Abstract:
An electroplating method that includes: a) contacting a first substrate with a first article, which includes a substrate and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the substrate; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the first substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the first substrate, is disclosed. Electroplating articles and electroplating apparatus are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a micromechanical component. According to said method, a trench structure is essentially completely filled with a first filler layer and a first masking layer is applied to the first filler layer, to which masking layer a second filler layer and a second masking layer are applied. The invention also relates to a micromechanical component, wherein the first filler layer fills the trench structure of the micromechanical component and at the same time forms a mobile sensor structure.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the present invention provide processes and apparatus for electrochemically fabricating multilayer structures (98) (e.g. mesoscale or microscale structures) with improved endpoint detection and parallelism maintenance for materials (e.g. layers) that are planarized during the electrochemical fabrication process. Some methods involve the use of a fixture during planarization that ensures that planarized planes of material are parallel to other deposited planes within a given tolerance. Some methods involve the use of an endpoint detection fixture (292, 294, 296, 298) that ensures precise heights of deposited materials relative to an initial surface of a substrate (82), relative to a first deposited layer, or relative to some other layer formed during the fabrication process. In some embodiments planarization may occur via lapping while other embodiments may use a diamond fly cutting machine (408).
Abstract:
Molded structures, methods of and apparatus for producing the molded structures are provided. At least a portion of the surface features for the molds are formed from multilayer electrochemically fabricated structures (e.g. fabricated by the EFABTM formation process), and typically contain features having resolutions within the 1 to 100 µm range. The layered structure is combined with other mold components, as necessary, and a molding material is injected into the mold and iohardened. The layered structure is removed (e.g. by etching) along with any other mold components to yield the molded article. In some embodiments portions of the layered structure remain in the molded article and in other embodiments an additional molding material is added after a partial or complete removal of the layered structure.
Abstract:
The invention concerns various embodiments directed to various microdevices, including sensors, actuators, valves, scanning mirrors, accelerometers, switches, and the like. In some embodiments the devices are formed via electrochemical fabrication (EFAB tm ). In particular, the invention concerns a microdevice comprising an electrostatically actuated micro-mirror scanning system comprising contoured electrodes that allow a reduced drive voltage without hindering mirror movement.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a silicon-metal composite micromechanical part, combining DRIE-type and LIGA-type processes. The invention also relates to a micromechanical part comprising a layer containing a silicon part (53) and a metal part in such a way as to form a composite-type micromechanical part. The invention can be used in the field of timekeeping movements.
Abstract:
Providing a method for manufacturing a thermal bimorph diaphragm and a MEMS speaker with thermal bimorphs, wherein the method comprises the steps of: thermally oxidizing a substrate (1) to obtain an insulating layer (2) thereon and providing a metal layer (3) on the insulating layer (2); providing a sacrificial layer (4) on the metal layer (3); providing a first thermal bimorph layer (5) on the sacrificial layer (4); providing a second thermal bimorph layer (6) on the first thermal bimorph layer (5); providing a metal connecting layer (7) at the positions on the metal layer (3) where the sacrificial layer (4) is not provided; forming corresponding back holes (16) on the substrate (1) and the insulating layer (2) and releasing the sacrificial layer (4); forming a warped thermal bimorph diaphragm with the first thermal bimorph layer (5) and the second thermal bimorph layer (6) after the sacrificial layer (4) is released. With the MEMS speaker with thermal bimorphs, the problems of high production cost, complicated wafer process and limitations on sound performance improvements are solved.
Abstract:
A device with multiple encapsulated functional layers, includes a substrate, a first functional layer positioned above a top surface of the substrate, the functional layer including a first device portion, a first encapsulating layer encapsulating the first functional layer, a second functional layer positioned above the first encapsulating layer, the second functional layer including a second device portion, and a second encapsulating layer encapsulating the second functional layer.