Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure that includes a thin layer of semiconductor material on a receiver wafer is disclosed. The method includes removing a thickness of material from a donor wafer, which comprises a support substrate and an epitaxial layer, for surface preparation and transferring a portion of the epitaxial layer from the donor wafer to the receiver wafer. The thickness removed during the surface preparation is adapted to enable formation of a new semiconductor structure from the remaining epitaxial portion of the donor wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a compound material wafer. The technique includes forming a weakened zone in a source substrate, attaching the source substrate to a handle substrate to form a source-handle assembly, and thermally annealing the source-handle assembly to further weaken the weakened zone. The method also includes holding the assembly at a holding temperature, and detaching the source substrate from the assembly at the weakened zone at the holding temperature. The holding temperature is greater than room temperature but does not promote further weakening of the weakened zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a material compound wafer by forming a predetermined splitting area in a source substrate; attaching the source substrate to a handle substrate to form an assembly; heating the assembly for weakening the predetermined splitting area; and determining a degree of weakening of the predetermined splitting area which evidences the physical strength of the predetermined splitting area during or after heating to detect anomalies that may lead to damage of the source substrate, handle or assembly. The degree of weakening is advantageously determined in-situ and may be determined continuously or periodically during the heating. The invention further relates to an apparatus for thermal annealing device used in the manufacturing process of a material compound wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in a method for manufacturing a material compound wafer by forming a predetermined splitting area in a source substrate; attaching the source substrate to a handle substrate to form an assembly; heating the assembly for weakening the predetermined splitting area; and determining a degree of weakening of the predetermined splitting area which evidences the physical strength of the predetermined splitting area during or after heating to detect anomalies that may lead to damage of the source substrate, handle or assembly. The device is includes an annealing device for thermally annealing the assembly; and a measuring device for determining the degree of weakening of the predetermined splitting area during or after thermal annealing to detect anomalies that may lead to damage of the source substrate, handle or assembly. The degree of weakening is advantageously determined in-situ and may be determined continuously or periodically during the heating.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure comprising a thin layer of semiconductor material on a receiver wafer is disclosed. The method comprises removing a thickness of material from a donor wafer, which comprises a support substrate and an epitaxial layer, for surface preparation and transferring a portion of the epitaxial layer from the donor wafer to the receiver wafer. The thickness removed during the surface preparation is adapted to enable formation of a new semiconductor structure from the remaining epitaxial portion of the donor wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a material compound wafer by forming a predetermined splitting area in a source substrate; attaching the source substrate to a handle substrate to form an assembly; heating the assembly for weakening the predetermined splitting area; and determining a degree of weakening of the predetermined splitting area which evidences the physical strength of the predetermined splitting area during or after heating to detect anomalies that may lead to damage of the source substrate, handle or assembly. The degree of weakening is advantageously determined in-situ and may be determined continuously or periodically during the heating. The invention further relates to an apparatus for thermal annealing device used in the manufacturing process of a material compound wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a compound material wafer. The technique includes forming a weakened zone in a source substrate, attaching the source substrate to a handle substrate to form a source-handle assembly, and thermally annealing the source-handle assembly to further weaken the weakened zone. The method also includes holding the assembly at a holding temperature, and detaching the source substrate from the assembly at the weakened zone at the holding temperature. The holding temperature is greater than room temperature but does not promote further weakening of the weakened zone.

Abstract: A method for improving the quality of a heterostructure that includes at least two layers of material that have different thermal expansion coefficients is described. The method includes applying a cap layer to the exposed surface of at least one of the layers. The cap layer is made of a material and has a thickness sufficient to reduce defects in at least one of the two layers during subsequent thermal treatment of the heterostructure. The present technique is a reliable and effective method for improving the quality of a heterostructure.