Patent ID: 8119016
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: B23K,C23G,H01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of removing metal oxides from a treating surface of a substrate, the method comprising: providing the substrate which is proximal to a first electrode; providing a second electrode that is proximal to the first electrode and the substrate wherein at least a portion of the treating surface is exposed to the second electrode and wherein the first and the second electrodes and the substrate reside within a target area; passing a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas through the target area; supplying energy between the first and second electrodes to generate electrons within the target area wherein at least a portion of the electrons attach to at least a portion of the reducing gas thereby forming a negatively charged reducing gas, wherein the energy comprises a pulsed direct current voltage; and contacting the treating surface with the negatively charged reducing gas to reduce the metal oxides on the treating surface of the substrate, wherein the method is performed in the absence of a vacuum, wherein the method is used in at least one process selected from the group consisting of reflow soldering, wave soldering, wafer bumping, metal plating, brazing, welding, surface cleaning, thin film de-oxidation, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the reducing gas is a gas selected from the group consisting of H organic vapors having the following formula (IV), and mixtures thereof, wherein substituent R in formula (III) and formula (IV) is an alkyl group, a substituted alkyl group, an aryl group, or a substituted aryl group.