Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for locating devices, the process comprising the following steps: a) providing a carrier substrate comprising: a device layer; and alignment marks; b) providing a donor substrate; c) forming a weak zone in the donor substrate, the weak zone delimiting a useful layer; d) assembling the donor substrate and the carrier substrate; and e) fracturing the donor substrate in the weak zone so as to transfer the useful layer to the device layer; wherein the alignment marks are placed in cavities formed in the device layer, the cavities having an aperture flush with the free surface of the device layer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for locating devices, the process comprising the following steps: a) providing a carrier substrate comprising: a device layer; and alignment marks; b) providing a donor substrate; c) forming a weak zone in the donor substrate, the weak zone delimiting a useful layer; d) assembling the donor substrate and the carrier substrate; and e) fracturing the donor substrate in the weak zone so as to transfer the useful layer to the device layer; wherein the alignment marks are placed in cavities formed in the device layer, the cavities having an aperture flush with the free surface of the device layer.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor structure include bonding a carrier wafer over a substrate, removing at least a portion of the substrate, transmitting laser radiation through the carrier wafer and weakening a bond between the substrate and the carrier wafer, and separating the carrier wafer from the substrate. Other methods include forming circuits over a substrate, forming trenches in the substrate to define unsingulated semiconductor dies, bonding a carrier substrate over the unsingulated semiconductor dies, transmitting laser radiation through the carrier substrate and weakening a bond between the unsingulated semiconductor dies and the carrier substrate, and separating the carrier substrate from the unsingulated semiconductor dies. Some methods include thinning at least a portion of the substrate, leaving the plurality of unsingulated semiconductor dies bonded to the carrier substrate.

Abstract: Methods are used to form semiconductor devices that include an integrated circuit and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively coupled with the integrated circuit. At least a portion of an integrated circuit may be fabricated on a surface of a substrate, and a MEMS device may be formed over the at least a portion of the integrated circuit. The MEMS device may be operatively coupled with the integrated circuit. Semiconductor structures and electronic devices including such structures are formed using such methods.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices comprising integrated circuits and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices operatively coupled with the integrated circuits involve the formation of an electrically conductive via extending at least partially through a substrate from a first major surface of the substrate toward an opposing second major surface of the substrate, and the fabrication of at least a portion of an integrated circuit on the first major surface of the substrate. A MEMS device is provided on the second major surface of the substrate, and the MEMS device is operatively coupled with the integrated circuit using the at least one electrically conductive via. Structures and devices are fabricated using such methods.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for locating devices, the process comprising the following steps: a) providing a carrier substrate comprising: a device layer; and alignment marks; b) providing a donor substrate; c) forming a weak zone in the donor substrate, the weak zone delimiting a useful layer; d) assembling the donor substrate and the carrier substrate; and e) fracturing the donor substrate in the weak zone so as to transfer the useful layer to the device layer; wherein the alignment marks are placed in cavities formed in the device layer, the cavities having an aperture flush with the free surface of the device layer.

Abstract: Methods are used to form semiconductor devices that include an integrated circuit and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively coupled with the integrated circuit. At least a portion of an integrated circuit may be fabricated on a surface of a substrate, and a MEMS device may be formed over the at least a portion of the integrated circuit. The MEMS device may be operatively coupled with the integrated circuit. Semiconductor structures and electronic devices including such structures are formed using such methods.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices comprising integrated circuits and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices operatively coupled with the integrated circuits involve the formation of an electrically conductive via extending at least partially through a substrate from a first major surface of the substrate toward an opposing second major surface of the substrate, and the fabrication of at least a portion of an integrated circuit on the first major surface of the substrate. A MEMS device is provided on the second major surface of the substrate, and the MEMS device is operatively coupled with the integrated circuit using the at least one electrically conductive via. Structures and devices are fabricated using such methods.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor structure include bonding a carrier wafer over a substrate, removing at least a portion of the substrate, transmitting laser radiation through the carrier wafer and weakening a bond between the substrate and the carrier wafer, and separating the carrier wafer from the substrate. Other methods include forming circuits over a substrate, forming trenches in the substrate to define unsingulated semiconductor dies, bonding a carrier substrate over the unsingulated semiconductor dies, transmitting laser radiation through the carrier substrate and weakening a bond between the unsingulated semiconductor dies and the carrier substrate, and separating the carrier substrate from the unsingulated semiconductor dies. Some methods include thinning at least a portion of the substrate, leaving the plurality of unsingulated semiconductor dies bonded to the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A method of bonding by molecular bonding between at least one lower wafer and an upper wafer comprises positioning the upper wafer on the lower wafer. In accordance with the invention, a contact force is applied to a peripheral side of at least one of the two wafers in order to initiate a bonding wave between the two wafers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process of preparing a thin layer to be transferred onto a substrate having a surface topology and, therefore, variations in altitude or level, in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the thin layer, this process comprising the formation on the thin layer of a layer of adhesive material, the thickness of which enables carrying out a plurality of polishing steps of its surface in order to eliminate any defect or void or almost any defect or void, in preparation for an assembly via a molecular kind of bonding with the substrate.

Abstract: A method for trimming a structure obtained by bonding a first wafer to a second waver on contact faces and thinning the first waver, wherein at least either the first wafer or the second wafer is chamfered and thus exposes the edge of the contact face of the first wafer, wherein the trimming concerns the first wafer. The method includes a) selecting the second wafer from among wafers with a resistance to a chemical etching planned in b) that is sufficient with respect to the first wafer to allow b) to be carried out; b) after bonding the first wafer to the second wafer, chemical etching the edge of the first wafer to form in the first wafer a pedestal resting entirely on the contact face of the second wafer and supporting the remaining of the first wafer; and c) thinning the first wafer until the pedestal is reached and attacked, to provide a thinned part of the first wafer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process of preparing a thin layer to be transferred onto a substrate having a surface topology and, therefore, variations in altitude or level, in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the thin layer, this process comprising the formation on the thin layer of a layer of adhesive material, the thickness of which enables carrying out a plurality of polishing steps of its surface in order to eliminate any defect or void or almost any defect or void, in preparation for an assembly via a molecular kind of bonding with the substrate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process of preparing a thin layer to be transferred onto a substrate having a surface topology and, therefore, variations in altitude or level, in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the thin layer, this process comprising the formation on the thin layer of a layer of adhesive material, the thickness of which enables carrying out a plurality of polishing steps of its surface in order to eliminate any defect or void or almost any defect or void, in preparation for an assembly via a molecular kind of bonding with the substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multilayer substrate may include bonding a front face of a donor substrate to a front face of a receiver substrate by molecular adhesion to form a stack and applying a heat treatment to the stack to consolidate a bond interface between the donor substrate and the receiver substrate. The method may further include thinning a back face of the donor substrate, trimming a periphery of the donor substrate and at least a portion of a periphery of the receiver substrate, and etching the back face of the donor substrate, the periphery of the donor substrate, and the at least a portion of the periphery of the receiver substrate subsequent to thinning the back face of the donor substrate and trimming the periphery of the donor substrate and the at least a portion of the periphery of the receiver substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides composite semiconductor substrates and methods for fabricating such substrates. The composite structures include a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor superstrate and an intermediate layer interposed between the substrate and the superstrate that comprises a material that undergoes a structural transformation when subject to a suitable heat treatment. The methods provide such a heat treatment so that the intermediate layer becomes spongy or porous, being filled with numerous micro-bubbles or micro-cavities containing a gaseous phase. The composite semiconductor substrates with structurally-transformed intermediate layers have numerous applications.

Abstract: A method for trimming a structure obtained by bonding a first wafer to a second waver on contact faces and thinning the first waver, wherein at least either the first wafer or the second wafer is chamfered and thus exposes the edge of the contact face of the first wafer, wherein the trimming concerns the first wafer. The method includes a) selecting the second wafer from among wafers with a resistance to a chemical etching planned in b) that is sufficient with respect to the first wafer to allow b) to be carried out; b) after bonding the first wafer to the second wafer, chemical etching the edge of the first wafer to form in the first wafer a pedestal resting entirely on the contact face of the second wafer and supporting the remaining of the first wafer; and c) thinning the first wafer until the pedestal is reached and attacked, to provide a thinned part of the first wafer.

Abstract: A process of forming a rough interface in a semiconductor substrate. The process includes the steps of depositing a material on a surface of the substrate, forming a zone of irregularities in the material, and forming a rough interface in the semiconductor substrate by a thermal oxidation of the material and a part of the substrate. Additionally, the surface of the oxidized material may be prepared and the surface may be assembled with a second substrate.

Abstract: A method of bonding by molecular bonding between at least one lower wafer and an upper wafer comprises positioning the upper wafer on the lower wafer. In accordance with the invention, a contact force is applied to the peripheral side of at least one of the two wafers in order to initiate a bonding wave between the two wafers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for annealing a structure that includes at least one wafer, with the annealing process including conducting a first annealing of the structure in an oxidizing atmosphere while holding the structure in contact with a holder in a first position in order to oxidize at least portion of the exposed surface of the structure, shifting the structure on the holder into a second position in which non-oxidized regions of the structure are exposed, and conducting a second annealing of the structure in an oxidizing atmosphere while holding the structure in the second position. The process provides an oxide layer on the structure.