Patent ID: 7256075

Claim:
A method of transferring layers from a donor wafer which comprises: forming a multi-layer structure on a surface of the donor wafer at a thickness sufficient to provide multiple layers, each layer adapted for subsequent detachment from the donor wafer; forming a buffer structure on the donor wafer, wherein the buffer structure includes a support substrate and a buffer layer between the support substrate and the multi-layer structure; detaching one layer of the multi-layer structure at a zone of weakness for transfer as a first layer while leaving behind a remaining portion of the multi-layer structure on a surface of the donor wafer that includes at least one additional layer; and removing material from the zone of weakness of the remaining portion of the multi-layer structure to provide a planarized surface for subsequent detachment of one of the at least one additional layer of the multi-layer structure, wherein the buffer layer is formed by epitaxial growth of a superficial layer on the support substrate by: stabilizing the support substrate to a predetermined first temperature; chemical vapor phase depositing of a base layer at the said predetermined first temperature to a predetermined thickness that is less than a desired final thickness; increasing the predetermined first temperature to a second predetermined temperature; and chemical vapor phase depositing additional material at the predetermined second temperature until the desired final thickness of the superficial layer is obtained; wherein the buffer layer is that portion of the superficial layer that interfaces with the support substrate and extends over a thickness for which the rate of crystallographic defects is greater than a limit value, with the remaining portion of the superficial layer being at least a portion of the multi-layer structure.