Abstract: A process of assembly by direct bonding of a first and second element, each having a surface including copper portions separated by a dielectric material, the process includes: polishing the surfaces such that the surfaces to be assembled allow assembly by bonding; forming a diffusion barrier selectively in copper portions of the first and second elements, wherein the surface of the diffusion barrier of the first and second elements is level with the surface, to within less than 5 nanometers; and bringing the two surfaces into contact, such that the copper portions of one surface cover at least partly the copper portions of the other surface, and such that direct bonding is obtained between the surfaces.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one photosensitive infrared detector by assembling a first electronic component including plural photodiodes sensitive to infrared radiation and a second electronic component including at least one electronic circuit for reading the plurality of photodiodes, an infrared detector, and an assembly for producing such a detector, the method including: production, on each one of the first and second components, of a connection face formed at least partially by a silicon oxide (SiO2)-based layer; bonding the first component and the second component by the connection faces thereof, thus performing the direct bonding of the two components. The method can simplify hybridization of heterogeneous components for producing an infrared detector.

Abstract: Method of assembly of a first element (I) and a second element (II) each having an assembly surface, at least one of the assembly surfaces comprising recessed metal portions (6, 106) surrounded by dielectric materials (4, 104) comprising: A) a step to bring the two assembly surfaces into contact without application of pressure such that direct bonding is obtained between the assembly surfaces, said first and second assemblies (I, II) forming a stack with a given thickness (e), B) a heat treatment step of said stack during which the back faces (10, 110) of the first (I) and the second (II) elements are held in position so that they are held at a fixed distance (E) between the given stack thickness+/?2 nm.

Abstract: A method of carrying out a transfer of one or more first components or of a first layer onto a second substrate including: a) application and maintaining, by electrostatic effect, of the one or more first components or of the first layer, on a first substrate, made of a ferroelectric material, electrically charged, b) placing in contact, direct or by molecular adhesion, and transfer of the components or the layer onto a second substrate, and c) dismantling of the first substrate, leaving at least one part of the components or the layer on the second substrate.

Abstract: A three-dimensional integrated structure may include two assembled integrated circuits respectively including two metallic lines, and at least two cavities passing through one of the integrated circuits and opening onto two locations respectively in electrical contact with the two metallic lines. The cavities may be sized to place a measuring apparatus at the bottom of the cavities, and in electrical contact with the two locations.

Abstract: A direct bonding method between at least a first layer (104) comprising silicon oxide having a thickness equal to or higher than about 10 nm and a second layer (108) of material having hydrophilicity, comprising at least the steps of: making the first layer (104) on a first substrate (102) such that the absorbance value of this first layer (104), at a vibration frequency of silanol bonds present in the first layer (104) equal to about 3660 cm?1, is equal to or higher than about 1.5×10?5 nm?1, the silanol bonds being formed in at least part of the thickness of the first layer (104) which is equal to or higher than about 10 nm; direct bonding between the first layer (104) and the second layer (108).

Abstract: Support comprising a reception zone in which the external envelope matches the shape of a plate (P2) designed to be placed on a droplet deposited at least in the reception zone in order to achieve capillary self-assembly of the plate and the support, and at least one pair of tracks (T11, T12) that extend on the support from the reception zone and that have a lyophilic type affinity with the droplet such that an overflow of the droplet beyond the reception zone is guided in the tracks, characterised in that the at least one pair of tracks comprises a first track (T11) and a second track (T12) that do not have the same lyophilic type degree of affinity with the droplet.

Abstract: A method for bonding a first copper element onto a second copper element including forming a crystalline copper layer enriched in oxygen on each of surfaces of each of the first and second elements through which the elements will be in contact, the total thickness of both layers being less than 6 nm, which includes: a) polishing the surfaces so as to obtain a roughness of less than 1 nm RMS, and hydrophilic surfaces, b) cleaning the surfaces to suppress presence of particles due to the polishing and the major portion of corrosion inhibitors, and c) putting both crystalline copper layer enriched in oxygen in contact with each other.

Abstract: A method of forming, on a surface of a substrate, at least one hydrophilic attachment area for the purpose of self-assembling a component or a chip, in which a hydrophobic area, which delimits the hydrophilic attachment area, is produced.

Abstract: A process of assembly by direct bonding of a first and second element, each having a surface including copper portions separated by a dielectric material, the process includes: polishing the surfaces such that the surfaces to be assembled allow assembly by bonding; forming a diffusion barrier selectively in copper portions of the first and second elements, wherein the surface of the diffusion barrier of the first and second elements is level with the surface, to within less than 5 nanometers; and bringing the two surfaces into contact, such that the copper portions of one surface cover at least partly the copper portions of the other surface, and such that direct bonding is obtained between the surfaces.

Abstract: To avoid problems of hydrolysis of the silicon oxide formed by PECVD at the surface of at least one wafer, it is proposed to cover, in the vacuum deposition chamber used to deposit the silicon oxide, said oxide with a temporary protective layer containing nitrogen. The protective layer thus protects the silicon oxide against the outer environment and especially against humidity when the wafer provided with the silicon oxide is stored outside of the vacuum deposition chamber. Afterwards, the protective layer is removed, for example, by chemical-mechanical. polishing, just before the two wafers are placed into contact. The protective layer may be formed by a PECVD silicon nitride deposition, by plasma nitriding or nitrogen doping of a superficial portion of the silicon oxide.

Abstract: Methods of bonding together semiconductor structures include annealing a first metal feature on a first semiconductor structure, bonding the first metal feature to a second metal feature of a second semiconductor structure to form a bonded metal structure that comprises the first metal feature and the second metal feature, and annealing the bonded metal structure. Annealing the first metal feature may comprise subjecting the first metal feature to a pre-bonding thermal budget, and annealing the bonded metal structure may comprise subjecting the bonded metal structure to a post-bonding thermal budget that is less than the pre-bonding thermal budget. Bonded semiconductor structures are fabricated using such methods.

Abstract: A method for bonding a first surface provided with at least one copper area surrounded by a silicon oxide area to a second surface includes an operation of treatment of the first surface by a plasma, before placing the first surface in contact with the second surface. The plasma is formed from a gas source containing a silicon oxide nitriding agent and a copper oxide reducing agent containing hydrogen. The gas source may include an N2 and NH3 and/or H2 gas mixture or a N2O and H2 gas mixture, or ammonia, which is then used both as a nitriding agent and as a reducing agent. The plasma obtained from this gas source then necessarily contains nitrogen and hydrogen, which enables, in a single operation, to provide a high-performance bonding between the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A method of separating a structure including a fragile zone delimiting two substructures to be separated, where at least one plane blade is advanced in a separation plane corresponding to a median plane of the fragile zone, from an entry edge of the structure in a direction of advance toward an exit edge of the structure, so as to cause progressive separation of the two substructures, and where the inclination of the blade in the separation plane is varied relative to the direction of advance.

Abstract: Methods of bonding together semiconductor structures include annealing a first metal feature on a first semiconductor structure, bonding the first metal feature to a second metal feature of a second semiconductor structure to form a bonded metal structure that comprises the first metal feature and the second metal feature, and annealing the bonded metal structure. Annealing the first metal feature may comprise subjecting the first metal feature to a pre-bonding thermal budget, and annealing the bonded metal structure may comprise subjecting the bonded metal structure to a post-bonding thermal budget that is less than the pre-bonding thermal budget. Bonded semiconductor structures are fabricated using such methods.

Abstract: A method for bonding a first copper element onto a second copper element including forming a crystalline copper layer enriched in oxygen on each of surfaces of each of the first and second elements through which the elements will be in contact, the total thickness of both layers being less than 6 nm, which includes: a) polishing the surfaces so as to obtain a roughness of less than 1 nm RMS, and hydrophilic surfaces, b) cleaning the surfaces to suppress presence of particles due to the polishing and the major portion of corrosion inhibitors, and c) putting both crystalline copper layer enriched in oxygen in contact with each other.

Abstract: A method for modifying crystalline structure of a copper element with a planar surface, including: a) producing a copper standard having large grains, wherein the standard includes a planar surface, b) reducing roughness of the planar surfaces to a roughness of less than 1 nm, c) cleaning the planar surfaces, d) bringing the two planar surfaces into contact, and e) annealing.

Abstract: A method of forming an epitaxially grown layer by forming a region of weakness in a support substrate to define a support portion and a remainder portion on opposite sides of the region of weakness, epitaxially growing an epitaxially grown layer on the support portion after forming the region of weakness but prior to detachment of the support portion from the remainder portion; bonding the epitaxially grown layer to an acceptor substrate before detaching the remainder portion from the support portion; and detaching the remainder portion from the support portion at the region of weakness. The epitaxially grown layer may be removed from the support portion as a free-standing structure.

Abstract: A method for transferring a layer onto a support includes transferring the layer, assembled on an initial substrate, onto a liquid layer that has been previously deposited on the support. The layer is subsequently released from the initial substrate by chemical etching, and the liquid layer is evacuated to allow molecular adhesion of the layer to the support.

Abstract: A method for transferring a layer onto a support includes transferring the layer, assembled on an initial substrate, onto a liquid layer that has been previously deposited on the support. The layer is subsequently released from the initial substrate by chemical etching, and the liquid layer is evacuated to allow molecular adhesion of the layer to the support.