Abstract: Described is a wet chemical surface treatment involving NH4OH that enables extremely strong direct bonding of two wafer such as semiconductors (e.g., Si) to insulators (e.g., SiO2) at low temperatures (less than or equal to 400° C.). Surface energies as high as ˜4835±675 mJ/m2 of the bonded interface have been achieved using some of these surface treatments. This value is comparable to the values reported for significantly higher processing temperatures (less than 1000° C.). Void free bonding interfaces with excellent yield and surface energies of ˜2500 mJ/m2 have also be achieved herein.

Abstract: Described is a wet chemical surface treatment involving NH4OH that enables extremely strong direct bonding of two wafer such as semiconductors (e.g., Si) to insulators (e.g., SiO2) at low temperatures (less than or equal to 400° C.). Surface energies as high as ˜4835±675 mJ/m2 of the bonded interface have been achieved using some of these surface treatments. This value is comparable to the values reported for significantly higher processing temperatures (less than 1000° C.). Void free bonding interfaces with excellent yield and surface energies of ˜2500 mJ/m2 have also be achieved herein.

Abstract: Described is a wet chemical surface treatment involving NH4OH that enables extremely strong direct bonding of two wafer such as semiconductors (e.g., Si) to insulators (e.g., SiO2) at low temperatures (less than or equal to 400° C.). Surface energies as high as ˜4835±675 mJ/m2 of the bonded interface have been achieved using some of these surface treatments. This value is comparable to the values reported for significantly higher processing temperatures (less than 1000° C.). Void free bonding interfaces with excellent yield and surface energies of ˜2500 mJ/m2 have also be achieved herein.

Abstract: Described is a wet chemical surface treatment involving NH4OH that enables extremely strong direct bonding of two wafer such as semiconductors (e.g., Si) to insulators (e.g., SiO2) at low temperatures (less than or equal to 400° C.). Surface energies as high as ˜4835±675 mJ/m2 of the bonded interface have been achieved using some of these surface treatments. This value is comparable to the values reported for significantly higher processing temperatures (less than 1000° C.). Void free bonding interfaces with excellent yield and surface energies of 2500 mJ/m2 have also be achieved herein.

Abstract: A channel bag and a one piece spout sock and channel bag assembly for casting metal ingots. The channel bag includes diverter strips along upper portions of the sides and a diverter panel in the bottom of the channel bag positioned to be beneath a downspout during a casting process. The diverter strips and panel deflect poured molten metal and reduce turbulence during the casting process thereby reducing the formation of oxides and other impurities. In the one piece spout sock and channel bag assembly, the spout sock is utilized to receive and properly align a downspout. An ingot casting procedure utilizing the apparatus of the present invention reduces or eliminates the use of skimmers and ingot scalping.