CO₂ laser cleaning of black deposits formed during the excimer laser etching of polyimide in air

Pulsed CO2 laser cleaning of black debris formed during the excimer laser ablation of polyimide in air is demonstrated. The 10.6 μm CO2 laser radiation is strongly absorbed in the debris but only weakly absorbed in polyimide thus enabling the clean removal of the debris without damaging the polyimide. © 1988 Springer-Verlag.