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Abstract

A method of manufacturing an ink jet printhead which includes providing an initial semiconductor wafer having an electrical circuitry layer. A first sacrificial material layer is deposited over the electrical circuitry layer and is etched to define holes for nozzle chamber posts and actuator anchor points. A first expansion material layer of a material having a selected coefficient of thermal expansion is deposited and is etched to form predetermined vias in the first expansion material layer. A conductive material layer is deposited on the first expansion material layer. The conductive material layer is conductively interconnected to the electrical circuitry layer via the vias and is etched to form a heater. A second expansion material layer having a selected coefficient of thermal expansion is deposited and is etched to form a thermal actuator from a combination of the first and second expansion material layers and the conductive layer. The second sacrificial material layer is etched to form a mould. A first inert material layer is deposited to fill the mould. A third sacrificial material layer is deposited over the second sacrificial material layer and the inert material layer and is etched to form a further mould. A second inert material layer is deposited and etched to form a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port. A ink supply channel is etched through the wafer to be in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. The sacrificial layers are then etched away.

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First Claim