Abstract:
A controlled method of releasing a microstructure comprising a silicon oxide layer located between a substrate layer and a layer to be released from the silicon oxide layer is described. The method comprises the step of exposing the silicon oxide layer to a hydrogen fluoride vapour in a process chamber having controlled temperature and pressure conditions. A by-product of this reaction is water which also acts as a catalyst for the etching process. It is controlled employment of this inherent water source that results in a condensed fluid layer forming, and hence etching taking place, only on the exposed surfaces of the oxide layer. The described method therefore reduces the risk of the effects of capillary induced stiction within the etched microstructure and/or corrosion within the microstructure and the process chamber itself.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Herstellungsverfahren für ein mikromechanisches Bauteil, das wenigstens die folgenden Schritte umfasst: Herausstrukturieren einer Grundstruktur (10) mindestens einer Komponente des mikromechanischen Bauteils aus zumindest einer kristallinen Schicht (12) eines Substrats mittels eines kristallorientierungs-unabhängigen Ätzschritts, und Herausarbeiten mindestens einer Fläche (18) einer definierten Kristallebene (20) aus der Grundstruktur (10) der mindestens einen Komponente mittels eines kristallorientierungs-abhängigen Ätzschritts, wobei der kristallorientierungs- abhängige Ätzschritt ausgeführt wird, für welchen die jeweilige definierte Kristallebene (20), nach welcher die mindestens eine an der Grundstruktur (10) herausgearbeitete Fläche (18) ausgerichtet wird, von allen Kristallebenen die niedrigste Ätzrate aufweist. Des Weiteren betrifft die Erfindung ein mikromechanisches Bauteil.
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating of high aspect ratio probes and deforming micropillars and nanopillars are described. Use of polymers in deforming nanopillars and micropillars is also described.
Abstract:
A method for forming a hollow microneedle structure includes processing the front side of a wafer (10) to form at least one microneedle (30) projecting from a substrate with a first part (18) of a through-bore, formed by a dry etching process, passing through the microneedle and through a part of a thickness of the substrate. The backside of the wafer (10) is also processed to form a second part (16) of the through-bore by a wet etching process.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention provides a process for selective etching during semiconductor manufacturing. The process starts by receiving a silicon substrate with a first layer composed of a first material, which is covered by a second layer composed of a second material. The process then performs a first etching operation that etches some but not all of the second layer, so that a portion of the second layer remains covering the first layer. Next, the system performs a second etching operation to selectively etch through the remaining portion of the second layer using a selective etchant. The etch rate of the selective etchant through the second material is faster than an etch rate of the selective etchant through the first material, so that the second etching operation etches through the remaining portion of the second layer and stops at the first layer.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a silicon processing method forming a structure small in a processing dimensional error even when there is an alignment error between a crystal axis orientation and an etching mask, a silicon substrate with an etching mask, and the like. SOLUTION: The silicon processing method includes: forming a mask pattern on a single-crystal silicon substrate 100 of which principal surface is (100) an equivalent face 103 or (110) an equivalent face; and applying crystal anisotropic etching to form a structure comprising (111) an equivalent face and having width W1 and length L1. A determining section for determining the width W1 of the structure is formed in the mask pattern. The width of the determining section for the width W1 of the mask pattern has width W2. The width of the mask pattern other than the determining section is larger than the width W2 over a length direction of the mask pattern. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A method for forming a micro cavity is disclosed. In the method for forming the cavity, a first layer is formed on a silicon layer and a trench is formed in the silicon layer by selectively etching the silicon layer. A second and a third layers are formed on the trench and on the silicon layer. Etching holes are formed through the third layer by partially etching the third layer. A cavity is formed between the silicon layer and the third layer after the second layer is removed through the etching holes. Therefore, the cavity having a large size can be easily formed and sealed in the silicon layer by utilizing the volume expansion of the silicon or the poly silicon layer. Also, a vacuum micro cavity can be formed according as a low vacuum CVD oxide layer or a nitride layer formed on the etching holes which are partially opened after the thermal oxidation process by controlling the size of the etching holes concerning the other portion of the poly silicon layer.
Abstract:
PURPOSE: A tiltable-body apparatus and a fabricating method thereof are provided to produce a tiltable-body apparatus with good strength and performance including a tiltable body which is reciprocally tilted about a twisting longitudinal axis. CONSTITUTION: In a micro-optical scanner, a recess(112) is formed on a glass substrate(110). A pair of driver electrodes(114,116) and a mirror support of a triangular prism are arranged on the bottom of the recess(112). The mirror support is omitted. In a single crystal silicon thin plate(120), two sets of torsion springs(128,129) and a planar mirror(130) are integrally formed by bulk micromachining techniques. Each of the torsion springs(128,129) has a cross section of symmetrical V-shape. This shape is a heptagonal shape with an internal angle of 289.4 degrees, and has two portions slant to a plane of the mirror(130).