Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a surface of a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises forming a dielectric coat containing an activating metal species on the surface of the substrate. The coat is then treated with a reviving agent selected from chromic acid and ceric ammonium nitrate to revive the activating metal species to render the coat capable of participating in an electroless metal deposition.

Abstract: A method of selectively plating an area of a substrate surface is disclosed. The method comprises contact masking at least one charged anode, spaced from the surface, with a dielectric member which is maintained between the anode and the surface, along their corresponding opposed surface areas, out of contact with the surface. The surface is cathodically charged. The masked anode is contacted with a stream of an electroplating electrolyte. The stream of electrolyte then contacts at least a portion of the charged surface, including the area to be plated, to fully flow electrolyte thereover to selectively electroplate the area.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a dielectric surface is disclosed. The method comprises treating the surface with a stable hydrosol obtained by mixing and heating together in an acidic aqueous medium (1) a salt of a noble metal with (2) an organic compound containing at least two oxygen atoms selected from (a) an organic carbonate having a structural formula of ##STR1## where R = H, an alkyl radical, (b) ethylene glycol and (c) 1,3 dioxane. The treated surface is then exposed to a suitable electroless metal deposition solution to catalytically deposit an electroless metal deposit thereon.

Abstract: A method of forming a circuit mask is disclosed. The method comprises selectively heating a portion of a cell comprising a liquid crystal above the transition temperature of the liquid crystal material to render the portion capable of scattering a desired radiant energy. An artwork master is thus formed having a pattern delineated therein capable of transmitting the desired radiant energy therethrough. A member having a surface sensitive to the desired radiant energy is positioned in a desired spatial relationship with the master. The master is exposed to the desired radiant energy whereby the radiant energy is transmitted through the pattern to expose at least a portion of the sensitive surface thereto. The exposed sensitive surface is treated to form the circuit mask having a pattern capable of transmitting light therethrough.

Abstract: A method of depositing a layer comprising SiO.sub.2 on a surface of a substrate at a rate which is temperature independent is disclosed. The method includes combining dichlorosilane (SiH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2) with an oxidizing gas, such as O.sub.2, CO.sub.2, N.sub.2 O, H.sub.2 O, to form SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: An intensity-type optical spatial filtering system is arranged to form a composite visual image of all nonperiodic errors in a photomask or other two-dimensional pattern which contains an array of regularly spaced, normally identical elements. A coherent beam of light is diffracted by the pattern and focused onto a transparency having a second array of discrete opaque regions spaced by a distance inversely proportional to the element spacing on the pattern. The focused light, spatially modulated by the transparency, is reimaged and projected in enlarged form onto a display screen.

Abstract: A method for forming a nitrogen doped-beta tantalum thin film which comprises sputtering tantalum in a nitrogen atmosphere such that the ratio of tantalum atoms to nitrogen atoms in the deposited film ranges from about 9/1 to about 999/1. Such films are useful in the fabrication of thin-film capacitors.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate is disclosed. The method comprises placing a metal film in juxtaposition to a surface to be joined thereto. A buffer medium having an explosive charge on at least one surface thereof is positioned proximate the film. The explosive charge is detonated to propel the film against the surface to shear a portion of the film, corresponding in shape to the surface, away from the buffer medium to bond the sheared portion to the surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic surface is disclosed. The method comprises coating a substrate surface with a stable aqueous colloidal solution, formed by a controlled hydrolysis and nucleation reaction, comprising insoluble hydrous oxide particles of an element selected from Be, In, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Tl, Cu, Zn, Sn and mixtures thereof. The coated surface is then exposed to a source of ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength ranging from 1800A to 3300A to render exposed surface regions hydrophobic.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit assembly is disclosed. The method comprises selectively treating a surface of a carrier to delineate a pattern thereon capable of receiving a metal deposit. The pattern is contacted with a conductive lead of an integrated circuit. The pattern is also contacted with a conductive external element and a metal is then deposited on the pattern to form an assembly having a continuous conductive metal pattern joining the lead and the external element. The resultant metal-deposited assembly may then be encapsulated and removed from the carrier.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a surface comprising an electrically non-conductive ferrite is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the surface with a cathodically charged element. The element is then electroplated to deposit a metal thereon and on the contacted surface.

Abstract: A high-temperature reaction method is disclosed. The method comprises coupling an inductive heating coil to the contents of a reaction vessel, containing at least one conductive reactant with a coupling efficiency that is different than the coupling efficiency between the coil and the contents of the reaction vessel at the completion of the reaction. An alternating voltage is developed across the coil and the current flowing in the coil is monitored. Typically, the monitored current increases as the reaction proceeds until the reaction is completed whereupon a constant current value is obtained.

Abstract: A method of improving the dimensional and thermal stability of a fibrous web containing substrate is disclosed. A uniformly or randomly spun or bonded fabric or textile support is impregnated with a curable polymer resin, e.g., an epoxy-polyester resin. The impregnated resin is then fully cured whereupon a polymer resin coat is applied thereto. The coat is maintained in a partial cure state whereby a laminate comprising an internal woven or bonded fabric skeleton impregnated with a fully cured polymer resin and coated with a layer of a partially cured polymer resin is obtained.

Abstract: A method of depositing a metal on a surface of a substrate is disclosed. A surface of the substrate is sensitized with a photosensitive sensitizer comprising a photosensitive species of (1) an element selected from Ni, Mn, U, Mo and W, or (2) a combination of elements comprising Pd and an element selected from In and Ce. The sensitized surface is exposed to a suitable source of radiation, e.g., ultraviolet radiation, to delineate a surface pattern, corresponding to a desired metal pattern, containing a species of at least one selected element which is either (1) capable of reducing an activation metal ion to catalytic activating metal or (2) capable of being reduced to a catalytic activating metal such as catalytic palladium. The ultraviolet radiation-delineated surface pattern is then exposed or treated with a solution comprising an activating metal ion to reduce and deposit thereon an activating metal.

Abstract: A method of forming a hydrophobic surface is disclosed. The method comprises coating a substrate surface with a stable aqueous colloidal solution, formed by a controlled hydrolysis and nucleation reaction, comprising insoluble hydrous oxide particles of an element selected from Be, In, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Tl, Cu, Zn, Sn and mixtures thereof. The coated surface is then exposed to a source of ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength ranging from 1800A to 3300A to render exposed surface regions hydrophobic.

Abstract: A method of improving the dimensional and thermal stability of a fibrous web containing substrate is disclosed. A uniformly or randomly spun or bonded fabric or textile support is impregnated with a curable polymer resin, e.g., an epoxy-polyester resin. The impregnated resin is then fully cured whereupon a polymer resin coat is applied thereto. The coat is maintained in a partial cure state whereby a laminate comprising an internal woven or bonded fabric skeleton impregnated with a fully cured polymer resin and coated with a layer of a partially cured polymer resin is obtained.

Abstract: A pattern capable of reducing thereon a precious metal is generated on a suitable substrate by first coating selected portions of the substrate with a solution, called a photopromoter, which contains a metal salt. The metal salt possesses two characteristics:(a) the oxidation state of the salt (i.e., of the metal ion) is alterable (either increasable or decreasable) by exposure of the salt to radiation of the proper wavelength; and(b) in either the original or the altered oxidation state (but not in both states) the salt is capable of reducing a precious metal, e.g., a metal of the platinum group such as palladium, platinum or rhodium, from a salt thereof.The photopromoter-coated substrate is next selectively exposed to the proper wavelength radiation to produce a pattern of the photopromoter salt capable of reducing the precious metal. The remainder of the salt is incapable of reducing the precious metal.