Cleaving of substrates
US7902091B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/2658
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved process of substrate cleaving and a device to perform the cleaving are disclosed. In the traditional cleaving process, a layer of microbubbles is created within a substrate through the implantation of ions of a gaseous species, such as hydrogen or helium. The size and spatial distribution of these microbubbles is enhanced through the use of ultrasound energy. The ultrasound energy causes smaller microbubbles to join together and also reduces the straggle. An ultrasonic transducer is acoustically linked with the substrate to facilitate these effects. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer is in communication with the platen, such that ultrasound energy can be applied during ion implantation and/or immediately thereafter. In other embodiments, the ultrasonic energy is applied to the substrate during a subsequent process, such as an anneal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.