Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for the direct bonding of a copper sheet to a substrate made of electrically insulating material chosen from among alumina and aluminium nitride, said method consisting in the placing of a copper sheet on the substrate and in the heating of this set under a controlled atmosphere with the use, at least temporarily, of an oxidating reactive gas, at a temperature ranging between the temperature for the formation of a eutectic mixture, based on copper and the reactive gas, and the melting temperature of copper, and then in the cooling of the set, said method comprising the following steps: i--cleaning the copper to remove traces of oxidation at its surface before placing the copper on the substrate ii--heating the copper/substrate set under a neutral atmosphere until a temperature is obtained which is greater than the eutectic mixture forming temperature, and iii--applying the oxidating reactive gas only after the obtaining of a temperature greater than the temperature for the formation of the eutectic mixture in such a way that this temperature is reached before any oxidation of the surface of the copper.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for the direct bonding of a copper sheet to a substrate made of electrically insulating material chosen from among alumina and aluminium nitride, said method consisting in the placing of a copper sheet on the substrate and in the heating of this set under a controlled atmosphere with the use, at least temporarily, of an oxidating reactive gas, at a temperature ranging between the temperature for the formation of a eutectic mixture, based on copper and the reactive gas, and the melting temperature of copper, and then in the cooling of the set, said method comprising the following steps: i--cleaning the copper to remove traces of oxidation at its surface before placing the copper on the substrate ii--heating the copper/substrate set under a neutral atmosphere until a temperature is obtained which is greater than the eutectic mixture forming temperature, and iii--applying the oxidating reactive gas only after the obtaining of a temperature greater than the temperature for the formation of the eutectic mixture in such a way that this temperature is reached before any oxidation of the surface of the copper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the copper sheet has a phosphorus content of less than 0.0015% by weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the copper sheet has an oxygen content of less than 0.0024% by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the copper sheet has an oxygen content ranging between 0.0020% and 0.0024% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a surface roughness of the order of 3.3±0.2 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a transition metal oxides content, notably an iron oxide content, of less than 0.08% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the copper/substrate set is heated up to a temperature of 1075° C. ±2° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the copper/substrate set is heated at a steady level of temperature of 1075°±2° C. for a period of 2 to 4 min.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the reactive gas applied after the obtaining of a temperature greater than the temperature of the eutectic mixture is formed by oxygen at a partial pressure of 50 to 100 ppm, preferably 70 ppm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling stage is done under a neutral atmosphere.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the neutral atmosphere is formed by nitrogen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the copper cleaning step consists in the cleaning of said copper in a diluted solution of hydrochloric acid and then in the rinsing of the copper in de-ionized water.