Abstract:
A released beam structure fabricated in trench and manufacturing method thereof are provided herein. One embodiment of a released beam structure according to the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate, a trench, a first conducting layer, and a beam. The trench extends into the semiconductor substrate and has walls. The first conducting layer is positioned over the walls of the trench at selected locations. The beam is positioned with the trench and is connected at a first portion thereof to the semiconductor substrate and movable at a second portion thereof. The second portion of the beam is spaced from the walls of the trench by a selected distance. Therefore, the second portion of the beam is free to move in a plane that is perpendicular or parallel to the surface of the substrate, and could be deflected to electrically contact with the walls of the trench in response to a predetermined acceleration force or a predetermined temperature variation applied on the beam structure. Other beam structures such as a beam held at both ends, or a beam held in the middle are also possible. Several beam structures at different angles can be fabricated simultaneously and mechanical etching stops are automatically formed to prevent unwanted overstress conditions when manufacturing several beam structures at the same time. Beam structures can also be manufactured in three orthogonal directions, providing information on acceleration in any direction.
Abstract:
Surface micromachining and bulk micromachining are employed for realizing a porous membrane (102A) with a bulk substrate (106) to form a particle filter (100). The filter (100) is sufficiently sturdy to allow for easy handling. It may be used as a diffusion barrier and under high pressures. A disclosed etching fabrication method is simple, reliable, and integrated-circuit compatible, and thus amenable to mass production. Electronic circuitry may be integrated on the surface of filter (100), as may be desired for several purposes, such as fluid characterization, capsule formation, or self-cleaning or charging of the surface of filter (100).
Abstract:
A method of making a micro electro-mechanical gyroscope. A cantilevered beam structure, firstportions of side drive electrodes and a mating structure are defined on a first substrate or wafer;and at least one contact structure, second portions of the side drive electrodes and a matingstructure are defined on a second substrate or wafer, the mating structure on the second substrateor wafer being of a complementary shape to the mating structure on the first substrate or waferand the first and second portions of the side drive electrodes being of a complementary shape to each other. A bonding layer, preferably a eutectic bonding layer, is provided on at least one of the mating structures and one or the first and second portions of the side drive electrodes. The matingstructure of the first substrate is moved into a confronting relationship with the mating structureof the second substrate or wafer. Pressure is applied between the two substrates so as to cause a bond to occur between the two mating structures at the bonding or eutectic layer and alsobetween the first and second portions of the side drive electrodes to cause a bond to occurtherebetween. Then the first substrate or wafer is removed to free the cantilevered beam structurefor movement relative to the second substrate or wafer. The bonds are preferably eutectic bonds.
Abstract:
A method of forming a membrane with nanometer scale pores includes forming a sacrificial etch stop layer on a substrate. A base layer is constructed on the sacrificial etch stop layer. Micrometer scale pores are formed within the base layer. A sacrificial base layer is built on the base layer. The sacrificial base layer is removed from selected regions of the base layer to define nanometer scale pores within the base layer. The resultant membrane has sub-fifty nanometer pores formed within it.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a micromechanical or microoptomechanical structure. The structure is produced by a process comprising defining a structure on a single crystal silicon layer separated by an insulator layer from a substrate layer; depositing and etching a polysilicon layer on the single crystal silicon layer, with remaining polysilcon forming mechanical or optical elements of the structure; exposing a selected area of the single crystal silicon layer; and releasing the formed structure.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an external force detection sensor in which a sensor element is formed by through-hole (20) dry etching of an element substrate (3), and an electrically conductive material is used as an etching stop layer (18) during the dry etching.
Abstract:
A support pillar 408 for use with a micromechanical device, particularly a digital micromirror device, comprising a pillar material 404 supported by a substrate 400 and covered with a metal layer 406. The support pillar 408 is fabricated by depositing a layer of pillar material on a substrate 400, patterning the pillar layer to define a support pillar 408, and depositing a metal layer 406 over the support pillar 408 enclosing the support pillar. A planar surface even with the top of the pillar may be created by applying a spacer layer 410 over the pillars 408. After applying the spacer layer 410, holes 414 are patterned into the spacer layer to remove any spacer material that is covering the pillars. The spacer layer is then reflowed to fill the holes and lower the surface of the spacer layer such that the surface is coplanar with the tops of the support pillars 408.
Abstract:
In described examples, a method comprises forming an etch stop layer (151), a first titanium layer (312), a magnetic core (130), a second titanium layer (342), and patterning the first and second titanium layers (312, 342). The etch stop layer (151) is formed above a substrate. The first titanium layer (312) is formed on the etch stop layer (151). The magnetic core (130) is formed on the first titanium layer (312). The second titanium layer (342) has a first portion encapsulating the magnetic core (130) with the first titanium layer (312), and a second portion interfacing with the first titanium layer (312) beyond the magnetic core (130). The patterning of the first and second titanium layers (312, 342) includes forming a mask (352) over a magnetic core region (170) and etching the first and second titanium layers (312, 342) exposed by the mask (352) using a titanium etchant (356, 357) and a titanium oxide etchant (358).