Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention form a weightcompensating/ tuning layer on a structure ( e.g., a silicon wafer with one or more layers of material ( e.g., films)) having variations in its surface topology. The variations in surface topology take the form of thick and thin regions of materials. The weight-compensating/ tuning layer includes narrow and wide regions corresponding to the thick and thin regions, respectively.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a production method and a micromechanical component, in which porous silicon (106) is used as a sacrificial layer and a functional layer (130) is exposed by etching away the sacrificial layer.
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:
Electro-mechanical switches and memory cells using vertically-disposed nanofabric articles and methods of making the same are described. An electro-mechanical device, includes a structure having a major horizontal surface and a channel formed therein. A conductive trace is in the channel; and a nanotube article vertically suspended in the channel, in spaced relation to a vertical wall of the channel. The article is electro-mechanically deflectable in a horizontal direction toward the conductive trace. Under certain embodiments, the vertically suspended extent of the nanotube article is defined by a thin film process. Under certain embodiments, the vertically suspended extent of the nanotube article is about 50 nanometers or less. Under certain embodiments, the nanotube article is clamped with a conducting material disposed in porous spaces between some nanotubes of the nanotube article. Under certain embodiments, the nanotube article is formed from a porous nanofabric. Under certain embodiments, the nanotube article is electromechanically deflectable into contact with the conductive trace and the contact is either a volatile state or non-volatile state depending on the device construction. Under certain embodiments, the vertically oriented device is arranged into various forms of three-trace devices. Under certain embodiments, the channel may be used for multiple independent devices, or for devices that share a common electrode.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a micromechanical device and to corresponding micromechanical device consisting of a substrate material (10), a membrane (20) and a hollow space (30) formed in the region of membrane (21) between said substrate and membrane. According to said invention holes (40) are embodied first and foremost in the membrane (20) during a first etching stage and afterwards, the hollow space is produced during a second etching stage.
Abstract:
A micro-scale interconnect device with internal heat spreader and method for fabricating same. The device includes first and second arrays of generally coplanar electrical communication lines. The first array is disposed generally along a first plane, and the second array is disposed generally along a second plane spaced from the first plane. The arrays are electrically isolated from each other. Embedded within the interconnect device is a heat spreader element. The heat spreader element comprises a dielectric material disposed in thermal contact with at least one of the arrays and a layer of thermally conductive material embedded in the dielectric material. The device is fabricated by forming layers of electrically conductive, dielectric, and thermally conductive materials on a substrate. The layers are arranged to enable heat energy given off by current-carrying communciation lines to be transferred away from the communciation lines.
Abstract:
Electrothermal Self-Latching MEMS Switch and Method. According to one embodiment, a microscale switch (100) having a movable microcomponent (108) is provided and includes a substrate (102) having a stationary contact (104). The switch (100) can also include a structural layer (112) having a movable contact (108) positioned for contacting the stationary contact (104) when the structural layer (112) moves toward the substrate (102). Electrothermal latch (126) attached to the structural layer (112) and having electrical communication (114, 116) with the movable contact (108) to provide current flow between the electrothermal latch (126) and the stationary contact (104) when the movable contact (108) contacts the stationary contact (104) for maintaining the movable contact (108) in contact with the stationary contact (104).
Abstract:
The invention provides a microfabrication process which may be used to manufacture a MEMS device. The process comprises depositing one or a stack of layers on a base layer, said one layer or an uppermost layer in said stack of layers being a sacrificial layer; patterning said one or a stack of layers to provide at least one aperture therethrough through which said base layer is exposed; depositing a photosensitive layer over said one or a stack of layers; and passing light through said at least one aperture to expose said photosensitive layer.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an MEMS element for flattening a drive side electrode surface, reducing irregularities of beam shape, improving performance, and improving performance uniformity. The method includes a step of forming a substrate side electrode on a substrate, a step of forming a fluid film before or after formation of a sacrificial layer, a step of forming a beam having a drive side electrode on a flattened surface, and a step of removing the sacrificial layer.
Abstract:
The current invention provides for encapsulated release structures, intermediates thereof and methods for their fabrication. The multi-layer structure has a capping layer (211) that preferably comprises silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride and which is formed over an etch resistant substrate (203). A patterned device layer (206), preferably comprising silicon nitride, is embedded in a sacrificial material (205, 209), preferably comprising polysilicon, and is disposed between the etch resistant substrate (203) and the capping layer (211). Access trenches or holes (219) are formed into the capping layer (211) and the sacrificial material (205, 209) is selectively etched through the access trenches (219) such that portions of the device layer (206) are released from the sacrificial material (205, 209). The etchant preferably comprises a noble gas fluoride N g F 2x (wherein Ng = Xe, Kr or Ar: and where x = 1, 2 or 3). After etching that sacrificial material (205, 209), the access trenches (219) are sealed to encapsulate (241) released portions the device layer (206) between the etch resistant substrate (203) and the capping layer (211). The current invention is particularly useful for fabricating MEMs devices, multiple cavity devices and devices with multiple release features.