Abstract:
A piezoelectric microphone and/or a piezoelectric microphone system is presented herein. In an implementation, a piezoelectric microphone includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) layer and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) layer. The MEMS layer includes at least one piezoelectric layer and a conductive layer. The conductive layer is deposited on the at least one piezoelectric layer and is associated with at least one sensing electrode. The CMOS layer is deposited on the MEMS layer. Furthermore, a cavity formed in the CMOS layer includes the at least one sensing electrode
Abstract:
A preferred conformal penetrating multi electrode array includes a plastic substrate that is flexible enough to conform to cortical tissue. A plurality of penetrating semiconductor micro electrodes extend away from a surface of the flexible substrate and are stiff enough to penetrate cortical tissue. Electrode lines are encapsulated at least partially within the flexible substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of penetrating semiconductor microelectrodes. The penetrating semiconductor electrodes preferably include pointed metal tips. A preferred method of fabrication permits forming stiff penetrating electrodes on a substrate that is very flexible, and providing electrical connection to electrode lines within the substrate.
Abstract:
A wavelength tunable gain medium with micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based Fabry-Perot (FP) filter cavity tuning is provided as a tunable laser. The system comprises a laser cavity and a filter cavity for wavelength selection. The laser cavity consists of a gain medium such as a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA), two collimating lenses and an end reflector. The MEMS-FP filter cavity comprises a fixed reflector and a moveable reflector, controllable by electrostatic force. By moving the MEMS reflector, the wavelength can be tuned by changing the FP filter cavity length. The MEMS FP filter cavity displacement can be tuned discretely with a step voltage, or continuously by using a continuous driving voltage. The driving frequency for continuous tuning can be a resonance frequency or any other frequency of the MEMS structure, and the tuning range can cover different tuning ranges such as 30 nm, 40 nm, and more than 100 nm.
Abstract:
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device and a manufacturing method are provided. The device includes top and bottom cap wafers and a MEMS wafer disposed between the top cap wafer and the bottom cap wafer. The top, bottom and MEMS wafers define sidewalls of a cavity. A MEMS structure is housed within the cavity and is movable relative to the top and bottom caps. At least one electrode is provided in one of the wafers, the electrode being operatively coupled to the MEMS structure to detect or induce a movement thereof. A support structure extends through the cavity from the top cap wafer to the bottom cap wafer to prevent bowing in the top cap and bottom cap wafers.
Abstract:
Methods of chemically encoding high-resolution shapes in silicon nanowires during metal nanoparticle catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid growth or vapor-solid-solid growth are provided. In situ phosphorus or boron doping of the silicon nanowires can be controlled during the growth of the silicon nanowires such that high-resolution shapes can be etched along a growth axis on the silicon nanowires. Nanowires with an encoded morphology can have high-resolution shapes with a size resolution of about 1,000 nm to about 10 nm and comprise geometrical shapes, conical profiles, nanogaps and gratings.
Abstract:
A mechanical device (20, 50, 70, 80, 120) includes a long, narrow element (26, 54, 66, 90, 122) made of a rigid, elastic material. A rigid frame (28, 52, 64, 92) is configured to anchor at least one end of the element, which is attached to the frame, and to define a gap running longitudinally along the element between the beam and the frame, so that the element is free to move within the gap. A solid filler material (30, 56, 68, 94, 102, 124), different from the rigid, elastic material, fills at least a part of the gap between the element and the frame so as to permit a first mode of movement of the element within the gap while inhibiting a different, second mode of movement.
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) cavity (60b) includes forming a first sacrificial cavity layer (18) over a wiring layer (14) and substrate (10). The method further includes forming an insulator layer (40) over the first sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes performing a reverse damascene etchback process on the insulator layer. The method further includes planarizing the insulator layer and the first sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes venting or stripping of the first sacrificial cavity layer to a planar surface for a first cavity (60b) of the MEMS.
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower wiring layer on a substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of discrete wires (14) from the lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming an electrode beam (38) over the plurality of discrete wires. The at least one of the forming of the electrode beam and the plurality of discrete wires are formed with a layout which minimizes hillocks and triple points in subsequent silicon deposition (50).
Abstract:
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower wiring layer on a substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of discrete wires (14) from the lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming an electrode beam (38) over the plurality of discrete wires. The at least one of the forming of the electrode beam and the plurality of discrete wires are formed with a layout which minimizes hillocks and triple points in subsequent silicon deposition (50).