Surface-related phenomena in the direct bonding of silicon and fused-silica wafer pairs

Abstract

Direct bonding is the result of a complex interaction between chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the surfaces to be bonded and is therefore strongly correlated with the surface state of the materials. Phenomena characteristic of the actual bonding process are (a) the formation of an initial bond area, (b) bond energy, and (c) bond-front velocity. The effects of variations in surface state on these process characteristics have been investigated for silicon, oxidized silicon and fused-silica wafer pairs. The surface bond energy of hydrophilic wafers is in the range of 0.05–0.2 J/m² and is largely determined by the hydrogen bonds formed. The bond energy of hydrophobic wafers is a factor of 10 smaller and is determined by Van der Waals attractive forces. The bond-front velocity is determined by the surface state and the stiffness of the wafer. Both bond energy and bond-front velocity show ageing effects.