Abstract:
A useful layer (1) is initially attached by a sacrificial layer (2) to a layer (3) forming a substrate. Before etching of the sacrificial layer (2), at least a part of the surface (4, 5) of at least one of the layers in contact with the sacrificial layer (2) is doped. After etching of the sacrificial layer (2), the surface (4, 5) is superficially etched so as to increase the roughness of its doped part. After doping, a mask (9) is deposited on a part of the useful layer (1) so as to delineate a doped zone and a non-doped zone of the surface (4, 5), one of the zones forming a stop after the superficial etching phase.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical devices with protective coatings on one or more surfaces of the micromechanical device is disclosed. The micromechanical device includes a substrate. The micromechanical device further includes a mirror positioned over the substrate. The mirror can be at least partially reflective to incident light. The micromechanical device further includes an optical layer positioned over the substrate and spaced from the mirror. The optical layer can be at least partially transmissive to incident light. The micromechanical device can further include a protective coating. The optical layer and the mirror define a cavity and the protective coating overlies surfaces of the microelectromechanical device exposed to the cavity.
Abstract:
Methods of forming a protective coating on one or more surfaces of a microelectromechanical device are disclosed comprising the steps of forming a composite layer of a sacrificial material and a protective material, and selectively etching the sacrificial material to form a protective coating. The protective coatings of the invention preferably improve one or more aspects of the performance of the microelectromechanical devices in which they are incorporated. Also disclosed are microelectromechanical devices formed by methods of the invention, and visual display devices incorporating such devices.
Abstract:
Methods of forming a protective coating on one or more surfaces of a microelectromechanical device are disclosed comprising the steps of forming a composite layer of a sacrificial material and a protective material, and selectively etching the sacrificial material to form a protective coating. The protective coatings of the invention preferably improve one or more aspects of the performance of the microelectromechanical devices in which they are incorporated. Also disclosed are microelectromechanical devices formed by methods of the invention, and visual display devices incorporating such devices.
Abstract:
A modulator for modulating incident rays of light, the modulator having a plurality of equally spaced apart elements, each of which includes a light reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting elements in relation to one another and means for moving particular ones of the elements relative to others so that the moved elements transit between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident rays of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the light reflected therefrom. In operation, the light reflective surfaces of the elements remain parallel to each other in both the first and the second configurations. The perpendicular spacing between the reflective surfaces of respective elements is equal to m/4 times the wavelength of the incident rays of light, wherein m=an even whole number or zero when the elements are in the first configuration and m=an odd whole number when the elements are in the second configuration.
Abstract:
A method for forming sub-micron sized bumps on the bottom surface of a suspended microstructure or the top surface of the underlying layer in order to reduce contact area and sticking between the two layers without the need for sub-micron standard photolithography capabilities and the thus-formed microstructure. The process involves the deposition of latex spheres on the sacrificial layer which will later temporarily support the microstructure, shrinking the spheres, depositing aluminum over the spheres, dissolving the spheres to leave openings in the metal layer, etching the sacrificial layer through the openings, removing the remaining metal and depositing the microstructure material over the now textured top surface of the sacrificial layer.
Abstract:
Methods of fabricating an electromechanical systems device that mitigate permanent adhesion, or stiction, of the moveable components of the device are provided. The methods provide an amorphous silicon sacrificial layer with improved and reproducible surface roughness. The amorphous silicon sacrificial layers further exhibit excellent adhesion to common materials used in electromechanical systems devices.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a sacrificial layer provided under a micromechanical layer (2), isotropically etched back to residual portions so that spacers (4) are formed on the top side of a carrier (1) in an intermediate space (3), said spacers comprising a shape tapering toward the micromechanical layer. In this manner, after exposing the micromechanical layer by etching, the micromechanical layer is prevented from adhering to the top side of the carrier.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for forming a semiconductor component with a buried rough interface comprising: a) the formation of a rough interface (22) of predetermined roughness R2 in a first semiconductor substrate (16), with: * the selection of a semiconductor substrate (16), presenting a surface (14) with roughness R1>R2, * a thermal oxidation step for this substrate until an oxide -semiconductor interface (22) of roughness R2 is obtained, b) preparation of the oxidized surface of this first semiconductor substrate in view of assembly with a second substrate, c) the assembly of the surface of the oxide and of the second substrate.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein mikromechanischen Bauelement mit einem Substrat (1), mit einer darauf angeordneten ersten Zwischenschicht (2) und mit einer darauf angeordneten ersten Schicht (3), welche bis zur ersten Zwischenschicht (2) durchstrukturiert ist. Über der ersten Schicht (3) ist eine zweite Zwischenschicht (6) angeordnet. Darauf ist eine zweite Schicht angeordnet (9), wobei in die zweite Schicht (9) wenigstens eine bewegliche mikromechanische Struktur (14) hineinstrukturiert ist, wobei die zweite Zwischenschicht (6) in einem Opferbereich unter der beweglichen mikromechanischen Struktur 814) entfernt ist und die erste Zwischenschicht (2) teilweise in Bereichen unter der ersten Schicht (3) entfernt ist. Der Kern der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die bewegliche mikromechanische Struktur (14) an einer Unterseite wenigstens eine Anschlagfläche aufweist, wobei die Anschlagfläche durch eine Auslenkung der beweglichen mikromechanischen Struktur (14) an einen Bereich der ersten Schicht (3) anlegbar ist, welcher durch die erste Zwischenschicht (2) gestützt ist. Die Erfindung betrifft weiterhin ein Herstellungsverfahren für ein solches mikromechanisches Bauelement.