Abstract:
A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer (10), preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates (22,24) defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers (18,62). The capacitive plates (22,24) are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers (18,62), and the capacitive gap (30) therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer (10) that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.
Abstract:
A technique for manufacturing silicon structures includes etching a cavity into a first side of an epitaxial wafer (506). A thickness of an epitaxial layer is selected, based on a desired depth of the etched cavity and a desired membrane thickness. The first side of the epitaxial wafer is then bonded to a first side of a handle wafer (510). After thinning the epitaxial wafer until only the epitaxial layer remains, desired circuitry is formed on a second side of the remaining epitaxial layer (516), which is opposite the first side of the epitaxial wafer.
Abstract:
A method that employs a novel combination of conventional fabrication techniques provides a ceramic short-resistant capacitor (30) that is bendable and/or shapeable to provide a multiple layer capacitor that is extremely compact and amenable to desirable geometries. The method allows thinner and more flexible ceramic capacitors to be made. The method includes forming a first thin metal layer (12) on a substrate (10); depositing a thin, ceramic dielectric layer (14) over the metal layer (12); depositing a second thin metal layer (18) over the dielectric layer to form a capacitor exhibiting a benign failure mode; and separating the capacitor (30) from the substrate (10).
Abstract:
An MEMS device (30) including a semiconductor substrate (42) having an upper and lower surface, and a support structure (32) disposed at least partially in the semiconductor substrate. The support structure (32) includes a plurality of support members (36) oriented to define a plurality of cells (38a, 38b) in the semiconductor substrate (42). A thermally isolated membrane (50) is disposed above the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate (42) and is supported by the support structure (32). At least one functional component (54) is mounted to the membrane. The plurality of cells (38a, 38b) are located substantially beneath the at least one functional component (54).
Abstract:
An MEMS device (30) including a semiconductor substrate (42) having an upper and lower surface, and a support structure (32) disposed at least partially in the semiconductor substrate. The support structure (32) includes a plurality of support members (36) oriented to define a plurality of cells (38a, 38b) in the semiconductor substrate (42). A thermally isolated membrane (50) is disposed above the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate (42) and is supported by the support structure (32). At least one functional component (54) is mounted to the membrane. The plurality of cells (38a, 38b) are located substantially beneath the at least one functional component (54).
Abstract:
A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer (10), preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates (22,24) defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers (18,62). The capacitive plates (22,24) are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers (18,62), and the capacitive gap (30) therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer (10) that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.