Abstract:
A method for reducing stiction in a MEMS device by decreasing surface area between two surfaces that can come into close contact is provided. Reduction in contact surface area is achieved by increasing surface roughness of one or both of the surfaces. The increased roughness is provided by forming a micro-masking layer on a sacrificial layer used in formation of the MEMS device, and then etching the surface of the sacrificial layer. The micro-masking layer can be formed using nanoclusters (520). When a next portion of the MEMS device is formed on the sacrificial layer (810), this portion will take on the roughness characteristics imparted on the sacrificial layer by the etch process. The rougher surface (910) decreases the surface area available for contact in the MEMS device and, in turn, decreases the area through which stiction can be imparted.
Abstract:
In a method for fabricating an electrostatic capacitance-type acceleration sensor having a capacitor which electrostatic capacitance between a movable electrode and a fixed electrode changes according to the displacement of the movable electrode, the method includes: a step of forming a groove on at least one of the surface of an insulative substrate and the surface of a semiconductor substrate; a step of forming a hole in the semiconductor substrate so as to penetrate the semiconductor substrate at a position communicating with a passage formed by the groove; and a step of forming an electrode extraction hole in the insulative substrate so as to penetrate the insulative substrate, at a position communicating with the passage formed by the groove.