Abstract:
Provided is an acoustic transducer (11) including: a semiconductor substrate (21); a vibrating membrane (23), provided above the semiconductor substrate (21), including a vibrating electrode (220); and a fixed membrane (23), provided above the semiconductor substrate (21), including a fixed electrode (230), the acoustic transducer detecting a sound wave according to changes in capacitances between the vibrating electrode (220) and the fixed electrode (230), converting the sound wave into electrical signals, and outputting the electrical signals. At least one of the vibrating electrode (220) and the fixed electrode (230) is divided into a plurality of divided electrodes, and the plurality of divided electrodes outputting the electrical signals.
Abstract:
An acoustic sensor (11) includes: a semiconductor substrate; a vibrating membrane (22), formed above the semiconductor substrate, which includes a vibrating electrode (22a); and a fixed membrane (23), formed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, which includes a fixed electrode (23a), the acoustic sensor (11) detecting an acoustic wave according to a change in capacitance between the vibrating electrode (22a) and the fixed electrode (23a). The fixed membrane (23) has a plurality of sound hole portions (32) formed therein in order to allow the acoustic wave to reach the vibrating membrane (22) from outside, and the fixed electrode (23a) is formed so that a boundary of an edge portion (40) of the fixed electrode (23a) does not intersect the sound hole portions (32).
Abstract:
A technique maintains good frequency characteristics in detecting an acoustic sound, and prevents a vibration electrode film from deforming excessively under an excessively high pressure and thus from breaking. An acoustic sensor converts an acoustic vibration into a change in capacitance between a vibration electrode film (15) and a back plate (17) and detects the acoustic vibration. When a vibration electrode film (15) deforms under an excessively high pressure, an airflow channel defined by the protrusion (17b) and a part of the vibration electrode film (15) increases an area of air flow by relative movement of a protrusion (17b) integral with the back plate (17) and the vibration electrode film (15) to relieve pressure applied to the vibration electrode film (15).
Abstract:
Provided is an acoustic sensor capable of improving an S/N ratio of a sensor without preventing reduction in size of the sensor. A diaphragm 43 as a movable electrode plate is formed on the top surface of a silicon substrate 42. The diaphragm 43 has a rectangular form, and four corners and midsections of long sides of the diaphragm 43 are supported by anchors 46. A displacement of the diaphragm 43 is minimal on a line D that connects between the anchors 46 at the midsections of the long sides. A displacement maximal point G, at which a displacement is maximal, is present on each side of the line D, and the line D extends in a direction intersecting with a line connecting between the displacement maximal points G.
Abstract:
A technique prevents a vibration electrode film from deforming excessively and breaking in any direction under an excessively high pressure applied to an acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor includes a back plate (37) facing an opening in a substrate, a vibration electrode film (35) facing the back plate (37) across a space, and a protrusion (37b) integral with and formed from the same member as the back plate (37). The vibration electrode film (35) has a through-hole as a pressure relief hole (35b), in which the protrusion (37b) is placed before the vibration electrode film (35) deforms. The pressure relief hole (35b) and the protrusion (37b) have a gap between them defining an airflow channel as a pressure relief channel. The protrusion (37b) includes a protrusion hole (37c) extending from a distal portion of the protrusion (37b) to a portion of the back plate (37) opposite to the protrusion (37b).