Obtain photoresist education and training to learn how to effectively use the light-sensitive material used in photo engraving and photolithography. Learn about the specific uses of both negative and positive resists and get education in various applications.

Whether you work with photoresisting polymers or other types of photoresist, getting education on the uses for applications, such as sand carving, printed circuit board fabrication, dry film and sand carving, gives you a professional edge in the marketplace. To get photoresist education you might want to consider the following choices:

1. Learn about photoresistant polymers as you earn a degree.

2. Obtain photoresist education and training through conferences and individual courses offered by experts.

3. Utilize a variety of media formats as you study photoresist materials.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn more about photoresist processing as you earn a degree in an area like electronic engineering

Earning a degree shows photoresist suppliers and photoresist manufacturers that you are serious about your education and your work. It gives you a business edge as you learn about the latest technologies and provides lab experience while obtaining your degree.

I recommend: DeVry University offers a degree in electronic engineering in as few as three years with year-round studies. It offers career-oriented and experiential programming. Education Portal offers a summary for what a degree in electronic engineering entails along with the types of career a graduate could expect. It lists a series of colleges and universities offering online and on-site courses.

Educate yourself on photoresistents by taking courses related to specific areas in the field

Find out more about photoresist processing in your own timing by taking courses and attending conferences. This gives you the opportunity to learn from experts. It also provides you with the ability to network with others in the industry.

I recommend: SPIE offers a series of exhibitions, conferences and courses for students interested in photoresist technology. The courses offered include topics ranging from photoresist design and performance to dry and immersion technology. FSI International offers presentations and courses to students around the world who are interested in learning more about photoresist technology. It covers many areas pertaining to semiconductor manufacturing, including the latest findings in phototresistent technology.

Discover what photoresist producers look for in product and keep current with interactive media

Study photoresistant polymers or other types when you read current magazines or take interactive courses via CD-ROM. Use these resources to brush up on your knowledge and to find out the latest industry trends.

I recommend: The Association for Computing Machinery offers a CD-ROM that is a course on semiconductor processing. This interactive CD-ROM teaches concepts like photoresist application. PennWell highlights Solid State Technology, which is a magazine for those interested in learning the ins and outs of semiconductor manufacturing. Its articles cover topics teaching concepts like photoresist residue removal.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact a photoresist manufacturer consultant to learn more about processes and procedures that you need to know.

Photoresist is a light-sensitive material, or polymer, used in industrial processes such as photolithography and photoengraving. Photoresist materials, such as photoresistant polymers, are photographically exposed and can resist a sandblast steam to transfer a pattern to an object that is being sandblasted.

There are two main types of photoresist, negative resist and positive resist. With a negative photoresist, the part of the film that is exposed to light becomes insoluble, while with a positive photoresist material, the part of the photoresist that is exposed to light becomes soluble. Both the negative and positive photoresist are commonly used in transferring patterns.

A few companies make photoresist materials, but the main things to consider before purchasing photoresist materials are:

1. What type of photoresist you will need – negative or positive.
2. The application of the photoresist – liquid, film or spray.
3. Thickness of the photoresist.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Finding the best photoresist producers

Photoresist material can come in a number of forms and applications, from spray photoresist and photoresist liquid to photoresisting polymers and photoresist films. While each application type is generally used for the same purpose, the thickness, durability and product that you are applying photoresist material to makes a difference.

I recommend: Companies such as Dow Corning mass produce photoresistant polymers while Ultrasonic Systems, a spray coating equipment producer, produces a photoresist liquid in a nonstandard spray form. Photoresisting polymers are materials that change properties when exposed to light.

Find photoresist manufacturers that produce a good variety of photoresist materials

Photoresist manufacturers make the photoresist coatings, films, and adhesives that are used in industrial processes. Many photoresist manufacturers specialize in only one of the photoresist applications, so you may need to purchase from multiple manufacturers to fulfill your requirements.

I recommend: Ikonics Imaging and Rayzist are the two main manufacturers of photoresist films, equipment and supplies. Rayzist produces a variety of photoresist films and photopolymer, or photoresistant polymers. Ikonics Imaging is a photoresist manufacturer that produces everything from brush-on blastable adhesives, photoresist liquid, and spray-on blastable adhesives.

Find suppliers who offer a a variety of photoresist films, equipment and supplies

Photoresist suppliers have all of the products you'll need to use when working with photoresist products, from photoresist removers to spray nozzles, rollers and spinners that allow you to precisely apply films and photoresist liquids.

I recommend: Futurerex is a company that makes photoresist removers, and negative and positive photoresists. HTP HiTech Photopolymere AG is a photoresist supplier that produces photoresist materials for a number of application techniques, including roller, dip, spray and spin coating. Arch Micro supplies Fuji Film photoresist film in a variety of layers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although photoresist generally comes in a film or liquid spray, it is a chemical. View the material safety data sheets, available from most photoresist producers and photoresist suppliers, for additional safety information on your photoresist products.

There are two main types of photoresist— negative resist and positive resist. With a negative photoresist, the part of the film that is exposed to light becomes insoluble, while with a positive photoresist material, the part of the photoresist that is exposed to light becomes soluble. Both the negative and positive photoresist are commonly used in transferring patterns.

Different industries take advantage of photoresist and its transferring abilities. The electronics industry uses photoresist and photoresistant polymers to create circuit boards, while the art industry uses photoresist to transfer images onto glass and other hard surfaces during sandblasting or glass etching. Remember the following when determining photoresist applications and uses:

1. Photoresist liquid can be used to create circuit boards and can be used for other electronic pattern transfers.

2. Glass etching uses photoresist films to achieve an accurate pattern transfer.

3. Photoresist suppliers sell different types of photoresist, so make sure you know what type of photoresist you need for your project.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use photoresist materials for creating circuit boards

Photoresist and photoresisting polymers can be used to create electronic circuit boards for a variety of computer and electronic devices. The photoresist is applied prior to the etching, or use of ferric chloride.

I recommend: Jan Wagner's website offers detailed instructions on how to create etched circuit boards, including the step on how to apply and use the photoresist. If you are looking for a company to create circuitry for you, look to MacDermid for professional service using photoresist liquid.

Use photoresist for sandcarving or etching images into glass

Sandblasting or glass etching is a technique that uses photoresist to transfer images to glass surfaces. Photoresist suppliers carry two types of photoresist for this type of project; self-adhesive and those that require a separate adhesive.

I recommend: Custom Glass Etching of Los Angeles has a brief history of glass etching and describes how photoresist is used in this process. Graydog Services had a detailed overview of photoresist and how it is used in sandblasting and sandcarving techniques.

Find photoresist suppliers that stock, liquid, spray and photoresist film

There are three different types of photoresist: liquid, film and spray. Liquid photoresist manufacturers often sell their products to individuals or companies creating circuit boards. Spray photoresists are often used in microelectronics and photoresist films are used in sandcarving or glass etching techniques.

I recommend: Rohm and Haas carries liquid photoresist that is used in the creation of circuit boards. Ultrasonic Systems has a spray photoresist that is used to create MEMS devices and wafers. IKONICS Imaging is a photoresist supplier sells a self-adhesive photoresist film used in glass etching.