Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Wafer level bonding is an important technology for the manufacturing of numerous Microelectromechanical Systems. In this work the aluminum thermo-compression wafer bonding is characterized. The effects and significance of various bond process parameters and surface treatment methods are reported on the final bond interfaces integrity and strength. Experimental variables include the bonding temperature, bonding time, and bonding atmosphere (forming gas and inert gas). Bonded wafer samples were investigated with scanning acoustic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and four point bending test. Interfacial adhesion energy and bond quality were found to be positively correlated with bonding temperature. A bonding temperature of 500 °C or greater is necessary to obtain bond strengths of 8-10 J/m2.