Direct bonding methods using lithium
OwnerLarry G. Mann, Robert Sabia +1inventors
InventorsLarry G. Mann, Robert Sabia, Dennis W. Smith
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Abstract
Methods of improving the direct bonding of articles are disclosed. Lithium can be incorporated into the composition of one of the articles and/or lithium can be added to a bonding surface by ion exhchange, absorption, ion implantation, coating, or deposition. Bonding is achieved without use of adhesives or high temperature fusion. The invention is useful for bonding a wide variety of articles together such as optical components, optical fibers and articles having different coefficients of thermal expansion or refractive indices.
Claims37
A method of bonding at least two surfaces, one of the surfaces including silicon, comprising the steps of:
- including lithium on at least a portion of one of the surfaces;
- and
- placing the surfaces directly in contact in the absence of an adhesive and at a temperature below the softening point of the surfaces.
A method of bonding at least two glass articles together comprising the steps of:
- providing a bonding interface between the glass articles;
- and
- including lithium at the bonding interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.