Abstract:
A technique (500) for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) structure includes a number of steps. Initially, a substrate is provided (502). Next, a plurality of trenches are etched into the substrate with a first etch (508). Then, a charging layer is formed at a bottom of each of the trenches to form undercut trenches (510). Finally, a second etch is provided into the undercut trenches. The charging layer causes the second etch to laterally etch foots in the substrate between the undercut trenches (512). The footers undercut the substrate to release a portion of the substrate for providing a movable structure between the undercut trenches and above the footers.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a micro-electromechanical device ( 10 ), in which are consecutively deposited on a substrate ( 1 ) a first electroconductive layer ( 2 ) in which an electrode ( 2 A) is formed, a first electroinsulating layer ( 3 ) of a first material, a second electroinsulating layer ( 4 ) of a second material different from the first material, and a second electroconductive layer ( 5 ) in which a second electrode ( 5 A) lying opposite the first electrode is formed which together with the first electrode ( 2 A) and the first insulating layer ( 3 ) forms the device ( 10 ), in which after the second conductive layer ( 5 ) deposited, the second insulating layer ( 4 ) is removed by means of an etching agent which is selective with respect to the material of the second conductive layer ( 5 ). According to the invention for the first material and the second material materials are selected which are only limitedly selectively etchable with respect to each other and before depositing the second insulating layer ( 4 ) a further layer ( 6 ) is provided on top of the first insulating layer ( 3 ) of a further material that is selectively etchable with respect to the first material. In this way a silicon oxide and a silicon nitride may be applied for the insulating layers ( 3, 4 ) and thus the method according to the invention is very compatible with current IC processes. The second insulating layer ( 4 ) is preferably removed locally by etching, then the further layer ( 6 ) is completely removed by etching and, finally, the second insulating layer ( 4 ) is completely removed by etching.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for selectively removing material from the surface of a substrate in order to form a recess, comprising the following steps: applying a mask to the surface of the substrate in accordance with the desired selective removal, and; dry etching the substrate, whereby metal, preferably aluminum, is used as a masking material. Energy can be inductively injected into a plasma.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing recessed micromechanical structures in a MEMS device wafer. First vertical trenches in the device wafer define the horizontal dimensions of both level and recessed structures. The horizontal face of the device wafer and the vertical sidewalls of the first vertical trenches are then covered with a self-supporting etching mask which is made of a self-supporting mask material, which is sufficiently rigid to remain standing vertically in the location where it was deposited even as the sidewall upon which it was deposited is etched away. Recess trenches are then etched under the protection of the self-supporting mask. The method allows a spike-preventing aggressive etch to be used for forming the recess trenches, without harming the sidewalls in the first vertical trenches.
Abstract:
An MEMS-based method for manufacturing a sensor comprises the steps of: forming a shallow channel (120) and a support beam (140) on a front surface of a substrate (100); forming a first epitaxial layer (200) on the front surface of the substrate (100) to seal the shallow channel (120); forming a suspended mesh structure (160) below the first epitaxial layer (200); and forming a deep channel (180) at a position on a back surface of the substrate (100) corresponding to the shallow channel (120), so that the shallow channel (120) is in communication with the deep channel (180). In the Method of manufacturing a MEMS-based sensor, when a shallow channel is formed on a front surface, a support beam of a mass block is formed, so the etching of a channel is easier to control, the process is more precise, and the uniformity and the homogeneity of the formed support beam are better.
Abstract:
Provided herein is an apparatus and a method useful for manufacturing MEMS devices. An aspect of the disclosed apparatus provides a substrate comprising an etchable material exposed to a solid-state etchant, wherein the substrate and the solid-state etchant are disposed in an etching chamber. In some embodiments, the solid state etchant is moved into close proximity to the substrate. In other embodiments, a configurable partition is between the substrate and the solid-state etchant is opened. The solid-state etchant forms a gas-phase etchant suitable for etching the etchable material. In some preferred embodiments, the solid-state etchant is solid xenon difluoride. The apparatus and method are advantageously used in performing a release etch in the fabrication of optical modulators.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for selectively removing material from the surface of a substrate in order to form a recess, comprising the following steps: applying a mask to the surface of the substrate in accordance with the desired selective removal, and; dry etching the substrate, whereby metal, preferably aluminum, is used as a masking material. Energy can be inductively injected into a plasma.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a micromechanical or microoptomechanical structure produced by a process comprising defining the structure in a single-crystal silicon layer separated by an insulator layer from a substrate layer; selectively etching the single crystal silicon layer; depositing and etching a polysilicon layer on the insulator layer, with remaining polysilicon forming mechanical elements of the structure; metalizing a backside of the structure; and releasing the formed structure.