A semiconductor device includes a silicon semiconductor body having a main surface and a nitrogen concentration which is lower than about 2*10.sup.14 cm.sup.−3 at least in a first portion of the silicon semiconductor body, the first portion extending from the main surface to a depth of about 50 μm. The nitrogen concentration increases with a distance from the main surface at least in the first portion. The semiconductor device further includes a field-effect structure arranged next to the main surface.

A method for bonding at low or room temperature includes steps of surface cleaning and activation by cleaning or etching. The method may also include removing by-products of interface polymerization to prevent a reverse polymerization reaction to allow room temperature chemical bonding of materials such as silicon, silicon nitride and SiO.sub.2. The surfaces to be bonded are polished to a high degree of smoothness and planarity. VSE may use reactive ion etching or wet etching to slightly etch the surfaces being bonded. The surface roughness and planarity are not degraded and may be enhanced by the VSE process. The etched surfaces may be rinsed in solutions such as ammonium hydroxide or ammonium fluoride to promote the formation of desired bonding species on the surfaces.