Abstract: Electromigration activity is decreased and lifetime is extended in solder stripes employed as conductors and terminals on microelectronic devices by forming an alloy of a solute element, such as copper, with tin in a lead/tin solder and providing a substantially uniform distribution of particles of the intermetallic compound in the solder. The concentration of the solute element is maintained at less than about three times the tin concentration and less than about 10% of the amount of the solder.

Abstract: A laminated conductor includes a lower thin film of nickel deposited upon a substrate containing silicon. Upon the film of nickel, a thicker film of gold is deposited as the conductive portion of the conductor. On the upper surface of the gold layer is deposited a thin film of nickel. Failure of the conductor because of electromigration is reduced dramatically as compared with use of molybdenum instead of nickel in the laminated structure.

Abstract: Methods and resulting structures for thermally stable metal/silicon contacts are described. The resulting contacts are aluminum which is alloyed with at least one noble metal from the group of Pd and Pt wherein at least one region of the contact is further alloyed with silicon.

Abstract: A laminated conductor includes a lower thin film of nickel-X alloy or pseudo alloy deposited upon a substrate containing silicon or upon a substrate intended for use as a magnetic bubble storage device. Upon the film of nickel-X alloy, a thicker film of gold is deposited as the conductive portion of the conductor. On the upper surface of the gold layer is deposited a thin film of nickel-X alloy. Failure of the conductor because of electromigration is reduced dramatically as compared with use of molybdenum instead of nickel in the laminated structure. The nonmagnetic nickel-X alloy does not interfere with magnetic fields or produce unwanted magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method and resulting structure for forming narrow intermetallic stripes which will carry high currents on bodies such as semiconductors, integrated circuits, and magnetic bubble structures, is set forth. The conductive stripe includes gold with at least one transition metal from the group niobium, zirconium and hafnium. The gold and at least one transition metal are deposited onto a supporting body. The deposited metallic material is then annealed at a temperature between about 200.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. for a time sufficient to form a gold-transition metal compound within a gold matrix. The conductive stripes are formed by masking and removing portions of the annealed metallic material to produce conductive stripes which may have a width of 6.times.10.sup.-4 inches or less. These stripes have significantly improved electromigration performance and do not have significantly increased resistance.

Abstract: A method for forming narrow intermetallic stripes which will carry high currents on bodies such as semiconductors, integrated circuits, magnetic bubbles structures, etc. The conductive stripe includes aluminum or aluminum copper with at least one transition metal. The aluminum and at least one transition metal are deposited onto a supporting body at a very low pressure in a substantially oxygen-free high vacuum. The composite is then annealed at a temperature between about 200.degree. C. and 525.degree. C. for a time sufficient to form an aluminum and transition metal compound within the aluminum. The conductive stripes are then formed by masking and removing portions of the annealed metallic material. The resulting conductive stripes, which may be of a width of about 6.times.10.sup.-4 inches or less, have a significantly improved electromigration performance without significantly increasing resistance in the conductive stripe.