array of drop generating elements and addressing electrodes formed thereon; (b) depositing onto the release surface of an intermediate film support a photopatternable layer comprising a precursor polymer which is a phenolic novolac resin having glycidyl ether functional groups; (c) prebaking the photopatternable layer to dry, semi-solid condition; (d) laminating the dry, semi-solid layer to the surface of the lower substrate under heat and pressure and separating it from the release surface of the intermediate film support; (e) exposing the photopatternable layer to actinic radiation in an imagewise pattern corresponding to ink nozzles and developing to form a nozzle plate section, and (f) removing the precursor polymer from the unexposed areas, thereby forming ink nozzle recesses which are aligned to communicate with the drop generating elements and terminal ends of the electrodes of the lower substrate laminated thereto. Step (e) may be carried out either before or after step (d).