Piezoelectric Composite Substrate with Li Diffusion Recovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of composite substrates with piezoelectric layers using ion implantation methods results in variations in lithium (Li) amounts, leading to characteristic variations in surface acoustic wave devices, particularly affecting the performance of LiTaO3 layers, which is challenging to resolve with conventional polishing and grinding methods.

Innovation Solution

A method involving ion implantation into a piezoelectric substrate, followed by bonding with a support substrate, separating the piezoelectric layer, and diffusing lithium into the layer while applying a temperature and electric field treatment to maintain or restore the piezoelectric properties, ensuring a quasi-stoichiometric composition and reduced Li amount variation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ion implantation is used to manufacture composite substrates, then thin film thickness and film thickness uniformity are improved, but Li amount variation occurs leading to characteristic variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm thickness uniformityVSAvoidLi amount variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies Li diffusion treatment to change the concentration parameter of Li in the piezoelectric layer, transforming the composition from non-stoichiometric to quasi-stoichiometric. This resolves the Li amount variation caused by ion implantation while maintaining the thin film thickness and uniformity advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of Li amount variation and composition deviation into a benefit by applying Li diffusion treatment. The diffusion process utilizes the concentration gradient created by ion implantation to redistribute Li atoms, transforming the composition defect into a controlled quasi-stoichiometric state that improves device characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional polishing and grinding methods are used, then Li amount variation can be reduced, but film thickness uniformity and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLi amount uniformityVSAvoidfilm thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical polishing and grinding methods with a chemical/physical Li diffusion treatment. Instead of mechanically removing material to reduce Li variation, the invention uses thermal diffusion to redistribute Li atoms in situ, preserving the thin film thickness and uniformity while achieving composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameter of Li through diffusion treatment, transforming the composition uniformity without affecting the geometric uniformity of the thin film. This allows simultaneous achievement of both composition stability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If Li diffusion is applied to restore piezoelectric properties, then temperature characteristics improve, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature characteristicsVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the Li diffusion treatment with the existing ion implantation process and subsequent heat treatment steps. The Li diffusion is performed during the same thermal processing sequence used for other purposes, combining multiple functions into a single integrated process step rather than adding a separate independent operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the stable manufacturing of composite substrates with reduced Li amount variation, resulting in improved characteristics such as enhanced electromechanical coupling coefficients and temperature stability for surface acoustic wave devices.

Implementation Method 1

a step of performing ion implantation into a piezoelectric substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon implantation: Ion Implantation

Implementation Method 2

a step of diffusing Li into the piezoelectric layer after the separating step

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

a step of increasing the temperature of the piezoelectric substrate to recover a piezoelectric property

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP3525347B1Method of manufacturing composite substrate
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP3525347B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525347B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525347B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a composite substrate including a piezoelectric layer with less Li amount variation and a support substrate. A method of manufacturing a composite substrate of the present invention includes a step of performing ion implantation into a piezoelectric substrate, a step of bonding the piezoelectric substrate and the support substrate, a step of separating the bonded substrate, at an ion-implanted portion of the piezoelectric substrate, into the piezoelectric layer bonded to the support substrate and the remaining piezoelectric substrate after the step of bonding the piezoelectric substrate and the support substrate, and a step of diffusing Li into the piezoelectric layer after the separating step.