Abstract:
A method of fabricating a passivation layer and a passivation layer for an electronic device. The passivation layer includes at least one passivation film layer and at least one nanoparticle layer. A first film layer is formed of an insulating matrix, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and a first layer of a noble metal nanoparticle layer, such as a platinum nanoparticle layer, is deposited on the first film layer. Additional layers are formed of alternating film layers and nanoparticle layers. The resulting passivation layer provides a thin and robust passivation layer of high film quality to protect electronic devices, components, and systems from the disruptive environmental conditions.
Abstract:
Method for fabricating MEMS device has a first surface and a second surface and having a MEMS region and an IC region. A MEMS structure is formed over the first surface. A structural dielectric layer is formed over the first surface. The structural dielectric layer has a dielectric member and the spaces surrounding the MEMS structure is filled with the dielectric member. The substrate is patterned by etching process from the second surface of the substrate to expose a portion of the dielectric member filled in the space surrounding the MEMS structure. A wettable thin layer is formed to cover an exposed portion of the substrate at the second surface. An etching process is performed on the dielectric member filled in the spaces surrounding the MEMS structure. The MEMS structure is exposed and released by the etching process. The etching process comprises an isotropic etching process with a wet etchant.
Abstract:
Method for fabricating MEMS device has a first surface and a second surface and having a MEMS region and an IC region. A MEMS structure is formed over the first surface. A structural dielectric layer is formed over the first surface. The structural dielectric layer has a dielectric member and the spaces surrounding the MEMS structure is filled with the dielectric member. The substrate is patterned by etching process from the second surface of the substrate to expose a portion of the dielectric member filled in the space surrounding the MEMS structure. A wettable thin layer is formed to cover an exposed portion of the substrate at the second surface. An etching process is performed on the dielectric member filled in the spaces surrounding the MEMS structure. The MEMS structure is exposed and released by the etching process. The etching process comprises an isotropic etching process with a wet etchant.
Abstract:
A stacked die package for an electromechanical resonator system includes a chip that contains an electromechanical resonator bonded onto the control chip for the electromechanical resonator by a thermally and/or electrically conductive epoxy. In various embodiments, the electromechanical resonator can be a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) resonator or a nano-electromechanical system (NEMS) resonator. Packaging configurations that may include the chip that contains the electromechanical resonator and the control chip include chip-on-lead (COL), chip-on-paddle (COP), and chip-on-tape (COT) packages. The stacked die package provides small package footprint and/or low package thickness, as well as low thermal resistance and a robust conductive path between the chip that contains the electromechanical resonator and the control chip.
Abstract:
A layer system and a method for producing the layer system are provided, the layer system having a silicon layer, on which at least regionally a passivating layer is superficially deposited, the passivating layer having a first, at least largely inorganic partial layer and a second, at least largely polymer partial layer. The method includes producing on the silicon layer, a first, inorganic partial layer, and producing on this first partial layer a second, polymer partial layer, which form the passivating layer. The production of the intermediate layer occurs in such a way that the intermediate layer in its surface area adjoining the first partial layer is composed as the first partial layer, and the intermediate layer in its surface area adjoining the second partial layer is composed as the second partial layer. The composition of the intermediate layer transitions, either continuously or in steps, from the composition corresponding to the first partial layer into the composition corresponding to the second partial layer.
Abstract:
A method for producing a microsystem that has, situated on a substrate, a first functional layer that includes a conductive area and a sublayer. Situated on the first functional layer is a second mechanical functional layer, which is first initially applied onto a sacrificial layer situated and structured on the first functional layer. In addition, a layer is situated on the side of the sublayer facing away from the conductive area. The layer constitutes a protective layer on the first functional layer that acts in areas during a sacrificial layer etching process so that during removal of the sacrificial layer no etching of the areas of the first functional layer covered by the protective layer occurs, and that in the region of the areas of the first functional layer implemented without the protective layer the sublayer is removed essentially selectively to the conductive area at the same time as the sacrificial layer. Further, a method is described for producing integrated microsystems having silicon-germanium functional layers, sacrificial layers containing germanium, and open metal surfaces. The sacrificial layers containing germanium are at least partially removed in an etching solution, a pH value of the etching solution being kept at least approximately neutral during the etching procedure using a buffer.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for fabrication of passivated microfluidic structures is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate having a microfluidic structure formed therein. The microfluidic structure is embedded by an embedding layer. The method further includes passivating the embedded microfluidic structure by locally heating the microfluidic structure surface in a reactive atmosphere, wherein the passivated microfluidic structure is suitable for transporting a fluid.
Abstract:
A gradational etching method for high density wafer production. The gradational etching method acts on a substrate having a first passivation layer and a second passivation layer on a top surface and a bottom surface, respectively, of the substrate. A first etching process is performed to simultaneously etch the substrate and the first passivation layer to remove the first passivation layer. Finally, a second etching process is performed to etch the substrate to a designated depth that is used to control the thickness of the wafer after the second etching process.
Abstract:
A method for creating deep features in a Si-containing substrate for use in fabricating MEMS type devices is provided. The method includes first forming a thin Ni hardmask on a surface of a Si-containing substrate. The Ni hardmask is patterned using conventional photolithography and wet etching so as to expose at least one portion of the underlying Si-containing substrate. The at least one exposed portion of the Si-containing substrate, not containing the patterned hardmask, is then etched in a plasma that includes free radicals generated from a gaseous mixture of chlorine (Cl2), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and oxygen (O2). The interaction of the gas species in the plasma yields a rapid silicon etch rate that is highly selective to the Ni hardmask. The etch rate ratio of Si to Ni using the inventive method is greater than 250:1.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a microstructure in a preferably electrically conductive substrate (1), more specifically made of doped single crystal silicon, with at least one functional unit (2.1, 2.2) and to a method of fabricating the same. In accordance with the invention, the functional unit (2.1, 2.2) is mechanically and electrically separated from the substrate (1) on all sides by means of isolation gaps (5, 5a) and is connected, on at least one site, to a first structure (4a) of an electrically conductive layer (S) that is electrically isolated from the substrate (1) by way of an isolation layer (3) and that secures the unit into position relative to the substrate (1). For this purpose, the functional unit (2.1, 2.2) is released from the substrate (1) in such a manner that the isolation gaps (5, 5a) are provided on all sides relative to the substrate (1). The electrically conductive layer (S) is applied in such a manner that it is connected through contact fingers (4a) for example to the functional unit (2.1, 2.2) which it secures into position. The method in accordance with the invention permits to substantially facilitate the manufacturing process and to produce a microstructure with but small parasitic capacitances.