Universal solders for direct and powerful bonding on semiconductors, diamond, and optical materials

The surfaces of electronic and optical materials such as nitrides, carbides, oxides, sulfides, fluorides, selenides, diamond, silicon, and GaAs are known to be very difficult to bond with low melting point solders (<300 °C). We have achieved a direct and powerful bonding on these surfaces by using low temperature solders doped with rare-earth elements. The rare earth is stored in micron-scale, finely-dispersed intermetallic islands $({\mathrm{Sn}}_3\mathrm{Lu}$ or ${\mathrm{Au}}_4\mathrm{Lu}\mathrm{),}$ and when released, causes chemical reactions at the interface producing strong bonds. These solders directly bond to semiconductor surfaces and provide ohmic contacts. They can be useful for providing direct electrical contacts and interconnects in a variety of electronic assemblies, dimensionally stable and reliable bonding in optical fiber, laser, or thermal management assemblies.