Abstract: An A-B etchant is applied to a (100) surface of a body of semiconductor material, a portion of which along the (100) surface of the body is either gallium arsenide or gallium aluminum arsenide. The etchant is applied for at least 15 seconds at a temperature of approximately 80.degree. C. The A-B etchant is a solution by weight percent of 47.5%, water, 0.2% silver nitrate, 23.8% chromium trioxide and 28.5% of a 48% aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid. As a result of the application of the A-B etchant a pattern of elongated etch pits form having their longitudinal axes along the [011] crystalline direction. Grooves are formed in the body at a surface opposite the (100) surface on which was applied the etchant. The grooves are formed along the [011] crystalline direction by aligning the longitudinal axes of the grooves with the longitudinal axes of the etch pits.

Abstract: Gold is deposited onto a heated surface of N type semiconductor material composed of either gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, aluminum gallium arsenide or aluminum gallium phosphide. The surface of the gallium compound is cooled to room temperature whereupon tin is deposited onto the gold. The semiconductor material is then reheated until the tin alloys with and through the gold into the material. A solderable surface may be applied to the semiconductor material by applying a film nickel and then a film of gold onto the alloyed surface.