Method of forming a nozzle chamber incorporating an ink ejection paddle and nozzle chamber rim

Abstract

A method of forming a printhead nozzle chamber includes steps of forming a first laminate of sacrificial layers on a substrate, the first laminate of sacrificial layers being formed as a ring on the substrate; hard-baking the first laminate of sacrificial layers to cause a shrinkage in the first laminate of sacrificial layers, the shrinkage further causing edges of the first laminate of sacrificial layers to angle inwards and form an approximate trapezoidal cross-section; depositing a TiN layer over the first laminate of sacrificial layer and the substrate, the TiN layer being inclined at portions deposited over the inwardly angled edges; etching the TiN layer to form a paddle and a nozzle chamber rim, the paddle incorporating an inner inclined portion and the nozzle chamber rim incorporating a complementary outer inclined portion, the paddle and nozzle rim defining an aperture therebetween; and removing the first laminate of sacrificial layers

1 . A method of forming a nozzle chamber of a printhead, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a first laminate of sacrificial layers on a substrate, the first laminate of sacrificial layers being formed as a ring on the substrate;   hard-baking the first laminate of sacrificial layers to cause a shrinkage in the first laminate of sacrificial layers, the shrinkage further causing edges of the first laminate of sacrificial layers to angle inwards and form an approximate trapezoidal cross-section;   depositing a TiN layer over the first laminate of sacrificial layer and the substrate, the TiN layer being inclined at portions deposited over the inwardly angled edges;   etching the TiN layer to form a paddle and a nozzle chamber rim, the paddle incorporating an inner inclined portion and the nozzle chamber rim incorporating a complementary outer inclined portion, the paddle and nozzle rim defining an aperture therebetween; and   removing the first laminate of sacrificial layers.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of forming one or more second laminates of sacrificial layers within the ring of the first laminate of sacrificial layers. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more second laminates of sacrificial layers are photoimaged to cause edges thereof to angle inwards and form an approximate trapezoidal cross-section, and the TiN layer is deposited over the one or more second laminates of sacrificial layers, thereby forming truncated pyramidal protrusions on the paddle. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more second laminates of sacrificial layers are formed proximal a centre of the ring of the first laminate of sacrificial layers. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more second laminates of sacrificial layers are formed as one or more concentric rings within and concentric with the ring of the first laminate of sacrificial layers.