Abstract:
The process comprises the steps of forming, in a wafer (200) of monocrystalline silicon, first trenches extending between portions of the wafer; etching the substrate (90) to remove the silicon around the first trenches and forming cavities (121) in the substrate (90); covering the walls of the cavities with an epitaxial growth inhibiting layer; growing a monocrystalline epitaxial layer (126) on top of the substrate (90) and the cavities so as to obtain a monocrystalline wafer embedding buried cavities completely surrounded by silicon; forming second trenches (144) extending in the epitaxial layer (126) as far as the cavities; removing the epitaxial growth inhibiting layer; oxidizing the cavities, forming at least one continuous region (127) of buried oxide; depositing a polysilicon layer on the entire surface of the wafer and inside the second trenches (144); removing the polysilicon layer on the surface, leaving filling regions (148) inside the second trenches (144); oxidizing, on the top, portions of said filling regions so as to form field oxide regions (150).
Abstract:
The subject of the present invention is a method of forming isotropic recesses in a silicon "wafer". In particular, the present invention relates to a method for isotropic etching of a silicon wafer, comprising the steps of:
providing a silicon wafer having a protective mask of silicon nitride, putting the silicon wafer into contact with gaseous hydrogen chloride.
Abstract:
The method includes the steps of: on a wafer (1) of monocrystalline semiconductor material, forming a hard mask (9') of an oxidation-resistant material, defining first protective regions (7) covering first portions (21) of the wafer (1); and forming first trenches (10'') in the wafer (1). The first trenches are formed by two etching steps: firstly, the portions (8'') of the wafer (1) not covered by the hard mask (9') are isotropically etched, such as to remove the semiconductor material not only from the portions without a mask, but also partially below the first protective regions (7); then anisotropic etching is carried out. After forming second protective regions (30) incorporating the first protective regions (7), final trenches (16) are formed, and the semiconductor material of wafer (1) is oxidised, except for the portions (21) which are covered by the second protective regions (30), in order to form a continuous oxide region (22); after removal of the second protective regions (30), a monocrystalline layer (23) is grown epitaxially from the non-oxidised portions (21).
Abstract:
A fluidic cartridge (35; 135) for detecting chemicals, formed by a casing (40; 140), hermetically housing an integrated device (20) having a plurality of detecting regions (22) to bind with target chemicals; part of a supporting element (41; 141), bearing the integrated device; a reaction chamber (65; 165), facing the detecting regions (22); a sample feeding hole (50, 51; 150) and a washing feeding hole (52; 152), self-sealingly closed; fluidic paths (63, 64, 70, 71; 163, 164, 170, 171), which connect the sample feeding and washing feeding holes (50-52; 150, 152) to the reaction chamber (65; 165); and a waste reservoir (80; 180), which may be fluidically connected to the reaction chamber by valve elements (82, 76; 182, 176) that may be controlled from outside. The integrated device is moreover connected to an interface unit (42) carried by the supporting element (41; 141), electrically connected to the integrated device and including at least one signal processing stage and external contact regions (75; 175).