Abstract:
In one embodiment, a method of forming an out-of-plane electrode includes forming an oxide layer above an upper surface of a device layer, etching an etch stop perimeter defining trench extending through the oxide layer, forming a first cap layer portion on an upper surface of the oxide layer and within the etch stop perimeter defining trench, etching a first electrode perimeter defining trench extending through the first cap layer portion and stopping at the oxide layer, depositing a first material portion within the first electrode perimeter defining trench, depositing a second cap layer portion above the deposited first material portion, and vapor releasing a portion of the oxide layer with the etch stop portion providing a lateral etch stop.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for fabricating electromechanical systems devices. In one aspect, a method of sealing an electromechanical systems device includes etching a sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is formed between a surface of a substrate and a shell layer and is etched through etch holes in the shell layer formed over the electromechanical systems device. The etch holes in the shell layer have a diameter greater than about one micron. The shell layer is then treated. A seal layer is deposited on the treated shell layer. The seal layer hermetically seals the electromechanical systems device.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure comprises a frame (24) provided by a monocrystalline substrate comprising a first semiconductor material and having a window passing through the substrate between first and second opposite surfaces of the substrate; and a monocrystalline membrane (4) over the window provided by a layer supported directly on the first surface of the substrate, the membrane comprising a second, different semiconductor material which is under tensile strain.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung von MEMS-Strukturen mit mindestens einer Funktionsschicht aus Silizium, die Strukturen enthält, die durch Entfernen einer Opferschicht freigestellt werden, wobei mindestens eine Opferschicht und mindestens eine Funktionsschicht so abgeschieden werden, dass sie einkristallin aufwachsen, und die Opferschicht aus einer Silizium-Germanium-Mischschicht besteht.
Abstract:
A method for creating a semiconductor structure is provided. In accordance with the method, a semiconductor substrate (101) is provided over which is disposed a sacrificial layer (103), and which has a thin single crystal semiconductor layer (105) disposed over the sacrificial layer (103). An opening (107) is then created which extends through the semiconductor layer (105) and into the sacrificial layer (103). The semiconductor layer (105) is then epitaxially grown to a suitable device thickness, thereby resulting in a device layer. The semiconductor layer is grown such that the resulting device layer extends over the opening (107), and such that the surface of the portion of the device layer extending over the opening is single crystal silicon.
Abstract:
A process for fabricating a suspended microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure comprising epitaxial semiconductor functional layers that are partially or completely suspended over a substrate. A sacrificial release layer and a functional device layer are formed on a substrate. The functional device layer is etched to form windows in the functional device layer defining an outline of a suspended MEMS device to be formed from the functional device layer. The sacrificial release layer is then etched with a selective release etchant to remove the sacrificial release layer underneath the functional layer in the area defined by the windows to form the suspended MEMS structure.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a micromechanical device comprising a semiconductor element capable of deflecting or resonating and comprising at least two regions having different material properties and drive or sense means functionally coupled to said semiconductor element. According to the invention, at least one of said regions comprises one or more n-type doping agents, and the relative volumes, doping concentrations, doping agents and/or crystal orientations of the regions being configured so that the temperature sensitivities of the generalized stiffness are opposite in sign at least at one temperature for the regions, and the overall temperature drift of the generalized stiffness of the semiconductor element is 50 ppm or less on a temperature range of 100°C. The device can be a resonator. Also a method of designing the device is disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of forming a monocrystalline nitinol film on a single crystal silicon wafer can comprise depositing a first seed layer of a first metal on the single crystal silicon wafer, the first seed layer growing epitaxially on the single crystal silicon wafer in response to the depositing the first seed layer of the first metal; and depositing the monocrystalline nitinol film on a final seed layer, the monocrystalline nitinol film growing epitaxially on the final seed layer in response to the depositing the monocrystalline nitinol film. The method can form a multilayer stack for a micro-electromechanical system MEMS device.
Abstract:
A MEMS device includes a substrate which has a first main surface and a second main surface facing the first main surface, and in which a silicon substrate, a silicon carbide layer having conductivity, and a silicon layer are sequentially stacked from a second main surface side toward a first main surface side, a cavity recessed over the silicon layer, the silicon carbide layer, and the silicon substrate from the first main surface of the substrate to the second main surface side of the substrate, a MEMS electrode which is arranged in the cavity, is composed of the silicon layer and the silicon carbide layer, and is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the cavity to the first main surface side, and an isolation joint which divides the MEMS electrode in a plan view and mechanically connects and electrically isolates both sides of the divided MEMS electrode.