-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueIt's Show Time!
In this month’s issue of PCB007 Magazine we reimagine the possibilities featuring stories all about IPC APEX EXPO 2025—covering what to look forward to, and what you don’t want to miss.
Fueling the Workforce Pipeline
We take a hard look at fueling the workforce pipeline, specifically at the early introduction of manufacturing concepts and business to young people in this issue of PCB007 Magazine.
Inner Layer Precision & Yields
In this issue, we examine the critical nature of building precisions into your inner layers and assessing their pass/fail status as early as possible. Whether it’s using automation to cut down on handling issues, identifying defects earlier, or replacing an old line...
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Estimated reading time: Less than a minute

Contact Columnist Form
Karl's Tech Talk: Laser Process Applications in Electronics
Figure 1 shows several laser imaging techniques, some are commercial, some are developmental. The best-known process is laser direct imaging (LDI), whereby photoresist or soldermask is exposed pixel-by-pixel without the use of a phototool.
Laser ablation processes are highlighted in green. Laser ablation approaches differ by laser source and in the type of material being ablated. Ablation of dielectric, or metal, or resist (metal etch resist such as immersion tin, organic non-imageable resist, or selected areas of exposed photoresist) are examples of ablation techniques that differ in the material being ablated.
Figure 1: Overview of laser structuring techniques.
This column originally appeared in the March 2013 issue of The PCB Magazine.
More Columns from Karl's Tech Talk
Karl's Tech Talk: Digital Imaging UpdateKarl’s Tech Talk: Electronic Packaging Levels
Green Legislation and the Impact on Electronic Materials and Processes
Digital Imaging Revisited
Dry Film Photoresist Thickness Selection Criteria
Quick-Turn Circuit Board Shops
Optical Interconnects
Signal Loss