This article describes a method of forming stacked hybrid metal structure and pattern to enhance RFID antenna coil inductance. The essential strategies included the use of self-assembled polyelectolytes to modify surface property, an ink-jet printing process for catalyst, and a stacked hybrid metal layer formed by electroless plating. The minimum line width and line spacing can reach 100μm / 100μm. In addition, the characteristics of prior researches about metal antenna formed by use of ink-jet printing or other traditional methods were also compared with this case. It is verified that this process with different substrates, like PI, PET, and FR-4, could render satisfactory performance in related application. Laboratory experiments showed that the inductance of this antenna is tunable from range 300 nH up to 20 uH, depending on the resulting metal coil thickness.
Chung-Wei Wang, Ming-Huan Yang, Yung-Kuo Ho, Yuh-Zheng Lee, Kevin Cheng, "Hybrid Stacked RFID Antenna Coil Fabricated by Ink-Jet Printing of Catalyst with Self-assembled Polyelectolytes & Electroless Plating" in Proc. IS&T Digital Fabrication Conf., 2006, pp 159 - 162, https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2169-4451.2006.22.2.art00049_3