METHOD OF FABRICATING MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCHES ON CMOS COMPATIBLE SUBSTRATES
    2.
    发明公开
    METHOD OF FABRICATING MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCHES ON CMOS COMPATIBLE SUBSTRATES 有权
    用于生产机电MICRO SWITCH CMOS兼容SUBSTRATES

    公开(公告)号:EP1461828A4

    公开(公告)日:2005-09-28

    申请号:EP02803310

    申请日:2002-11-07

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: A method of fabricating micro-electromechanical switches (MEMS) integrated with conventional semiconductor interconnect levels, using compatible processes and materials is described. The method is based upon fabricating a capacitive switch that is easily modified to produce various configurations for contact switching and any number of metal-dielectric-metal switches. The process starts with a copper damascene interconnect layer, made of metal conductors inlaid in a dielectric. All or portions of the copper interconnects are recessed to a degree sufficient to provide a capacitive air gap when the switch is in the closed state, as well as provide space for a protective layer of, e.g., Ta/TaN. The metal structures defined within the area specified for the switch act as actuator electrodes to pull down the movable beam and provide one or more paths for the switched signal to traverse. The advantage of an air gap is that air is not subject to charge storage or trapping that can cause reliability and voltage drift problems. Instead of recessing the electrodes to provide a gap, one may just add dielectric on or around the electrode. The next layer is another dielectric layer which is deposited to the desired thickness of the gap formed between the lower electrodes and the moveable beam that forms the switching device. Vias are fabricated through this dielectric to provide connections between the metal interconnect layer and the next metal layer which will also contain the switchable beam. The via layer is then patterned and etched to provide a cavity area which contains the lower activation electrodes as well as the signal paths. The cavity is then back-filled with a sacrificial release material. This release material is then planarized with the top of the dielectric, thereby providing a planar surface upon which the beam layer is constructed.

    MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL VARACTOR WITH ENHANCED TUNING RANGE
    6.
    发明申请
    MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL VARACTOR WITH ENHANCED TUNING RANGE 审中-公开
    具有增强调谐范围的微电子变压器

    公开(公告)号:WO2004038916A3

    公开(公告)日:2004-08-12

    申请号:PCT/EP0312399

    申请日:2003-09-18

    Applicant: IBM IBM FRANCE

    CPC classification number: H01G5/18 B81B2201/01 H01G5/011 Y10S257/924

    Abstract: A three-dimensional micro-electromechanical (MEM) varactor is described wherein a movable beam (50) and fixed electrodes (51) are respectively fabricated on separate substrates coupled to each other. The movable beam with comb-drive electrodes are fabricated on the "chip side" while the fixed bottom electrode is fabricated on a separated substrate "carrier side". Upon fabrication of the device on both surfaces of the substrate, the chip side device is diced and "flipped over", aligned and joined to the "carrier" substrate to form the final device. Comb-drive (fins) electrodes are used for actuation while the motion of the electrode provides changes in capacitance. Due to the constant driving forces involved, a large capacitance tuning range can be obtained. The three dimensional aspect of the device avails large surface area. When large aspect ratio features are provided, a lower actuation voltage can be used. Upon fabrication, the MEMS device is completely encapsulated, requiring no additional packaging of the device. Further, since alignment and bonding can be done on a wafer scale (wafer scale MEMS packaging), an improved device yield can be obtained at a lower cost.

    Abstract translation: 描述了三维微机电(MEM)变容二极管,其中可移动光束(50)和固定电极(51)分别制造在彼此耦合的分离的基板上。 具有梳状驱动电极的可移动光束在“芯片侧”上制造,而固定底部电极制造在分离的基板“载体侧”上。 在衬底的两个表面上制造器件时,芯片侧器件被切割并“翻转”,对准并接合到“载体”衬底以形成最终器件。 梳状驱动(鳍)电极用于致动,同时电极的运动提供电容的变化。 由于所涉及的驱动力恒定,可以获得大的电容调谐范围。 该装置的三维方面具有较大的表面积。 当提供大的纵横比特征时,可以使用较低的致动电压。 在制造时,MEMS器件被完全封装,不需要额外的器件封装。 此外,由于可以在晶片规模(晶片级MEMS封装)上进行取向和接合,所以可以以更低的成本获得改进的器件产量。

    DIAPHRAGM ACTIVATED MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCH
    8.
    发明公开
    DIAPHRAGM ACTIVATED MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCH 有权
    MEMBRANAKIVIERTER微机电开关

    公开(公告)号:EP1535297A4

    公开(公告)日:2007-07-18

    申请号:EP02768707

    申请日:2002-08-26

    Applicant: IBM

    CPC classification number: H01H59/0009 H01H2057/006

    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical (MEM) RF switch provided with a deflectable membrane (60) activates a switch contact or plunger (40). The membrane incorporates interdigitated metal electrodes (70) which cause a stress gradient in the membrane when activated by way of a DC electric field. The stress gradient results in a predictable bending or displacement of the membrane (60), and is used to mechanically displace the switch contact (30). An RF gap area (25) located within the cavity (250) is totally segregated from the gaps (71) between the interdigitated metal electrodes (70). The membrane is electrostatically displaced in two opposing directions, thereby aiding to activate and deactivate the switch. The micro-electromechanical switch includes: a cavity (250); at least one conductive path (20) integral to a first surface bordering the cavity; a flexible membrane (60) parallel to the first surface bordering the cavity (250), the flexible membrane (60) having a plurality of actuating electrodes (70); and a plunger (40) attached to the flexible membrane (60) in a direction away from the actuating electrodes (70), the plunger (40) having a conductive surface that makes electric contact with the conductive paths, opening and closing the switch.

    MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCH HAVING A DEFORMABLE ELASTOMERIC CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT
    9.
    发明公开
    MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCH HAVING A DEFORMABLE ELASTOMERIC CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT 审中-公开
    微机电开关,可变形的弹性LEITFüHIGEN元

    公开(公告)号:EP1535296A4

    公开(公告)日:2007-04-04

    申请号:EP02746591

    申请日:2002-06-14

    Applicant: IBM

    CPC classification number: H01H59/0009

    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical switch (MEMS) having a deformable elastomeric element (1) which exhibits a large change in conductivity with a small amount of displacement. The deformable elastomeric element (1) is displaced by an electrostatic force that is applied laterally resulting in a small transverse displacement. The transversal displacement, in turn, pushes a metallic contact (7) against two conductive paths (5, 6), allowing passage of electrical signals. The elastomer (1) is provided on two opposing sids with embedded metallic elements (9, 10), such as impregnated metallic rods, metallic sheets, metallic particles, or conductive paste. Actuation electrodes (18, 8) are placed parallel to the conductive sides of the elastomer. A voltage applied between the conductive side of the elastomer and the respective actuation electrodes (18, 8) generate the electrostatic attractive force that compresses the elastomer (1), creating the transverse displacement that closes the MEMS. The elastomeric based MEMS extends the lifetime of the switch by extending fatigue life of the deformable switch elements.

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