Techniques for improving bond pad performance

A method of forming a bond pad, the method comprising the steps of:

• selectively introducing at least one alloying element to at least a portion of at least one surface of the bond pad, wherein selectively introducing comprises:
• depositing a layer of the at least one alloying element onto the bond pad surface;
• patterning at least a portion of the alloying element layer on the bond pad surface to target one or more areas of subsequent diffusion of the at least one alloying element into the bond pad;
• etching the patterned alloying element layer to create one or more areas of alloying element layer remaining only above the one or more areas of the bond pad surface targeted for subsequent diffusion;
• and
• diffusing the at least one alloying element into only the one or more areas of the bond pad targeted for diffusion through one or more rapid thermal cycles, wherein said diffusion of the at least one alloying element is limited to a maximum depth of two micrometers below said surface of the bond pad due to said one or more rapid thermal cycles.