Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

A preparation method for adhesive bonding of magnesium-containing aluminum alloy products includes a magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product including a matrix and a surface oxide layer overlying the matrix. The magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product also includes intermetallic particles at least proximal the surface oxide layer. The method also includes ablating at least some of the intermetallic particles via an energy source, and in the absence of melting of the matrix of the magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

Disclosed is a dry etching method which includes: a first step of bringing a processing gas containing a fluorine-containing interhalogen compound into contact with a material containing a specific metal element at a reaction temperature of 0° C. to 100° C., thereby forming a reaction product of the specific metal element and the fluorine-containing interhalogen compound as a solid product; and a second step of evaporating the solid product by heating the solid product in an inert gas atmosphere or vacuum atmosphere at a temperature higher than the reaction temperature of the first step, wherein the specific metal element is one or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ta, and Nb.

Disclosed is a dry etching method which includes: a first step of bringing a processing gas containing a fluorine-containing interhalogen compound into contact with a material containing a specific metal element at a reaction temperature of 0° C. to 100° C., thereby forming a reaction product of the specific metal element and the fluorine-containing interhalogen compound as a solid product; and a second step of evaporating the solid product by heating the solid product in an inert gas atmosphere or vacuum atmosphere at a temperature higher than the reaction temperature of the first step, wherein the specific metal element is one or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ta, and Nb.

A method for creating multiple current pathways for plating a work piece is provided. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. After depositing the electroless layer of material, laser ablation is performed on at least a portion of the work piece to remove a portion of the electroless layer of material to define at least a portion of the barrier. Prior to electroless plating, a resist material may be applied to at least a portion of the work piece, with the resist material combining with the removed material to define the barrier.