Abstract: A method for gettering metal atoms (28) from a subsequently contaminated silicon substrate (12) is disclosed. A smoothed or polished first surface (16) has a thin germanium silicon layer (20) deposited thereon. A silicon layer (24) is deposited onto the germanium silicon layer (20) to seal the layer (20) between the substrate (12) and the silicon layer (24). Electronic components (26) are fabricated on a second surface (14) of the silicon substrate (12) which causes the metal atoms (28) to contaminate the substrate as a result of contamination in normal processing (12). As the substrate (12) is heated during normal processing of the devices, metal atoms (28) in the substrate of a result of contamination, diffuse in the substrate (12) to the misfit dislocations at the germanium-silicon (20)/silicon interface.