Abstract: There is provided a method and composition for applying a wear resistant composite coating onto a metal surface of an electrical component. The method comprises contacting the metal surface with an electrolytic plating composition comprising (a) a source of tin ions and (b) non-metallic particles, and applying an external source of electrons to the electrolytic plating composition to thereby electrolytically deposit the composite coating onto the metal surface, wherein the composite coating comprises tin metal and the non-metallic particles.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the corrosion resistance of an article comprising a silver coating deposited on a solderable copper substrate is provided. The method comprises exposing the copper substrate having the immersion-plated silver coating thereon to an anti-corrosion composition comprising: a) a multi-functional molecule comprising at least one organic functional group that interacts with and protects copper surfaces and at least one organic functional group that interacts with and protects silver surfaces; b) an alcohol; and c) a surfactant.

Abstract: A method for metallizing a through silicon via feature in a semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate comprising immersing the semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate into an electrolytic copper deposition composition comprising a source of copper ions, an organic sulfonic acid or inorganic acid, or one or more organic compounds selected from among polarizers and/or depolarizers, and chloride ions.

Abstract: A method and composition for enhancing corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and contact resistance of a substrate comprising a copper or copper alloy surface. The composition comprises a phosphorus oxide compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphonic acid, a phosphonate salt, a phosphonate ester, a phosphoric acid, a phosphate salt, a phosphate ester, and mixtures thereof; a nitrogen-containing organic compound selected from the group consisting of primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine, and aromatic heterocycle comprising nitrogen; and an alcohol.

Abstract: A method and composition for enhancing corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and contact resistance of a device comprising a copper or copper alloy substrate and at least one metal-based layer on a surface of the substrate. The composition comprises a phosphorus oxide compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphonic acid, a phosphonate salt, a phosphonate ester, a phosphoric acid, a phosphate salt, a phosphate ester, and mixtures thereof; an aromatic heterocycle comprising nitrogen; and a solvent having a surface tension less than about 50 dynes/cm as measured at 25° C.

Abstract: A method for reducing whisker formation and preserving solderability in tin coatings over metal features of electronic components. The tin coating has internal tensile stress and is between about 0.5 m and about 4.0 m in thickness. There is a nickel-based layer under the tin coating.

Abstract: An organic solderability preservative (OSP) composition comprising an alkyl cyclic alcohol and an azole compound having enhanced composition stability against crystallization of the azole compound.

Abstract: A process for forming a solder bump on an under bump metal structure in the manufacture of a microelectronic device comprising exposing the under bump metal structure to an electrolytic bath comprising a source of Sn2+ ions, a source of Ag+ ions, a thiourea compound and/or a quaternary ammonium surfactant; and supplying an external source of electrons to the electrolytic bath to deposit a Sn—Ag alloy onto the under bump metal structure.

Abstract: A method for electrolessly filling a stacked memory cell interconnect feature comprising electroless deposition from a composition comprising Co ions and a reducing agent by bottom-up filling initiated by reduction to Co metal on an electrically conducting bottom of the feature. An electroless deposition composition for electrolessly depositing Co in a high aspect ratio stacked memory cell interconnect feature, the composition comprising water, Co ions, a complexing agent, a buffering agent, a borane-based reducing agent component, and a hypophosphite reducing agent component. There is a concentration ratio of borane-based reducing agent to hypophosphite reducing agent of less than about 0.5.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for silver plating onto metal surfaces such as PWBs in electronics manufacture to produce a silver plating which is greater than 80 atomic % silver, tarnish resistant, and has good solderability.

Abstract: A method for enhancing corrosion resistance of a tin-based surface on a workpiece involving contacting the tin-based surface with a composition comprising a phosphonic acid compound and water to form a phosphorus-based film over the tin-based coating thereby inhibiting corrosion of the tin-based surface. Phosphonic acid containing compositions having a concentration up to about 30 vol. % of an organic solvent, and water.

Abstract: A method for reducing whisker formation and preserving solderability in tin coatings over metal features of electronic components. The tin coating has internal tensile stress and is between about 0.5 ?m and about 4.0 ?m in thickness. There is a nickel-phosphorus layer under the tin coating.

Abstract: A method for reducing whisker formation in tin coatings over metal features of electronic components. The tin coating has internal tensile stress and is between about 0.5 ?m and about 4.0 ?m in thickness.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the volatility of a solder plating bath with volatile brighteners such as aldehydes has its volatility reduced by the addition of diols to the bath. The diols are advantageously 1,3 propanediol or 1,2 propanediol and are accompanied by lower molecular weight alcohols. In a preferred embodiment, a diol along with low alcohol is added to a bath comprising sulfonic acid, surfactant, grain refiner and brightening agents comprising an aromatic aldehyde and a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the volatility of a solder plating bath with volatile brighteners such as aldehydes has its volatility reduced by the addition of diols to the bath. The diols to the bath. The diols are advantageously 1,3 propanediol or 1,2 propanediol and are accompanied by lower molecular weight alcohols. In a preferred embodiment, a diol along with low alcohol is added to a bath comprising sulfonic acid, surfactant, grain refiner and brightening agents comprising an aromatic aldehyde and a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the quality of hard gold is determined by Raman vibrational spectroscopy. A sample of the hard gold is provided, a monochromatic light beam is directed onto the sample, and the frequency and intensity of the light scattered by the sample is analyzed for the vibrational frequencies of polymer molecules. Scattering frequencies offset from the initial beam frequency by about 2132 cm−1 and about 2182 cm−1, for example, are indicative of high quality nickel-hardened gold.

Abstract: A printed wiring board (PWB) and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the PWB includes: (1) a substrate having a conductive trace located thereon and (2) a multi-purpose finish including palladium alloy where palladium is alloyed with cobalt or a platinum group metal and is located on at least a portion of the conductive trace, which forms both a non-contact finish and a contact finish for the PWB.

Abstract: A printed wiring board (PWB) and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the PWB includes: (1) a substrate having a conductive trace located thereon and (2) a multi-purpose finish including palladium alloy where palladium is alloyed with cobalt or a platinum group metal and is located on at least a portion of the conductive trace, which forms both a non-contact finish and a contact finish for the PWB.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a metal substrate is provided with a layer of tin or tin alloy that is coated under tensile stress to inhibit the growth of tin whiskers. The tensile stressed tin and tin alloy is preferably coated with a grain size larger than 1 micrometer. Advantageously the tin or tin alloy is coated on an underlayer chosen to maintain or generate the tensile stress state in the tin coating. The tensile stress inhibits whisker growth, and the resulting structure is particularly useful as a part of an electrical connector or lead frame. In a second aspect of the invention, the tensile stress of tin coatings is monitored to provide coatings of reduced tendency toward whisker growth.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the quality of hard gold is determined by Raman vibrational spectroscopy. A sample of the hard gold is provided, a monochromatic light beam is directed onto the sample, and the frequency and intensity of the light scattered by the sample is analyzed for the vibrational frequencies of polymer molecules. Scattering frequencies offset from the initial beam frequency by about 2132 cm−1 and about 2182 cm−1, for example, are indicative of high quality nickel-hardened gold.