Three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit with enhanced copper-to-copper bonding

Abstract

At least one metal adhesion layer is formed on at least a Cu surface of a first device wafer. A second device wafer having another Cu surface is positioned atop the Cu surface of the first device wafer and on the at least one metal adhesion layer. The first and second device wafers are then bonded together. The bonding includes heating the devices wafers to a temperature of less than 400° C., with or without, application of an external applied pressure. During the heating, the two Cu surfaces are bonded together and the at least one metal adhesion layer gets oxygen atoms from the two Cu surfaces and forms at least one metal oxide bonding layer between the Cu surfaces.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.