Browse Articles

Changing the surface properties of the backside of a silicon wafer to repel oil and prevent particle binding

Choi et al. | Feb 14, 2025

Changing the surface properties of the backside of a silicon wafer to repel oil and prevent particle binding

Wafers, essential in microchip production, can develop issues like leveling problems and wafer slip due to the formation of silanol bonds on their backside, which attract silica particles and oil. Authors tested addressing this issue with a coating of [acetoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl]triethoxysilane (APTS) applied to the wafer’s backside, preventing particle binding and oil adherence.

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Influence of induction heating on static recrystallization kinetics of AISI 4130 steel

Chen et al. | Apr 30, 2026

Influence of induction heating on static recrystallization kinetics of AISI 4130 steel

This article investigates whether induction heating can speed up static recrystallization in AISI 4130 steel compared with traditional radiant heating. It was found that induction-heated samples recrystallized faster, softened more quickly, and showed earlier microstructural changes like grain nucleation and pearlite spheroidization, suggesting induction heating could be a more efficient alternative for industrial metal heat treatments.

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Enhancing the quantum efficiency of a silicon solar cell using one dimensional thin film interferometry

Ahuja et al. | May 03, 2024

Enhancing the quantum efficiency of a silicon solar cell using one dimensional thin film interferometry
Image credit: American Public Power Association

Here, recognizing the need to improve the efficiency of the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy, the authors used MATLAB to mathematically simulate a multi-layered thin film with an without an antireflective coating. They found that the use of alternating ZnO-SiO2 multilayers enhanced the transmission of light into the solar cell, increasing its efficiency and reducing the reflectivity of the Si-Air interface.

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