ENHANCED SPONTANEOUS SEPARATION METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF FREE-STANDING NITRIDE THIN FILMS, SUBSTRATES, AND HETEROSTRUCTURES

摘要

The present invention provides a superior method for the removal of nitride semiconductor thin films, thick films, heterostructures, and bulk material from initial substrates and/or templates. The method utilizes specially patterned mask layers between the initial substrates/templates and the nitride semiconductors to decrease adhesion between the nitride semiconductor and underlying material. Thermal stresses generated upon cooling the nitride semiconductor from its deposition temperature trigger spontaneous separation of the nitride semiconductor from the initial substrate or template at the mask layer. The invention remedies deficiencies in the prior art by providing a simple, reproducible, and effective means of removing initial substrates and templates from a variety of nitride semiconductor layers and structures.