Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transferring a thin useful layer from a donor substrate having an ordered crystalline structure to a receiver substrate. The method includes creation of a weakened zone in the donor substrate to define the layer to be transferred from the donor substrate. The crystalline structure of a surface region of the donor substrate is disturbed so as to create a disturbed superficial region within the thickness of the donor substrate, and thus define a disturbance interface between the disturbed superficial region and a subjacent region of the donor substrate for which the crystalline structure remains unchanged. Next, the donor substrate is subjected to a recrystallization annealing in order to at least partial recrystallize of the disturbed region, starting from the crystalline structure of the subjacent region of the donor substrate, and to create a zone of crystalline defects in the plane of the disturbance interface.

Abstract: A method for self-supported transfer of a fine layer, in which at least one species of ions is implanted in a source-substrate at a specified depth in relation to the surface of the source-substrate. A stiffener is applied in intimate contact with the source-substrate and the source-substrate undergoes a heat treatment at a specified temperature during a specified period of time in order to create an embrittled buried area substantially at the specified depth without causing a thin layer, defined between the surface and the embrittled buried layer in relation to the remainder of the source-substrate, to become thermally detached. A controlled localized energy pulse is applied to the source-substrate in order to cause the self-supported detachment of the thin layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a of manufacturing a silicon dioxide layer of low roughness, that includes depositing a layer of silicon dioxide over a substrate by a low pressure chemical vapour deposition (LPCVD) process, the deposition process employing simultaneously a flow of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the source material for the film deposition and a flow of a diluant gas that it not reactive with TEOS, so that the diluant gas/TEOS flow ratio is between 0.5 and 100; and annealing the silicon dioxide layer at a temperature between 600° C. and 1200° C., for a duration between 10 minutes and 6 hours.

Abstract: A method of detaching a thin film from a source substrate comprises the steps of implanting ions or gaseous species in the source substrate so as to form therein a buried zone weakened by the presence of defects; and splitting in the weakened zone leading to the detachment of the thin film from the source substrate. Two species are implanted of which one is adapted to form defects and the other is adapted to occupy those defects, the detachment being made at a temperature lower than that for which detachment could be obtained with solely the dose of the first species.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a film intended for applications in electronics, optics or optronics starting from an initial wafer, which includes a step of implanting atomic species through one of the faces of the wafer. This method includes forming a step of defined height around the periphery of the wafer, with the step having a mean thickness that is less than that of the wafer; and selectively implanting atomic species through a face of the wafer but not through the step to form an implanted zone at a defined implant depth with the film being defined between the face of the wafer and the implanted zone. The implantation of atomic species into the step can be prevented by forming a protective layer at least over the step or by masking the step. The invention also relates to a wafer obtainable by the method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photodetecting device, by providing a first wafer that includes a photosensitive layer made of a semiconductor material and a second wafer that includes a circuit layer of electronic components, with one of the photosensitive layer or the circuit layer incorporating a field isolation layer; bonding the first and second wafers to form a structure comprising successively the circuit layer, the field isolation layer and the photosensitive layer; and forming electrically conductive vias to electrically connect the photosensitive layer to at least some of the electronic components of the circuit layer. Also, photodetecting devices prepared by these methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wafer comprising a single crystalline bulk substrate of a first material and at least one epitaxial layer of a second material which has a lattice different from the lattice of the first material. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a wafer in which a layer which is lattice-mismatched with the substrate can be grown on the substrate with a high effectiveness and high quality at a low cost. A roughening step is included for roughening the surface of the bulk substrate and a growing step is included for growing the second material on the rough surface with a reduced number of threading dislocations and an enhanced strain relaxation compared to a second material that is epitaxially grown on a polished surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to structures useful for the manufacture of electronic components, which comprise a substrate, a strain holding layer, and a layer of a strained semiconducting material. These structures are particularly useful where islands are later formed in the strained semiconducting material because the strain holding layer limits relaxation of stress in the islands. This invention also relates to processes for making a these structures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a structure that includes at least one semiconductor material for applications in microelectronics, optoelectronics or optics. The method includes transferring, onto a support made of a first material, a thin monocrystalline layer made of a second material that differs from the first material, and performing a predetermined heat treatment carrying out at least one strengthening step on a bonding interface between the thin layer and the support. The thickness of the thin layer is selected as a function of the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the first and second materials and as a function of parameters of predetermined heat treatment, such that the stresses exerted by the heat treatment on the assembly of the support and the transferred thin layer leaves the assembly intact. The method further includes depositing an additional thickness of the second material in the monocrystalline state on the thin layer to thicken it.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a structure of a thin layer of semiconductor material on a support substrate. The thin layer is obtained from a donor substrate and includes an upper layer of semiconductor material. The method includes forming on the upper layer a bonding layer of a material that accepts diffusion from an element of the material of the upper layer, bonding the donor substrate from the side on which the bonding layer is formed on the upper layer to the support substrate, and diffusing the element from the upper layer into the bonding layer to homogenize the concentration of the element in the bonding layer and the upper layer. The result is that the thin layer of the structure is joined by the bonding layer to the upper layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transferring a thin useful layer from a donor substrate having an ordered crystalline structure to a receiver substrate. The method includes creation of a weakened zone in the donor substrate to define the layer to be transferred from the donor substrate. The crystalline structure of a surface region of the donor substrate is disturbed so as to create a disturbed superficial region within the thickness of the donor substrate, and thus define a disturbance interface between the disturbed superficial region and a subjacent region of the donor substrate for which the crystalline structure remains unchanged. Next, the donor substrate is subjected to a recrystallization annealing in order to at least partial recrystallize of the disturbed region, starting from the crystalline structure of the subjacent region of the donor substrate, and to create a zone of crystalline defects in the plane of the disturbance interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wafer comprising a single crystalline bulk substrate of a first material and at least one epitaxial layer of a second material which has a lattice different from the lattice of the first material. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a wafer in which a layer which is lattice-mismatched with the substrate can be grown on the substrate with a high effectiveness and high quality at a low cost. A roughening step is included for roughening the surface of the bulk substrate and a growing step is included for growing the second material on the rough surface with a reduced number of threading dislocations and an enhanced strain relaxation compared to a second material that is epitaxially grown on a polished surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of catastrophic transfer of a thin film including implanting in a source substrate a first species of ions or gas at a given depth and a second species of ions or gas, the first species being adapted to generate defects and the second species being adapted to occupy those defects. The process further includes applying a stiffener in intimate contact with the source substrate, applying a heat treatment to that source substrate, at a given temperature for a given time, so as to create, substantially at the given depth, a buried weakened zone, without initiating the thermal splitting of a thin film, and applying a localized amount of energy, for example mechanical stresses, to that source substrate so as to provoke the catastrophic splitting of a thin film, the thin film having a substantially planar face opposite to the face surface of the source substrate.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a structure of a thin layer of semiconductor material on a support substrate. The thin layer is obtained from a donor substrate and includes an upper layer of semiconductor material. The method includes forming on the upper layer a bonding layer of a material that accepts diffusion from an element of the material of the upper layer, bonding the donor substrate from the side on which the bonding layer is formed on the upper layer to the support substrate, and diffusing the element from the upper layer into the bonding layer to homogenize the concentration of the element in the bonding layer and the upper layer. The result is that the thin layer of the structure is joined by the bonding layer to the upper layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wafer in which a heterogeneous material compound is detached at a pre-determined detachment area of the compound, and the compound is subject to a thermal treatment. It is the object of the present invention to provide an easy and effective method of detachment a heterogeneous material compound with a reduced risk of an undefined breaking of the compound. The object is solved by a method wherein the thermal treatment includes annealing the compound, where the annealing is stopped before a detachment of the compound, and an irradiation of the compound with photons in order to obtain a detachment of the compound at the pre-determined detachment area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wafer in which a heterogeneous material compound is detached at a pre-determined detachment area of the compound, and the compound is subject to a thermal treatment. It is the object of the present invention to provide an easy and effective method of detachment a heterogeneous material compound with a reduced risk of an undefined breaking of the compound. The object is solved by a method wherein the thermal treatment includes annealing the compound, where the annealing is stopped before a detachment of the compound, and an irradiation of the compound with photons in order to obtain a detachment of the compound at the pre-determined detachment area.

Abstract: A method of detaching a thin film from a source substrate comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A MEMS-based selectable laser output optical device (10) includes a laser source (12) having a laser output 14. A MEMS switch (16) is optically coupled to the laser source (12) for selectively coupling the laser output (14) from the laser source (12) in one of two directions (141) or (142). The MEMS switch (16) has a mirror (160) that is slidable or otherwise movable from a first position (161), where the mirror (160) is laying flat or in another non-obstructing position to provide a non-obstructing linear exit optical path (141). A second position (162) where the mirror (160) is in its upright vertically aligned direction, obstructs the linear optical path to re-direct the optical path in a non-linear direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a first chip having a plurality of solder bumps and recesses formed therein at preselected locations. A second chip is provided with a plurality of solder pads and projections. A plurality of solder bonds are coupled between the first and second chips. At least one of the recesses and projections includes angled walls for capturing and directing the other during reflow of the solder bonds such that the first chip aligns relative to the second chip under the surface tension of the solder bonds. If desired, vibrating waves may be applied to the first and second chips during reflow to assist movement of the projections relative to the recesses.