Integration of GaN thin films with silicon substrates by fusion bonding and laser lift-off

GaN thin films grown on sapphire substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are successfully bonded and transferred onto Si receptor substrates using fusion bonding and laser lift-off (LLO) technique. GaN/Al2O3 structures are joined to Si substrates by pressure bonding Ti/Au coated GaN surface onto Ti/Au coated Si receptor substrates at the temperature of 400 Celsius degree. KrF excimer laser with 400-mJ/cm2 energy density, 248-nm wavelength, and 30-ns pulse width is used to irradiate the wafer through the transparent sapphire substrates and separate GaN films from sapphire. Cross-section scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) measurements show that Au/Si solid solution is formed during bonding process. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements show that the qualities of GaN films on Si substrates degrade little after substrates transfer.