Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus including processes that use two layers of resist, with a layer of etch stop material in between. The two layers of resist may be etched in separate processes to form devices having vias with sidewalls that extend through both layers of resist
Abstract:
In a method for imaging a solid state substrate, a vapor is condensed to an amorphous solid water condensate layer on a surface of a solid state substrate. Then an image of at least a portion of the substrate surface is produced by scanning an electron beam along the substrate surface through the water condensate layer. The water condensate layer integrity is maintained during electron beam scanning to prevent electron-beam contamination from reaching the substrate during electron beam scanning. Then one or more regions of the layer can be locally removed by directing an electron beam at the regions. A material layer can be deposited on top of the water condensate layer and any substrate surface exposed at the one or more regions, and the water condensate layer and regions of the material layer on top of the layer can be removed, leaving a patterned material layer on the substrate.
Abstract:
A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for interfacing nanofluidic and microfluidic components suitable for use in performing high throughput macromolecular analysis. Diffraction gradient lithography (DGL) is used to form a gradient interface between a microfluidic area and a nanofluidic area. The gradient interface area reduces the local entropic barrier to anochannels formed in the nanofluidic area. In one embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of lateral spatial gradient structures for narrowing the cross section of a value from the micron to the nanometer length scale. In another embodiment, the gradient interface area is formed of a vertical sloped gradient structure. Additionally, the gradient structure can provide both a lateral and vertical gradient.
Abstract:
Three-dimensional structures of arbitrary shape are fabricated on the surface of a substrate (10) through a series of processing steps wherein a monolithic structure is fabricated in successive layers. A first layer (14) of photoresist material is spun onto a substrate (10) surface (18) and is exposed (26) in a desired pattern corresponding to the shape of a final structure, at a corresponding cross-sectional level in the structure. The layer is not developed after exposure; instead, a second layer (30) of photoresist material is deposited and is also exposed (32) in a desired pattern. Subsequent layers (40,52,64) spun onto the top surface of prior layers (14,30) and exposed (44,54,66), and upon completion of the succession of layers each defining corresponding levels of the desired structure, the layers are all developed at the same time leaving the three-dimensional structure (22).
Abstract:
A process for patterning dielectric layers of the type typically found in optical coatings in the context of MEMS manufacturing is disclosed. A dielectric coating is deposited over a device layer, which has or will be released, and patterned using a mask layer. In one example, the coating is etched using the mask layer as a protection layer. In another example, a lift-off process is shown. The primary advantage of photolithographic patterning of the dielectric layers in optical MEMS devices is that higher levels of consistency can be achieved in fabrication, such as size, location, and residual material stress. Competing techniques such as shadow masking yield lower quality features and are difficult to align. Further, the minimum feature size that can be obtained with shadow masks is limited to SIMILAR 100 mu m, depending on the coating system geometry, and they require hard contact with the surface of the wafer.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device composed of a capacitive humidity sensor comprised of a moisture-sensitive polymer layer electrografted to an electrically conductive metal layer situated on an CMOS substrate or a combined MEMS and CMOS substrate, and exposed within an opening through a passivation layer, packages composed of the encapsulated device, and methods of forming the capacitive humidity sensor within the semiconductor device, are provided.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a plurality of through-holes (132) in a layer of first material, for example for the manufacturing of a probe (100) comprising a tip containing a channel. To manufacture the through-holes (132) in a batch process, - a layer of first material is deposited on a wafer (200) comprising a plurality of pits (210) - a second layer is provided on the layer of first material, and the second layer is provided with a plurality of holes at central locations of the pits (210); - using the second layer as a shadow mask when depositing a third layer (240) at an angle, covering a part of the first material with said third material (240) at the central locations, and - etching the exposed parts of the first layer using the third layer (240) as a protective layer.
Abstract:
A method of forming microneedles where through a series of coating and etching processes microneedles are formed from a surface as an array. The microneedles have a bevelled end and bore which are formed as part of the process with no need to use a post manufacturing process to finish the microneedle.