Abstract:
In some example embodiments, an infrared detector may comprise a substrate; a resonator spaced apart from the substrate, the resonator absorbing incident infrared light; a thermoelectric material layer contacting the resonator and having a variable resistance according to temperature variation due to the absorbed incident infrared light; a lead wire electrically connecting the thermoelectric material layer and the substrate; a heat separation layer between the substrate and the thermoelectric material layer, the heat separation layer preventing heat from being transferred from the thermoelectric material layer to the substrate; and/or a ground plane layer preventing the incident infrared light from proceeding toward the substrate. The heat separation layer may at least reduce heat transfer from the thermoelectric material layer to the substrate. The ground plane layer may at least reduce an amount of the incident infrared light that reaches the substrate.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) provides a semiconductor chip having a cavity with a radiation sensor MEMS. The opening of the cavity at the chip surface is covered by a plate transmissive to the radiation sensed by the MEMS. A patterned metal film is placed across the plate surface remote from the cavity.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit having an indirect sensor and a direct sensor formed on a common semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The direct sensor requires the parameter being measured to be directly applied to the direct sensor. Conversely, the indirect sensor can have the parameter being measured to be indirectly applied to the indirect sensor. The parameter being measured by the direct sensor is different than the parameter being measured by the indirect sensor. In other words, the direct sensor and indirect sensor are of different types. An example of a direct sensor is a pressure sensor. The pressure being measured by the pressure sensor must be applied to the pressure sensor. An example of an indirect sensor is an accelerometer. The rate of change of velocity does not have to be applied directly to the accelerometer. In one embodiment, the direct and indirect sensors are formed using photolithographic techniques.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a micro-electrical-mechanical system with thermally isolated active elements. Such a system may embody a bolometer, which is well suited for detecting electromagnetic radiation between 90 GHz and 30 THz while operating at room temperature. The method also discloses a generalized process for manufacturing circuitry incorporating active and passive micro-electrical-mechanical systems in a silicon wafer.
Abstract:
Provided are a microbolometer having a cantilever structure and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, a microbolometer having a three-dimensional cantilever structure, which is improved from a conventional two-dimensional cantilever structure, and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a substrate including a read-out integrated circuit and a reflective layer for forming an absorption structure, forming a sacrificial layer on the substrate, forming a cantilever structure having an uneven cross-section in the sacrificial layer, forming a sensor part isolated from the substrate by the cantilever structure, and removing the sacrificial layer.
Abstract:
A sublimable layer is deposited on a substrate, holes are etched through sublimable layer, a thin-layer structure is deposited on portions of the remaining sublimable layer, and a thick structural support material is deposited to cover the sides and bottoms of the holes and portions of the thin-layer structure. When the sublimable layer is sublimed with the heat, photon enhancement (ultraviolet light) and oxygen purging, a structure is left which consists of a thin layer or layers supported by posts above a substrate.