The Effect of Pulsed Reversed Current on the “Hole Throwing Power” of Acid Copper Electrolytes containing Organic Additives

SummaryThe use of pulsed reversed current for the electrodeposition of copper from acidic electrolytes containing a combination of polyethers, sulphopropyl sulphides and chloride ions can under suitable conditions give an enhanced throwing power due to a change in the polarisation characteristics of the electrolyte. Improvements in “hole throwing power” are not obtained when single additives are present, but a combination of additives is required to produce enhanced throwing power. In a laboratory prepared electrolyte, the best results have been obtained using an anodic/cathodic ratio of 3:1 and a cathodic/anodic time ratio of 20:1. These results are comparable with those obtained using commercial electrolytes.