Patent ID: 8138061
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure comprising: forming a bonded structure by bonding two silicon surfaces to each other through an interfacial oxide layer that is present on each of the two silicon surfaces, wherein each interfacial oxide layer has a thickness ranging from 3 nm to 5 nm; and annealing the bonded structure including the interfacial oxide layer that is present on each of the two silicon surfaces in an ambient that consists essentially of argon and oxygen, wherein oxygen is present in an amount from about 0.02 to about 2% at a temperature ranging from 250° C. to 1325° C., wherein said annealing completely removes said interfacial oxide layer from said bonded structure thereby said two silicon surfaces are directly bonded together without any oxide islands or oxide layer being present between the two silicon surfaces.